Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - When you get added to the team a week before training camp, the last thing a player can do, especially a rookie, is get hurt.
So imagine the frustration rookie nose tackle Josh Brent must have felt when he suffered a broken hand less than a week into camp. Brent, who was drafted in the NFL's Supplemental Draft in July, hadn't even unpacked his bags before he was already hurt.
"Truthfully, once I broke my hand, I started thinking negatively because I didn't know if I could prove that I could play for this team," Brent said. "It definitely hindered me in the beginning because I had to sit out a week. But once I came back to practice, I didn't let it hold me back. I worked as hard as I could with the one good hand that I had. I tried to show up on film - that's the main thing."
Brent did show up on film. And with two games left in the regular season, he's showing up on a daily basis.
The rookie from Illinois isn't just backing up Jay Ratliff, he's providing a healthy rotation in the middle.
"He's done a real nice job," head coach Jason Garrett said. "He's a young player who understands the importance of taking advantage of opportunities. He's someone who has earned some reps who can come in and play some quality snaps. He comes to work every day. The game is important to him. He's serious about his approach each and every day. And it shows up in the game."
This year, Brent has 15 tackles - nearly half of the 32 posted by Ratliff, who calls Brent one of the strongest players on the team.
"He's had a great year," Ratliff said. "When we first got here, we all thought he'd be a little rusty. When we got in our 9-on-7 drills, there was no doubt he was going to make this team. He's a strong, physical guy.
"He is so strong. Every time he comes in the game and he comes back out, I always ask the center, "What did you think of the pup?" And they say something like "Oh man, he's a load."
Brent said he noticed right away his strength would be an advantage, even on this level.
"It was surprising at first. I almost didn't believe it," Brent said. "At first, I just thought I was catching everyone off guard. I didn't want to believe it. But the more and more I got into camp, I saw it happening on a consistent basis. Once we got in the preseason games, I just realized that I can execute and help the team in certain areas."
And more than just his physical play, Ratliff said he's been just as impressed with Brent's approach to the game.
"He wants to get everything right," Ratliff said. "He carries himself like a vet. I think he's going to be playing in this league for a very long time. There's no doubt about it."
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - When you get added to the team a week before training camp, the last thing a player can do, especially a rookie, is get hurt.
So imagine the frustration rookie nose tackle Josh Brent must have felt when he suffered a broken hand less than a week into camp. Brent, who was drafted in the NFL's Supplemental Draft in July, hadn't even unpacked his bags before he was already hurt.
"Truthfully, once I broke my hand, I started thinking negatively because I didn't know if I could prove that I could play for this team," Brent said. "It definitely hindered me in the beginning because I had to sit out a week. But once I came back to practice, I didn't let it hold me back. I worked as hard as I could with the one good hand that I had. I tried to show up on film - that's the main thing."
Brent did show up on film. And with two games left in the regular season, he's showing up on a daily basis.
The rookie from Illinois isn't just backing up Jay Ratliff, he's providing a healthy rotation in the middle.
"He's done a real nice job," head coach Jason Garrett said. "He's a young player who understands the importance of taking advantage of opportunities. He's someone who has earned some reps who can come in and play some quality snaps. He comes to work every day. The game is important to him. He's serious about his approach each and every day. And it shows up in the game."
This year, Brent has 15 tackles - nearly half of the 32 posted by Ratliff, who calls Brent one of the strongest players on the team.
"He's had a great year," Ratliff said. "When we first got here, we all thought he'd be a little rusty. When we got in our 9-on-7 drills, there was no doubt he was going to make this team. He's a strong, physical guy.
"He is so strong. Every time he comes in the game and he comes back out, I always ask the center, "What did you think of the pup?" And they say something like "Oh man, he's a load."
Brent said he noticed right away his strength would be an advantage, even on this level.
"It was surprising at first. I almost didn't believe it," Brent said. "At first, I just thought I was catching everyone off guard. I didn't want to believe it. But the more and more I got into camp, I saw it happening on a consistent basis. Once we got in the preseason games, I just realized that I can execute and help the team in certain areas."
And more than just his physical play, Ratliff said he's been just as impressed with Brent's approach to the game.
"He wants to get everything right," Ratliff said. "He carries himself like a vet. I think he's going to be playing in this league for a very long time. There's no doubt about it."
