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Mailbag: Optimism Or Concern For Young WRs?

DallasCowboys.com Report
August 3, 2009 11:58 AM
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 OTHER RECENT NEWS

Mailbag: Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Off-Season Program Begins Tuesday For Injured Rookies  2/8
Rob Phillips: Saints' Rise Should Lend Some Perspective  2/8
Mailbag: Monday, February 8, 2010
As Expected, Smith Gets First-Ballot Hall of Fame Call  2/7
Spagnola: Payton's Aggressive Nature Has Super Results  2/7
A Look Back At Emmitt's Hall of Fame Career  2/7
Notes: Committee Denies Haley For HOF Once Again  2/6
What Great RBs - Past & Present Are Saying About Smith  2/6
Haley Has Strong Canton Credentials  2/5
 MORE MAILBAG

Mailbag: Which RFAs Are Likely To Be Gone?  2/9
Mailbag: What Made Emmitt Special?  2/8
Mailbag: Any One Player The Cowboys Have To Get?  2/5
Mailbag: Your Take On The Anderson Situation?  2/4
Mailbag: How Can The Offense Score More Points?  2/3

(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)

MICHAEL KASECAMP - FROSTBURG, MD: All I keep hearing when it comes to the Cowboys right now is how "shaky" their receiving corps is. What I see is an unselfish group of unproven players waiting to make their mark on this team. Do you guys see any truth to this or are you concerned about the position as well?

Rob: I've always thought the criticism was a little overblown -- as long as Miles Austin and Sam Hurd stay healthy. Hurd arguably has been the most impressive receiver in camp so far. Austin has made some plays as well. Can Roy Williams replace all of Terrell Owens' production? Maybe not, but they'll try to offset some of it with the run, two-tight end sets featuring what looks like a much-improved Martellus Bennett, and Felix Jones as a receiving threat. You're going to see a different offense this year. Will it be better? We'll see. A lot of it will depend on Tony Romo's protection.

Nick: I think there's a little bit of both. You're always going to be concerned about a position where none of the guys are proven for what they're being asked to do. Even Roy Williams hasn't been a No. 1 guy consistently. However, so far, they are all looking like hungry receivers trying to be prove people wrong.

Josh: I don't think the position is "shaky," so long as everyone can stay healthy. The good things is Miles Austin, Sam Hurd and Patrick Crayton have continuity going for them, and a history with Tony Romo. A receiver is only as good as his connection with the quarterback. I think Romo can get more out of these unheralded guys than a lot of people would think.

JASON WITHERSPOON - GRAHAM, TX: With the emphasis on becoming younger this off-season one would think it also makes us a faster team. Has that been visible during training camp thus far?

Rob: That's a good point. The Cowboys are counting on being a younger, quicker team, particularly on defense. The player I wrote about for Monday, Gerald Sensabaugh, is the clearest example. Here's a guy who consistently covered slot receivers in Jacksonville. His predecessor, Roy Williams, had trouble covering tight ends. Hearing that, you've got to feel better about the safety position.

Nick: Good question and yes, I think we're seeing that. At linebacker, guys like Brandon Williams, Jason Williams and Victor Butler all can run for their size. The young DBs can certainly run with guys like DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens. I think all the way around, this is a faster team. Scandrick and Jenkins are faster than Anthony Henry. Sensabaugh is faster than Roy Williams and the young OLBs are all faster than Greg Ellis. How that translates to success remains to be seen, but yes, they are a little quicker.

Josh: Defensively, yes, they are faster and younger. As Bill Parcells used to say, though, there are two sides to that pancake. Young and fast could mean they just get themselves out of position quicker. On top of being able to move fast, they need to be able to think fast. As for the offense, well, I think they might be slower. Felix is back, which is good, but there's not a deep threat that really scares you among the receivers.
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