DMN Blog: How Hurd has improved

[WoodysGirl]

How Hurd has improved
Sam Hurd was the surprise star of last season's training camp, earning a roster spot as an undrafted free agent. During the regular season, he played well on special teams but only caught five passes.

The feeling around these parts now is that Hurd can help the Cowboys' offense last season. Hurd will have to play a key role if one of the three proven receivers goes down -- or Terry Glenn takes longer than expected to recover from knee injury. The Cowboys are confident that Hurd is capable of doing so.

I mentioned the other day that Hurd has worked with veteran DB Aaron Glenn on his releases off the line of scrimmage. Tony Romo said Hurd is now much smoother at the "top of his routes," meaning he's in better position to come out of his breaks.

"That’s a big improvement for a receiver," Romo said.

Hurd is a training camp media darling again, because of his performance and the fact that he's from San Antonio. Unlike a year ago, he's expected to make some big catches that count this season.

Posted by Tim MacMahon at 11:31 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

How Hurd has improved
Sam Hurd was the surprise star of last season's training camp, earning a roster spot as an undrafted free agent. During the regular season, he played well on special teams but only caught five passes.

The feeling around these parts now is that Hurd can help the Cowboys' offense last season. Hurd will have to play a key role if one of the three proven receivers goes down -- or Terry Glenn takes longer than expected to recover from knee injury. The Cowboys are confident that Hurd is capable of doing so.

I mentioned the other day that Hurd has worked with veteran DB Aaron Glenn on his releases off the line of scrimmage. Tony Romo said Hurd is now much smoother at the "top of his routes," meaning he's in better position to come out of his breaks.

"That’s a big improvement for a receiver," Romo said.

Hurd is a training camp media darling again, because of his performance and the fact that he's from San Antonio. Unlike a year ago, he's expected to make some big catches that count this season.

Posted by Tim MacMahon at 11:31 AM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Get a grip, all you Hurd enthusiasts.

He has potential. That's all. 5 passes caught does not a receiver make.


The only way Hurd will get into the starting line up is an extended injury to Glenn and Crayton being traded or, gasp!, being cut.

Its the preseason, so I would not deem to dampen enthusiasm any more than necessary.

Go and sin no more.

 

[dargonking999]

Get a grip, all you Hurd enthusiasts.

He has potential. That's all. 5 passes caught does not a receiver make.


The only way Hurd will get into the starting line up is an extended injury to Glenn and Crayton being traded or, gasp!, being cut.

Its the preseason, so I would not deem to dampen enthusiasm any more than necessary.

Go and sin no more.

Intresting last year it was

get a grip folks

this guy hasn't even completed a real NFL pass

Let's just wait and see what he can do.

 

[theebs]

he was supposed to be on with norm this morning and the team meetings ran past noon so he couldnt. I was looking forward to it.

Leonard Davis is on with BAD radio right now. He is really down to earth. Seems like a good guy, he said he is between 355 and 360 everyday.

 

[Doomsday101]

Intresting last year it was

get a grip folks

this guy hasn't even completed a real NFL pass

Let's just wait and see what he can do.

I think some hope he is not the next Billy Davis. Davis would lead the league in receptions and other WR stats in pre-season and did nothing in the reg. season. My hope is Hurd is the real deal but only in reg season will anyone really know.

 

[Stash]

he was supposed to be on with norm this morning and the team meetings ran past noon so he couldnt. I was looking forward to it.

Leonard Davis is on with BAD radio right now. He is really down to earth. Seems like a good guy, he said he is between 355 and 360 everyday.

Yeah, before the trip to the bathroom and after the trip to the bathroom.

 

[aikemirv]

The nice thing about small college players is that some times you may have just as much talent as a big college player but the guy either developed late or started playing football late comparatively.

So, you just can't write the guys off.

Ware was a late developer, if he had gone to a Florida St. he might have been taken 1st overall.

Romo did not start playing football until i think 10th grade or so.

You just never know what you are going to get with some of them.

 

[carphalen5150]

I like to hear that he is smoother coming out of his routes. His athleticism is a no-brainer, but guys like him generally need polish on his route running. This is a good thing...watching a great route runner like Glenn could not of hurt him either.

 

[CATCH17]

Get a grip, all you Hurd enthusiasts.

He has potential. That's all. 5 passes caught does not a receiver make.


The only way Hurd will get into the starting line up is an extended injury to Glenn and Crayton being traded or, gasp!, being cut.

Its the preseason, so I would not deem to dampen enthusiasm any more than necessary.

Go and sin no more.

He hasnt produced on the field as a receiver yet but the kid is only 21 years old.

