As we near the Eagles’ Week 9 showdown with the rival Cowboys, and a bit of interesting news breaks regarding the Dallas offensive unit, I chalked up an examination of both teams’ Wide Receiver corps, analyzed each passing target from each squad, and concluded with my take on which NFC East member holds the better group of wideouts. More details on this Sunday night’s contest between the Birds and Cowboys will be included in the official game preview, but for now, a look inside an explosive position on two explosive offenses should provide for an intriguing read:

To start, I must release the specifics of the “news” coming out of Dallas I hinted at in the beginning of the article: Number 1 WR Roy Williams implied in a media conference, by several statements, that he and QB Tony Romo haven’t developed a solid chemistry, and most of the starting passer’s throws have been thrown “correctly” to other guys, but not him. The Cowboy receiver didn’t appear too angry while speaking, but was clearly upset with how he hasn’t been a significant factor in the offense thus far in the year. Whether this has an effect on the Cowboys or not, it was a brief, yet interesting piece of news that might want to be noted by Eagles fans, for Williams’ productivity–and comments–just might prove to be at least a little distraction in Dallas’ locker room and on the field.

With the Cowboys’ WR controversy covered (I apologize, for that was a joke and I don’t mean to get Cowboy fanatics upset…well, maybe I do), let’s begin our dive into the position exam of the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys’ Wide Receivers:

Eagles (5 total WRs), named in order of depth chart listing:

• DeSean Jackson
• Jeremy Maclin
• Kevin Curtis
• Jason Avant
• Reggie Brown

Jackson (pictured) is in his 2nd season in the league and with the Birds, but one could easily mistake him for one of the NFL’s longtime stars. The sophomore receiver, who appears to be a minimal threat at only 5 foot, 10 inches and 175 pounds, has clearly been one of the biggest offensive contributors on the squad. With 24 catches, Jackson has totaled 501 yards and 4 scores, while also experiencing success as a trick runner, gaining 115 yards and a touchdown. He is well on pace to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark, and has also been a dangerous punt returner for the Eagles. Jackson is well deserving of his starting role, and would make a good argument as one of the best–if not the best–young wideout in the entire league.

Maclin began the year as a backup to the veteran Curtis, but because of injuries to the typical number 2 receiver, the rookie has been given numerous opportunities. Fortunately for Philadelphia, the 1st-round Draft pick has shined when asked to step into a bigger role. Only two catches shy of Jackson’s reception total, Maclin has recorded 293 yards and a trio of touchdowns. Although that isn’t considered to be phenomenal compared to many of the NFL’s other starting WRs, Maclin only began playing a significant amount of time a few weeks ago when it became apparent Curtis would miss a prolonged amount of action. Paired with Jackson, Maclin gives the Eagles perhaps one of the most explosive starting duo of receivers that have been in the league one year or less.

Curtis looked to return to his great 2007 form after missing roughly half of the previous season with a sports hernia injury, but was hurt again this year when he took repeated hits to a sprain in his knee. With a disappointing 5 catches for 70 yards, the 7th-year player continues to rebound from surgery he underwent on his knee, and isn’t expected to be back in the lineup until at least after Week 10. It is obvious the former Ram won’t be making any significant contributions to the offense, barring a miracle turn-around, and therefore his presence in the receiving corps improves the Eagles little, at least in regards to this competition examination.

Avant is arguably the most under-rated backup WR in the NFC East, let alone the team. Thus far in the season, he has notched 13 catches for 155 yards, to go along with an average of 11.9 yards a reception, and a touchdown. The biggest asset of Avant is his ability to get open in the secondary on crucial plays, such as 3rd and 4th downs, or pass attempts that need to be completed for large amounts of yards. He will likely never emerge into starting material, but his strong body frame (6′0″, 212 lbs.) and physical style of play earns him respect on the Eagles’ roster.

Brown has been a mystery of a player ever since he was dropped significantly in the depth chart prior to last season. As many of us Eagle followers know, the former 2nd-round Draft selection began his career with a burst of talent and potential. In his rookie campaign, Brown put up great numbers: 517 yards, 4 TD. In his second year, the young target had even better statistics, gaining 840 total yards off of 49 touches, as well as 9 touchdowns overall. From then on, his productivity declined, and he has been contained to only one catch for a mere 4 yards this season. Despite this awfully low mark, he has been listed as inactive for a pair of games, and been kept on the sidelines most of the games he is indeed available.

