We've heard this story before. The Cowboys draft a guy in the first round and tell us that part of the reason the player was picked so high is because he brings an extra dimension to the field...returner skills. That was Felix Jones just a few years ago. Dez Bryant is now being touted as the guy who will be a dynamic punt and kick returner for the Cowboys. I'll believe it when I see it.Remember when we heard all of the same talk about Felix Jones a few years ago? Felix was used on kick returns for a while and actually had a few really good returns but he was quickly phased out of the return game. The coaches and owner always mentioned that they didn't want to risk injury by using him on returns.
Well, a few years later, here we are again. The Cowboys found a dynamic playmaker in the draft who has the ability to not only return kicks but, this time, also return punts. The Cowboys are loaded on offense. I would find it hard to believe that the Cowboys could justify keeping Dez Bryant off the special teams return units. At least as long as Roy Williams is still on the roster. The Cowboys are loaded at wide receiver. And a good return can be the difference between points scored and another drive ending in a punt.
I expect to see Dez Bryant used as the primary punt returner. There is no other player on the roster that comes close to what he can do on punt returns. Terence Newman is up in years and shouldn't be put back there anymore. So the job belongs to Dez. And while we are at it let's make him the #1 kick returner as well. I could see the kick return job eventually becoming Akwasi Owusu-Ansah's, but he will be recovering from shoulder surgery until training camp. He'll be lucky to be ready for the start of the regular season.
I expect to see Dez play the #3 receiver role this season. He'll get playing time at receiver but his value won't be so high that the Cowboys can't afford to risk him on returns. He was drafted as high as he was partly to be a returner. Now the Cowboys have to remember that and use him to their advantage in the return game.
I'm pretty sure I read something on DC.com that the safety they drafted will be the returner while learning to play safety. So it looks like Bryant will simply be a WR. He better get more playing time than Ogletree got last year.
ReplyDeleteI hate stringing out skill position players (RB-Felix Jones/WR- Dez Bryant) to get potentially injured returning kicks. Leave this to Crayton, AOA, Ogletree or just about anyone else except Jones and Bryant. PLEASE! (Justus)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't disagree with the two of you more. The Cowboys have neglected the return game for years. It is time to get a dynamic returner on the field again. Dez is the best returner on the team. There is plenty of receiver depth if he gets hurt...and he probably won't. A few yards here or there in field position is the difference between points and punts. Crayton stinks on punt returns. His two TD's last year were a result of perfect blocking.
ReplyDeleteI agree with u romo2witten. I think he should be returning kicks, he's by far the best option. I was just telling you what the guys on DC.com were saying. They said that he likely won't be returning kicks, but might return some punts. But mostly he's gonna be on the field as a WR. But yeah, he should definately return everything.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. I shouldn't have lumped you into that comment. But I have seen some conflicting information coming from the dallascowboys.com writers. What is making things really interesting is that it appears that Patrick Crayton isn't working out with the team anymore. I guess he is trying to get himself traded. I'm just not sure the Cowboys can get much in return if they shop him for a trade. I think he'll end up being released since he doesn't seem happy with the current situation at wide receiver and everyone knows the Cowboys have too many receivers to keep.
ReplyDeleteYeah it would be a mistake to trade Crayton, unless Crayton just doesn't wanna play for the Cowboys anymore. His value just can't be measured. I think of him as a Shane Battier type player, he'll do anything you ask and do it well. Makes big catches, has a lot of experience in this offense, and is a leader in my opinion. By the way, still absolutely love this site. Great opinions and articles. Keep it up
ReplyDeleteI'll be really sad if we let crayton go, not so much for hurd. but crayton has performed better than almost everyone expected in his years here. He hasnt been the explosive playmaker, but he has always been rock solid (as far as i can remember) in all duties we've asked of him, Even his punt returns-which are below average i'll admit- have been nothing if not consistent since he started doing em.
ReplyDeleteThe reason the Cowboys don't shorten the field, and the TO shorten the fiel, is TURNOVERS. We need more turnovers, which is yet another reason I want Sharper. How many teams have a dynamic return game? Very few in recent memory. Devin Hester comes to mind and he only got converted to WR after he was a great return guy. Deion Sanders comes to mind but he was a defensive player that never delivered hits. Let someone else try to become a "dynamic" return guy, that or we should have drafted Javier Arenas from Alabama in the 2nd round. And I can't believe Romo2Witten actually typed "so what if he gets hurt we have depth at WR". You do realize you are talking about 1. Your first round draft pick that you must pay as such 2. You moved up to get him giving up picks in the process 3. You drafted him as best player available, thereby skipping a need position at the time 4. He already has the best hands of all your WR right now, Austin included??? You do NOT want that guy on the sideline injured. (Justus)
ReplyDeleteJustus...I do agree about the need for more turnovers. But big special teams plays can make just as much of an impact on the outcome of a game. I don't think we should be happy with mediocre returns when we have a guy who could be one of the best in the league. Somehow Steve Smith returned punts for years without any troubles with injury. Ditto for Tim Brown who went down as one of the best receivers of all time. It is football afterall. There is a risk of injury on every play. If the coaches constantly worry about getting someone hurt then they will end up hurting the team. I'm not saying it doesn't matter if Dez gets hurt. I'm saying if he does there is enough talent at wide receiver to fill the void. But the chances of an injury on a return are outweighed by the reward of a great return game.
ReplyDeleteJustus...along with those interceptions Sharper might give you (he is very old and just came off knee surgery) comes a lot of huge plays given up. Sharper takes a lot of chances, most of which get him burned. I think that's why the Cowboys aren't interested, the Phillips defense is all about pressure up front and consistent zone coverage. Sharper is a guy that puts the corners and linebackers at risk. I would much rather have our defense hold the other team on 3rd down, have them punt, and have a great returner give us great field position.
ReplyDeleteWe need to finally get a return game going. I hated not being able to use Felix(who is the best kick returner, not Dez), But know that we drafted Dez we BETTER usee him on returns. I saw him do it in college and he puts it in another gear.Finally , were stricking some fear for opposing special teams units.
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