IRVING, Texas — He has more touchdown receptions than Randy Moss and more yards than Larry Fitzgerald.
The receiver he replaced in the Dallas Cowboys’ pecking order? It’s not even close.
No one thought Miles Austin could run in these circles. He was an afterthought the first month of the season. Other than the opener, when he flashed his promise witha long touchdown catch, he was reduced to scraping together a catch here and a check-down there.
It’s clear now the bar was set absurdly low.
Austin has done more than challenge Patrick Crayton for a starting job. He has evolved into the lead receiver the Cowboys hoped Roy Williams would become. He is more productive than Terrell Owens was last season and much lower maintenance.
Questions over what kind of role Austin can carve out for himself in the Cowboys’ offense are gone. They have been replaced by whether he deserves a Pro Bowl spot and where he ranks among the NFL’s elite receivers.
Let’s start with the Pro Bowl. Wide receivers coach Ray Sherman said there is no question in his mind that Austin warrants a spot when the teams are announced next week. Coach Wade Phillips is right there with him.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt about it,” Phillips said. “He’s played outstanding.”
Ask Austin where he ranks among NFL receivers, and Austin answers by saying he doesn’t pay attention to those sort of things. His concern is how many games the Cowboys have won.
An injury to Williams thrust Austin into the starting lineup in Week 5. Told that Houston’s Andre Johnson is the only receiver with more yards since then, Austin seemed more interested in talking about Johnson.
“He’s a beast,” he said.
So is Austin.
It’s too early to call him an elite receiver. That’s proven over time. But he’s having a breakthrough season.
Sherman praises Austin for being a complete receiver. In his 22 years as an NFL assistant, Sherman has learned most receivers will have trouble with a particular route.
Not Austin. His attention to detail and ability to block serve him well. Sherman said the only receiver he’s been around who comes close to Austin’s rapid rise is Green Bay’s Donald Driver.
“I guess I did kind of burst on the scene,” Austin said.
Now, sit back and listen to what else Sherman has to say.
“I haven’t had anybody like this guy,” he said. “He’s got a quality of a lot of guys. He’s so big and so explosive.
“Like I told him when I first saw him coming out of college, he reminded me [in] body style of Andre Reed, asmooth route runner with good hands and he’s explosive.”
That’s heady stuff to be compared with the former Buffalo Bills star. But ask about Austin’s ability to run after the catch, and Sherman invokes the names of two players he coached with the San Francisco 49ers.
“Jerry Rice and John Taylor were excellent after thecatch,” Sherman said. “But this guy, he has the power of John Taylor. He can break tackles and score. He gets in and out of breaks like Jerry. He gets out of breaks and is explosive. Like I said, he’s a different type of receiver, but he shares those qualities with both of those guys.
“He’s as good as anybody.”
Sherman hasn’t told any of this to Austin. What does he tell him?
“He yells at me,” Austin said. “That’s the way it should be, though.
“I guarantee you, when we watch the film after practice, he will give me at least eight things I need to work on.”
The thing is, Austin will work on them. He seems unaffected by his sudden success. Still, he must be gratified that his coaches believe he deserves to be in the Pro Bowl.
“That’s great for them to say that,” Austin said. “I appreciate it. But we have a lot more work to do as a team.
“After that, then I’ll deal with all the rest.”
Sports, Pages 17 on 12/26/2009