Cowboys Insider: Hurd's play on special teams will once again be his ticket to a roster spot
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Sam Hurd wants to be more than a special teams ace for the Dallas Cowboys.
That was evident in his performance at the team's recent minicamp.
Hurd, a second-year player from Northern Illinois and a graduate of Brackenridge, made a couple of outstanding catches at the three-day affair and dove a few times to try to come up with a couple more.
"I want to be more involved in the offense this season," said Hurd, who finished last season with five receptions for 75 yards.
First, though, he has to make the team. The drafting of Washington quarterback Isaiah Stanback, who the Cowboys will convert to receiver, in the fourth round puts Hurd's roster spot in jeopardy. Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton, of course, are locks and second-year player Miles Austin can also count on a spot because of his skills as a kick return.
That leaves Hurd fighting it out with undrafted free agents Jerard Rabb (Boise State) and Mike Jefferson (Montana State), second-year player Jamaica Rector, CFL alumnus Jamel Richardson and third-year player and former Trinity star Jerheme Urban.
Hurd's stellar performance last season on special teams works in his favor, as does his strong work ethic and impressive 6-foot-2, 195-pound size. His special teams statistics included 13 tackles and two fumble recoveries.
My guess is Wade Phillips will love Hurd's tenacity on the kickoff unit as much as Bill Parcells did.
And like Parcells, Phillips will probably rave about Hurd's desire, hustle and tenacity.
"I'm motivated to the point where I don't need anything else to motivate me," Hurd said when asked if the drafting of Stanback will make him work even harder this offseason and at training camp.
"I want to be the best," said Hurd, who made the team last season as an undrafted free agent.
Hurd will get a chase to showcase his talents in front of his friends and family when the Cowboys hold training camp at the Alamodome in July and August.
"I'm excited to get back home and show the people in San Antonio what I can do and why I did make this team," Hurd said.
Hurd will also serve as the team's unofficial San Antonio tour guide. He's already shown around Owens, who attended a birthday party here for Hurd in April.
"Everybody loves San Antonio and he's no different," Hurd said of Owens. "We hung around town, visited the sites, did a couple of things."
Some of their time here included chatting with a few wide-eyed fans, something the unpretentious Hurd enjoys.
"I'm the same old 'Bird,' " Hurd said, using his nickname from high school. "Some people treat me different, ask for autographs, but that's cool. It comes with the territory."
Express-News Sam Hurd wants to be more than a special teams ace for the Dallas Cowboys.
That was evident in his performance at the team's recent minicamp.
Hurd, a second-year player from Northern Illinois and a graduate of Brackenridge, made a couple of outstanding catches at the three-day affair and dove a few times to try to come up with a couple more.
"I want to be more involved in the offense this season," said Hurd, who finished last season with five receptions for 75 yards.
First, though, he has to make the team. The drafting of Washington quarterback Isaiah Stanback, who the Cowboys will convert to receiver, in the fourth round puts Hurd's roster spot in jeopardy. Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton, of course, are locks and second-year player Miles Austin can also count on a spot because of his skills as a kick return.
That leaves Hurd fighting it out with undrafted free agents Jerard Rabb (Boise State) and Mike Jefferson (Montana State), second-year player Jamaica Rector, CFL alumnus Jamel Richardson and third-year player and former Trinity star Jerheme Urban.
Hurd's stellar performance last season on special teams works in his favor, as does his strong work ethic and impressive 6-foot-2, 195-pound size. His special teams statistics included 13 tackles and two fumble recoveries.
My guess is Wade Phillips will love Hurd's tenacity on the kickoff unit as much as Bill Parcells did.
And like Parcells, Phillips will probably rave about Hurd's desire, hustle and tenacity.
"I'm motivated to the point where I don't need anything else to motivate me," Hurd said when asked if the drafting of Stanback will make him work even harder this offseason and at training camp.
"I want to be the best," said Hurd, who made the team last season as an undrafted free agent.
Hurd will get a chase to showcase his talents in front of his friends and family when the Cowboys hold training camp at the Alamodome in July and August.
"I'm excited to get back home and show the people in San Antonio what I can do and why I did make this team," Hurd said.
Hurd will also serve as the team's unofficial San Antonio tour guide. He's already shown around Owens, who attended a birthday party here for Hurd in April.
"Everybody loves San Antonio and he's no different," Hurd said of Owens. "We hung around town, visited the sites, did a couple of things."
Some of their time here included chatting with a few wide-eyed fans, something the unpretentious Hurd enjoys.
"I'm the same old 'Bird,' " Hurd said, using his nickname from high school. "Some people treat me different, ask for autographs, but that's cool. It comes with the territory."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:20 PM
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