Are the Cowboys Ready for the "Hurd"?

After the release of Terrell Owens, Jerry Jones and the rest of the crew down at Valley Ranch spent the offseason answering questions about this unproven group of Cowboys receivers.

They knew that with Owens' departure they would look for Roy Williams to become a bigger part of the 2009 offense. However, the fans and media wanted to know how the Cowboys planned on stretching the field.

For Jones and head coach Wade Phillips the answer was easy. In addition to hoping for bigger numbers out of Williams and Patrick Crayton, they were also looking to fourth year speedster Miles Austin.

Austin, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2006, had come along way from his rookie season when he exclusively played on special teams. Despite only playing 12 games due to injury, he finished the 2008 season with three touchdowns on 13 receptions and 278 yards receiving, averaging over 21 yards per catch.

With the talk, came the hype. At one point during the offseason, the Cowboys thought they might lose the restricted free agent when the New York Jets brought the New Jersey native in for a private workout, but the Jets decided against offering him a contract.

Some projections had Austin as the team's No. 2 receiver, surpassing Crayton on the depth chart. However, during training camp wide receiver coach Ray Sherman put the rumors to rest and made it clear Crayton has earned the No. 2 position.

So as the Cowboys are preparing to wrap up the last couple of preseason games, it's safe to assume Austin will be third on the wide receiver depth chart, right?

Wrong.

Apparently someone forgot to tell Sam Hurd that the No. 3 spot wasn't up for grabs.

Hurd, who also signed as an undrafted free agent in 2006, has been the brightest star in the Cowboys' receiving corps through the first two preseason games. He leads the team with six receptions and 96 yards, despite playing the majority of his time with the second team offense.

That is six receptions and 96 yards more than Austin has given the team so far and Coach Phillips has noticed, already deciding the two will likely split reps during the next two preseason games.

While Austin has the speed, Hurd looks to be the more complete receiver and if things don't change over the next couple of weeks, he will likely edge out Austin for the spot.

It looks like the time Hurd spent working with Owens after practice the past few years is finally starting to pay off. His routes are crisp, he is getting good separation from his defenders and, something he might not have learned from Owens, he doesn't drop the ball when it is thrown his way.

Want proof? Check out a replay of his spectacular one-handed grab against the Titans last Saturday night.

Most have forgotten Hurd's 2007 season, where he started two games and had 19 receptions and 314 yards. It is a "what have you done for me lately" league and unfortunately Hurd spent most of the 2008 season on injury reserve with an ankle injury, but the Cowboys hope to see more production out of both Hurd and Austin going into the 2009 regular season and barring any injuries, it will probably happen.

So, if Williams and Crayton can't pick up the big play production, that departed with Owens, by themselves, the Cowboys can look toward the player he mentored, Sam Hurd.