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Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas – If there has been a positive to come out of Terence Newman's groin strain and the nagging stinger injury of Mike Jenkins, it's that Cowboys have gotten plenty of looks at their younger cornerbacks.
One who is really starting to take advantage is rookie cornerback Mario Butler, an undrafted rookie from Georgia Tech.
Signed two days before the start of training camp, Butler was in the same boat as most rookie free agents, just trying to learn the system and get a feel for an NFL practice, and not so much making the team.
But here we are a month later and a handful of rookie free agents are in the mix to make this 53-man roster and Butler has to be included. If he wasn't before Tuesday afternoon, then Butler was sure to be in the equation after a practice that included at least five pass deflections in team drills.
"I kind of pride myself on being a guy that breaks up passes," Butler said. "It's about having good instincts and as a corner, you've got to be instinctive and play the ball. So when it's in the air, I just try my best to get a hand in there and make a play."
During Tuesday's practice, Butler outfought rookie receiver Raymond Radway on a back-corner fade and knocked the ball away. He later swatted away a pass while covering Kevin Ogletree on a deep ball. Butler jarred the ball loose from Jesse Holley on a crossing route and then again from Holley on a slant. He then tipped the ball away from Manny Johnson at the goal line.
Even more importantly, Butler did the same in Sunday's game against the Chargers to save a touchdown.
To make the team, the Cowboys will not only have to agree to keep five cornerbacks on the roster, but Butler has to beat out Bryan McCann and Josh Thomas, a fifth-round pick. And, of course, all of the young guys will be separated by what they do on special teams.
But even Butler can admit a practice like he had Tuesday can go a long way.
"I know every day I'm trying showing up on film and I think I've been doing that, but today I showed up a little bit more," Butler said. "I put it in my mind today that I just have to step up my level of competition. I know the final cuts are coming soon, so I've just got to show my value to the team."
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas – If there has been a positive to come out of Terence Newman's groin strain and the nagging stinger injury of Mike Jenkins, it's that Cowboys have gotten plenty of looks at their younger cornerbacks.
One who is really starting to take advantage is rookie cornerback Mario Butler, an undrafted rookie from Georgia Tech.
Signed two days before the start of training camp, Butler was in the same boat as most rookie free agents, just trying to learn the system and get a feel for an NFL practice, and not so much making the team.
But here we are a month later and a handful of rookie free agents are in the mix to make this 53-man roster and Butler has to be included. If he wasn't before Tuesday afternoon, then Butler was sure to be in the equation after a practice that included at least five pass deflections in team drills.
"I kind of pride myself on being a guy that breaks up passes," Butler said. "It's about having good instincts and as a corner, you've got to be instinctive and play the ball. So when it's in the air, I just try my best to get a hand in there and make a play."
During Tuesday's practice, Butler outfought rookie receiver Raymond Radway on a back-corner fade and knocked the ball away. He later swatted away a pass while covering Kevin Ogletree on a deep ball. Butler jarred the ball loose from Jesse Holley on a crossing route and then again from Holley on a slant. He then tipped the ball away from Manny Johnson at the goal line.
Even more importantly, Butler did the same in Sunday's game against the Chargers to save a touchdown.
To make the team, the Cowboys will not only have to agree to keep five cornerbacks on the roster, but Butler has to beat out Bryan McCann and Josh Thomas, a fifth-round pick. And, of course, all of the young guys will be separated by what they do on special teams.
But even Butler can admit a practice like he had Tuesday can go a long way.
"I know every day I'm trying showing up on film and I think I've been doing that, but today I showed up a little bit more," Butler said. "I put it in my mind today that I just have to step up my level of competition. I know the final cuts are coming soon, so I've just got to show my value to the team."
