"Many Miles Asunder"

by beautifultyrant on Mar 9, 2009 1:33 PM CDT

The release of TO means one thing, that everybody in the receiving corps moves up a notch. Gone is TO and that leaves the number one receiver designation to Roy Williams. Presumably, the second receiver tag would fall to Patrick Crayton, but this is Miles Austin time. One gets the feeling that Patrick Crayton has reached his ceiling so to speak; his potential has been reached. As a matter of fact, he regressed a bit last season. He wasn’t the playmaker he was in 2007. It seems though that Crayton is serviceable as a third or fourth receiver and punt returner; he still has value. Austin needs to be ready and compete and even earn the second receiver position. Is Austin ready for such a prime time move or is he “many Miles asunder?”

Austin definitely has the tools: he is 6’3 and around 215 lbs. He is lightning fast; once he reaches top gear, he’s the fastest receiver on the team, this year and last year. Austin has the ability, with his size and speed, to beat press coverage and run by cornerbacks for big plays. He did that a couple of times last year. The only ability that Austin lacks is quickness; he is not cat quick, fast but not quick. But that’s OK, his speed suffices.

The flip side of the argument is his development. Austin attended Monmouth University, not exactly a football powerhouse. Austin was a playmaker at Monmouth, according to dallascowboys.com, “Miles Austin finished his career at Monmouth University setting school records for touchdown receptions (33), receptions (150) and yards (2,867),” of course that was against inferior talent. Austin is still getting adjusted the speed and power of the NFL. He’s running out of time; this is the year to prove himself; he does not have the luxury of developing in one or two more years. In order for the team to accomplish what it needs to (win playoff games), Austin needs a breakout season. He has the abilities and talent to be successful now, after all this is year 4 not year 3, Tom Landry’s and Bill Parcells’ barometer. So the question arises again, “is Austin ready for a prime time move, or is he many Miles asunder?”

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Comments

I've, like most, got this crazy feeling that he's gonna be for real...

His size, speed are top notch.

What stands out to me is his hard-working humility evidenced in any interview with him, plus his tendency to really take advantage of his opportunities when not hindered by one thing or another.

Only thing that can stop the Miles Train….more of those damned injuries. Gotta stay healthy brothaman!

by KaceOFbass on Mar 9, 2009 1:54 PM CDT reply actions

I hope...

he’s for real.

I think he CAN be, but can and will are totally different.

Good article though. I even like your title.

Webster's definition of irony: Keyshawn Johnson calling another football player selfish.

by AirforceBat on Mar 9, 2009 3:17 PM CDT reply actions

I think he has the potential...

But its now time he must show us he can do it….He has nice size and good speed which is a nice combo..His route running needs to improve and be able to get in and out of breaks much cleaner ..With that said I am very high on him but need to see more. I do not want crayton winning that job so he better work his butt off to win it. Keep crayton in the slot he is no number 2 guy..

by scandrick32 on Mar 9, 2009 3:39 PM CDT reply actions

Crayton isn't too shabby

..there were just not enough balls to go around for Crayton to show his stuff..

by tb0n3 on Mar 9, 2009 3:58 PM CDT reply actions

Crayton needs to stay in the slot

He has never been able to match up his bang-to-hype ratio…. He just needs to shut his freaking trap and catch whatever balls come his way but most importantly he needs to shut the hell up and just play ball!

by WALKERMAN on Mar 9, 2009 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

I may have been as little redundant but I really really mean it

Actually that goes for all of the Cowboys….Just shut the hell up, play ball and execute! its not complicated

by WALKERMAN on Mar 9, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Austin is going to be special

which is one of the reasons Jerry could kick T.O. to the curb.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Mar 9, 2009 4:34 PM CDT reply actions

could kick?

didn’t he already?

"Aw Shucks" - Wade Phillips

by MrMinority on Mar 9, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope ALL the receivers step up this year.

by Benthere on Mar 9, 2009 5:02 PM CDT reply actions

I think Austin will be good

But Stanback could end up being better. Remember when he ran down Felix on that kickoff return last year? Guy is crazy fast, extremely strong and has good vision. I like our young WRs, which is why I’ve yet to complain about releasing TO.

by ChrisRichey on Mar 9, 2009 5:12 PM CDT reply actions

Wouldn't it...

be something if both Austin and Stanback stepped up?

by beautifultyrant on Mar 9, 2009 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I fully expect it to happen

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Mar 9, 2009 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions

its now or never

"Aw Shucks" - Wade Phillips

by MrMinority on Mar 9, 2009 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Stanback feels like a pipe dream

The guy is all potential whereas Miles actually stepped it up a notch last year and showed us what he can do when healthy. I’ll need to see Stanback actually do something spectacular for a few weeks in a row before I believe the hype.

by Billito on Mar 10, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Austin also had two more years in the sysyem than Stanback...

