Hurd makes impression on Cowboys
Web Posted: 08/22/2006 10:24 PM CDT
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
SHREVEPORT, La. — Dallas Cowboys rookie receiver Sam Hurd's tutorials at training camp with Terrell Owens apparently didn't include any lessons on how to celebrate a touchdown.
Hurd had a chance to unveil his dance moves after he made a leaping catch in the end zone on a fade route in the Cowboys' 30-7 rout of New Orleans on Monday at Independence Stadium.
The 13-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe was Hurd's first TD as a pro, but his actions after the play were no different than what he did following a score at Northern Illinois.
"It was very exciting, but I don't know what you get a penalty for or what you get fined for, so I didn't want to do too much," Hurd said. "I kept it simple and threw (the ball) back to the ref and got off the field just like I did in college."
Hurd is likely to stay on the field if he continues to play like he did against the Saints. With Owens in Dallas nursing a hamstring injury, Hurd started and caught three passes for 30 yards and one TD without a drop.
Against Seattle in the preseason opener on Aug. 12, the Brackenridge graduate dropped two of six passes.
"I felt much more comfortable," Hurd said. "I knew the offense. (Against Seattle), I knew the offense in practice, but my mind wandered in the game."
Hurd had no such lapses against New Orleans. In fact, his TD reception underscored his ability to focus as much as it did his athletic skills.
The play came on third-and-5 with 3:33 left in the first half. Faced with tight coverage, Hurd leaped high to grab the ball and made sure his feet came down in the end zone.
"Sam did a nice job," Bledsoe said. "I told him really that's the greatest compliment I can pay him as a receiver, that I trusted him to go up and get that ball."
Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten also was impressed.
"To go up and get that ball, not many people can do that," Witten said.
Bledsoe and Hurd nearly connected on a deep ball early in the second quarter.
"It was just barely a little overthrown," Hurd said. "If I ever get another one like that, I'll do whatever it takes to catch the ball even if it means doing a backflip."
Hurd began working with the first-team offense after Patrick Crayton suffered an ankle injury against Seattle. Owens, who worked with Hurd nearly every day after practice in Oxnard, Calif., also missed that game.
Meanwhile, Hurd is trying to make the most of his time with the first unit.
"God bless them to come back, but I'm trying to seize an opportunity," Hurd said.
The same can be said of Hurd's competitors for a roster spot — Jamaica Rector, Miles Austin and Terrance Copper. The three combined for six receptions and a TD against the Saints.
"They sure have gotten enough work for us to get a good evaluation," coach Bill Parcells said. "I think some of them are improving."
Owner Jerry Jones even suggested the play of the youngsters could change the team's plans to acquire a veteran receiver.
"I'm excited about the way they have played," Jones said. "It makes me feel good about me not breaking my neck to find another receiver."
Said Rector: "I don't think they need to look no further. We've got everybody right here."
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
SHREVEPORT, La. — Dallas Cowboys rookie receiver Sam Hurd's tutorials at training camp with Terrell Owens apparently didn't include any lessons on how to celebrate a touchdown.
Hurd had a chance to unveil his dance moves after he made a leaping catch in the end zone on a fade route in the Cowboys' 30-7 rout of New Orleans on Monday at Independence Stadium.
The 13-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe was Hurd's first TD as a pro, but his actions after the play were no different than what he did following a score at Northern Illinois.
"It was very exciting, but I don't know what you get a penalty for or what you get fined for, so I didn't want to do too much," Hurd said. "I kept it simple and threw (the ball) back to the ref and got off the field just like I did in college."
Hurd is likely to stay on the field if he continues to play like he did against the Saints. With Owens in Dallas nursing a hamstring injury, Hurd started and caught three passes for 30 yards and one TD without a drop.
Against Seattle in the preseason opener on Aug. 12, the Brackenridge graduate dropped two of six passes.
"I felt much more comfortable," Hurd said. "I knew the offense. (Against Seattle), I knew the offense in practice, but my mind wandered in the game."
Hurd had no such lapses against New Orleans. In fact, his TD reception underscored his ability to focus as much as it did his athletic skills.
The play came on third-and-5 with 3:33 left in the first half. Faced with tight coverage, Hurd leaped high to grab the ball and made sure his feet came down in the end zone.
"Sam did a nice job," Bledsoe said. "I told him really that's the greatest compliment I can pay him as a receiver, that I trusted him to go up and get that ball."
Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten also was impressed.
"To go up and get that ball, not many people can do that," Witten said.
Bledsoe and Hurd nearly connected on a deep ball early in the second quarter.
"It was just barely a little overthrown," Hurd said. "If I ever get another one like that, I'll do whatever it takes to catch the ball even if it means doing a backflip."
Hurd began working with the first-team offense after Patrick Crayton suffered an ankle injury against Seattle. Owens, who worked with Hurd nearly every day after practice in Oxnard, Calif., also missed that game.
Meanwhile, Hurd is trying to make the most of his time with the first unit.
"God bless them to come back, but I'm trying to seize an opportunity," Hurd said.
The same can be said of Hurd's competitors for a roster spot — Jamaica Rector, Miles Austin and Terrance Copper. The three combined for six receptions and a TD against the Saints.
"They sure have gotten enough work for us to get a good evaluation," coach Bill Parcells said. "I think some of them are improving."
Owner Jerry Jones even suggested the play of the youngsters could change the team's plans to acquire a veteran receiver.
"I'm excited about the way they have played," Jones said. "It makes me feel good about me not breaking my neck to find another receiver."
Said Rector: "I don't think they need to look no further. We've got everybody right here."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:19 PM
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