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Roster Rundown
TE Phillips Ready To Contribute Again
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last season and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is tight end John Phillips.)
Name: John Phillips
Position: Tight End
Height/Weight: 6-5/265
Experience: One season
College: Virginia
Key stat: An important number for Phillips isn't exactly his own catches, which would just be seven, but rather the 22.6 catches Martellus Bennett has averaged in his three seasons. While Bennett is also a solid blocker, that's a number the Cowboys need to consider when or if the time comes to replace Bennett as the No. 2 tight end.
Contract Status: Signed through 2012.
2010 Impact: He had five catches in the first half against Cincinnati during the preseason opener in Canton, Ohio, but after suffering a torn ACL late in the second quarter, his season was over, abruptly ending what was expected to be a promising sophomore year. Instead, Phillips spent the entire season on injured reserve.
Where He Fits: In this offense, there is a role for both the second and even third tight end. Once Phillips went down, it left a void at the position, forcing the Cowboys to use the likes of Scott Chandler and Martin Rucker with Jason Pociask on the practice squad. Phillips has the size and athleticism to play either the No. 2 or No. 3 tight end. Many people thought he would push Bennett for that second spot, and if he's 100 percent come training camp, Phillips just might do that. The big key for him is if he can give the Cowboys the same type of blocking that Bennett provides.
Writers' Analysis:
Nick Eatman: Getting hurt in the preseason opener was a big blow for Phillips, even more than it was for the Cowboys, who lost their third tight end. Who knows what kind of impact Phillips was ready to have on this team, and if he's healthy, he could be ready to shine. His career is really just a small sample-size but the Cowboys have to be encouraged by what they've seen.
Rob Phillips: It would've been interesting to see how the Cowboys divided playing time between Phillips and Bennett had both been healthy. Bennett did a better job of maximizing his opportunities in the passing game, but Phillips was emerging in camp as arguably the offense's most consistent player. That's a pretty high compliment, and although that doesn't necessarily translate to the season, he did seem to be evolving as a receiver. Getting him back means Jason Garrett can be more creative with two- and three-tight end sets.
TE Phillips Ready To Contribute Again
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last season and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is tight end John Phillips.)
Name: John Phillips
Position: Tight End
Height/Weight: 6-5/265
Experience: One season
College: Virginia
Key stat: An important number for Phillips isn't exactly his own catches, which would just be seven, but rather the 22.6 catches Martellus Bennett has averaged in his three seasons. While Bennett is also a solid blocker, that's a number the Cowboys need to consider when or if the time comes to replace Bennett as the No. 2 tight end.
Contract Status: Signed through 2012.
2010 Impact: He had five catches in the first half against Cincinnati during the preseason opener in Canton, Ohio, but after suffering a torn ACL late in the second quarter, his season was over, abruptly ending what was expected to be a promising sophomore year. Instead, Phillips spent the entire season on injured reserve.
Where He Fits: In this offense, there is a role for both the second and even third tight end. Once Phillips went down, it left a void at the position, forcing the Cowboys to use the likes of Scott Chandler and Martin Rucker with Jason Pociask on the practice squad. Phillips has the size and athleticism to play either the No. 2 or No. 3 tight end. Many people thought he would push Bennett for that second spot, and if he's 100 percent come training camp, Phillips just might do that. The big key for him is if he can give the Cowboys the same type of blocking that Bennett provides.
Writers' Analysis:
Nick Eatman: Getting hurt in the preseason opener was a big blow for Phillips, even more than it was for the Cowboys, who lost their third tight end. Who knows what kind of impact Phillips was ready to have on this team, and if he's healthy, he could be ready to shine. His career is really just a small sample-size but the Cowboys have to be encouraged by what they've seen.
Rob Phillips: It would've been interesting to see how the Cowboys divided playing time between Phillips and Bennett had both been healthy. Bennett did a better job of maximizing his opportunities in the passing game, but Phillips was emerging in camp as arguably the offense's most consistent player. That's a pretty high compliment, and although that doesn't necessarily translate to the season, he did seem to be evolving as a receiver. Getting him back means Jason Garrett can be more creative with two- and three-tight end sets.