Cowboys: Hurd sees minicamp as golden opportunity
By Tom Orsborn
As he signed autographs for an hour Saturday at a North Side sporting goods store, Sam Hurd practiced the skills that have helped make him one of the city's most popular current professional athletes not wearing silver and black.
Flashing his trademark wide, toothy smile, the 2002 Brackenridge graduate interacted easily with adult fans, never forgetting once to begin his chat with a warm, “How are you doing?” But it was apparent that Hurd saved his best for the wide-eyed kids who shyly approached him with their mouths agape and hands nervously clutching Dallas Cowboys merchandise.
“I was once one of these kids that wanted somebody (famous) to come down to my neighborhood, but I didn't have the privilege to have athletes visit where I lived,” Hurd said. “I love to let them know I am human and just like them.
“I want them to know I am proof anything is possible.”
With Terry Glenn's future with the defending NFC East champs uncertain because of his age and a contract dispute, those words have never rang truer for Hurd, a third-year player who joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent.
Two knee operations forced Glenn, who turns 34 next month, to miss nearly all of last season. Although he's apparently healthy now, the Cowboys didn't allow him to participate in their voluntary organized team activities after he refused to sign a proposed contract that would pay him his full $1.74 million salary should he stay healthy, or $500,000 should the knee falter.
Glenn's absence meant increased snaps for Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback. A three-day minicamp begins Tuesday in Irving, and Hurd vows to make the most of it.
“It's an opportunity for me to move into the limelight,” said Hurd, 23. “It's an opportunity for me to become a No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 receiver. Terrell (Owens) and Terry always tell me work hard, go for that No. 1 spot. Don't settle for less. Don't settle to be in the back seat.”
Of the three young wideouts, Hurd is the most experienced, having started twice because of injuries to starters. But the Cowboys also like the speed of Austin, who raised eyebrows last week when he outmaneuvered Pacman Jones for a deep reception. Then there is the size of Stanback, who the coaches say is finally comfortable at receiver after playing quarterback at the University of Washington.
Stanback also is finally healthy. Injuries robbed him of valuable practice time as a rookie last season, and he was active for only three games.
“He worked his butt off this off-season and it shows,” quarterback Tony Romo told reporters last week in Irving.
Romo also is impressed with Hurd and Austin.
“Sam's been good for a long time here. People just don't realize,” Romo said. “His production value has been real high. Miles has lot of ability, and he's done a good job this week as well. I don't doubt that a lot of those guys are going to rotate a little bit and see time in different spots.”
Hurd, though, isn't ready to dismiss Glenn as a competitor.
“It's way too early to count him out,” Hurd said. “He's healthy. He's back. All they are doing is talking about his contract issue.”
But if Glenn is absent this week, Romo's familiarity with Hurd could keep the former Northern Illinois standout busy. Last season, he snagged a career-best 19 passes for 314 yards and one touchdown.
“Romo has talked to me a lot and he has worked with me enough,” Hurd said. “I'm a good checkdown man for him. He expects me to make a play.”
Coming up with plays at minicamp could be a challenge for any receiver not named Owens. The Cowboys bolstered their secondary by trading for Jones and drafting former South Florida star Mike Jenkins and former Boise State standout Orlando Scandrick.
“They look quick and fast, and they are aggressive too,” Hurd said. “Pacman's been awesome. He's been getting a lot of interceptions in practice. Jenkins is a rookie, but he's learning now. He's getting his hips moving right, and Terence Newman has taken him under his wings. That's a great person to learn from. Scandrick has impressed me from the start. He's a great guesser.”
At the end of minicamp, Hurd will return to San Antonio to host two charitable functions bearing his name — a golf tournament Friday and a youth camp/community fair Saturday.
“It's been hectic trying to get everything organized, but I've put all my focus into football,” Hurd said. “I give the golf tournament and camp to my marketing people to handle. They call me every now and then, but I've let them know not to bother me when I'm at minicamp.”
