RADIO
Needless to say, the Dallas Cowboys have struggled to generate much of an offense under quarterback Matt Cassel. In spite of a Week 9 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, however, there are a handful of positive takeaways from how "America’s team" performed out on the open field.
Sure, the running game was better. Yes, Cassel settled down and posted a decent performance. Heck, even the kicking game delivered when it had to. That said, more than just about anything, the Cowboys’ main receiving corps was able to prove itself. If a sign of things to come, with Tony Romo only a week away from being eligible to start, all may not be lost for the Cowboys.
For starters, take the play of Dez Bryant. Though a foot injury has kept Bryant on the sidelines for most of this season, and last week’s quiet performance against the Seattle Seahawks produced few talking points, Bryant was able to reestablish himself as a force to be reckoned with against the Eagles.
Nabbing a total of 104 yards and a touchdown on only eight targets, Bryant overcame last week’s rust and physical fatigue. Even more impressive, three of Bryant’s five catches came in the fourth quarter alone, resulting in an additional 37 yards for his team.
Bryant’s used to the spotlight, though. Cole Beasley? Not so much. There are some living deep in the heart of Texas that argue he’s the second installment of Julian Edelman, but—more often than not this season—the production simply hasn’t been there.
In fact, Daniel Kramer of Bleacher Report stated, “He was owned in just three percent of leagues, for warranted reason, entering Week 9 with a combined 15 points. He’s the team’s fourth receiver on the depth chart, but may see increased targets in light of Sunday’s performance.”
Beasley couldn’t have cared less, it appears. Come the end Sunday night’s game, he’d successfully brought in nine receptions for a total of 112 yards and two touchdowns. Next week’s fixture could very well be a lucrative one against the Miami Dolphins as Beasley seems to have developed into a safety blanket for Cassel.
With all this in mind, fantasy owners with a bit of bench space should consider adding Beasley, should his stellar play continue. Keep in mind, however, that he shouldn’t be made a viable flex option until he’s proven that this upward trend of his is more than just a phase.
