IRVING, Texas - Cowboys rookie cornerback Orlando Scandrick, all 192 pounds of him, seeks contact in a way that would make former special teams captain Keith Davis proud.
The Cowboys' fifth-round pick already has delivered two "ESPN Jacked Up" worthy hits in preseason. He drilled Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst - it was one of those gasp-inducing smacks that actually gave Scandrick a mild shoulder stinger - and he knocked Broncos receiver Glenn Martinez off his feet this past Saturday.
"I'm not going to shy away from contact," Scandrick said. "I'm out there just trying to make plays. I guess I'm not afraid to hit. I'm not the biggest guy in the world."
That kind of fearless physical play made Davis the Cowboys' emotional leader on special teams for three seasons before bolting to the Miami Dolphins in free agency.
Davis was a part-time defensive starter who found his niche on the coverage units. Scandrick and most of the Cowboys' rookies must do the same if they want to get on the field this season.
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips was disappointed in his special teams coverage, particularly on punt returns, two weeks ago against San Diego with several young players covering NFL kicks for the first time in their careers. The containment improved considerably against Denver - the Broncos averaged five yards on two punt returns and only one kickoff return surpassed 30 yards.
The Cowboys played without two of their primary guys, linebackers Kevin Burnett (knee scope) and Anthony Spencer (bone bruise), which allowed Phillips to evaluate some of the less experienced players.
"It was good to look at the other guys," Phillips said. "When you go out and play we want to play with those core guys, but it gave us a chance to look at some other guys and for those guys to get another chance, basically."
Scandrick in particular could bolster the units in his rookie year. In addition to his cover skills, the Cowboys were intrigued by his special teams production at Boise State. He blocked a school-record seven kicks and came within inches of stuffing a Broncos missed field goal attempt at the end of the first half, his pressure forcing kicker Matt Prater to push it far left.
"Speed at everything you do," Scandrick said when asked the key to blocking kicks. "There's such little room for error on a kicking play. You've got to snap it, you've got to hold it, you've got to kick it. So as much pressure as you can put on the kicker, the better because he feels you.
"He might not see you, but he feels you."
Broncos punter Brett Kern saw plenty of rookie running back Tashard Choice on one of the most bizarre plays you'll ever see. Choice deflected the punt but the ball landed in the arms of Kern, who raced down the right sideline for a 36-yard gain and a first down. Tough break for the Cowboys' fourth-round pick.
"I was looking for the ball," Choice laughed. "I couldn't find the ball and I look up and he's running down the sideline."
Choice said he played special teams as an Oklahoma freshman before transferring to Georgia Tech, where he became a full-time starter. The Cowboys are trying Choice on every major special teams group, and if he can contribute, he could find a spot on the 45-man game-day roster - and maybe get a couple of carries, too.
"Absolutely. That's what they told me," Choice said. "I know I can run the football and play offense, but sometimes you've got to be patient to see exactly where you'll fit in."
Rookie cornerback Mike Jenkins, the Cowboys' 25th overall pick, also stonewalled a Broncos punt return from the outside gunner position. His 4.3 speed should be an asset in the Cowboys' change-up defensive packages and kick coverage. Undrafted safety Dowayne Davis is another rookie who has flashed some special teams potential.
Jenkins also had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at South Florida, though Phillips hasn't tried him at that spot yet. Scandrick is in the return mix despite doing very little of it in college (he did, however, average 46.5 yards on 22 returns in high school), and Felix Jones is a primary option unless Phillips decides he's too valuable on offense. Rookie free agent Danny Amendola is trying to prove himself as a punt returner, too.
The Cowboys also are devoting much energy to containing punts and kicks more consistently than last season.
Davis is gone, but players like safety Pat Watkins (last year's special teams tackle leader), Burnett and linebacker Bobby Carpenter are assuming larger leadership roles.
The rookies are listening closely. The more they can add to the kicking game, the better their chances of being active on Sundays - or in some cases, simply making the active roster.
"You can see the potential in all of them," Watkins said. "All of them are very athletic, young guys. If they can contribute some way or another then that'll be great."
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