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Cowboys Could Stand To Get Younger At Receiver

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Rookie To Watch: We're all going to keep our eyes on fourth-round pick Isaiah Stanback because of his intriguing athletic ability, his transition from college quarterback to receiver and how he recovers from a Lisfranc foot injury that has sidelined him since last fall. But Stanback is a fourth-round pick. The Cowboys are high on him, and it's likely he will have a role on this team.

3,337
Terry Glenn is quietly putting together quite a career here in Dallas. After spending his first seven years in New England and Green Bay, Glenn now enters his fifth season with the Cowboys and has 3,337 receiving yards in the last four years, which ranks 11th on the club's all-time list. If Glenn can produce a third consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, he would jump to the sixth in Cowboys history in receiving yards behind Michael Irvin, Tony Hill, Drew Pearson, Bob Hayes and Frank Clarke.

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Say what you want about the amount of dropped passes by Owens last season. That number seems to range anywhere from 15 to even 20. But what is for certain is the amount of touchdown passes he caught - and his 13 TD receptions happened to lead the NFL.

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With Owens and Glenn starting and Crayton, Stanback, Austin and Hurd all likely figuring into the equation, that doesn't leave much, if any room, for other players. But remember, a training camp and preseason stud always seems to emerge. Last year it was Jamaica Rector, who led the Cowboys with 20 receptions for 245 yards in four preseason games. Rector made the team to start the season but was cut on Oct. 16 and re-signed to the practice squad the rest of the year.

Don't Be Surprised If: Terrell Owens returns to the Pro Bowl after this season. That wouldn't be too surprising, considering his numbers were good enough to land him there last season.

While they were just off-season practices, dropped passes were a non-issue for Owens this spring. So it appears last year's hand and finger injuries could be behind him. Will there be something else that pops up? Probably, considering his history. But if this offense is supposed to get him the ball even more, look for Owens to again post statistics that rank among the league leaders.

Fitting In Projected Starters:
Terry Glenn - Getting better with age? Looking for his third straight 1,000-yard receiving season.
Terrell Owens - Hand and finger injuries behind him, T.O. looks ready to go. Let's hope nothing gets in the way.
Solid Backups:
Patrick Crayton - High-priced third receiver, but showed his value down the stretch last season.
Miles Austin - Was a big surprise on kickoff returns late last season. Let's see if he can turn the corner at WR.
Sam Hurd - Started the year as T.O.'s pupil, but developed into quality rookie who carries himself like a veteran.
Isaiah Stanback - Lots of question marks here with the injury and position switch. But there isn't much doubt about his athletic ability.
Uphill Climb:
Jamel Richardson - Intriguing prospect from the CFL enters his first NFL training camp.
Jamaica Rector - Stole the show last preseason. Needs to showcase his punt return abilities this year.
Jerheme Urban - Most experienced of this bottom group. Needs to be a training camp star.
Mike Jefferson - Extremely productive receiver at Montana State last year. But has little room for error.
Jerard Rabb - Not sure if the Cowboys have the hook-and-ladder in the playbook. He'll need to shine early.

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