Why Sam Hurd might be a keeper

[Cochese]

Sorry to go off-topic, but where is northern illinois located? I go to school in urbana... I'll have to check out the NIU football program.

It is in Dekalb. About an hour and a half drive from Chicago if you are lucky. They are almost always on TV at the same time the boring big 12 are on, so I almost always choose to watch NIU.

 

[Cochese]

Sorry to go off-topic, but where is northern illinois located? I go to school in urbana... I'll have to check out the NIU football program.

They have got this kid named Garret Wolfe at RB this year and he is better than the burner Turner. I watch them because they are a local team, and have many players that I either played with or against in highschool.

 

[Henson Domination]

probably in the northern part of Illinois :

:laugh2: I didn't think there could possibly be that many universities within a couple hours of chicago... I guess I was wrong.

They have got this kid named Garret Wolfe at RB this year and he is better than the burner Turner. I watch them because they are a local team, and have many players that I either played with or against in highschool.

I briefly looked up players in the NFL from there... some decent players on the list. Most noteworthy to me were Turner, McCariens, Hollis Thomas, Duane Hawthorne (former cowboy), and Ryan Diem to name a few. All those coming within the last 10 years. How would you compare Hurd to McCariens, at least coming out of college? They both are the same height (McCariens has more bulk). McCariens has put up 3 fairly decent seasons. I've kinda kept my eye on him the last few years in the NFL.

 

[Cochese]

:laugh2: I didn't think there could possibly be that many universities within a couple hours of chicago... I guess I was wrong.



I briefly looked up players in the NFL from there... some decent players on the list. Most noteworthy to me were Turner, McCariens, Hollis Thomas, Duane Hawthorne (former cowboy), and Ryan Diem to name a few. All those coming within the last 10 years. How would you compare Hurd to McCariens, at least coming out of college? They both are the same height (McCariens has more bulk). McCariens has put up 3 fairly decent seasons. I've kinda kept my eye on him the last few years in the NFL.

It is hard to compare them as I saw McCariens play in varsity games from the stands and he was a very good player while I have never seen Hurd except for game footage, but I think they are both from a very similar mold. They are both guys that got looked over by major programs, have great hands and have a place in the NFL. If i had to pick one, it would be McCariens only for the fact that he has proven himself, but I think Hurd could do the same things with time. I am definetely pulling for him to reach his potential. McCariens is from the same highschool as Chris Brown which is turning out to be quite the powerhouse around here when it comes to NFL talent. The only NFL caliber people from my HS get cut before they can play a game.

 

[Cochese]

Holy hell, I take that back about players from my HS failing at the pro's. Even though I never played with him, this guy, Jerome Collins, was a friend of a friend of mine is now listed as #1 on the depth chart at TE on the Rams website. He was a LB and WR in HS, went to ND, had dumb*** Ty Willingham convert him from a WR to a LB back to a WR and finally to a TE, he got drafted and is now the #1 choice on Rams chart. It could be that we finally have a player to come from my school that is not named Red Grange.

 

[Murph80]

Hurd, Copper and Rector are fighting for one spot, because I can't imagine anyone beating Owens, Glenn, Crayton or Green out.

Hurd better be able to play special teams. Copper has made this team the last few years because he is a good SP player and does a decent job at WR. It will be tough to take his spot.

 

[ghst187]

Hurd, Copper and Rector are fighting for one spot, because I can't imagine anyone beating Owens, Glenn, Crayton or Green out.

I agree. I think Hurd takes Copper's spot and Copper ends up with the Saints.
I'm inclined to think that Rector will make it because he can play WR, ST, and DB in a pinch.
Yeah, Hurd isn't a joke. He's the real deal. Randal Williams couldn't catch a cold. He had crazy speed but horrible hands. Hurd doesn't have great speed but he does have crazy hands. When I saw we signed him, I said to watch out for him to make some waves.
Hurd may have only ran a 4.6 40 but didn't Boldon run a 4.8? 40-time isn't always a great indicator. Hurd can make quick cuts and getting in and out of cuts quickly will get you open more often than pure linear, straight-line speed.
If Hurd and Crayton keep progressing, we may only be looking for a pure speed guy to eventually replace TG. I don't think Skyler Green is that guy. I can think of a one Ted Ginn though that might be.

Right now, TG is the irreplacement part of our offense, moreso than TO.

 

[Gaede]

I didn't even know we had a guy named Sam Hurd on the team until training camp started.

Not sure if he makes it or not (reminds me of Copeland a few years back), but I'm definitely cheering for him.

 

[Hostile]

I didn't even know we had a guy named Sam Hurd on the team until training camp started.

Not sure if he makes it or not (reminds me of Copeland a few years back), but I'm definitely cheering for him.

That's because you haven't been around as much lately. You ought to be ashamed.

:wink2:

 

[Gaede]

That's because you haven't been around as much lately. You ought to be ashamed.

:wink2:

:laugh2: Working on fixing that

 

[CATCH17]

So he's a slow tall guy with good hands.

On paper he might be slow but hes one of the few guys whos been getting seperation on these corners.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Stock rising: WR Sam Hurd


[SIZE=-1]11:48 PM CDT on Saturday, August 5, 2006

[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News[/SIZE]


The undrafted free agent turned in a strong performance in Saturday's scrimmage with five catches – three of more than 20 yards – for 96 yards.

Hurd is not a blazer, but he's a solid route-runner and has good hands. He's also a willing blocker. It is an open competition for the fourth and fifth receiver spots on this team, though you can't overlook Terrance Copper because he's a good special teams player.

Hurd has thrown himself into the mix. He's going to get an opportunity to prove he belongs, which is all any free agent can ask.

 

[ZeroClub]

Hurd better be able to play special teams. Copper has made this team the last few years because he is a good SP player and does a decent job at WR. It will be tough to take his spot.

I think you are exactly right. Special teams play will determine it.

I'd guess that he has a reasonable shot at the practice squad, if he misses the regular roster.

---

I agree that Skyler Green probably makes the team, but he's not a lock. If he bobbles / fumbles during punt returns this preseason, he could get cut.

 

[Clove]

I don't ever remember seeing or hearing Randall Williams making highlight catches thru out camp or anywhere in the NFL.

 

[Mansta54]

I think Hurd sticks...

 

[Big Dakota]

I think Hurd sticks...

Even if Hurd is better than TO Bill won't play him.

 

[jobberone]

Even if Hurd is better than TO Bill won't play him.

If Hurd is better than TO I'll give you 30 days to draw a crowd then kiss your fanny at midfield on any game you say.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

That's great to hear about both Hurd & TO. You gotta love a rookie who wants it bad enough to go the extra mile. You also gotta love a veteran who puts time in on a rookie. TO must really see something special in Hurd to put that much time & effort into him.

I haven't heard much about Austin Miles. Does anyone know how he's doing? He received a much larger signing bonus, & attention than Hurd when he signed. I hope at least one of the rookie receivers stick.

 

[LD Fan]

Comparing Hurd to Randall Williams is probably a horrible comparison. My guess is Williams always succeeded before the NFL because of his speed and natural athleticism.....Hurd sounds like someone who had to work very hard to get a look. That usually translates to blocking well, running good routes, and having good hands. Just the opposite of the Randall Williams types.

 

[onetrickpony]

So he's a slow tall guy with good hands.

Sounds like Keyshawn. We can only hope he has that kind of career.