Tough choices
by accidental innuendo on Jan 20, 2009 6:11 PM CST
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PrintGentlemen, it's becoming more and more difficult to understand the crap that the Cowboys are flinging my way. I'm not blaming the media here because I found less and less reason to disbelieve their articles as the season wound down.
It's time to make a few tough choices. The players have run amok, and within the space of a single season, it seems like the organization has lost direction. Perhaps it's been this way for a while, and 13-3 was the aberration, but what I've seen and heard from, and about, this team has just brought home the message that they're not winners and don't want to be.
Imagine, if you will, the team as it is now going into training camp. Oh, I assure you that players and coaches will have made up superficially and through gritted teeth will supply endless quotes about how they've put last season behind them and how they're coming together as a team. Then picture some early season losses, and suddenly all the drama is at the forefront again while football takes a backseat.
Not another season of this nonsense, please. Oh accidental, you ask, please flaunt the glory of your banana hammock and point us in the right direction. Of course, I'd be happy to oblige.
Tough choices, I said. Tough choices that need to be made. If anyone's read the Dune novels, you know how Paul Atreides felt. (By the way, if you haven't picked up Dune, it makes for great offseason reading.) Paul knew he had to embrace the Golden Path under a veil of bloodshed or watch the empire slowly decay to nothing and take humanity with it.
Bloodshed got your attention, eh?
Wade's gotta go. I have nothing against the guy, and uptil this weekend, I had no negative feelings about his return. However, it's dawned on me that his marshmallowy softness has come to symbolize a lot of what's wrong with this team. So, gone, fired, canned -- not invited back as Def. Coordinator, nada. It's a symbolic move, and it sucks for the guy, but it needs doing. Yeah, he's a great defensive mind, but he's not HC material, and it's too late for anything else.
Promote Carrot-top. All year long, I've done nothing but whine about how much his playcalling sucks, but I'm willing to admit that he's young, he's learning, and he's does have the IT-factor that's needed as a HC. It's the best option we've got, and he's going to be the one to turn this ship around.
Lose T.O. You knew this was coming. I've loved the guy before he was on the Cowboys, and I've loved how he's always spoken his mind, but the bad finally outweighs the good. He's still a star WR, no doubt about it, but he's in decline, he's constantly, and unfairly, always under the spotlight, and his demand for the ball undermines our mentally fragile QB who works best by spreading the ball around. He's losing it, and if Garret's going to stay with the Cowboys, T.O.'s going to go. I hate even typing this, but I'm thinking long-term.
Ask Jerry to clean house. The whiners, the losers, the slackers, the talkers...all have to go. This is going to be a slow process, and some of the players that exhibit these qualities are going to stay simply because of their contracts (lookin' at you RW11), but Jerry's going to have to act like a proper GM. This is probably the hardest thing, but some contracts have to be cut short or let expire and the players need not return. Carrot-top can make a list, and maybe this will force the rest of the team to shape up.
Here's the point: It needs to be big, and it needs to be ugly, or we can keep fooling ourselves for the next few years until we're back at 5-11 and reality hits. Tough choices, I said, and I mean it.
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Solid take
It is harder and harder to disbelieve the media. This is a zoo.
I think Ellis and Newman are bad apples who need to go. I’d like to get rid of a veteran OL as well, but I don’t think we can afford to.
As for Owens, I think his act has gotten into Romo’s head in a bad way. I will admit that is pure speculation.
I am sure we aren't the only zoo
Starting hear a lot of stuff come out of NYJ, but we are glamorous..
Tough to make tough choice is the guy make the choices is the problem.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
Why is Newman a "bad apple"?
Hes our best player on D apart from Ware
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 20, 2009 9:50 PM CST up reply actions
Injured and whiny
players shouldn’t call out coaches
he stunk in Philly.
Ratliff is a superior player to Newman, who Dallas has overvalued and overpaid.
by I_miss_Switzer on Jan 20, 2009 10:50 PM CST up reply actions
Huh?
Where does the Newman/Ratliff comparison make any sense?
Entirely different positions, and we have Ratliff locked up for a while…
TNew is fine. One of the best corners in the game. He’s actually one of the few vocal leaders the team has, from what I gather.
by the red scare on Jan 20, 2009 11:20 PM CST up reply actions
Do you want to know how it makes sense?
When someone says he is second best to Ware. I say Ratliff is better. Understand, or can I expect more snarkiness from you? Do you still think it makes no sense, or do you now understand the context?