He made the team and earned BILL PARCELLS respect as a 21 year old undrafted player.

He works hard. Hes into it. He knows every WR position.

There was no need to force him on the field last year but when we did he made plays.

Say what you want about those 5 catches but 2 or 3 of them were pretty impressive.

Kids got talent and I think he can be a starter for us eventually.

And thats the bottom line cause catch17 said so.

 

[dargonking999]

He hasnt produced on the field as a receiver yet but the kid is only 21 years old.

He made the team and earned BILL PARCELLS respect as a 21 year old undrafted player.

He works hard. Hes into it. He knows every WR position.

There was no need to force him on the field last year but when we did he made plays.

Say what you want about those 5 catches but 2 or 3 of them were pretty impressive.

Kids got talent and I think he can be a starter for us eventually.

And thats the bottom line cause catch17 said so.

oh no you didn't

 

[CrazyCowboy]

HURD is one of the players I notice as doing very well at each practice......honestly, he has not had a bad practice session

 

[Kangaroo]

People realize he did put up good numbers at a lower tier division 1a school he had some talent. What is this mentality if the guy did not get drafted in the 1st two rounds he can not be a good player :bang2:

Can he be a good player yes ? Will he who knows ! Have to wait and see how he develops

 

[WoodysGirl]

oh no you didn't

You forgot...

 

[diamond cutter]

Intresting last year it was
get a grip folks

this guy hasn't even completed a real NFL pass

Let's just wait and see what he can do.

Have you been taking typing lessons from Yoda???

 

[Idgit]

Yeah, before the trip to the bathroom and after the trip to the bathroom.

^gross.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

You forgot...

Shanaynay :laugh2:

 

[dargonking999]

You forgot...

Thanks, i knew what i was thinking of, but just couldn't put it into a thought lol. All i remembered was that

 

[dogunwo]

Had he been a top draft choice, people would be gushing and be just stopping short of declaring him a hall of famer. But because he was a UDFA, people are like, I need to see him do it in the regular season.

 

[STSINAZ]

hurd will make it in the NFL...he has the talent and desire...he has TO to teach him...AG too...he is going to make it...we need to keep him...he will be a #2 in this league pretty soon here...i give him a year or two

 

[JonJon]

I for one believe that Hurd would have excelled last season if he had an opportunity to start, ala Marques Colston. Here is his draft profile from Sports Illustrated:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2006/draft/breakdowns/by_position/wr.html:

Sam Hurd Grade: 3.14
Position: WR
Class: Sr
School: N Illinois
Conference: Mid-American
Ht., Wt.: 6-3, 195
40 Time: 4.61


BIO: Three-year starter and All-Conference selection as a senior after leading the team with career numbers of 65/1,074/13.

POSITIVES: Reliable wideout who consistently comes up with the important reception. Finds the open spot on the field or sneaks behind the defense. Boxes out opponents with his frame, extends to pull the ball from the air and exposes himself to the big hit in order to make the reception. Displays solid eye/hand coordination and outstanding timing. Gives effort blocking and gets results.

NEGATIVES: Slow releasing off the line, cannot run to the deep ball and lacks a second gear. Must improve his route-running skills.

ANALYSIS: A big-play receiver on the college level, Hurd is one of the more underrated wideouts in the draft. Lacks classic size/speed numbers yet should have no problem making a roster in the NFL.

PROJECTION: Undrafted Free Agent

Hurd must have studied his negatives, because reports from offseason and camp suggest that he has really improved those problem areas to become a more complete WR.

For comparison, here is Colston's draft bio:

Marques Colston Grade: 3.19
Position: WR
Class: Sr
School: Hofstra
Conference: Atlantic Ten
Ht., Wt.: 6-4.5, 224
40 Time: 4.55
Selected by: New Orleans Saints
Round 7, pick 44 (252 overall)


BIO: All-Conference selection as a senior after posting 70/975/. Missed the .04 season after leading the team in receiving the prior year with 51/910/7.

POSITIVES: King-sized wideout whose game significantly progressed last year. Offers the quarterback a big target, gets vertical and out-jumps opponents for the pass. Nicely adjusts to the throw and has reliable hands. Comes back to the ball, makes the reception in stride and looks the pass in. Has a burst of acceleration and displays speed in the open field.

NEGATIVES: Slows into breaks running routes. Must display better awareness, get past the sticks on third down and consistently catch the ball before he runs up field.

ANALYSIS: A prospect with outstanding size/speed numbers, Colston has the ability to be a No. 2 receiver in the NFL once he gets adjusted to the speed of the game. An outstanding red-zone target who also flourishes on third-down situations.

PROJECTION: Undrafted Free Agent