After a loss to Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys are seeing a former receiver join their ranks.
Dallas is now at 1 after a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the last second, but suffered a 19-3 defeat in Week 1. Although it could have been worse, Tampa Bay’s passing offense was somewhat shaky as quarterback Tom Brady couldn’t connect with his receivers.
The Buccaneers now have a new weapon in their arsenal: Cole Beasley, who has been in the league for ten seasons, is well-known to Bills and Cowboys fans. However, he now has a Tampa team, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
“News from @gmfb: The #Buccaneers are signing veteran WR Cole Beasley to their practice squad with the expectation he’ll be elevated to the active roster soon, source says,” Garafolo Tweeted on September 20. “Tom Brady pushed to bring in another veteran pass catcher and has had Beasley on his radar for a while.”
This is a significant addition to a team already blessed with many talented receivers. Brady will love Beasley’s ability to make catches under pressure and get open.
For opposing NFL defenses, the combination of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin is frightening. Tampa Bay’s problem is that none of these three pass-catchers will play in Week 3.
NFL.com explained that Godwin was suffering from a hamstring injury. Jones missed Week 2 due to a knee problem and Evans was suspended after he attacked Marshon Lattimore, a New Orleans Saints corner, on Sunday.
All of this points to reinforcements for the wide receiver group. Beasley seems to be the solution. This 33-year old is coming off one of the most successful seasons in his career with Buffalo. He had 967 receiving yards and scored four touchdowns in 2020.
Pro Football Reference demonstrates that Beasley has been remarkably consistent, appearing in 14 or more games every season since 2012. In 2017, Beasley’s lowest receiving number (since his rookie season), was with Dallas, when he accumulated 314 yards and still scored four touchdowns.
Beasley was used well by the Bills quarterback Josh Allen, and the Cowboys QB Tony Romo. Now the NFL will see how Brady uses the veteran wide receiver.
Beasley took to Twitter a few weeks ago to retaliate against NFL fans who thought he was no longer in the league and couldn’t find a way to get back in. Heavy had previously covered. The former Cowboys wide receiver wasn’t happy.
Beasley referred to his performance in 2021 for the Bills as his primary comeback.
“All these ‘unemployed’ jokes like I don’t have the skill anymore,” Beasley posted on August 28. “You don’t go from drawing double teams in the playoffs to not having it anymore within a few months. I still grabbed 80 catches with 3 broken ribs for half of them. No games missed. Don’t get it twisted.”
It’s evident that Beasley was not joking when he signed with the Buccaneers. He was simply waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.