WoodysGirl
02-23-2011, 09:38 AM
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Email (http://www.dallascowboys.com/contact_us.cfm?cat=Phillips) | Follow robphillips3 on Twitter (http://www.truebluefanclub.com/twitter.cfm?curTwitUser=robphillips3)
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last season and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is safety Danny McCray.)
Name: Danny McCray
Position: Safety
Height/Weight: 6-1/214
Experience: One season
College: LSU
2010 Impact: As far back as May when the Cowboys held their rookie minicamp, internally they felt McCray and fellow rookie free agent Barry Church had a chance to make the 53-man roster as developmental safeties and primary special teams players. Both did, and McCray emerged as arguably their best kick-coverage player while appearing in all 16 games. His 28 team-best tackles (special teams captain Sam Hurd's 21 ranked second) challenged Jim Schwantz's 32 in 1996. McCray played sparingly on defense (four tackles and one pass deflection), primarily as an extra safety/linebacker in the Cowboys' dime package.
Where He Fits: Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis got exactly what he saw from McCray while watching LSU's film: a technically precise and productive special-teamer. McCray again will have to compete with a glut of defensive backs for a roster spot, and even then might not crack the defensive rotation. But his special teams play alone made himself an asset, particularly if Hurd eventually leaves via free agency.
Read more: http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=4EAE8838-9100-6858-634CB8C3E0ED5A1E
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Email (http://www.dallascowboys.com/contact_us.cfm?cat=Phillips) | Follow robphillips3 on Twitter (http://www.truebluefanclub.com/twitter.cfm?curTwitUser=robphillips3)
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last season and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is safety Danny McCray.)
Name: Danny McCray
Position: Safety
Height/Weight: 6-1/214
Experience: One season
College: LSU
2010 Impact: As far back as May when the Cowboys held their rookie minicamp, internally they felt McCray and fellow rookie free agent Barry Church had a chance to make the 53-man roster as developmental safeties and primary special teams players. Both did, and McCray emerged as arguably their best kick-coverage player while appearing in all 16 games. His 28 team-best tackles (special teams captain Sam Hurd's 21 ranked second) challenged Jim Schwantz's 32 in 1996. McCray played sparingly on defense (four tackles and one pass deflection), primarily as an extra safety/linebacker in the Cowboys' dime package.
Where He Fits: Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis got exactly what he saw from McCray while watching LSU's film: a technically precise and productive special-teamer. McCray again will have to compete with a glut of defensive backs for a roster spot, and even then might not crack the defensive rotation. But his special teams play alone made himself an asset, particularly if Hurd eventually leaves via free agency.
Read more: http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=4EAE8838-9100-6858-634CB8C3E0ED5A1E