TNew is not one of the best corners in the game. He is overrated. DeSean Jackson is a rookie and has no fear of Newman.
A vocal leader who is oft injured, whines about the coaches and gets torched in big games? Only in Dallas.
HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH
Try to keep up.
by I_miss_Switzer on Jan 20, 2009 11:24 PM CST up reply actions
Sorry
Don’t know why I got so pissy.
I don’t think Newman is our second best defender, and I think he is great at times, and crap at other times. I see him as good, not elite.
Huh at myself
by I_miss_Switzer on Jan 20, 2009 11:39 PM CST up reply actions
Oh man
Yeah, let’s get rid of our top CB, what a brilliant move.
Call me snarky if you want, but dumb ideas deserve what they evoke.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Jan 21, 2009 4:11 AM CST up reply actions
I guess your screen name says it all
You miss Switzer. Why on Earth…oh forget it.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Jan 21, 2009 4:13 AM CST up reply actions
Yes, my name
is deadly serious.
Newman was outplayed by Jones.
(Romo) still gets excited when he buys a new t-shirt at Target for crying out loud
by I_miss_Switzer on Jan 21, 2009 10:07 AM CST up reply actions
Too expand
I don’t think Newman is that hot. He got torched in Pitt. Torched in philly. Has big games, and off games. He whined about the coaches, and he whined about people talking to the media. He may be our best corner, but I think he is also one of the bad apples who needs to go.
In general, I also think fans have overrated him. He is not an elite player, and if given a shot, Jenkins could well replace him. Dallas’ biggest problem has been holding on to too many players for too long, because Jerry considers them irreplaceable. That is how the likes of Crayton and Hamlin get overpaid.
(Romo) still gets excited when he buys a new t-shirt at Target for crying out loud
by I_miss_Switzer on Jan 21, 2009 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
He bounces
Between elite and average…and it’s the inconsistency that kills us. He’ll shut a WR down, and then let a backbreaking pass get completed.
Now, I’m doubting the extension he got. Should’ve franchised him. Kudos to Boyzfan for saying it out loud many moons ago.
In-YOUR-endo
by accidental innuendo on Jan 22, 2009 9:39 AM CST up reply actions
I disagree
Newman is definitely an elite CB in the league when healthy and is a top 5 player on this team.
In Romo we Trust
On the money Terry
These guys are suffering from “the grass is always greener” syndrome. Not to mention selective memory.
Every CB that plays man on man will get beaten once in a while. Perfect passes beat perfect coverage every time.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Jan 23, 2009 8:55 PM CST up reply actions
While I agree
that suggests that there is no such thing as perfect coverage
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 23, 2009 9:27 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not suggesting he's not worthwhile
But he’s on the wrong side of his career, performance-wise, and he’s started to develop a mouth.
I think the big extension was a mistake. But he’s here to stay, and I don’t hate him — he’s still pretty good. Just wishing we’d franchised him.
In-YOUR-endo
by accidental innuendo on Jan 24, 2009 6:56 AM CST up reply actions
Check the stats if you couldn't tell from watching the games
Newman outperformed Pacman
I can’t understand why fans of the team would make such claims to the contrary.
Pacman might have more natural talent, but he’s wasting it.
I guess if you want to see Newman as an overrated CB, I’m not going to change your mind. But you are certainly wrong that this team would be better off without T-New, and yes he is a shutdown CB when healthy.
I don’t get the whiny comment at all. The only comment he made to the media was that everyone should be accountable, players and coaches. Now that all the behind the scenes BS has come out about what a total lack of discipline there was within the team, I’d say he was dead on.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Jan 23, 2009 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
+1
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 23, 2009 9:27 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah I gotta agree here.
Everyone points at Pac’s pass deflections and says “See! He’s the best CB on the team!” However, if you go back and look at them, half of them should’ve been INTs. Hell, one step further, QB’s were probably throwing his way in the first place because T-New was on the other side.
by AikmanNailedMySis on Jan 27, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions
I don't know about second best defender
But I don’t think the problem lies with TNew at all. He has had an injury problem of late, that I do find startling.
And I love Ratliff, I wouldn’t even consider replacing him, even with a player like Haynesworth. I wouldn’t even argue TNew over Ratliff. If I had to pick one over the other I don’t believe I could do it. Maybe I’d take the easy way out and pick Bradie James, I dunno’.
