Cowboys: Former Trinity star to learn fate
by Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
Jerheme Urban entered the Dallas Cowboys final preseason game desperate for a chance to do something to catch the coaching staff's attention. So when the Minnesota Vikings' Chris Kluwe sailed his first punt deep inside the 10-yard line Thursday, Urban broke one of football's cardinal rules and fielded it.
After returning the punt 95 yards for a touchdown, the former Trinity star tried to strike a deal with the Cowboys' special teams coach.
"If you keep me around next week for the season opener," Urban told Bruce Read, "I will gladly let it bounce into the end zone."
Fortunately for Urban, his bold move wasn't viewed as a strike against him.
"The coaches know I will make smart decisions when the regular season comes along," Urban said Friday. "But I had to do something to earn a job — whether it's here or somewhere else. I wanted to leave it all out on the field."
Urban, 26, will find out today whether his TD was enough to land him a spot on the 53-man roster. Dallas must cut 22 players by 3 p.m. today to reach the limit.
"It's a lifelong dream of mine to play for the Cowboys," said Urban, a Victoria Stroman graduate who spent most of last season on the Cowboys' practice squad. "I grew up a major Cowboys fan and would love to stay here. But, at the same time, I understand the roster limitations."
Urban is one of five players with San Antonio ties vying for roster spots. The others are quarterback Richard Bartel, who attended Clark for two years; cornerback Quincy Butler, a Roosevelt graduate; offensive lineman Trey Darilek, a former Lee standout; and receiver Sam Hurd, formerly of Brackenridge.
Only Hurd, the No. 4 receiver behind Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton, is a lock.
The Cowboys are expected to keep six receivers, but Urban's work returning punts in the 23-14 loss to Minnesota could persuade coach Wade Phillips to keep seven. Urban and Miles Austin, who had a strong showing against the Vikings with three catches for 37 yards, are believed to be the finalists for the No. 6 spot.
"I've done pretty much all I can do," said Urban, who had four receptions for 18 yards against Minnesota but also fumbled in the first quarter, a turnover the Vikings converted into a TD.
Urban's chances of making the team were enhanced when Terence Newman suffered a foot injury two weeks ago that forced him to miss the final three preseason games. With Newman's status uncertain for the Sept. 9 opener against the New York Giants, Dallas needs somebody other than Crayton who can return punts.
Butler, a former TCU standout, also can handle the chore.
But even if Dallas cuts him, Urban figures his time with the team was well spent.
"I showed I recovered from the foot injury that forced me to leave Seattle," Urban said. "And thanks to the Cowboys, I've added returning punts to my résumé."
San Antonio Express-News
Jerheme Urban entered the Dallas Cowboys final preseason game desperate for a chance to do something to catch the coaching staff's attention. So when the Minnesota Vikings' Chris Kluwe sailed his first punt deep inside the 10-yard line Thursday, Urban broke one of football's cardinal rules and fielded it.
After returning the punt 95 yards for a touchdown, the former Trinity star tried to strike a deal with the Cowboys' special teams coach.
"If you keep me around next week for the season opener," Urban told Bruce Read, "I will gladly let it bounce into the end zone."
Fortunately for Urban, his bold move wasn't viewed as a strike against him.
"The coaches know I will make smart decisions when the regular season comes along," Urban said Friday. "But I had to do something to earn a job — whether it's here or somewhere else. I wanted to leave it all out on the field."
Urban, 26, will find out today whether his TD was enough to land him a spot on the 53-man roster. Dallas must cut 22 players by 3 p.m. today to reach the limit.
"It's a lifelong dream of mine to play for the Cowboys," said Urban, a Victoria Stroman graduate who spent most of last season on the Cowboys' practice squad. "I grew up a major Cowboys fan and would love to stay here. But, at the same time, I understand the roster limitations."
Urban is one of five players with San Antonio ties vying for roster spots. The others are quarterback Richard Bartel, who attended Clark for two years; cornerback Quincy Butler, a Roosevelt graduate; offensive lineman Trey Darilek, a former Lee standout; and receiver Sam Hurd, formerly of Brackenridge.
Only Hurd, the No. 4 receiver behind Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton, is a lock.
The Cowboys are expected to keep six receivers, but Urban's work returning punts in the 23-14 loss to Minnesota could persuade coach Wade Phillips to keep seven. Urban and Miles Austin, who had a strong showing against the Vikings with three catches for 37 yards, are believed to be the finalists for the No. 6 spot.
"I've done pretty much all I can do," said Urban, who had four receptions for 18 yards against Minnesota but also fumbled in the first quarter, a turnover the Vikings converted into a TD.
Urban's chances of making the team were enhanced when Terence Newman suffered a foot injury two weeks ago that forced him to miss the final three preseason games. With Newman's status uncertain for the Sept. 9 opener against the New York Giants, Dallas needs somebody other than Crayton who can return punts.
Butler, a former TCU standout, also can handle the chore.
But even if Dallas cuts him, Urban figures his time with the team was well spent.
"I showed I recovered from the foot injury that forced me to leave Seattle," Urban said. "And thanks to the Cowboys, I've added returning punts to my résumé."
posted by The Gryphon at 11:15 AM
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