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12:37 PM Mon, Feb 15, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Gerry Fraley/Reporter E-mail | News tips
Connor Hughes told a Virginia newspaper that he outperformed Shaun Suisham in a December kicking competition for the Dallas Cowboys but did not get the job because of a lack of experience.
The Virginia Gazette, of Williamsburg, Va., quotes Hughes as saying ``despite doing the best, my lack of experience was a concern for them.'' The Cowboys went with Suisham, who had NFL experience, in place of the released Nick Folk. Suisham made 5-of-8 field-goal tries with the Cowboys. Two of the misses drained energy from the team during the playoff loss at Minnesota.
The Cowboys have signed Hughes, and he is expected to compete for the placekicker position. Hughes' pro experience consists of one season in the Arena Football League with Philadelphia and going to camp with New Orleans and Pittsburgh. He made all five field-goal tries in NFL exhibitions with those teams, but only one of the attempts was for more than 29 yards.
"This happened only by the grace of God," Hughes told the newspaper. "This doesn't make sense to me how it would be a possibility, but it somehow worked out.
"I was invited to work out a few weeks ago with four other guys, and despite doing the best, my lack of experience was a concern for them. I guess they didn't feel comfortable with how he [Suisham] finished the year and decided after the season to give me a shot. I thought it might happen but had no real guarantees."
Hughes credits his faith for his persistence.
"I think, most of all, I know in regards to football that nothing is guaranteed and nothing is helpless," he said. "As long as I go in and work hard, I have confidence as a believer because of Romans 8:28, that God will work all things for my good, whether that be to make the team or not. As Proverbs 16:9 speaks, I have plans, but God will direct my path, and beyond that I will always say, 'it is well.' "
Gerry Fraley/Reporter E-mail | News tips
Connor Hughes told a Virginia newspaper that he outperformed Shaun Suisham in a December kicking competition for the Dallas Cowboys but did not get the job because of a lack of experience.
The Virginia Gazette, of Williamsburg, Va., quotes Hughes as saying ``despite doing the best, my lack of experience was a concern for them.'' The Cowboys went with Suisham, who had NFL experience, in place of the released Nick Folk. Suisham made 5-of-8 field-goal tries with the Cowboys. Two of the misses drained energy from the team during the playoff loss at Minnesota.
The Cowboys have signed Hughes, and he is expected to compete for the placekicker position. Hughes' pro experience consists of one season in the Arena Football League with Philadelphia and going to camp with New Orleans and Pittsburgh. He made all five field-goal tries in NFL exhibitions with those teams, but only one of the attempts was for more than 29 yards.
"This happened only by the grace of God," Hughes told the newspaper. "This doesn't make sense to me how it would be a possibility, but it somehow worked out.
"I was invited to work out a few weeks ago with four other guys, and despite doing the best, my lack of experience was a concern for them. I guess they didn't feel comfortable with how he [Suisham] finished the year and decided after the season to give me a shot. I thought it might happen but had no real guarantees."
Hughes credits his faith for his persistence.
"I think, most of all, I know in regards to football that nothing is guaranteed and nothing is helpless," he said. "As long as I go in and work hard, I have confidence as a believer because of Romans 8:28, that God will work all things for my good, whether that be to make the team or not. As Proverbs 16:9 speaks, I have plans, but God will direct my path, and beyond that I will always say, 'it is well.' "