It wasn’t my intention to rub anybody the wrong way or come off as snarky or anything like that. I apologize if I happened to do so.
by the red scare on Jan 21, 2009 12:08 AM CST up reply actions
Come back to the reservation
The guy has consistently been one of the best corners in the league. Because he was injured, you want to cut him?
If he’s a pain in the ass, I’d hate to see what your opinion of the rest of the team is.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on Jan 23, 2009 8:58 PM CST up reply actions
Anything to get "carrot-top" to stop calling plays
The sad part is you don’t have anyone to replace T.O., so that’ll have to wait. Jerruh is going in the right direction , canning Pacman, letting Tank J. walk , firing Brian Stewart and canning the worst special teams coach in the NFL
Williams, Austin, Crayton
sufficient receiving tandem. Tack Witten and Bennett in there, and the passing attack thrives. If TO comes back this year, fine by me, but if they want him gone, there’s nothing to consider. We still have receivers who are talented enough to do the job.
by the red scare on Jan 20, 2009 11:16 PM CST up reply actions
I like the TE’s with Witten and Bennett. I think that if we cut Owens we will need to draft a WR. Williams should be fine as the number 1 WR, but Crayton should the slot guy and I’m not sold on Austin yet. He just hasn’t played enough to be considered the number 2 WR.
+10000000
“He just hasn’t played enough to be considered the number 2 WR.”
People are so high on Austin just because he has a good YPC figure over his 18 catch career. Let him have some substantial success before we say he is a good #2 WR
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 21, 2009 12:37 AM CST up reply actions
He’s done a lot with limited playing time. Given more, he may turn out to really be something. There’s no telling, but he’s a 4 year vet with NFL experience. Eventually you gotta’ let ‘em sink or swim. I happen to subscribe to the belief that he’ll be an excellent receiver for us. Sure, he’s currently a downgrade to TO, but should the organization decide to let him go, with the talent we have at tight end(let’s not forget that a LARGE portion of the passing game is Witten), the passing game really shouldn’t be lacking much.
by the red scare on Jan 21, 2009 4:13 AM CST up reply actions
"He’s done a lot with limited playing time"
He has 18 catches. Let that sink in…in 3 years he has 18 catches. If he was anywhere near as good as some people on this blog claim he is, he should be able to get more than 6 catches a year. Sure he might be good, but it is much much more likely that he is just an average WR with good speed. And that might be giving him too much credit
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 21, 2009 5:14 AM CST up reply actions
I agree with your point to an extent
but he understands our system, has experience in it, and at times has flourished.
Acquiring a new receiver (be it through the draft or via free agency) gives our roster another WR unfamiliar and inexperienced with the offense. Therefore, it’d take time to trust that player and that guy just ends up on the bench unable to contribute right away unless the receiving corps gets depleted due to injury and/or off-the-field situations.
In football, continuity helps a lot, and in my humble opinion (for what it’s worth), releasing Austin would hurt us.
Why not keep Owens, Williams, Austin, Crayton, and Stanback. Another year of familiarity, practice, and game experience in this system will only make them better, and potentially make our passing game much more explosive.
Now attitude and playcalling problems are intangible issues that need to be improved — in addition to shoring up the O-line — to make these possibilities a reality next year.
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
My major issue is that they are unproven. I think that if we draft a wr or Stanback impresses in camp then Hurd is gone. Owens is getting old and will begin to decline within the next year or two. Williams hasn’t proven much in this offense yet but he was brought here for a reason and is still young. Austin has talent but in three years he has 18 catches. He is a solid kick returner but will lose that job to Felix Jones. Crayton is a solid possession guy but isn’t much more than a slot receiver. I still think that we should another wr through the draft.
Stanback impresses every camp
but can’t make it through the preseason in one piece.
by Mandmeisterx on Jan 21, 2009 8:36 PM CST up reply actions
agreed that we should draft another WR. don't think we should release Miles Austin, though.
In 2006, Parcells last year as HC of our Cowboys, check out where Austin was in the depth chart.
Terrell Owens
Terry Glenn
Patrick Crayton
Sam Hurd
Miles Austin
Austin was used as a kick returner on special teams and he returned a kickoff for a TD in the playoff loss in Seattle during the wild card round that season.
In 2007, Glenn had knee problems, but da King never put him on IR. So Crayton moved up on the depth chart. And here’s how it looked:
Owens
Crayton
Hurd
Austin
Stanback
Glenn injured – returned last few games and played more in playoff loss to Giants in the Divisional Round.
