Sherman's comments support what we hearing about Hurd's improvement. But in my mind, Crayton & Hurd are essentially the same kind of WRs; both are #3 WRs who've got good hands & can find the open seam but neither posses the speed/size to stretch the field which we really need opposite TO. It's great that if Crayton goes down & Hurd can step up to replace him particularly since Crayton is 30 to Hurd's 23. But although Hurd has bulked up to 205 just don't think he's got the size/frame to use his body like Keyshawn to out muscle any DB & take the ball away from him. And I don't remember (living along the East Coast) exactly how Kelvin Martin contributed to the Cowboys' success in the 90s except that Aikman loved him.
Contrary to the talent of Hurd, both Austin & Stanbach offer the tantilizing prospect that their speed could stretch the field & force DBs to pay attention to them which opens the game even more for TO. Last year Austin had trouble in TC/preseason games catching the ball & that problem haunted him in 1-2 games during the season although he also did make 3-6 pretty good catches. We've all heard how much his pass catching skills have improved in the OTAs/minicamp. If Austin's improvement continues & carries into the regular season (along with his ability to run good routes, read the defense, etc.), it would be huge addition to our offense & give Romo another weapon to use when defenders try to limit TO's production in any game. It will also offer well for the future. If he can show he's a viable receiving target whose speed makes him a threat to go all the way, he'll be another nighmare for our opponents to deal with (along with Witten) & hopefully force them to cover him when they'd rather focus entirely on TO. If Austin catches 20+ passes & 3-5 TDs, you better believe opposing DCs will well know his name.
The above stuff also applies to Stanbach except he might already have better hands then Austin. It's just that both of them need to learn all the nuances that go into becoming a quality WR in the NFL. Now Stanbach's former college QB role might also give him a better/quicker insight into how to help Romo by lining up correctly, etc.
BTW: The odds that both Austin & Stanbach can become the productive WRs we envisioned is probably against us. After all Austin wasn't even drafted/came from a very small school & Stanbach is a QB transitioning to WR. Can Stanbach even take the hits a WR gets? But heck, we are the Dallas Cowboys & our pro bowl starting QB (who some already think is approachng elite status) wasn't drafting either & also came from a Division II school; so I'll take the odds on Hurd, Austin & Stanbach & wait and see.
