Angeles because of a wrist injury that plagued him and a hamstring that popped before the last of five disappointing seasons with the Rams.The eighth overall pick in the 2013 draft believes the opportunity has arrived through a trade to the Dallas Cowboys and the health that Austin hoped would come with it. Having something to prove is nothing new for the 5-foot-8 hybrid receiver/returner/runner."There's always going to be a chip on my shoulder
www.cowboysauthorizedshops.com , No. 1 because I've always been small," Austin said. "I had the same thing coming out, when I went No. 8. So the chip's always going to be there regardless. But last year was a little hard, my injury and I didn't get a fair chance over there."At first, Austin really didn't know what to make of the draft-day deal that sent a sixth-round pick to LA. He had largely been a spectator when the Rams ended a 12-year playoff drought in the first season under offensive-minded coach Sean McVay.Austin's first conversation with owner Jerry Jones boosted his spirits, and he later told reporters he was close to a recovery from ligament damage in his left wrist. He hasn't missed a day at training camp as part of a revamped group of targets for quarterback Dak Prescott.While he played in all 16 games for the NFC West champions with nine starts, Austin had just 13 catches for 47 yards. Most of his work was as a runner (59 carries, 270 yards and his only touchdown). Most of his time was spent on the bench."Last year was the first time I had hit rock bottom dealing with an injury and the media bashing me saying I couldn't do it," said Austin, who had 1,689 yards and 12 touchdowns receiving and 1,238 yards and nine TDs rushing with the Rams, who were in St. Louis when they drafted him."But I stayed true to myself and I knew what happened to me. I wasn't a person to cry or point fingers or find any sympathy. If I went out there, I went out there. I thought I was ready, so that's what it was."Austin tries to stay out of the spotlight after practices at camp, only occasionally stopping for interviews. The 28-year-old is soft-spoken and reserved, but quick with a smile once he gets to talking.The Cowboys signed a pair of free agents in Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson, dumped franchise touchdown receptions leader Dez Bryant in a cost-cutting move and drafted Michael Gallup in the third round, a day before the trade for Austin.The change of scenery offered Austin the rare chance to fill a leadership void despite being new to Dallas. Not only are the Cowboys likely to have four new receivers on the 53-man roster, they have a new coach at the position as well."He's that veteran guy that I don't know that I've really had that I can say, 'Hey, get them to do this
Dallas Cowboys Womens T-Shirt ,'" receivers coach Sanjay Lal said. "Because even in the walkthrough, he's working through his footwork, he's sinking his hips, which is how you build muscle memory. Don't waste these reps."The way Austin sees it, he didn't get Lal's attention by doing anything unusual."I've never been a captain of a team," Austin said. "But people always listen just because of my work ethic. When I'm out there just talking, I'm having fun and No. 2 just competing. It's just in me. I definitely will take the role on being in leadership."He'll also take the role of coming out of the backfield — assuming that happens at some point. With almost as many carries (184) as catches (194) in his career, Austin figures to remain a hybrid back. The Cowboys just haven't shown much of the backfield component in camp."You can call him whatever you want to call him," coach Jason Garrett said. "He's obviously very quick. He's very fast. We're comfortable lining him up as a receiver outside or inside and certainly in the backfield as well. He's done all those things."Now Austin gets to try them with that elusive fresh start.Jason Garrett press conference: Awuzie’s back tightened up in practice yesterday It’s Thursday of a game week, that means head coach Jason Garrett addressed the media. Here’s what he had to say. (All Garrett answers are paraphrases of what he said and not direct quotes).How do you balance some of the new offensive schemes with having cornerstone plays you feel comfortable running?It’s the versatility of the players, we want to attack in different ways. You want some cornerstones plays in your offense, in the running game and the passing games. Everything else complements off that, the double-moves, the misdirection, or putting guys in different spots. Best offenses have givens (cornerstone plays), things you are confident in.What happened to Chidobe Awuzie yesterday? His back tightened up in middle of practice, it looked like he was moving better today. We’ll see how he is today in practice.Parker Ehinger?He was hurt in practice, we are working out a guy today, Xavier Su’a-Filo. We’ll have to see about a scope for Ehinger. (You can read more about Su’a-Filo here and here.)Can you talk about Julius Peppers? One of the best to ever play in the NFL, he was playing when I was was playing. He’s a great player wherever he’s been. He’s a good run defender and an elite pass rusher, he’s productive and makes game-changing plays.Everybody says he’s a true professional.Can you talk about Travis Frederick as a person?One of the best guys I’ve ever met, just an outstanding person and a really good player. A lot of what he does on field reflectson him off the field. How hard he works
Dallas Cowboys Hats , how he is as a teammate. I’ve talked about this before, this health situation is about Travis the person first.The relationship between Dak Prescott and Scott Linehan? They need to be on the same page, they need to talk. The QB needs to understand why we do certain things from Scott’s view, and Dak needs to be honest and direct with Scott about things. You try to make the environment QB-friendly, there are things you can do about that and you choose to do what a QB does well. Dak can do a lot of different things so we don’t have to limit that, but it’s important for him to be direct, open and honest.Looking back do you still think Prescott tried to do too much last year? If you go back through NFL history, you try to make things easy for the QB. If your defense isn’t good, or your offensive line has problems or your running back, if you have no playmakers, that makes it hard for a QB. The load is spread around but if one guy has to carry the load it’s too hard.Randy Gregory’s body has changed, looks bigger, stronger? When we drafted him, we knew that was going to be part of his development. You like a guy who is tall, lean, explosive at that position. You understand they will grow into the body,but he’s never going be a squat-body, a two-gapper guy. Gaining strength will help his explosiveness.What do you talk about with Brett Maher? He’s a professional, he’s kicked a lot in games in college and in the CFL. He’s demonstrated that he is prepared. Now just carry that preparation into the game and continue to execute.