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Training Camp Trends
11:22 AM Wed, Aug 05, 2009 | Permalink
Ted Madden
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A few trends I've picked up on while watching a week's worth of practices:
Sam Hurd is catching EVERYTHING. He's been playing better than any receiver in camp so far.
The Cowboys can't go on two. Most times, someone is jumping, whether it's a lineman (and not just Flozell Adams) or a wide receiver.
Every time a quarterback says "kill kill kill" before the snap, it's a run. EVERY time. I noticed it late last week and have paid specific attention to it since, and not once has it been a pass play after a "kill kill kill" call (If you don't know what I'm talking about, a QB will call two plays in the huddle. He'll come to the line, yell "white 90, white 90" or something like that, look over the defense and decide whether to keep the first play or "kill" it. Then he'll start the cadence over again. And then he'll hand off.).
Quarterback Stephen McGee holds the ball way too long. I mean WAY too long. You can see the clock go off in his head when the ball should be away, but he'll move up in the pocket and take a few steps and throw. Easy to do that when the defense isn't allowed to touch you.
The trend I don't like much is the fact that Dallas has a hard time going on two. The trend that has been really fun to watch is how well Hurd is catching the ball (especially during this morning's practice). The other two are just things I've noticed.
Sam Hurd anxious to get season rolling
8:50 PM Tue, Aug 04, 2009 | Permalink
George Riba
E-mail
Cowboy's wide receiver Sam Hurd played in just three games last season which is why he is ready to get this season going. "I consider myself a much wiser guy because I've seen a lot of older guys in front of me," says Hurd.
There is lots of work to be done for Hurd and not much time to do it. "You got to get back into the groove," says Hurd. And that applies to the entire wide receiver unit. "Tony Romo didn't have Roy (Williams) the whole season, he didn't have me the whole season, and he didn't have Miles (Austin) most of the season. It's just a whole different personnel and you've got to get used to them again. I think we're all starting to get the vibe and a feel for each other."
Hurd was placed on injured reserve on October 16, 2008 with a recurring ankle injury. Most of his action was on special teams last year and finished the season with one tackle. He was signed as a free agent in 2006 from Northern Illinois.
Begging to be Hurd
11:48 AM Wed, Aug 05, 2009 | Permalink
Joe Trahan
E-mail
Begging to be Hurd
Wednesday's morning practice another platform for Cowboys receiver Sam Hurd to show what he can do for this team, and once again he takes advantage. The offense spent most of the day working on the two minute drill and time and time again Hurd made catches - including a pair of spectacular diving grabs that stood out at the best plays of the day. And when he was on the field with Tony Romo he snagged a touchdown pass.
It's the consensus among those of us that have watched most of the practices that Hurd is playing the best out of anyone at his position. Hurd, Patrick Crayton, and Miles Austin are fighting for time opposite Roy Williams and Hurd is making a case that he shouldn't be forgotten. In fact, after practice today, cornerback Terrance Newman says he wouldn't be all that surprised if Hurd cracked the starting line-up. That's certainly not how I'd handicap that race, but with the way Hurd is playing... at least he's making me think about it. Not much mind you, but enough.
11:22 AM Wed, Aug 05, 2009 | Permalink
Ted Madden
A few trends I've picked up on while watching a week's worth of practices:
Sam Hurd is catching EVERYTHING. He's been playing better than any receiver in camp so far.
The Cowboys can't go on two. Most times, someone is jumping, whether it's a lineman (and not just Flozell Adams) or a wide receiver.
Every time a quarterback says "kill kill kill" before the snap, it's a run. EVERY time. I noticed it late last week and have paid specific attention to it since, and not once has it been a pass play after a "kill kill kill" call (If you don't know what I'm talking about, a QB will call two plays in the huddle. He'll come to the line, yell "white 90, white 90" or something like that, look over the defense and decide whether to keep the first play or "kill" it. Then he'll start the cadence over again. And then he'll hand off.).
Quarterback Stephen McGee holds the ball way too long. I mean WAY too long. You can see the clock go off in his head when the ball should be away, but he'll move up in the pocket and take a few steps and throw. Easy to do that when the defense isn't allowed to touch you.
The trend I don't like much is the fact that Dallas has a hard time going on two. The trend that has been really fun to watch is how well Hurd is catching the ball (especially during this morning's practice). The other two are just things I've noticed.
Sam Hurd anxious to get season rolling
8:50 PM Tue, Aug 04, 2009 | Permalink
George Riba
Cowboy's wide receiver Sam Hurd played in just three games last season which is why he is ready to get this season going. "I consider myself a much wiser guy because I've seen a lot of older guys in front of me," says Hurd.
There is lots of work to be done for Hurd and not much time to do it. "You got to get back into the groove," says Hurd. And that applies to the entire wide receiver unit. "Tony Romo didn't have Roy (Williams) the whole season, he didn't have me the whole season, and he didn't have Miles (Austin) most of the season. It's just a whole different personnel and you've got to get used to them again. I think we're all starting to get the vibe and a feel for each other."
Hurd was placed on injured reserve on October 16, 2008 with a recurring ankle injury. Most of his action was on special teams last year and finished the season with one tackle. He was signed as a free agent in 2006 from Northern Illinois.
Begging to be Hurd
11:48 AM Wed, Aug 05, 2009 | Permalink
Joe Trahan
Begging to be Hurd
Wednesday's morning practice another platform for Cowboys receiver Sam Hurd to show what he can do for this team, and once again he takes advantage. The offense spent most of the day working on the two minute drill and time and time again Hurd made catches - including a pair of spectacular diving grabs that stood out at the best plays of the day. And when he was on the field with Tony Romo he snagged a touchdown pass.
It's the consensus among those of us that have watched most of the practices that Hurd is playing the best out of anyone at his position. Hurd, Patrick Crayton, and Miles Austin are fighting for time opposite Roy Williams and Hurd is making a case that he shouldn't be forgotten. In fact, after practice today, cornerback Terrance Newman says he wouldn't be all that surprised if Hurd cracked the starting line-up. That's certainly not how I'd handicap that race, but with the way Hurd is playing... at least he's making me think about it. Not much mind you, but enough.
