Cowboys' young WRs catch break
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – With Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens missing this week's organized team activities (OTA), it's a given that younger receivers get more reps and a better chance to show what they can do.
"I think we have one of the better, young, talented receiving corps that's really not playing, out there," Tony Romo said Friday after the Cowboys' OTA session. "I like what they're going to do, and when they get their chance, I think they'll be all right."
Dallas has 11 receivers heading into the off-season's final minicamp, June 8-10.
Last season, Dallas had five receivers on the active roster with three getting the bulk of the playing time: Glenn, Owens and Patrick Crayton.
The Cowboys like their veteran group, as evidenced by the team picking up a combined $8 million in roster bonuses this off-season for Owens and Glenn.
Crayton signed a one-year tender worth $1.3 million. He will become an unrestricted free agent next season. Owens and Glenn are in their mid-30s.
Players such as Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, Jamaica Rector and fourth-round draft pick Isaiah Stanback are the future.
Hurd enters his second season after earning a roster spot in training camp last year. The undrafted free agent caught only five balls for 75 yards with no touchdowns, but he played on special teams and tied for second on the team with 16 tackles.
Hurd said making the transition from college to the NFL was difficult, but he learned by listening to Owens during training camp.
"You're used to being the starter in college and now, coming here, you have to learn everything all over again," Hurd said. "Working with guys like T.O. put me in the best position because now I can read coverages and make a lot of moves."
Austin developed into a pleasant surprise last season on kickoff returns after taking over for Tyson Thompson, who suffered a fractured left ankle in late October.
Austin finished the season with 29 kickoff returns for 753 yards and no touchdowns. He then returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the NFC wildcard game against Seattle.
Now, Austin and Thompson will return kickoffs.
Austin also wants to be in the mix at receiver.
"The competition – that's what got me and Sam in the door last year," Austin said. "With younger guys, you will get more competition and you will get better results."
Rector played in the season opener last year and spent the last 10 weeks of the regular season on the practice squad. Rector will battle Austin and Hurd for roster spots while trying to stay ahead of rookies such as Stanback.
The OTAs are affording them all an opportunity to compete.
"With them [veterans] not here, we have to step up and do our jobs," Rector said. "We have to make sure we can fill in that spot with them being gone. We now have a better chance to get more reps and make the big plays instead of T.O. and T.G."
IRVING – With Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens missing this week's organized team activities (OTA), it's a given that younger receivers get more reps and a better chance to show what they can do.
"I think we have one of the better, young, talented receiving corps that's really not playing, out there," Tony Romo said Friday after the Cowboys' OTA session. "I like what they're going to do, and when they get their chance, I think they'll be all right."
Dallas has 11 receivers heading into the off-season's final minicamp, June 8-10.
Last season, Dallas had five receivers on the active roster with three getting the bulk of the playing time: Glenn, Owens and Patrick Crayton.
The Cowboys like their veteran group, as evidenced by the team picking up a combined $8 million in roster bonuses this off-season for Owens and Glenn.
Crayton signed a one-year tender worth $1.3 million. He will become an unrestricted free agent next season. Owens and Glenn are in their mid-30s.
Players such as Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, Jamaica Rector and fourth-round draft pick Isaiah Stanback are the future.
Hurd enters his second season after earning a roster spot in training camp last year. The undrafted free agent caught only five balls for 75 yards with no touchdowns, but he played on special teams and tied for second on the team with 16 tackles.
Hurd said making the transition from college to the NFL was difficult, but he learned by listening to Owens during training camp.
"You're used to being the starter in college and now, coming here, you have to learn everything all over again," Hurd said. "Working with guys like T.O. put me in the best position because now I can read coverages and make a lot of moves."
Austin developed into a pleasant surprise last season on kickoff returns after taking over for Tyson Thompson, who suffered a fractured left ankle in late October.
Austin finished the season with 29 kickoff returns for 753 yards and no touchdowns. He then returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the NFC wildcard game against Seattle.
Now, Austin and Thompson will return kickoffs.
Austin also wants to be in the mix at receiver.
"The competition – that's what got me and Sam in the door last year," Austin said. "With younger guys, you will get more competition and you will get better results."
Rector played in the season opener last year and spent the last 10 weeks of the regular season on the practice squad. Rector will battle Austin and Hurd for roster spots while trying to stay ahead of rookies such as Stanback.
The OTAs are affording them all an opportunity to compete.
"With them [veterans] not here, we have to step up and do our jobs," Rector said. "We have to make sure we can fill in that spot with them being gone. We now have a better chance to get more reps and make the big plays instead of T.O. and T.G."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:43 AM
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