What I remembered most about Austin that season was the two beautiful passes that Romo put in his hands — that hit him in stride and would’ve went for two TDs if Miles had held on — in the meaningless Week 17 loss in Washington. That game was the ONLY game that Austin saw significant playing time in.
In the offseason leading up to training camp of this recently completed 2008 season, I read reports of Austin putting in hours of work to improve his receiving skills so as not to drop as many passes.
And it paid off.
He was excelling in the preseason, when he suffered a knee injury on special teams in like the 2nd to last exhibition game. And of course, he missed the first two games of the regular season.
But when he came back AND WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, he took advantage. Remember his breakout game @ Green Bay. One bomb to that got it to the 1-yd line, and another that sealed the game for a TD.
He scored a TD at home in the loss to Washington.
And he began contributing and hanging on to passes until he got hurt again later in the season. But he returned and finished the year playing in the last four games of the year.
He was an undrafted free agent from small school Monmouth in Jersey, and he’s progressively gotten better with each year in the league. And he’s has proven himself when given the opportunity to play.
How can anyone say he’s unproven when he didn’t get the opportunity to play much in the two years leading up to the 2008 season?
People need to do their homework.
2008 was his breakout season and the ONLY season he had injury problems.
How’s that make him injury proned?
People need to do their homework.
That’s just downright ignorant.
Familiarity and experience with a system is a factor that’s being overlooked here. Austin has now had two years in Garrett’s system.
2009 will be his 3rd year in that system and he’s proving that when he’s on the field, he makes plays with better hands, better route-running, and blazing speed.
This isn’t fantasy football.
This isn’t basketball.
This isn’t baseball.
You can’t just cut someone like Austin and plug some newbie to this team in and expect that replacement to grasp the Red Ball O immediately and contribute on the spot. In that same span of time that the player is getting acclimated to the system, Austin would’ve already began producing for us.
It would be downright stupid to release him.
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
If you were referring to my post I said Hurd could be released if Stanback impresses. I agree that Austin should stay on the roster and continue to grow. Where people get the injury prone thing is that in the one season he got to play significantly he was hurt twice and they took him out for significant periods of time. If he can stay healthy I think that he can be servicable but I’m not sold on him being able to start. You seem to be very fond of Austin and think that as a small school player that has talent he will be able to make an impact. Austin has 18 career catches and Brandon Marshall another small school player had 18 in one game.
With all due respect, you're missing the point, sir.
apples and oranges
UCF > Monmouth
from a football program standpoint, let’s compare current NFL players from UCF and current NFL players from Monmouth.
Monmouth [capacity of Kessler Field – Home Stadium = 4,600]
Miles Austin, WR/Dallas Cowboys
University of Central Florida (UCF) [capacity of Bright House Networks Stadium = 45,301]
Atari Bigby, S/Green Bay Packers
Daunte Culpepper, QB/Detroit Lions
Asante Samuel, CB/Phildelphia Eagles
Brandon Marshall, WR/Denver Broncos
Paul Carrington, DE/Atlanta Falcons
Rashad Jeanty, LB/Cincinnati Bengals
Travis Fisher, CB/Detroit Lions
Michael Gaines, TE/Carolina Panthers
Steve Edwards, OT/Baltimore Ravens
Kevin Smith, RB/Detroit Lions
Charles Lee, TE/Green Bay Packers
Mike Walker, WR/Jacksonville Jaguars
Doug Gabriel, WR/Oakland Raiders
Darcy Johnson, TE/NY Giants
Cornell Green, OT/Oakland Raiders
Matt Prater, K/Denver Broncos
Their head coaches had links to either the NFL or major college programs (Mike Kruzcek, backup to Steelers HOF QB Terry Bradshaw. Kruzcek also was the OC for Dennis Green @ Arizona and Kruzcek’s passing offense was 1st in the NFL in 2005 and 10th in 2006. And currently, former GT head coach George O’Leary is the head man)
Let’s compare that to Monmouth.
Well, we can’t because there is no comparison.
UCF is hardly a small school or small football program.
I’m not obsessed with Austin, I just don’t want to waste any more years of development when this guy’s career is beginning to flourish.
Btw, comparing Austin to Marshall is ridiculous… esp when you compare the football programs each respectively came from.
So if you compare two WRs — one who was 5th on the depth chart his first year, 4th on the depth chart his second year, and somewhere between 3rd and 4th in his just-completed third year to another WR who’s either the 1st or 2nd WR on their depth chart for the first three seasons, who do you think will have more (A) playing time, (B) reps, © plays for him, (D) targets?
