Cowboys Roster Series Part 2: Wide Receivers
NFL Team Column
By Russell Easley
Roster Series Part 2: Wide Receivers
Much has been said about the Dallas Cowboys receiving corps so far this offseason, most of it dealing with the departure of Terrell Owens, who shuffled off to Buffalo, but Owens is history and the show, as they say, must go on.
There are two major question marks for the Cowboys receivers going into the 2009 season. Can Miles Austin step up and be a consistent downfield threat this season ? Can Roy Williams step up and be a consistent #1 target and earn the trust of quarterback Tony Romo ? It’s looking like a boom or bust year for this unit in 2009.
Here’s a rundown of the current roster:
Roy Williams – Williams has all the physical tools that you could want in a top wide receiver, but he only had one pro bowl caliber year during his time in exile (ie playing for the Detroit Lions). But there are three major reasons why I think Roy will make Jerry Jones proud this coming season. First, you can consider last season a fluke. He played his first three games with Brad Johnson at quarterback, then only had a few more games to work with Romo before Terrell Owens started whining for the ball, and so Romo and Williams never got on the same page. While we’re at it, we can also factor in the plantar fasciitis injury that Roy suffered last year. Second, Williams and Romo have been working out together on pass patterns since early March. They are getting their timing down and learning what to expect of each other, which is vital. Thirdly, every commentator from here to Cairo has been questioning the abilities of Roy Williams, thus adding fuel to his inner fire. He has even taken to wearing his old college number 4 during OTA’s to signify that the Roy you see this year will not be the Roy you saw last year. Roy Williams is a man on a mission.
Patrick Crayton – He has two very valuable traits. First of all he is consistent. He’s not the fastest or flashiest wideout on the field but he knows how to run routes and has good hands. You know what you’re getting with him, which is a minimum of mistakes and some decent plays. Secondly, he owns his mistakes, which makes him a good team player. He uses his mistakes as fuel to do better the next time out. He talks too much to the press to suit many fans, but all in all he is a passionate player whose primary goal is to help the team. Crayton is also currently the team’s punt returner, a duty which he executes with typical unspectacular yet solid performance. I’ll take that over Pac Man with touchdown potential running from sideline to sideline. Favorite Crayton Moment (yes I have one): his 39 yard game winning touchdown catch against the Redskins in 2004.
Miles Austin – Austin has been the wideout in waiting for three years. Of those three years he has only been able to keep himself totally healthy for one. So durability seems to be the biggest question. Otherwise the coaches are quite confident that he can step in and fill the role of a downfield threat. He has good size and speed, and has been working on his craft for 3 years. He has a boatload of potential, indicated by the second round tender the Cowboys offered him, but that’s what it is at this point – potential. Favorite Austin Moment: the kick return for a touchdown against the Seahawks in the 2006 playoffs.
Sam Hurd – Hurd is another one of the Boys young receivers, being an undrafted free agent in 2006. A solid special teams performer, Hurd was out all last year with an ankle injury, which is too bad considering he had an excellent training camp and preseason last year. In fact, many thought he would pass Miles Austin on the depth chart based on his preseason performance. It’s going to be interesting to see what Hurd shows us this year.
Isaiah Stanback – Stanback is a converted QB who has been in development the last few seasons. He is very athletic, and has great speed but has trouble staying on the field due to injuries. In fact, as of the time of this writing it was reported that Stanback is having surgery for a partially torn MCL and will be out until training camp. It’s a minor injury, but given the amount of time he has already logged in the trainer’s room, his chances to make the team this year are getting ever slimmer. Jerry Jones seems to be leaning towards getting rid of his pet projects (TO, Pacman, etc.), and Stanback is one of them.
Manuel Johnson – Johnson was drafted in the 7th round this year. Many draft experts thought he would go higher than that, but a dislocated elbow suffered during his senior season at Oklahoma caused his stock to fall. At 5’11” he’s likely too small to be a #1 receiver in the Cowboys system but his quickness, hands, route running, and courage over the middle make him an excellent prospect in the slot. He’s tough as nails too (he missed only 2 games after the elbow injury), a trait which will endear him to the fans.
Kevin Ogletree – Signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Virginia, which could end up being a steal for the Cowboys. An NFL advisory board had Ogletree pegged as a 3rd or 4th rounder. He ran a 4.46 at the combine, which puts him in the same speed range as Jeremy Maclin, Kenny Britt and Joaquin Iglesias, but as an undrafted player is a long shot to make the team, given the amount of receivers the Cowboys have. He has size, speed, hands, and the ability to go fight for the ball in traffic. His progress during the offseason will be interesting to follow.
The Cowboys have seven receivers competing for a likely 5 roster spots. Williams, Crayton, and Austin are givens so Hurd, Stanback, Johnson, and Ogletree will likely fight it out for the last two spots on the roster. Don’t be surprised if both rookies make the team, as they have a lot of upside. The Cowboys are looking at a whole lot of positive potential with nothing objectively proven except Crayton, who has certainly earned himself a spot on this team as a slot receiver at a minimum, if not the number 2. This is Roy Williams’ one year to make a statement. What that statement is will be up to him.
So there you have it. The 2009 Dallas Cowboys receiving corps – Boom or Bust.
