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Gavin Escobar seeing decreased workload
October, 8, 2014
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- Second-year tight end Gavin Escobar has become a forgotten man in the Dallas Cowboys' run-oriented offense the first five weeks of the season. While running back DeMarco Murray leads the NFL in rushing with his torrid pace, Escobar, a pass-catching tight end, sits.
Escobar, a 2013 second-round pick, played just four snaps in last week's victory over the Houston Texans, the second fewest of his career.
"I guess it's tough to be patient," Escobar said. "You got to take advantage of your opportunities when your name is called, and that’s what I’m trying to do."
Escobar said he was surprised by the lack of playing time this season, but it's attributed to several things: Jason Witten is the starter and an elite tight end, Murray has had success on the ground and Escobar has struggled as a run blocker.
Tight end James Hanna gets more playing time than Escobar because he's a better blocker.
"We have a lot of plays and packages for him to get out there," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said of Escobar. "Sometimes you get a chance to call those things. Other times you are doing different things to try to win the games. So he's ready. He is getting better. He is healthier than he has been. He did a good job fighting through his injury. Hopefully he will get some chances as we go here."
Escobar was dealing with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder and a sprained MCL in his left knee that slowed his development. But now he's healthy and continues to wait for his chance.
"There are some things we think he does better than James Hanna," Garrett said. "There are some things James Hanna does better than he does. We try to give those guys opportunities to do what they do best when they are in those two-tight-end packages. We have done some three-tight-end stuff up to this point. He is a good player and he is getting better. And he is working hard at it. He will get opportunities as we go forward."
October, 8, 2014
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- Second-year tight end Gavin Escobar has become a forgotten man in the Dallas Cowboys' run-oriented offense the first five weeks of the season. While running back DeMarco Murray leads the NFL in rushing with his torrid pace, Escobar, a pass-catching tight end, sits.
Escobar, a 2013 second-round pick, played just four snaps in last week's victory over the Houston Texans, the second fewest of his career.
"I guess it's tough to be patient," Escobar said. "You got to take advantage of your opportunities when your name is called, and that’s what I’m trying to do."
Escobar said he was surprised by the lack of playing time this season, but it's attributed to several things: Jason Witten is the starter and an elite tight end, Murray has had success on the ground and Escobar has struggled as a run blocker.
Tight end James Hanna gets more playing time than Escobar because he's a better blocker.
"We have a lot of plays and packages for him to get out there," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said of Escobar. "Sometimes you get a chance to call those things. Other times you are doing different things to try to win the games. So he's ready. He is getting better. He is healthier than he has been. He did a good job fighting through his injury. Hopefully he will get some chances as we go here."
Escobar was dealing with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder and a sprained MCL in his left knee that slowed his development. But now he's healthy and continues to wait for his chance.
"There are some things we think he does better than James Hanna," Garrett said. "There are some things James Hanna does better than he does. We try to give those guys opportunities to do what they do best when they are in those two-tight-end packages. We have done some three-tight-end stuff up to this point. He is a good player and he is getting better. And he is working hard at it. He will get opportunities as we go forward."