Cowboys rookie Lucky Whitehead set to make debut as return man

[RS12]

Rookie Lucky Whitehead hasn't had a chance to return a punt or kickoff in the first four games.

That should change Sunday now that Lance Dunbar is out for the season.

"I think I'm going to have a couple of chances back there and I'm ready to roll,'' Whitehead said. "I'm excited about that.''

The rookie free agent landed a spot on the roster as a fifth wide receiver and a backup return man to open the season. Part of the reason he hasn't made his way onto the field to return a kick yet is because he had trouble fielding the ball in training camp and the preseason.

http://beta.sportsdaydfw.com/dallas...man?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

 

[RS12]

Everybody feelin confident?

 

[gimmesix]

Everybody feelin confident?

I think it's a good time to test him. If he fumbles in this game, it probably won't have as much of an impact on whether we win or lose.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Everybody feelin confident?

Yes, in a way. This kid is very explosive. Just hold onto the ball and don't try to be a hero, and he's capable of creating good field position.

 

[kevm3]

This is what he was brought here for.

 

[texbumthelife]

I think it's a good time to test him. If he fumbles in this game, it probably won't have as much of an impact on whether we win or lose.

I don't really see how that makes sense. We have absolutely no margin for error in this game. A turnover is absolutely the worst thing that could happen.

I'm not confident at all. They better buy out the stickum factory.

 

[Stash]

I don't really see how that makes sense. We have absolutely no margin for error in this game. A turnover is absolutely the worst thing that could happen.

I'm not confident at all. They better buy out the stickum factory.

I don't see how it makes sense either.

Unless he's raising the white flag and thinking 'how much worse can things get?'

New England will try to exploit any and every weakness this team has, and if they're putting a guy out there who can't handle the ball? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

Silver lining? He fumbles his way off the roster and the team realizes that the roster spot should be used on a guy who can effectively contribute. And I realize that sounds terrible, but I think the team is wasting time and a roster spot on a guy who's not and may never be capable of contributing.

 

[texbumthelife]

Don't get me wrong, I am willing to give the guy a shot. I just don't trust him and won't until I see him do it and not fumble. I'm just not sure this is the game I would gamble in.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Let's hope we can at least force New England to punt.

 

[mattjames2010]

Doubt he'll be anywhere near Dwayne Harris. But I'm hoping for the best.

And I'll be honest, I'm regretting more and more that we let him go in the offseason.

 

[cowboys1981]

Having a solid game vs the defending SB Champs can help boost his confidence. He has the physical tools, now it's time to work on the mental part and put him in there.

 

[RJ_MacReady]

Pros: He's got some serious speed...much more than Harris. That should get us better field position instead of just playing safe with fair catches on punt returns that pin us inside our 20 yd line.
Cons: In preseason, he showed some fumblitis symptoms...enough that the coaches are only now giving him the green light after the injury to Dunbar.

I look at it this way: It's either going to be better or worse, but not the same as we've seen. He's either going to fumble the ball and screw us or he holds onto it and makes some returns we haven't seen this year (and most of last year, as well, since Harris ate too many 'fat pills' and got slow).

 

[kiheikiwi]

Question - anybody heard anything about the open roster spot yet ? Haven't seen anything about bringing up Edwards or anyone else.
And I'm of the opinion that Whitehead will start at KO returner, but if it does not work, McFadden will be in there. This is your shot lucky, don't screw the pooch !

 

[gimmesix]

I don't really see how that makes sense. We have absolutely no margin for error in this game. A turnover is absolutely the worst thing that could happen.

I'm not confident at all. They better buy out the stickum factory.

It's more likely we'll beat some of the other teams on our schedule than New England. I'd rather Lucky prove he can handle the role in a game we're probably not going to win anyway than one where his mistake might cost us.

We can more afford to lose this game, too, than against NFC teams or division teams.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't see how it makes sense either.

Unless he's raising the white flag and thinking 'how much worse can things get?'

New England will try to exploit any and every weakness this team has, and if they're putting a guy out there who can't handle the ball? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

Silver lining? He fumbles his way off the roster and the team realizes that the roster spot should be used on a guy who can effectively contribute. And I realize that sounds terrible, but I think the team is wasting time and a roster spot on a guy who's not and may never be capable of contributing.

Not conceding anything, just looking at our schedule and realizing we have a better shot in other games that I wouldn't want Lucky to blow. I'd prefer he not fumble and we somehow manage to beat New England, but I really would be surprise if one fumble makes a difference in this game.

 

[JoeKing]

Isn't Lucky prone to fumbling the ball? I think we saw that happen already.

 

[chagus]

Give the guy a chance... its an out of conference game.

 

[Vintage]

This is the perfect game to try it. Non division, non conference. Game is likely over by halftime. We won't be within 20 points.

Why not? I'd rather find out in a game we have no chance than risk it in a game where we might have a chance and one miscue could be the difference between a win and a loss.

 

[Joe_Fan]

And yet if we would have used Lucky earlier in the season then we'd still have Lance Dunbar who was about our biggest offensive weapon, and most productive receiver, with Dez and Romo being out.

 

[conner01]

He fumbled once
He muffed some punts in practice
Heck Lockett was the best return guy in the draft and he fumbled this week himself
It happens sometimes
Harris fumbled a couple himself and most return guys do
He didn't fumble much in college so really no reason to think he is more likely to fumble than any other return guy
But he also showed good return ability
Not sure we will get many kick return chances but I trust him as much as I did Dunbar and he is much more likely to break something