That’s why it’s so silly to say, “well he only had 18 catches in three seasons.”
Don’t bother looking beyond the numbers.
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
by silverblue5 on Jan 21, 2009 11:08 PM CST up reply actions
Okay maybe that wasn’t a good projection but the fact is, in 3 years Austin hasn’t shown enough to be considered a potential replacement for anyone. He had one maybe two good games this year. He caught 13 passes in all of the season. We threw the ball a lot this year and had a lot of 3 and 4 wr sets and he could only get 13 catches. There is an explanation for this the fact that Owens, Williams, Witten, and Crayton were also on the field and his to big TD catches were more based on him getting a mismatch than anything else. I hope that he does develope but he has 3 years down and hasn’t shown that much. Everyone is against drafting a wr because they say that he couldn’t come in and learn the offense or be a solid player early, but in the same argument you say that we could draft a S and have him start. Not saying that you said that but other people have.
I agree on keeping our WR core intact
I just disagree with the people who assume that if TO is cut, Austin can start and we will lose nothing
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 21, 2009 8:45 PM CST up reply actions
And you're exactly right. And that's where I agree that when you compare the two, TO is proven and Austin is not.
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
Except they won't have to double cover anyone else
By virtue that narrows the passing lanes. Still need an explosive reciever to spread the field
I agree
but we keep drafting guys. The more we add to this team the less chances guys like Austin, Hurd, and stanback (who I still really want to see get some exp this season) get. I really really want to give these guys a chance to show what they can do, I think Austin has come a long way, and with his speed could be a great #2. We have a great stable of young WR lets see what they are before we start diluting it.
I got one word for this , HUH ????
All year long, I’ve done nothing but whine about how much his playcalling sucks, but I’m willing to admit that he’s young, he’s learning, and he’s does have the IT-factor that’s needed as a HC. It’s the best option we’ve got, and he’s going to be the one to turn this ship around.
He will still continue to call the plays as HC, and has absolutely NO respect from his players. Nice choice guy.
Once again, HUH ?????
I’m not seeing your reasoning, your “IT” factor, or your idea of him being the best option with Cowder, Holmgren, Shanahan, and Gruden all being available for the picking.
Okay, I hear you
Actually, you and I have been on his case all year as the Off. Coordinator. But I do think he does have Head Coach potential, and a few owners do too, which is why he’s gotten some interviews despite his inexperience. I wouldn’t mind pairing him up with a more seasoned OC, but I definitely think there’s room for improvement.
Another reason: Jerry went to great lengths to keep him, which means that he would listen to him, yet I see Carrot-top having an independent voice, so I think we can get the best of both worlds. With any of the other coaches you mentioned who will want full control, how long do you think before Jerry wrests it away AGAIN?
As for the respect issue, it seems awful convenient that the players with no respect for the coaches are also the ones that need to go. Let Carrot-top keep the players he wants and build a stronger, quieter nucleus — one that respects authority.
Not easy, like I said, but necessary.
In-YOUR-endo
by accidental innuendo on Jan 21, 2009 6:46 AM CST up reply actions
Clarification about cutting T.O.
Of course the biggest question is: How do we replace his production?
This would be almost impossible to fathom at the end of last season. But we’ve learned a few things and gained some new pieces since then.
*We definitely need to shift towards the running game.
*Our QB is not strong enough to say NO to T.O., which is weaksauce, but he is who he is.
*Romo, however, does have his some great games when he can just spread the ball around.
*RW11 may not be as good as T.O., but now we have a legitimate receiving threat.
*Miles Austin has truly emerged. Despite limited touches, we’ve seen that he’s a tenacious receiver.
*We have two fantastic pass-catching TEs. No doubt.
*We have two RBs that can easily catch out of the backfield, and a third that should be in the slot ever-so-often.
We CAN persevere without T.O.
In-YOUR-endo
by accidental innuendo on Jan 21, 2009 6:54 AM CST reply actions
-1
“Miles Austin has truly emerged. Despite limited touches, we’ve seen that he’s a tenacious receiver.”
Ive said it alot before but ill repeat. You do not truly emerge when you have 6 catches a year
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 21, 2009 8:48 PM CST up reply actions
Look beyond the numbers, please
In 2006, Parcells last year as HC of our Cowboys, check out where Austin was in the depth chart.
