Dallas Cowboys: What Cole Beasley just said should thrill fans!
After posting a down performance in 2017, Dallas Cowboys slot receiver Cole Beasley is going back to basics in order to have a bounce back year.
Two years ago is could have been argued that Cole Beasley was the best slot receiver in the NFL. During his fifth season with the Dallas Cowboys, the 5-foot-8, 180 pound dynamo led the team with 75 receptions for 833 yards and five touchdowns.
During that year, Beasley was the security blanket for rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. Together, the duo helped led the Cowboys to an impressive 13-3 record and a first round bye in the playoffs.
Last season, Beasley all but disappeared. He posted a disappointing 36 catches for 314 yards and four scores in 2017.
Not only did Beasley’s targets drop by a whopping 35 passes, his catch percentage plummeted from 76.5% in 2016 to 57.1%. So on top of being targeted less, he wasn’t taking advantage of his limited opportunities when he got them.
The Cowboys wide receiver corps experienced some drastic changes this offseason. Gone are the top two receiving targets from last year, wide receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten. And, in their place, an influx of new faces have flooded the roster.
Veteran free agent adds Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson and Tavon Austin along with rookies Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson are all vying for a spot on the Cowboys depth chart this summer.
On top of the high roster turnover, the Cowboys also hired a new positional coach, Sanjay Lal, to help lead the receiver revolution in Dallas. And according to Beasley, Lal’s presence is already having a major impact on his game.
"“It feels like the first time we’re actually being taught how to run routes instead of just naturally doing,” said Beasley about Lal. That according to Dallas Morning News digital sports producer Jori Epstein. “When you get to [the] NFL and you’re supposed to know, stuff is assumed. Lal narrows down step-by-step, doesn’t assume anything from basics.”"
Beasley also revealed that as a result of Lal’s teaching process and a new focus on the fundamentals of the position, he’s expanding his route tree. The primary slot receiver is now using his blazing 4.49 speed on more outside routes. And that should go a long way in opening up his core game this season.
"“This is the most open it’s been since I’ve been here,” Beasley continued."
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With wide out Terrance Williams dealing with both a broken foot and a recent arrest, suddenly the 29-year old Cole Beasley is the lone stalwart veteran on this receiver group in Dallas. The Dallas Cowboys undoubtedly hope Sanjay Lal’s methods will be able to aid Beasley in having a bounce back performance in 2018. It certainly sounds like they are. And that fact should have Cowboy fans thrilled about the possibilities.