Posts tagged SamHurd at FanHouse

Cowboys wide receiver Sam Hurd will miss the season opener against the Browns with an ankle sprain, and that means the biggest question about the Dallas offense -- where's the depth at receiver after Terrell Owens? -- becomes an even bigger question.

Owens and No. 2 receiver Patrick Crayton are the only healthy wide receivers on the team going into Week 1, and that means the Cowboys are going to have to get creative as they try to give Tony Romo more options.

There's been some speculation that Dallas could try Pacman Jones at wide receiver, but I think the best option is to put tight end Jason Witten and rookie running back Felix Jones in the slot more often. Witten is a better athlete than he gets credit for, and he can stretch the field from an inside receiver position. Jones isn't really needed much in the running game as long as Marion Barber is healthy, but he has the talent to be a threat catching passes as well.

The bottom line is that although the Cowboys are thin at receiver, they're really only thin in terms of guys who are officially listed at wide receiver. Jerry Jones has stocked the roster with enough offensive firepower that Dallas should be just fine, even if their receivers are T.O. and a bunch of guys who aren't really wide receivers.

Another preseason game, another injured wide receiver for the Cowboys. Terry Glenn hobbled his way out of town earlier this summer and Miles Austin could be out for three weeks after hurting his knee in the second preseason game.

And last night, Sam Hurd went down during Dallas' first possession, and according to the Morning News' Jean-Jacques Taylor, "[Hurd] wore a walking boot on his left foot and carried a Bible in his right hand. No one knows when he'll be back on the field."

As it stands, the Cowboys enter the regular season with Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton and, well, that's it at wideout. There's tight end Jason Witten, of course, but it would be nice to have a little more depth beyond the starters, I'd think. Taylor writes that crappy luck has conspired against the Cowboys, but that doesn't mean Jerry Jones will run out and sign the first aged veteran to answer the phone.

Tonight, the Cowboys and Texans will battle for the all-mighty and magical Governor's Cup. It's the big silver trophy awarded to the Texas team that wins their yearly matchup. I'm pictured with it and a large gentlemen who works for the Texans.

Though tonight's game is just a preseason game, the third pretend game is one that knowledgeable fans watch closely because the starters are left in the game longer.

Three Things to Watch From the Cowboy Perspective: (From my semi-reasonable Cowboy fan friend, Michael Whitehead, founder of sofantasyfootball.com, a terrific site to find thoughtful fantasy football information).

1. The Secondary. The biggest problem Dallas has had in recent history is the secondary. What has looked like sure wins has turned into disappointing losses in the second half of too many games. Pay particularly close attention to Adam "Pacman" Jones, as he will get the start, and will have a true test against Andre Johnson. Rookie Mike Jenkins, who started the previous two games will be used in nickel situations, an area that Dallas has truly struggled in for the past two seasons.

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: We know that Tony Romo isn't a fluke. He stepped in last year and had another fantastic season, setting team records in the process. There are questions remaining about distractions (Romessica) and winning a playoff game (none in his two years) which Romo must answer if he wants to take a place among the NFL's elite. Dallas is putting all their eggs in that basket as the only fallback if Romo gets hurt is 39-yr old Brad Johnson who isn't quite the risk taker. Heat Index: 9

Running backs: It's rare when a team loses their starting running back and everyone is fine with the position. Julius Jones is gone, but rookie Felix Jones is in. Jones (Felix) will get a ton of carries this season to keep Marion Barber fresh. Barber, who only started the Cowboys' playoff game, is the NFL's version of Mariano Rivera -- he dominates late in games and finishes drives off. Jones and Barber will combined for that classic "lightning and thunder" combo and should be quite successful doing it in what supposed to be a more run-friendly offense. Heat Index: 7

Presumably, a big reason the Cowboys were in the market for No. 2 wideout this offseason (leading up to the draft, anyway) was because of the uncertainty surrounding Terry Glenn. As that little drama continues to play out, Dallas is content to head into 2008 with Terrell Owens and ... everybody else.

Patrick Crayton was re-signed earlier this year and he'll compete for receptions with Sam Hurd and Miles Austin. But the team's true No. 2 option isn't even a wide receiver, which makes the conversation about Chad Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin more a contrivance than anything.

Tight end Jason Witten hauled in 96 catches for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett apparently has bigger plans for him in '08.

Be prepared to see [Witten] split out wide at times this season.

He long has been the Cowboys' second-best receiver, but he is going to be asked to do more actual wide receiver things this year, which brings him back to his roots. He had arrived at Valley Ranch with a rep as a "pass-catching tight end," which Bill Parcells reminded him of almost daily. He did not mean it as a compliment. Witten, being Witten, responded by honing his blocking and becoming the best all-around tight end in the NFL. And he is.

And if he's not, he's certainly in the conversation.

Larry Fitzgerald, Dallas Cowboy. At first glance, this seems like a hair-brained idea, but after letting it sit for a moment, it's not a completely insane notion. Of course, it's nothing more than speculation, but that's what fans do: make stuff up so they feel better about their team. Here's Newy Scruggs (real person) in today's Star-Telegram:

The Cowboys should consider making a move for him after the season. Why not give up a first-day pick for [Fitzgerald]? The Cowboys need to get younger at the position. Fitzgerald is only 23 and in his fourth NFL season.

Terry Glenn is 33 and will miss at least half of the year with a knee injury. Patrick Crayton is a free agent after the season, and Terrell Owens is signed only through 2008.

Giving the Cardinals a first-day draft pick for a proven commodity would be smart business. Imagine a 2008 starting lineup of Fitzgerald, T.O. and tight end Jason Witten. Scary.

Hmm. The Cowboys have a young corps of wideouts to go with the aging veterans, but Crayton's contract is up, and Sam Hurd and Miles Austin are still unproven (as starters, anyway). Plus, Dallas also has two 2008 first-round picks -- and one a potential top-fiver -- thanks to the Browns.

In a perfect world, the team could be in position to draft running back Darren McFadden and trade some combination of first-day picks/players for Larry Fitzgerald.

Nope, not completely insane at all. Not likely to happen, either, but not off-the-wall mental. Chalk one up for Newy.