Make or Break season for two contract year Cowboys
After a disappointing 4-12 season, the pressure is on this Dallas Cowboys team to bounce back with good performances and a play off spot. For some players though, it’s more than success. Some are playing for their career.
Entering contract years often brings the best out of people. Take note of DeMarco Murray’s revolutionary season in 2014. He was playing for that Philadelphia size contract.
Two players in particular for the Cowboys face a real battle this season. Arguably going up against each other to secure that next big deal with America’s team.
Terrance Williams & Brice Butler | Wide Receivers
With the return to health of wide receiver Dez Bryant and quarterback Tony Romo this season, eyes won’t be on either Terrance Williams or Brice Butler. For Williams in particular, this is how he seems to like it.
Throughout his three seasons as a Cowboy he’s been one to fade in an out. Cloaked in an invisibility jacket for most of 2015, with the Romo replacements unable to utilize #83. He failed to step up in place of Dez, but expecting him to do so with subpar quarterbacks was somewhat unfair.
Despite the mediocre 2015, he actually had a career high in receptions and yards. But it’s the inability to take a game by the scruff of the neck and dominate defensive backs that seems to hold Williams back. That and the fact he’s a body catcher.
@BolaWilliams22 I think Williams would be #4 behind Beasley. He's not a #2. Too much of a body catcher. Disappears too often
— Jordan Ross (@CHQ_Jordan) February 11, 2016
Vince Mayle was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. He didn’t make it through their final cuts, with the Cowboys snapping up the receiver instead. His progression may well put pressure on Williams in that they’ve similar makeup. Mayle too is a body catcher, but he also has an explosiveness that Williams doesn’t.
Brice Butler is expected to push Williams for that number 2 receiver spot this season. Whether or not he ever fufils his potential remains to be seen. Aged 26 Butler has never started more than two games in an NFL season; hardly the stats of a top 2 receiver. Nevertheless, coach Garrett seemed pleased with what he saw.
"“Brice did a good job for us last year until he got hurt. Clearly he has some ability to make some plays. It’s just going to be good to get him back into the offseason program and lay the foundation with our strength and conditioning staff, but also with the system, knowing how we do things starting from ground zero. I think he’s getting a better feel for how we want things done, and he’s competing well out there.” – Jason Garrett"
But with Dez sidelined during OTA’s it was Williams and Butler who took the snaps as the 1 and 2 outside receivers. This is the first full off season for Butler, and some time working with Tony Romo could pay dividends with the two barely on the field together previously.
"“If I stay healthy, I feel like I can do a lot of stuff for this team and this offense. It’s a big opportunity. This is a great situation for me. I’m definitely glad I’m here. It’s going to be a good year.” – Brice Butler"
Keeping Butler healthy and his main focus football are easier said than done however. It could be said Butler spent more time polishing his style for various fashion weeks than working on drills to get onto the field.
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Next: Questions loom for the Dallas Cowboys linebackers
Given the opportunity for him here to not only become a significant part in this offense, but also secure a contract worthy of a productive season you hope the focus will remain in Dallas and not the catwalk.