Archer: Five questions with Cole Beasley

[Cotton]

Five questions with: Cole Beasley

June, 30, 2014

​

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com


IRVING, Texas – With the players entering the downtime of the offseason, we offer up a Five Questions segment.

Today's subject is Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley.

Beasley has developed into one of the Cowboys' top threats from the slot. He caught 39 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns last season. This offseason wide receivers coach Derek Dooley said Beasley has expanded his route tree, but he will mostly continue to work the slot as one of Tony Romo's security blankets.

What is your first football memory?

Beasley: It would probably be my first year playing football I was a lineman. I came to the team late and they didn't know where to play me so they just threw me on the line. I played my first game ever as a right tackle. I was in third grade, so I guess I was 8. They moved me to receiver the next game.

If you could play any other position, what would it be?

Beasley: Quarterback. You have the ball in your hands at all times.

If you were commissioner for a day, what rule would you change?

Beasley: NFL rule? That's a good question. I don't know, man. I mean to me the rules are for the offense. They kind of favor the offense, so I'll say the rule that you can't dunk on the goal post. How about that?

Who is the non-Cowboy you respect the most in football?

Beasley: Wes Welker, that one is easy. He opened the door for people like me. I guess me and him we're people that make everybody feel like they can play. I know that's how it was for me. I didn't really think that way because I understood it takes a lot more than just talent. A lot of people think they can do what we do, but he was the first guy who really did it undersized that wasn't just blazing like a Tim Dwight or someone like that. It would be Wes for me.

If you weren't playing football, what would you be doing?

Beasley: Playing basketball. Hahaha. Somewhere. Anywhere they would let me go. If not that, then coaching.

 

[boozeman]

My question would be directed at Linehan. ...what makes you think this shrimp can X or Z receiver?

 

[L.T. Fan]

My question would be directed at Linehan. ...what makes you think this shrimp can X or Z receiver?

He is not quite a big as Howard Twilley but he could play with the big boys. Beasley has the same knack as Twilley getting open.

 

[ravidubey]

How small are you?
How slow are you?
Why can't you get open?
Why can't you block anyone?
Why do you average under 10 yards per catch?

 

[boozeman]

How small are you?
How slow are you?
Why can't you get open?
Why can't you block anyone?
Why do you average under 10 yards per catch?

If he is given a free release, he runs good routes and can get open. But if someone gets their hands on him it is pretty much over.

 

[boozeman]

He is not quite a big as Howard Twilley but he could play with the big boys. Beasley has the same knack as Twilley getting open.

Two inches shorter and five lbs heavier. Twilley played in an era with smaller corners too though.

 

[L.T. Fan]

How small are you?
How slow are you?
Why can't you get open?
Why can't you block anyone?
Why do you average under 10 yards per catch?

Ravi; these questions just don't fit the subject. He's not a burner but his routes don't require that. He is very good at getting to an open spot, . His schemes don't require follow through blocking. Ten yards a catch is what his routes are designed to do. He is a clutch situational receiver.

 

[boozeman]

Ravi; these questions just don't fit the subject. He's not a burner but his routes don't require that. He is very good at getting to an open spot, . His schemes don't require follow through blocking. Ten yards a catch is what his routes are designed to do. He is a clutch situational receiver.

He ran a shitty route in the Green Bay game that led to the pivotal INT.

 

[NoDak]

He ran a shitty route in the Green Bay game that led to the pivotal INT.

I thought that was Romo's fault?

 

[L.T. Fan]

He ran a shitty route in the Green Bay game that led to the pivotal INT.

One route and he is kaput?

 

[JBond]

He ran a shitty route in the Green Bay game that led to the pivotal INT.

We should murder him. Tonight. See you at 8.

 

[ravidubey]

I'm joking. Beasley is not worth worrying about. It's Jerry being satisfied with Beasley that I'm worried about.

He's a role player and the Cowboys' 4th WR, which I don't mind since it provides competition and means Devin Street isn't just handed a roster spot.

But ideally the 4th and 5th WR's on your team are being groomed to start in the future or in a pinch. Beasley won't start unless the wheels have fallen off.

Beasley's 3rd down conversions make him appear to be some kind of hero, but that's only because the Cowboys were 32nd in the league (as in, dead last) in 3rd down attempts made and so any kind of success on that down was to be celebrated.

Everyone knew Dallas was going to pass. Everyone knew Witten, Bryant, and Williams were the dangerous targets and so blanketed them. For some reason teams also blanketed Miles Austin leaving Beasley all but uncovered at times.

Beasley's "success" is akin to a checkdown to a RB, and since we already have DeMarco Murray in that role I'd prefer a true wideout who may actually do some damage in the role of 4th WR.

 

[L.T. Fan]

I'm joking. Beasley is not worth worrying about. It's Jerry being satisfied with Beasley that I'm worried about.

He's a role player and the Cowboys' 4th WR, which I don't mind since it provides competition and means Devin Street isn't just handed a roster spot.

But ideally the 4th and 5th WR's on your team are being groomed to start in the future or in a pinch. Beasley won't start unless the wheels have fallen off.

Beasley's 3rd down conversions make him appear to be some kind of hero, but that's only because the Cowboys were 32nd in the league (as in, dead last) in 3rd down attempts made and so any kind of success on that down was to be celebrated.

Everyone knew Dallas was going to pass. Everyone knew Witten, Bryant, and Williams were the dangerous targets and so blanketed them. For some reason teams also blanketed Miles Austin leaving Beasley all but uncovered at times.

Beasley's "success" is akin to a checkdown to a RB, and since we already have DeMarco Murray in that role I'd prefer a true wideout who may actually do some damage in the role of 4th WR.

But he catches what's thrown at him. That is what a receiver does. He's not an ideal receiver as far as size but he is reliable. Until a better prospect is landed he fills the role.

 

[ravidubey]

But he catches what's thrown at him. That is what a receiver does. He's not an ideal receiver as far as size but he is reliable. Until a better prospect is landed he fills the role.

Yep. Can't find fault with him personally. I ask my questions of him while staring fixedly at the Jones' and their inability to churn this guy out and bring in real talent. At best, Beasley should be #5 and constantly looking at the bubble. Now I get the feeling he's a lock for the roster for as long as he's here.

Beasley is open because he doesn't threaten the defense. His being on the field (implying a wide-open spread formation) should be opening things up for Bryant, Witten, and Williams, but I don't think it is. If anything they are opening up a safe outlet pass to Beasley which the defense is more than willing to accept.