I wish one day you fans would realize that and acknowledge the fact…Stanback is on course to produce this season…I have no doubts that he’ll be on the field this season..

by CowboysRnumba1 on Mar 10, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

talk about needing a drug test

I have no doubts that he’ll be on the field this season..

what has he possibly done to make you believe that?

by Billito on Mar 10, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

We will see

Austin and Williams show that they can do it. If Hurd and Stanbeck stay healthy, speed will no longer be an issue with this team. Felix , Choice and Bennett will also catch a few. Will there be enough footballs to go around.

by oldboysfan on Mar 9, 2009 6:24 PM CDT reply actions

M.A. will have a better 2009 than T.O.

Yep. I said it.

I’ve had really mixed feelings on T.O.‘s release. I loved that dude. I don’t much like the way it went down, but I think we’ll all be okay with the outcome when M.A. has a better season than T.O. next year.

First, M.A. will notch more wins. Second, Buffalo is a recipe for disaster for T.O. Teams will continue to press him and he’ll continue to struggle against press coverage. In fact, nine of Buffalo’s games next season come against 2008 top-ten passing defenses. Buffalo’s own pass defense was ranked near the bottom of the league, which means more desperation passing. I don’t think this combination will bode well for Terrell.

M.A. is an emergent talent with upside who is developing from a strategic weapon to an every down player. He will be the speed receiver in a balanced offense with an above average to excellent QB and and excellent running game. He will benefit from the best tight end in the game and will not be the primary target of opponents’ game planning. Dallas will play 3 games against 2008 top-ten passing defenses.

Miles = Hope. Yep.

by Leon on Mar 9, 2009 6:55 PM CDT reply actions

Someone drug test this man immediately.

HATERADE: Two scoops of Eric Allen, add water and stir.

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Mar 9, 2009 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions

High on life, baby

Just in case, I got that Onterrio Smith up my sleeve.

by Leon on Mar 9, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Great post Leon,

I like your optimism and actually, though I wouldn’t have thought it myself, think you might be prophetic about Miles outdoing TO in 2009. As you showed TO could be in for some rough D’s and I wouldn’t think Trent Edwards a better QB than Romo. Add in Buffalo’s difficult throwing conditions late in the year and he might struggle to put up big stats.

If Austin stays healthy I think it could be very close.

Good call.

by Luke. on Mar 10, 2009 2:32 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

TO’s career is about to crash and burn.

by Billito on Mar 10, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions

lmao....talk about pipe dreams.....that's just crazy talk there...

lol….Glory sez it best……Give this dude a urine cup….

by CowboysRnumba1 on Mar 10, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah you and Glory

couldn’t imagine that TO is anything less than the best WR in the game. That must be why he can’t stay on any good teams long enough to get a ring.

by Billito on Mar 10, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

While Austin has the physical tools to be a good WR

He hasnt shown enough on the feild to rationalise the expectation that he can be a starting WR. And btw, he wasnt the fastest guy on the team last year.

I wear a black armband because on March 5th we cut TO and our 2009 season died.

by aussie_cowboy on Mar 10, 2009 12:16 AM CDT reply actions

Aussie,

I didn’t say he was the fastest guy on the team; I said he was the fastest receiver on the team. The fastest is probably Newman or Scandrick, maybe even Felix Jones.

by beautifultyrant on Mar 10, 2009 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Fair enough

But cross FJ off that list, he got run down by Owens.

I wear a black armband because on March 5th we cut TO and our 2009 season died.

by aussie_cowboy on Mar 11, 2009 12:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not sold on Austin

It’s more than just the injuries. He has ZERO lateral quickness or shiftiness. He is a burner straight ahead, but he is stiff. His routes are not great either. Just like T.O., just like Roy.

This season he finally caught the ball with some consistency, and he has 18 catches in three years. Show me one top 30 wideout who has come along that slowly.

He is a situational player, who is good for an occasional deep ball. More or less a decoy.

Austin in 2009: 35-40 receptions, 550-650 yards. And I’m being generous.

Pour out some liquor for the homey T.O.

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Mar 10, 2009 7:36 AM CDT reply actions