As he signed autographs for an hour Saturday at a North Side sporting goods store, Sam Hurd practiced the skills that have helped make him one of the city's most popular current professional athletes not wearing silver and black.
Flashing his trademark wide, toothy smile, the 2002 Brackenridge graduate interacted easily with adult fans, never forgetting once to begin his chat with a warm, “How are you doing?” But it was apparent that Hurd saved his best for the wide-eyed kids who shyly approached him with their mouths agape and hands nervously clutching Dallas Cowboys merchandise.
“I was once one of these kids that wanted somebody (famous) to come down to my neighborhood, but I didn't have the privilege to have athletes visit where I lived,” Hurd said. “I love to let them know I am human and just like them.
“I want them to know I am proof anything is possible.”
With Terry Glenn's future with the defending NFC East champs uncertain because of his age and a contract dispute, those words have never rang truer for Hurd, a third-year player who joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent.
Two knee operations forced Glenn, who turns 34 next month, to miss nearly all of last season. Although he's apparently healthy now, the Cowboys didn't allow him to participate in their voluntary organized team activities after he refused to sign a proposed contract that would pay him his full $1.74 million salary should he stay healthy, or $500,000 should the knee falter.
Glenn's absence meant increased snaps for Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback. A three-day minicamp begins Tuesday in Irving, and Hurd vows to make the most of it.
“It's an opportunity for me to move into the limelight,” said Hurd, 23. “It's an opportunity for me to become a No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 receiver. Terrell (Owens) and Terry always tell me work hard, go for that No. 1 spot. Don't settle for less. Don't settle to be in the back seat.”
Of the three young wideouts, Hurd is the most experienced, having started twice because of injuries to starters. But the Cowboys also like the speed of Austin, who raised eyebrows last week when he outmaneuvered Pacman Jones for a deep reception. Then there is the size of Stanback, who the coaches say is finally comfortable at receiver after playing quarterback at the University of Washington.
Stanback also is finally healthy. Injuries robbed him of valuable practice time as a rookie last season, and he was active for only three games.
“He worked his butt off this off-season and it shows,” quarterback Tony Romo told reporters last week in Irving.
Romo also is impressed with Hurd and Austin.
“Sam's been good for a long time here. People just don't realize,” Romo said. “His production value has been real high. Miles has lot of ability, and he's done a good job this week as well. I don't doubt that a lot of those guys are going to rotate a little bit and see time in different spots.”
Hurd, though, isn't ready to dismiss Glenn as a competitor.
“It's way too early to count him out,” Hurd said. “He's healthy. He's back. All they are doing is talking about his contract issue.”
But if Glenn is absent this week, Romo's familiarity with Hurd could keep the former Northern Illinois standout busy. Last season, he snagged a career-best 19 passes for 314 yards and one touchdown.
“Romo has talked to me a lot and he has worked with me enough,” Hurd said. “I'm a good checkdown man for him. He expects me to make a play.”
Coming up with plays at minicamp could be a challenge for any receiver not named Owens. The Cowboys bolstered their secondary by trading for Jones and drafting former South Florida star Mike Jenkins and former Boise State standout Orlando Scandrick.
“They look quick and fast, and they are aggressive too,” Hurd said. “Pacman's been awesome. He's been getting a lot of interceptions in practice. Jenkins is a rookie, but he's learning now. He's getting his hips moving right, and Terence Newman has taken him under his wings. That's a great person to learn from. Scandrick has impressed me from the start. He's a great guesser.”
At the end of minicamp, Hurd will return to San Antonio to host two charitable functions bearing his name — a golf tournament Friday and a youth camp/community fair Saturday.
“It's been hectic trying to get everything organized, but I've put all my focus into football,” Hurd said. “I give the golf tournament and camp to my marketing people to handle. They call me every now and then, but I've let them know not to bother me when I'm at minicamp.”
posted by The Gryphon at 12:56 PM
<< Home