DC Star: Overshadowed No Longer - (McCray)

[CCBoy]

OVERSHADOWED NO LONGER
With strong special teams play in particular, undrafted free agent Danny McCray has been impressive this preseason.
by Rowan Kavner


http://www.dallascowboysstar.com/article-details&nid=3630&vid=3631&uid=35812



Some talented college players sit behind NFL-caliber talent with little opportunity to blossom until late in their amateur careers.

Former LSU safety Danny McCray had to do that as a freshman in 2006 behind safety LaRon Landry, who would eventually get drafted by the Washington Commanders in the first round. McCray waited again in 2007 playing behind Craig Steltz, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears.

It didn't get any easier the next year. Another safety, future San Francisco 49er Curtis Taylor, started the majority of 2008 for the Tigers. Finally, in McCray's senior season of 2009, it was Chad Jones who headlined the free safety spot for LSU.

Lost in the shadows, playing behind All-America talents, the versatile McCray saw action occasionally at strong safety and nickel back his senior year, but he was never able to grasp a firm starting position throughout his collegiate career. Still, McCray managed 196 tackles in four seasons.

After starting only 13 of his 52 games for the Tigers, his college days ended in a 19-17 loss to Penn State in the Capital One Bowl. Then came draft day, and his name wasn't announced. Things looked grim.

But as McCray watched safety after safety get drafted, he spent season after season perfecting his work on special teams. And as he ran down the field at Tiger Stadium, McCray had indeed gotten noticed.

Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis looked at tape from players across the country. The Southeastern Conference in particular never goes unnoticed. DeCamillis was watching Jones, the former Tigers safety who would eventually be selected by the New York Giants in the 2010 NFL Draft...

(note: this is a pay site, if you have problems, and since I complied with initial posting requirements, and ask, I'll then post the remainder if no mod disagrees first)

 

[YosemiteSam]

Who actually pays for content?

 

[WoodysGirl]

(note: this is a pay site, if you have problems, and since I complied with initial posting requirements, and ask, I'll then post the remainder if no mod disagrees first)

I'm sorry, but you can't post the full article on the Zone. It doesn't matter if it's in the first post or the 800th post, it's not allowed.

If people want to read the rest of the story, then they can pay for it....

 

[yimyammer]

The full article is posted at www.dallascowboys.com (free site)

Do a search with quotes using "OVERSHADOWED NO LONGER" and you'll see the entire article

 

[WoodysGirl]

The full article is posted at www.dallascowboys.com (free site)

Do a search with quotes using "OVERSHADOWED NO LONGER" and you'll see the entire article

Thank you..

 

[CCBoy]

Thank you..

WoodysGirl, I'm really not trying to circumvent your site standards. This was such a really good insight of a player overcoming a tremendous amount in his efforts to succeed, that the story needed to be told on this site. That was my concern, and not a compliance aspect.

 

[The Quest for Six]

Who actually pays for content?

Suckers!!!!!

 

[ETex]

Thanks for finding that CC, really hope this kid does well. I like what I've seen from him so far.

 

[CCBoy]

Suckers!!!!!

Boinkers, batman, imagine....and I also paid for my Cowboy fan membership card so I got into training camp half an hour earlier than 'YOU GUYS.'


By the way, the money is for a quality magazine and the internet site comes free.....

 

[CCBoy]

Thanks for finding that CC, really hope this kid does well. I like what I've seen from him so far.

No problem, it was a quality article about a hardluck Cowboy. Found in the official site's afficiliate site for it's magazine. I would have paid the price to have heard that enriching story alone.