sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
Bill Nichols / Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin burst on the scene in the fifth game last season, earned a starting job and then finished strong with 81 catches for 1,320 yards.
The opposite has happened this season. After catching 31 passes in the first four games, Austin has only 27 receptions in the last nine. He has eight drops.Five balls thrown to him have been intercepted.
Austin had 58 receptions while being targeted 96 times for a 60.4 catch percentage. Last year he was targeted 124 times for a catch percentage of 65.3.
Some of Austin's drop-off can be attributed to backup quarterback Jon Kitna throwing a lot of balls underneath primarily to tight ends and running backs.
``There are different quarterbacks and there are different players out there,'' Austin said. ``So things are going to change. But I feel like we're going about it the right way, we're practicing the right way, we're moving the ball. I'm happy when the team's moving the ball, not necessarily if I'm moving the ball.''
Austin has worked in practice on reducing the drops. He even experimented with shedding his gloves.
"Drops happen for different reasons," he said. ``I'm working, I'm in practice. I didn't have any drops today. I've just got to take it one day at a time."
Before the season, Austin received six-year contract extension from the Cowboys believed to be worth $54 million.
Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin burst on the scene in the fifth game last season, earned a starting job and then finished strong with 81 catches for 1,320 yards.
The opposite has happened this season. After catching 31 passes in the first four games, Austin has only 27 receptions in the last nine. He has eight drops.Five balls thrown to him have been intercepted.
Austin had 58 receptions while being targeted 96 times for a 60.4 catch percentage. Last year he was targeted 124 times for a catch percentage of 65.3.
Some of Austin's drop-off can be attributed to backup quarterback Jon Kitna throwing a lot of balls underneath primarily to tight ends and running backs.
``There are different quarterbacks and there are different players out there,'' Austin said. ``So things are going to change. But I feel like we're going about it the right way, we're practicing the right way, we're moving the ball. I'm happy when the team's moving the ball, not necessarily if I'm moving the ball.''
Austin has worked in practice on reducing the drops. He even experimented with shedding his gloves.
"Drops happen for different reasons," he said. ``I'm working, I'm in practice. I didn't have any drops today. I've just got to take it one day at a time."
Before the season, Austin received six-year contract extension from the Cowboys believed to be worth $54 million.