By Russell Easley
Roster Series Part 2: Wide Receivers
Much has been said about the Dallas Cowboys receiving corps so far this offseason, most of it dealing with the departure of Terrell Owens, who shuffled off to Buffalo, but Owens is history and the show, as they say, must go on.
There are two major question marks for the Cowboys receivers going into the 2009 season. Can Miles Austin step up and be a consistent downfield threat this season ? Can Roy Williams step up and be a consistent #1 target and earn the trust of quarterback Tony Romo ? It’s looking like a boom or bust year for this unit in 2009.
Here’s a rundown of the current roster:
Roy Williams – Williams has all the physical tools that you could want in a top wide receiver, but he only had one pro bowl caliber year during his time in exile (ie playing for the Detroit Lions). But there are three major reasons why I think Roy will make Jerry Jones proud this coming season. First, you can consider last season a fluke. He played his first three games with Brad Johnson at quarterback, then only had a few more games to work with Romo before Terrell Owens started whining for the ball, and so Romo and Williams never got on the same page. While we’re at it, we can also factor in the plantar fasciitis injury that Roy suffered last year. Second, Williams and Romo have been working out together on pass patterns since early March. They are getting their timing down and learning what to expect of each other, which is vital. Thirdly, every commentator from here to Cairo has been questioning the abilities of Roy Williams, thus adding fuel to his inner fire. He has even taken to wearing his old college number 4 during OTA’s to signify that the Roy you see this year will not be the Roy you saw last year. Roy Williams is a man on a mission.
Patrick Crayton – He has two very valuable traits. First of all he is consistent. He’s not the fastest or flashiest wideout on the field but he knows how to run routes and has good hands. You know what you’re getting with him, which is a minimum of mistakes and some decent plays. Secondly, he owns his mistakes, which makes him a good team player. He uses his mistakes as fuel to do better the next time out. He talks too much to the press to suit many fans, but all in all he is a passionate player whose primary goal is to help the team. Crayton is also currently the team’s punt returner, a duty which he executes with typical unspectacular yet solid performance. I’ll take that over Pac Man with touchdown potential running from sideline to sideline. Favorite Crayton Moment (yes I have one): his 39 yard game winning touchdown catch against the Redskins in 2004.
Miles Austin – Austin has been the wideout in waiting for three years. Of those three years he has only been able to keep himself totally healthy for one. So durability seems to be the biggest question. Otherwise the coaches are quite confident that he can step in and fill the role of a downfield threat. He has good size and speed, and has been working on his craft for 3 years. He has a boatload of potential, indicated by the second round tender the Cowboys offered him, but that’s what it is at this point – potential. Favorite Austin Moment: the kick return for a touchdown against the Seahawks in the 2006 playoffs.
Sam Hurd – Hurd is another one of the Boys young receivers, being an undrafted free agent in 2006. A solid special teams performer, Hurd was out all last year with an ankle injury, which is too bad considering he had an excellent training camp and preseason last year. In fact, many thought he would pass Miles Austin on the depth chart based on his preseason performance. It’s going to be interesting to see what Hurd shows us this year.
Isaiah Stanback – Stanback is a converted QB who has been in development the last few seasons. He is very athletic, and has great speed but has trouble staying on the field due to injuries. In fact, as of the time of this writing it was reported that Stanback is having surgery for a partially torn MCL and will be out until training camp. It’s a minor injury, but given the amount of time he has already logged in the trainer’s room, his chances to make the team this year are getting ever slimmer. Jerry Jones seems to be leaning towards getting rid of his pet projects (TO, Pacman, etc.), and Stanback is one of them.
Manuel Johnson – Johnson was drafted in the 7th round this year. Many draft experts thought he would go higher than that, but a dislocated elbow suffered during his senior season at Oklahoma caused his stock to fall. At 5’11” he’s likely too small to be a #1 receiver in the Cowboys system but his quickness, hands, route running, and courage over the middle make him an excellent prospect in the slot. He’s tough as nails too (he missed only 2 games after the elbow injury), a trait which will endear him to the fans.
Kevin Ogletree – Signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Virginia, which could end up being a steal for the Cowboys. An NFL advisory board had Ogletree pegged as a 3rd or 4th rounder. He ran a 4.46 at the combine, which puts him in the same speed range as Jeremy Maclin, Kenny Britt and Joaquin Iglesias, but as an undrafted player is a long shot to make the team, given the amount of receivers the Cowboys have. He has size, speed, hands, and the ability to go fight for the ball in traffic. His progress during the offseason will be interesting to follow.
The Cowboys have seven receivers competing for a likely 5 roster spots. Williams, Crayton, and Austin are givens so Hurd, Stanback, Johnson, and Ogletree will likely fight it out for the last two spots on the roster. Don’t be surprised if both rookies make the team, as they have a lot of upside. The Cowboys are looking at a whole lot of positive potential with nothing objectively proven except Crayton, who has certainly earned himself a spot on this team as a slot receiver at a minimum, if not the number 2. This is Roy Williams’ one year to make a statement. What that statement is will be up to him.
So there you have it. The 2009 Dallas Cowboys receiving corps – Boom or Bust.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:04 PM
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