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Dallas safety from Smithson Valley wants to capitalize on chance to prove himself.
By Tom Orsborn / torsborn@express-news.net
Published 12:55 a.m., Tuesday, August 16, 2011
ARLINGTON — Another player’s misfortune has increased Smithson Valley graduate Andrew Sendejo’s chances of landing a roster spot with the Dallas Cowboys.
With second-year safety Danny McCray slowed by a shoulder injury, Sendejo is working with the first-team dime package.
While he feels bad for McCray, Sendejo is determined to capitalize.
“That’s how a lot of guys have made their career in the NFL,” Sendejo said. “Someone went down, they came in, they stepped up, they made some plays that showed their team and their coaches that they were able to step in and execute, so then they could trust them after that.”
For Sendejo, this is the most extensive opportunity he’s had to show the Cowboys what he can do since they signed him last November following a strong season in the UFL. He was on special teams in two of the five games he was active for Dallas last season and finished with one tackle.
Sendejo’s hopes to impress the coaches in the offseason ended when the NFL locked out its players in March. Still, he managed to earn the respect of his teammates during the 4½-month work stoppage with an enthusiastic showing at the players’ unsupervised workouts.
“He’s done great,” linebacker Sean Lee said. “He’s a smart, tough, athletic guy. That’s what you want to be in the NFL. He’s a guy who if I want to talk assignments with, that’s the guy who I will go to.
“He knows the playbook, and he works hard. And he’s also very athletic and tough. He’ll put his nose on anybody.”
Sendejo, a former Rice standout, had four tackles in last week’s 24-23 win over Denver. On Monday, coach Jason Garrett said he’s noticed Sendejo has turned a corner.
“He’s playing with more confidence and more decisiveness,” Garrett said.
Like third-string quarterback and Texas A&M alum Stephen McGee, Sendejo is obsessed with improving, Garrett said.
“He’s one of those same kind of guys,” Garrett said. “He’s a smart player. It’s really important to him. He’s trying to get better in all that he’s given the opportunity to do defensively and in the kicking game. And he’s getting better.”
McCray’s injury isn’t the only factor that could lead to Sendejo earning a roster spot. The NFL is kicking off from the 35-yard line this season, a change that could cost coverage aces such as McCray and Jesse Holley their jobs.
McCray landed a roster spot last season because of his ability to cover kicks and punts. If Sendejo can prove he’s a better safety, he could edge out McCray for a roster spot.
“Now you’re kicking through the uprights every time, and there are touchbacks, what is the value of the cover guys?” Garrett said. “How many cover guys do we really need? Do you really want a true special-teams player, a guy who is a special-teams captain, a Bill Bates-type guy? Is that worthy of a roster spot?
“Well, kickoff is just one aspect of the kicking game, so there are other opportunities for that guy to make an impact on the team. We’re still in the process of discussing that and seeing if we have the guys who fit those roles and how we want to play it out strategically.”
By Tom Orsborn / torsborn@express-news.net
Published 12:55 a.m., Tuesday, August 16, 2011
ARLINGTON — Another player’s misfortune has increased Smithson Valley graduate Andrew Sendejo’s chances of landing a roster spot with the Dallas Cowboys.
With second-year safety Danny McCray slowed by a shoulder injury, Sendejo is working with the first-team dime package.
While he feels bad for McCray, Sendejo is determined to capitalize.
“That’s how a lot of guys have made their career in the NFL,” Sendejo said. “Someone went down, they came in, they stepped up, they made some plays that showed their team and their coaches that they were able to step in and execute, so then they could trust them after that.”
For Sendejo, this is the most extensive opportunity he’s had to show the Cowboys what he can do since they signed him last November following a strong season in the UFL. He was on special teams in two of the five games he was active for Dallas last season and finished with one tackle.
Sendejo’s hopes to impress the coaches in the offseason ended when the NFL locked out its players in March. Still, he managed to earn the respect of his teammates during the 4½-month work stoppage with an enthusiastic showing at the players’ unsupervised workouts.
“He’s done great,” linebacker Sean Lee said. “He’s a smart, tough, athletic guy. That’s what you want to be in the NFL. He’s a guy who if I want to talk assignments with, that’s the guy who I will go to.
“He knows the playbook, and he works hard. And he’s also very athletic and tough. He’ll put his nose on anybody.”
Sendejo, a former Rice standout, had four tackles in last week’s 24-23 win over Denver. On Monday, coach Jason Garrett said he’s noticed Sendejo has turned a corner.
“He’s playing with more confidence and more decisiveness,” Garrett said.
Like third-string quarterback and Texas A&M alum Stephen McGee, Sendejo is obsessed with improving, Garrett said.
“He’s one of those same kind of guys,” Garrett said. “He’s a smart player. It’s really important to him. He’s trying to get better in all that he’s given the opportunity to do defensively and in the kicking game. And he’s getting better.”
McCray’s injury isn’t the only factor that could lead to Sendejo earning a roster spot. The NFL is kicking off from the 35-yard line this season, a change that could cost coverage aces such as McCray and Jesse Holley their jobs.
McCray landed a roster spot last season because of his ability to cover kicks and punts. If Sendejo can prove he’s a better safety, he could edge out McCray for a roster spot.
“Now you’re kicking through the uprights every time, and there are touchbacks, what is the value of the cover guys?” Garrett said. “How many cover guys do we really need? Do you really want a true special-teams player, a guy who is a special-teams captain, a Bill Bates-type guy? Is that worthy of a roster spot?
“Well, kickoff is just one aspect of the kicking game, so there are other opportunities for that guy to make an impact on the team. We’re still in the process of discussing that and seeing if we have the guys who fit those roles and how we want to play it out strategically.”
