Dimensions at Receiver
I think these quotes give some good insights into what the coaches are thinking about the passing game, and why they chose not to draft a WR and still feel confident about the air attack, even beyond the existing WR corps.
Kevin Sharrington, DMN on Dan ny Amendola:
Can he be another Welker? He certainly has the pedigree and the quarterback. Leach tells us that Amendola isn't as quick as Welker, but he's faster.
Bottom line: If Jason Garrett takes advantage of Amendola's special set of skills, he could give the Cowboys a different dimension at receiver.
Tim McMahon on Martellus Bennett:
Bennett is eager to serve as Pro Bowl TE Jason Witten's "apprentice," but the Cowboys wouldn't have used a second-round pick on him unless they thought he could help them win this season. He'll be given a chance to earn the No. 2 tight end role, and his versatility should give Jason Garrett more freedom to create mismatches with the Cowboys' two-tight end packages. His size could add a dimension to the Cowboys' passing game.
COWBOYS TE COACH JOHN GARRETT on Martellus Bennett (same link as above):
He's a good enough athlete to be a motion guy, be an on-the-line tight end or be in the slot. ... I expect him to challenge for playing time. That all hinges on how fast he can pick things up. I envision him seriously contributing in a significant part of the offense.
Tom Osborn on Martellus Bennett:
Owner Jerry Jones sees all kind of possibilities for Bennett in the red zone. The same goes for coach Wade Phillips, who suggested Bennett could follow in the footsteps of Antonio Gates because he's a former basketball player, just like San Diego's Pro Bowl tight end.
“(Bennett) just has a feel for where other people are,” Phillips said. “He's got that body control to rebound, where you have to go up and get the ball. I've already noticed him kind of put his hip in there and catch the ball on the side, like basketball players do.”
Phillips also raved about the way Bennett, who will wear No. 80, runs routes and gets open.
“I like the way he moves,” Phillips said. “He separates from the defensive backs or linebackers. He naturally does that well, which is a real positive.”
Another Bennett asset is his ability to block, something he did often for the Aggies. Because of that, the Cowboys can play Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten more in the slot, a move that could result in a mismatch if the defense covers him with a defensive back.
“(Bennett) gives us versatility,” Phillips said. “That's what we were looking for. If (he) can play ‘Y' (the in-line tight end), you can play two tight ends where you don't know which one is going to be the receiver.”
The Cowboys are counting on Bennett, who had 49 receptions as a junior last season, to make an immediate impact.
COWBOYS RB COACH SKIP PEETE on Felix Jones:
He's a guy that has the ability to be a runner inside and outside and be utilized in the passing game.
[...]
That [route running] was something we had the opportunity to see [during minicamp]. He had the opportunity to run routes out of the backfield and catch the ball. He seems very comfortable doing that. He's very fluid. The guy is a very special kid in my mind. I had an opportunity to coach a guy who had a lot of similarities to him as far as impacting the game - a kid by the name of Charlie Garner.
He was a multi-talented running back and an excellent receiver. In the 2002-03 season with the Oakland Raiders, he was the team's leading rusher with 962 yards and 7 touchdowns, while also leading all NFL running backs in receiving with 91 receptions for 941 yards and another 4 touchdowns.
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WR - after reading all this....
I feel much better that we did NOT go out and overspend on a veteren WR.
As JJ has said, the draft is where need meets opprotunity.. and, as we did kind of sort of need a WR, the opprotunity did not arise. Or at least, a reasonable opprotunity did not arise, either in the draft or via a free agent.
Incorporating Felix into the offense and Bennett as a pretty big target and one of our recievers from last year contributing more… that could be Glenn, Stanbeck, Austin, etc.. and we are pretty good in the passing game…
We all know what T.O. and Witten can bring to the table, MBIII an catch a little screen or flair, and as Crayton is not a GREAT #2 he can play well… add that to the other weapons and i think we are in good shape…
obviously i think some situations, like having Glenn return healthy, are better than others, but we have the ability.
next year we will get, using draft picks and some creative cap moves, someone like Chad Johnson, TJ Housh, or Roy williams, and have them begin to take over for T.O. as our #1
by stephena on
May 7, 2008 10:47 AM CDT
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The approach on offense...
