Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin ready to deliver
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
SAN ANTONIO — Rarely has so much been expected of someone who has done so little.
Yet, wide receiver Miles Austin, a former undrafted free agent from Monmouth with 18 career catches, is crucial to any success the Dallas Cowboys hope to have in the passing game this season.
Never mind the supposed competition between Austin, Sam Hurd and Patrick Crayton for the No. 2 receiver position behind No. 1 target Roy Williams.
All three receivers are going to play for the Cowboys, but only Austin has the skill set — size and speed — to provide the vertical threat the passing game lost with the departure of Terrell Owens.
Owner Jerry Jones has gone so far as to cite Austin’s potential and ability to make the big play as a reason the Cowboys could finally rid themselves of Owens.
Austin, who has three receiving touchdowns in the past three years, is expected to pick up the slack from Owens, who caught 38 touchdown passes during that same time period.
Receivers coach Ray Sherman said the expectations are legitimate and warranted based on the flashes of potential Austin has shown.
"No, no," said Sherman, when asked if too much is being asked of Austin. "I’m going to give you an example. When I was in Green Bay, we had a guy named Donald Driver. He hardly ever played. All of sudden, he got an opportunity and he showed he was a great football player. It’s the same thing with Miles. Miles is a bigger version of that. If you can keep him healthy, you will see some great things from Miles."
Driver went to a small school and came to the Packers with little expectations as a seventh-round pick in 1999. He caught three passes his rookie year, 21 in 2000 and 13 in 2001 before breaking out in 2002 with 70 catches and nine touchdowns. He has averaged 78.3 catches each season since.
Austin and the Cowboys are hoping for a similar breakthrough performance in 2009.
"That is what I’m working for," Austin said. "That is why I come out here every day trying to get as many reps as I can. I’m trying to take advantage of the opportunity."
While he is flattered the Cowboys are looking at him to fill Owens’ shoes, Austin is doing his best not to get caught up in the comparison.
"I’m focusing on doing the things that I can do," Austin said. "What anyone else says doesn’t matter to me. I have to focus on myself and try to improve my game. I work hard. I work on things like I always have. There is just more of an opportunity this year."
Austin was impressive in training camp last year and had hoped for a breakout season in 2008. But he suffered a knee injury in the preseason that kept him out of the season opener. He had a big game against Green Bay in Week 3 with two catches for 115yards and a touchdown, but there was no sustained impact.
Austin was sidelined late in the year by another knee injury that caused him to miss three more games.
After a strained hamstring kept him out of organized team activities and minicamp, Austin came to training camp healthy and ready to show quarterback Tony Romo and the coaches that they can count on him.
So far, so good. Austin has been one of the most impressive receivers in camp and is developing some chemistry with Romo.
"It’s always a point of emphasis to come in and play well to let the coaches and quarterbacks know you are ready to play," Austin said. "That is what I’m trying to do, trying to catch balls and make plays."
SAN ANTONIO — Rarely has so much been expected of someone who has done so little.
Yet, wide receiver Miles Austin, a former undrafted free agent from Monmouth with 18 career catches, is crucial to any success the Dallas Cowboys hope to have in the passing game this season.
Never mind the supposed competition between Austin, Sam Hurd and Patrick Crayton for the No. 2 receiver position behind No. 1 target Roy Williams.
All three receivers are going to play for the Cowboys, but only Austin has the skill set — size and speed — to provide the vertical threat the passing game lost with the departure of Terrell Owens.
Owner Jerry Jones has gone so far as to cite Austin’s potential and ability to make the big play as a reason the Cowboys could finally rid themselves of Owens.
Austin, who has three receiving touchdowns in the past three years, is expected to pick up the slack from Owens, who caught 38 touchdown passes during that same time period.
Receivers coach Ray Sherman said the expectations are legitimate and warranted based on the flashes of potential Austin has shown.
"No, no," said Sherman, when asked if too much is being asked of Austin. "I’m going to give you an example. When I was in Green Bay, we had a guy named Donald Driver. He hardly ever played. All of sudden, he got an opportunity and he showed he was a great football player. It’s the same thing with Miles. Miles is a bigger version of that. If you can keep him healthy, you will see some great things from Miles."
Driver went to a small school and came to the Packers with little expectations as a seventh-round pick in 1999. He caught three passes his rookie year, 21 in 2000 and 13 in 2001 before breaking out in 2002 with 70 catches and nine touchdowns. He has averaged 78.3 catches each season since.
Austin and the Cowboys are hoping for a similar breakthrough performance in 2009.
"That is what I’m working for," Austin said. "That is why I come out here every day trying to get as many reps as I can. I’m trying to take advantage of the opportunity."
While he is flattered the Cowboys are looking at him to fill Owens’ shoes, Austin is doing his best not to get caught up in the comparison.
"I’m focusing on doing the things that I can do," Austin said. "What anyone else says doesn’t matter to me. I have to focus on myself and try to improve my game. I work hard. I work on things like I always have. There is just more of an opportunity this year."
Austin was impressive in training camp last year and had hoped for a breakout season in 2008. But he suffered a knee injury in the preseason that kept him out of the season opener. He had a big game against Green Bay in Week 3 with two catches for 115yards and a touchdown, but there was no sustained impact.
Austin was sidelined late in the year by another knee injury that caused him to miss three more games.
After a strained hamstring kept him out of organized team activities and minicamp, Austin came to training camp healthy and ready to show quarterback Tony Romo and the coaches that they can count on him.
So far, so good. Austin has been one of the most impressive receivers in camp and is developing some chemistry with Romo.
"It’s always a point of emphasis to come in and play well to let the coaches and quarterbacks know you are ready to play," Austin said. "That is what I’m trying to do, trying to catch balls and make plays."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:33 AM
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