Overall, the Eagles have a solid group of weapons at QB Donovan McNabb’s expense. They are built both to succeed now and in the future, for most are young and learning, yet potent players. With the Birds’ receivers evaluated, let’s take a look at our rival Cowboys and their supposedly awesome cluster of WRs:

Cowboys (5 total WRs), named in order of depth chart listing):

• Roy Williams
• Miles Austin
• Sam Hurd
• Patrick Crayton
• Kevin Ogletree

Williams is the official number 1, but as stated in the snippet of “news”, has failed to develop a trusty relationship with his QB, and therefore, hasn’t produced a lot. So far, the former Lion who was acquired at the trade deadline in 2008, has made 14 catches for 259 yards and 2 TDs. Now, his pair of scores and 17.8 yards per catch average aren’t dismal, but his overall consistency on the field has been downright bad. He has been thrown to less than a few of the backup receivers, and hasn’t been as impressive as Dallas hoped he would be when they dished out three Draft picks for him to Detroit. In respect to and defense of Williams, the guy has also missed a game with a chest and back injury, and been thrown to poorly at least a few times this year. Undoubtedly, he remains one of the better catchers in the league, but if he doesn’t start playing like the number 1, then, quite frankly, he won’t be the number 1.

Austin, explained in detail in a previous article by our very own Fantasy/Feature writer Kyle Phillippi, has become the true target in the passing game, even if he isn’t described as that on Cowboy depth charts and rosters. In his 4th season, Austin has suddenly broken into quality form and appears to be a major part of the team’s long-term offensive picture. He has already surpassed his career-high totals in every category statistically, and by at least twice as much. The 25-year-old currently has 563 yards off of 26 receptions and 6 touchdowns. With some simple math, one can easily discover that Austin is clearly on pace for a Pro-Bowl-worthy season. The true test will be faced when the young WR faces some tougher defenses down the stretch of the year, but right now, he has to be considered purely dangerous.

Hurd is another of the Cowboys’ younger “projects” at the position, and despite now being listed as the club’s 3rd receiver, he spent some time earlier in the year as the 4th. Alike Austin, Hurd is playing in his 4th season, and has managed to grab 6 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown. In addition to his receiving duties, Hurd is also the team’s emergency kick and punt returner because of his versatility. Overall, he’s not a guy many teams spend a ton of time preparing for, but has potential to play a big role if called upon.

Crayton was expected to be named one of the team’s starting wideouts following the departure of Terrell Owens in the offseason, but fell from the top of the depth chart to the middle, primarily in Training Camp and preseason. Even so, he has been able to produce respectable reserve statistics, making the most out of his 20 catches. He has gained 291 receiving yards, 28 more on the ground via running plays, and 2 TDs, one of which was executed in the form of an 80-yard reception. Crayton has been a reliable backup for the team since his rookie season in 2004, and is one of those offensive players that will pounce on opportunities if ignored.

Ogletree impressed Cowboy staff members so much in the offseason that he was rewarded a spot on the final roster as a “long shot” rookie free agent signing. He hasn’t found the field much in the regular season, as he’s been shadowed by the other receivers, and has yet to make an impact on the offensive unit. Of course, he’s only been listed as active for 2 games, but has caught only one pass. If there is any significant thing to be picked out from Ogletree’s season so far, it has to be the 19 yards he gained off his only reception.

The Verdict:

This has to be perhaps the toughest decision I’ve made this year in terms of guesses and projections and what not in my writing, and the Eagles and Cowboys match up so well with their explosive receiving groups. Both sport young play-makers and veteran backups worthy of playing time. All in all, these two foes have excellent weapons at the position (I’ve stated that too many times), but because of the pure essence of speed and ability, the edge has to go to the Eagles. Dallas CB Mike Jenkins said it himself: “It’s an eyebrow-raiser…I think the [Philadelphia] coaches look forward to just giving us the challenge as a secondary, because when we came in the [game preparation] meeting they had a film of D-Jack, Maclin, pretty much all their receivers. Everybody on their team stretches the field.”