James Washington wants to bring a physical game

FRISCO, Texas – The big question the Cowboys will have to answer in the coming weeks will be whether the team is at least as talented as it was last season; if the players who renewed their contract or those who arrived do better for the club heading to the 2022 kickoff.

The answer has little to do with names, contract sizes or the supposed talent of the players. It has to do with reality, with the reliability they have shown in all kinds of circumstances and their availability on game day.

Amari Cooper’s departure presupposes that CeeDee Lamb is the Cowboys’ new top receiver, for example.

But a while ago Cooper began to lose himself as that No. 1 wide receiver that had an immediate impact when he came to Dallas in the trade with the Raiders that resulted in a $100 million contract extension.

For whatever reason — defenses, scheme, or game plan — Cooper slowly fell out of favor with quarterback Dak Prescott, if he ever was.

Lamb also hasn’t shown in his only game of 2021 without Cooper that he could shoulder the passing game, though he hasn’t had much of an opportunity either. That is, it is difficult to know the reason why the ball was not directed at him, either because he did not get open or because the quarterback preferred to throw to another side or simply did not have time.

It’s also not like the Cowboys, who entered last season with hopes of three at the position with 1,000-plus yards, have really required Lamb as their top receiver yet.

That time had to come, however, for a first-round receiver with Lamb’s credentials at the University of Oklahoma. More so, when Cooper’s departure opened a $16 million salary-cap gap for a receiver that the previous campaign was down and did not make a big difference on the field of play.

Michael Gallup is in doubt as of today for the season opener with a knee injury and Cedrick Wilson signed as a free agent with Miami.

Now comes James Washington to the Cowboys, after his first four seasons with the Steelers, who drafted him in the second round from Oklahoma State.

Dallas has more experience at the third receiver position, replacing Wilson. He’ll be second in line, at least until Gallup is back on his feet, barring another player in a high round of the next draft.

“I think I can bring a physical game,” Washington said in a conference call with reporters covering the Cowboys. “Michael Gallup, CeeDee, all of these guys have taught a lot of physical skills. Right now, I think I can add.”

“I think my strength is when the ball is in the air. That’s what I’m going to prepare for.”

Washington is a more established receiver with more experience playing the NFL than Wilson, who is a great example of preparation, after more than two years of developing on the Cowboys’ practice squad and taking advantage of the opportunity when he had to play out of necessity. specific to the roster.

Sure, Wilson can also pass the ball, thanks to playing quarterback in college. But his position is that of receiver. The trick plays where he throws the ball are done very rarely.

Washington was drafted by the Steelers in 2018 and his best numbers came a year later, 735 yards on 44 receptions in 2019.

In four seasons, he averaged 14.3 receiving yards. In 2021 he had the least production from him; just 24 receptions and 285 yards. He was only sent the ball 44 times.

During his later seasons, Pittsburgh had too many receivers and too few quarterbacks, when Ben Roethlisberger’s best moments had passed.

“I feel like with everything that happened in Pittsburgh, I really couldn’t show myself fully,” he said. “We had a full receiving room… I didn’t really get to fully develop and take the steps that I wanted to. I’m going to make the most of this opportunity in Dallas and do what I can to get them 110 percent of me.” and I can reach my full potential.