Dallas Cowboys wonder: Is there a receiver in the house?
by Todd Archer
DMN
IRVING – The Dallas Cowboys have not tried to hide the fact they were looking for a big-name, highly productive veteran wide receiver this off-season.
They were interested in Javon Walker before Oakland guaranteed him $16 million.
They have been linked to Chad Johnson, Roy Williams and Anquan Boldin even though their teams have repeatedly said none would be dealt. And if something were to happen now, executive vice president Stephen Jones admits it would likely be a player-for-player deal.
Throughout the process, owner and general manager Jerry Jones expressed optimism about Terry Glenn's ability to come back from two knee surgeries that limited him to four regular-season plays in 2007. And after the second day of the draft last month, Jones said Glenn was a "50-50" proposition.
In other words, the Cowboys don't know what he can or will do.
Yet head coach Wade Phillips, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and receiver coach Ray Sherman keep saying all is well at the position.
The Cowboys are banking on improvement from within beyond Terrell Owens, Glenn and Patrick Crayton, whose popularity rating has dipped significantly since the playoff loss to the New York Giants judging by the tenor of e-mails.
Last season, the Cowboys kept six receivers on the roster as they waited for Glenn to come back. It was a risky move considering the value of roster spots, and it's probably not wise to do that again.
Here's a look at the Cowboys' other in-house candidates at receiver:
Miles Austin
He caught five passes for 76 yards last season and drew some big pass interference penalties against Green Bay. Next to cornerback Terence Newman, he may be the fastest player on the team. Former coach Bill Parcells swore the kid had big-time ability but needed time to learn after playing at tiny Monmouth University.
Going by the three-year rule, it's time for Austin. Quarterback Tony Romo has confidence in him and Garrett's confidence grew in him as last season went on. Austin needs to display consistency through the organized team activities, minicamp and training camp. If he can, he might be a decent threat opposite Owens. He's big (6-3, 216), fast and has shown he can do some damage with the ball in his hands thanks to his kick return work.
Of the on-hand candidates, he has the most potential.
Sam Hurd
He caught 19 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown last season. He has terrific hands, runs good routes and is dependable, which is what a quarterback wants most from a receiver. What he doesn't have is terrific speed, but he has a knack for finding open space. He's also a solid special teams player, which is kind of rare for an offensive player. He does not shy away from contact (neither does Austin, by the way).
Romo has confidence in him as well, but his lack of top-end speed is what keeps him below Austin in my view. However, you can win with players like Hurd.
Isaiah Stanback
He remains a mystery. He was essentially redshirted last season as a rookie. First, he had to come back from a serious foot injury and then he had to deal with making the move from college quarterback to NFL receiver. At times last season in practice, he was impressive, according to several players. At times, he coasted.
He has a fan in Jerry Jones, which helps any player's cause. He is big (6-2, 208) and fast enough. He will be watched perhaps more than any player in the upcoming OTAs and minicamp. He remains raw, though not as much as last year.
Will he take this chance as seriously as he needs? We'll see.
Practice squad/undrafted free agents
Knocking off the aforementioned will be difficult, and even harder if Glenn shows he has something left.
Mike Jefferson spent last season on the practice squad. He has excellent speed but his hands are questionable. He had only a so-so minicamp. …
Texas Tech's Danny Amendola became a media favorite at the recent rookie minicamp, and Jerry Jones took notice. If Amendola can excel in the slot, then he could become a commodity. …
Mark Bradford, Daniel Polk and Joe West have good size but need time. Athletically, Polk is probably the best, but he is making the same move Stanback made a year ago. Bradford and West had moments at the rookie camp.
DMN
IRVING – The Dallas Cowboys have not tried to hide the fact they were looking for a big-name, highly productive veteran wide receiver this off-season.
They were interested in Javon Walker before Oakland guaranteed him $16 million.
They have been linked to Chad Johnson, Roy Williams and Anquan Boldin even though their teams have repeatedly said none would be dealt. And if something were to happen now, executive vice president Stephen Jones admits it would likely be a player-for-player deal.
Throughout the process, owner and general manager Jerry Jones expressed optimism about Terry Glenn's ability to come back from two knee surgeries that limited him to four regular-season plays in 2007. And after the second day of the draft last month, Jones said Glenn was a "50-50" proposition.
In other words, the Cowboys don't know what he can or will do.
Yet head coach Wade Phillips, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and receiver coach Ray Sherman keep saying all is well at the position.
The Cowboys are banking on improvement from within beyond Terrell Owens, Glenn and Patrick Crayton, whose popularity rating has dipped significantly since the playoff loss to the New York Giants judging by the tenor of e-mails.
Last season, the Cowboys kept six receivers on the roster as they waited for Glenn to come back. It was a risky move considering the value of roster spots, and it's probably not wise to do that again.
Here's a look at the Cowboys' other in-house candidates at receiver:
Miles Austin
He caught five passes for 76 yards last season and drew some big pass interference penalties against Green Bay. Next to cornerback Terence Newman, he may be the fastest player on the team. Former coach Bill Parcells swore the kid had big-time ability but needed time to learn after playing at tiny Monmouth University.
Going by the three-year rule, it's time for Austin. Quarterback Tony Romo has confidence in him and Garrett's confidence grew in him as last season went on. Austin needs to display consistency through the organized team activities, minicamp and training camp. If he can, he might be a decent threat opposite Owens. He's big (6-3, 216), fast and has shown he can do some damage with the ball in his hands thanks to his kick return work.
Of the on-hand candidates, he has the most potential.
Sam Hurd
He caught 19 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown last season. He has terrific hands, runs good routes and is dependable, which is what a quarterback wants most from a receiver. What he doesn't have is terrific speed, but he has a knack for finding open space. He's also a solid special teams player, which is kind of rare for an offensive player. He does not shy away from contact (neither does Austin, by the way).
Romo has confidence in him as well, but his lack of top-end speed is what keeps him below Austin in my view. However, you can win with players like Hurd.
Isaiah Stanback
He remains a mystery. He was essentially redshirted last season as a rookie. First, he had to come back from a serious foot injury and then he had to deal with making the move from college quarterback to NFL receiver. At times last season in practice, he was impressive, according to several players. At times, he coasted.
He has a fan in Jerry Jones, which helps any player's cause. He is big (6-2, 208) and fast enough. He will be watched perhaps more than any player in the upcoming OTAs and minicamp. He remains raw, though not as much as last year.
Will he take this chance as seriously as he needs? We'll see.
Practice squad/undrafted free agents
Knocking off the aforementioned will be difficult, and even harder if Glenn shows he has something left.
Mike Jefferson spent last season on the practice squad. He has excellent speed but his hands are questionable. He had only a so-so minicamp. …
Texas Tech's Danny Amendola became a media favorite at the recent rookie minicamp, and Jerry Jones took notice. If Amendola can excel in the slot, then he could become a commodity. …
Mark Bradford, Daniel Polk and Joe West have good size but need time. Athletically, Polk is probably the best, but he is making the same move Stanback made a year ago. Bradford and West had moments at the rookie camp.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:55 PM
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