Terrell Owens
Terry Glenn
Patrick Crayton
Sam Hurd
Miles Austin
Austin was used as a kick returner on special teams and he returned a kickoff for a TD in the playoff loss in Seattle during the wild card round that season.
That counts as one year even though he barely got on the field as a receiver. Where’s the opportunity?
In 2007, Glenn had knee problems, but da King never put him on IR. So Crayton moved up on the depth chart. And here’s how it looked:
Owens
Crayton
Hurd
Austin
Stanback
Glenn injured – returned last few games and played more in playoff loss to Giants in the Divisional Round.
What I remembered most about Austin that season was the two beautiful passes that Romo put in his hands — that hit him in stride and would’ve went for two TDs if Miles had held on — in the meaningless Week 17 loss in Washington. That game was the ONLY game that Austin saw significant playing time in.
Minus the regular season in DC, again where’s the real opportunities to get on the field as a receiver.
In the offseason leading up to training camp of this recently completed 2008 season, I read reports of Austin putting in hours of work to improve his receiving skills so as not to drop as many passes.
And it paid off.
He was excelling in the preseason, when he suffered a knee injury on special teams in like the 2nd to last exhibition game. And of course, he missed the first two games of the regular season.
But when he came back AND WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, he took advantage. Remember his breakout game @ Green Bay. One bomb to that got it to the 1-yd line, and another that sealed the game for a TD.
He scored a TD at home in the loss to Washington.
And he began contributing and hanging on to passes until he got hurt again later in the season. But he returned and finished the year playing in the last four games of the year.
He was an undrafted free agent from small school Monmouth in Jersey, and he’s progressively gotten better with each year in the league. And he’s has proven himself when given the opportunity to play.
How can anyone say he’s unproven when he didn’t get the opportunity to play much as a receiver in the two years leading up to the 2008 season?
2008 was his first real season where he saw significant playing time on the field as a WR. Take away the injuries, the Limp Johnson games, and the lost touches due to the midseason acquisition of RW2, and who knows how much more he could’ve contributed.
Sometimes the numbers on the surface don’t tell the whole story.
Btw, 2008 was Austin’s breakout season and the ONLY season he had a serious injury.
He pales in comparison to what TO has accomplished. That’s a no-brainer right there. However, he’s a potent weapon in the arsenal of talent we have at the receiving position.
And it would be idiotic to just kick him to da curb.
That’s for damn sure.
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
wow monster comment
And I never advocated cutting Austin, so if youre implying Im an idiot, that comment is misplaced. On Austin, I am not arguing that he hasnt improved, but thats what you would expect from an undrafted player who is still in the league three years into his career, if he hadnt shown anything he would be out of the league.
All I am saying is that last season was not a breakout season for Austin. He only had 13 catches, he hasnt ‘broken out’ of anything. He is still behind Patrick Crayton on the depth chart, which is saying something. If Austin comes out next year and catches even 30 passes with a high YPC figure and half a dozen TDs, I will agree with your breakout description. But until he shows me more I cant see how he is a viable option at starter. And to me if you have a breakout season, it should be a starter quality season.
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 22, 2009 12:25 AM CST up reply actions
Unlike Stanback
He’s actually proven himself to be a viable receiving option. I count that as emergence, especially since our QB looked his way more than once on 3rd down. That counts for something.
Aw heck, I’d even give Stanback another shot to stay healthy this season.
In-YOUR-endo
by accidental innuendo on Jan 22, 2009 9:43 AM CST up reply actions
This team should be ashamed of itself.
It’s no wonder they missed the playoffs by imploding in spectacular fashion.
Come and whisper in my ear, give us dirty laundry - ESPN
How is Garrett supposed to become HC?
When his players don’t respect him already. If things were to go bad at all it will be an all out mutiny. It’s not just T.O. that has problems with Garrett.
because he
Can eliminate the players not on board and turn the ship around.. Like Parcell’s and Sparano did in Miami. They made a lot of changes to the roster..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
This man got it!
You deserve an e-cookie.
In-YOUR-endo
by accidental innuendo on Jan 21, 2009 6:26 PM CST up reply actions
That's what came out earlier
Remember, Romo took Garrett’s criticism personally.
In-YOUR-endo
by accidental innuendo on Jan 22, 2009 9:44 AM CST up reply actions
I don't see any drastic moves coming...
…hope I’m wrong. I’m still so mad about the Pittsburgh loss, I haven’t even had time to get infuriated about Baltimore and livid about Philadelphia. But I figure I have a whole offseason.
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