Cowboys Forming Another Committee to Overcome Another Star Departure

The Dallas Cowboys are devolving into the Dallas Committees.

With last year’s leading rusher DeMarco Murray having flown to the Eagles, the Cowboys are attempting to fill the void with a gaggle of running backs. Now, with the loss of leading receiver Dez Bryant, the same plan will be activated.

No Dez – who last year produced 33 percent of the team’s receiving yards and 43 percent of their touchdown catches – means obviously more Terrance Williams, but also more Cole Beasley and increased roles for the likes of Gavin Escobar, Devin Street, Lucky Whitehead and …

Brice Butler.

After working out four veteran receivers at Valley Ranch on Monday, the Cowboys decided to trade a conditional 2016 draft pick to the Raiders for the former 7th-round draft pick from 2013. Butler won’t arrive until today, and it’s unlikely he‘ll know the offense in time to play in Sunday’s game at Philadelphia. He was inactive for the Raiders’ opener last Sunday.

Once he gets up to speed, Butler can be – at best – a small piece of the committee. He has 30 catches for 383 and two scores in his first two seasons in Oakland, and caught Dallas’ eye by catching 15 passes and a touchdown this preseason.

At 6 feet 3 inches, 205 pounds and with 4.3 speed out of San Diego State, he seems to be a prototype NFL receiver. But he isn’t necessarily a quick player, and he’s had trouble with drops – including a sure touchdown in a preseason game. Butler can play the “X” receiver – Dez’s position – or even line up in the slot, making him a tough cover on quick slants.

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Look at Butler the way you do Christine Michael, a running back the Cowboys signed last week for more insurance. He won’t replace Bryant, but he might help take up some of the slack.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

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