Dallas Cowboys: Hard work beats talent when…
As none of the 32 NFL teams are comprised of first round selections alone, development is important for the Dallas Cowboys this off-season.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was spotted at the team’s rookie camp wearing a t-shirt that said – “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Hard work is what separates professional athletes from the athletes – hopefully the rookies got the message. Are you satisfied with your position on the depth chart? If you’re the top dog, are you doing what it takes to stay there?
The Cowboys’ coaching staff look forward to seeing how players have developed during the off-season. With the exception of injured players being treated by team doctors and trainers, players have no reason to visit Valley Ranch. You ever have a co-worker stop by the job while they are on vacation? Weird right?
I constantly state that the first and second round draft picks should be starters because they usually have the talent to take the field immediately. None of the 32 NFL teams are comprised of first round selections. Development is important and occurs mostly during the off-season. After all, everyone in the NFL is talented.
I remember the moment I realized that talent wasn’t enough. I played drums as a youth in elementary school. When I entered high school, the upper classmen had all the good spots but there was an open snare drum position. This one time at band camp – I couldn’t compete with another freshman named Jelani Jenkins aka J.J. and he was sharper than Nick Cannon in Drumline.
I was happy being on the team, but wasn’t happy playing bass drum. Jelani made me practice. I took sheet music home and he made me work hard for the first time. I don’t know where he is now, but I thank him for that.
Now the Cowboys coaching staff gets to see if their returning veterans have spent their off-season improving their craft. We focus on players with decreasing performance like safety Barry Church. We look at players that haven’t lived up to draft day expectations like wide receiver Devin Street. Eyes are on players that displayed some potential like Lucky Whitehead.
Church began as an undrafted free agent who worked hard to become the experienced team captain that leads the team in tackles. However, many would agree that Church, entering his 7th season, is a liability in pass coverage. Can he hold off the competition from Kavon Frazier and Roland Milligan. They’re both younger, stronger, faster, cheaper, healthier & hungrier (YSFCHH – no, that still doesn’t work).
I was called crazy last week for writing this article about undrafted Cole Beasley being challenged for his roster spot by undrafted Lucky Whitehead. Whitehead has bulked up during the off-season. That’s a good first sign of dedication to conditioning, but has he been running routes and studying film? Has he been on a field catching footballs in the rain while wearing a helmet?
Seriously, I’m asking because I don’t follow him on snapchat. I don’t think Whitehead wants to spend his entire career as Beasley’s backup, but being undrafted may still inspire his off-season workouts.
Due to the numbers game (there are currently 11 receivers on the roster), most predict this is a put up or pack up season for Devin Street. He spent his rookie year on the active roster. In his second year, he didn’t help the team when Bryant was injured and those are big shoes to fill.
Receivers realize that Bryant is talented and works hard – train like you want that number one spot and be ready in case you’re needed. In my case, the practice paid off. When I returned to high school, Jelani had transferred to Professor Xavier’s School for the Gifted.
Right now, the roster has 90 players and they’re all competing for 53 jobs. Training Camp – the ultimate reality show for football players and fans. We’ll soon realize who’s been working hard and who’s been hardly working. Let the competition begin!
#EarnYourStar
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