... appears to be utilize the resources within and the resources obtained.
within: after TO/JW/TG/PC, Hurd, Austin, Stanback
obtained: F. Jones, Bennett, Amendola
of course, this is what’s on paper. TC and preseason has yet to arrive, so this is definitely speculation…
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on
May 7, 2008 10:59 AM CDT
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Our 2 TE set
is going to be a nightmare for opposing DC. With 2 TE that can block or burn linebackers, TO on the outside eating up a double team and Barber/Jones in the backfield… pick your poison.
by bluewolf021 on
May 7, 2008 12:40 PM CDT
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If TG is healthy and in normal form
we’ll have the best offense in league, yes, better than NE and Indy.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on
May 7, 2008 3:41 PM CDT
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T.O. as well.
Unfortunately, T.O. is becoming a little injury prone himself, so we need him to stay healthy, too. Last 4 years for him = ankle, finger, suspension, knee.
by Baked Potato Soup on
May 7, 2008 4:17 PM CDT
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The real problem was the running game.
I think the Cowboys one weakness on offense last year was not being able to put teams away. Often, it looked more like the offensive line was wearing down at the end of games, instead of the other way around. As often as Dallas was ahead by double digits and with 2 good backs, we should have been grinding other teams into paste in the late 3rd and 4th quarter. If not for Barber being such a crazed animal to bring down, it would have been much worse. Hopefully Houck can get those big boys whipped into shape this year so they are as dominant at run blocking as they were at pass blocking. That will also help out with our passing efficiency and interceptions. You could tell as the season went on that teams were not worried about putting 8 in the box or slowing down their pass rush, because they knew we weren’t a good running team. This year we need to punish teams that try to double T.O. and Witten by slamming the ball down their throat, and they’ll be too gassed to come after Romo so much.
by Baked Potato Soup on
May 7, 2008 4:15 PM CDT
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yup, having three solid backs
keeping each other fresh and bringing different styles for different situations, whether they are catching or just running, will help open up the passing game too.
by scottmaui on
May 7, 2008 4:44 PM CDT
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Yeah
Everything I experienced and read says that O-lines get fatigues pass blocking and energized run blocking. They should be able to mix it up better next year.
by dunkman on
May 7, 2008 8:29 PM CDT
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Here, here
Yeah, how many times did the running game put teams away last year? I saw the passing game do it numerous times, but I would’ve like to have seen the RBs and O-Line just take over at least a coupla games to give both the passing offense and the defense a break. Plus, it gives your offense a mean demeanor to just smash opposing defenses around.
That #38 sure can hit!
by Bigrigga31 on
May 14, 2008 12:52 AM CDT
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Tony TD Curtis
I wonder what plans Garrett has for a guy who caught 3 TD’s last year. ..
He is a good athelete too..
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"
by Wmillion on
May 8, 2008 2:35 PM CDT
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Yeah..
I thought he looked fine… will he still be on the active roster or what?
What the French?! Toast!
by thebigham on
May 11, 2008 2:05 PM CDT
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Has anyone ever had a higher reception to TD ratio in a season or career? (3/3)
I mean seriously, how many guys come out and the first three catches they make are all for TDs? pretty funny.
Bennett will likely challenge him for the #2 spot, but I think they’ll keep 3 TEs on the roster, regardless of who gets #2.
by scottmaui on
May 11, 2008 3:46 PM CDT
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One drawback of such a huge line
Guys that big don’t have the stamina of smaller faster lineman. Pass blocking 60% of the game wears out our big 330 pound lineman (Kosier is the small and would probably be better in a zone blocking scheme). Load right behind Bigg Leonard a little more.
How 'Bout Them Cowboys!!!!
by emmitt22 on
May 8, 2008 8:59 PM CDT
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3-TE sets
Last year’s Tony Curtis TD vs. the Giants was from a 3 TE-set…
Check out the video on the right of Curtis NFL.com page:
by scottmaui on
May 11, 2008 7:13 PM CDT
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actually all 3 of his TDs were from 3-TE sets
watch the other two videos in the highlights below…
by scottmaui on
May 11, 2008 7:15 PM CDT
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