The Landry Hat
Fansided

Dallas Cowboys two newest players connect at minicamp

By Steven Mullenax

Sep 24, 2016; DeKalb, IL, USA; Western Illinois Leathernecks wide receiver Lance Lenoir (7) runs after a catch defended by Northern Illinois Huskies defensive back Daniel Isom (39) during the first quarter at Huskie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; DeKalb, IL, USA; Western Illinois Leathernecks wide receiver Lance Lenoir (7) runs after a catch defended by Northern Illinois Huskies defensive back Daniel Isom (39) during the first quarter at Huskie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The two newest members of America’s Team were able to connect and shine during the Dallas Cowboys’ minicamp this week.

The pressure you must feel playing for the Dallas Cowboys, also known as America’s Team, must be indescribable. Now multiply that by being brand new to the team as well, at it must feel like trying to climb the NFL’s version of Mount Everest. So, being able to perform well under all that pressure could be a sign of a player being a rare diamond in the rough.

So the two newest members of the Cowboys roster must feel a bit “shiny” today. Both quarterback Zac Dysert and wide receiver Lance Lenior have reportedly performed well during the start of minicamp this week.

In fact, one insider highlighted the team’s two newest players connecting during the Cowboys’ final offseason team training sessions prior the start of training camp in late July.

"“New quarterback Zac Dysert got some work during the practice and looked smooth with his mechanics,” wrote Bryan Broaddus for the team’s official website. “His touch to the backs in the flat and underneath was good. His location was where it needed to be, not making the receivers have to work at all for the receptions. He even hooked up with newly-signed receiver Lance Lenior on a slant against Duke Thomas for a nice gain.”"

Dysert was claimed off waivers by the Cowboys last Monday from the Arizona Cardinals. A former 2013 seventh round selection out of Miami (OH), the 27-year old has been bouncing around the league. Dallas is his seventh team in now his fifth season as a professional.

Interestingly, Dysert has never actually played in a regular season game in the NFL. Despite that fact, he is likely in direct competition with veteran Kellen Moore for the back-up role behind starting quarterback Dak Prescott.

Unfortunately, Lenior faces much stiffer competition at the overly stacked wide receiver position in Dallas. Amazingly, he was just signed to the roster on Tuesday, the first day of minicamp. And he’s already sparkling as bit.

Last season, the Cowboys carried just five wide receivers on their active roster. With veterans Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley all but guaranteed spots on the depth chart, there might only be two openings available on the receiver corps this season.

Lenior, a 6-0, 199 pound undrafted rookie free agent out of Western Illinois faces some serious competition for said spots. Fourth round rookie Ryan Switzer, sixth rounder Noah Brown, veterans Brice Butler and Lucky Whitehead plus Andy Jones, Uzoma Nwachukwu and Brian Brown are all vying for a place on the team.

Next: Predicting the Dallas Cowboys five toughest games of 2017

But the 22-year old Lenior may be up to the challenge. According to goleathernecks.com, the talented wide out is Western Illinois’ all-time leader in receptions (273), receiving yards (3,796), touchdowns (28), 100-yard games (14), 200-yard games (2), and consecutive games with a catch (41). It’s an impressive resume making rookie Lance Lenior one worth watching when training camp kicks off.

Home/Cowboys News