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The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best sets of linebackers in the NFL, led by Sean Lee and Bruce Carter. However, with the injury bug biting the Cowboys last season forcing the team to play without both of the young stud linebackers, depth became an issue. The 2013 season should be different even if injuries force the Cowboys hand at the position.
One of the reasons the Cowboys can feel confident at the linebacker position is second-year player Caleb McSurdy. The seventh round pick in 2012 missed the season last year because of a torn Achilles but he’s got many of the qualities the Cowboys look for in a player. He was a captain at the University of Montana, where he was the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year. He is an instinctive player, who often makes the correct read which allows McSurdy to be in the right position to make plays. McSurdy is also a sure tackler who plays with good technique.
The Cowboys have a strong set of linebackers ahead of McSurdy on the depth chart but he’ll be interesting to watch in training camp because his willingness to play fullback is also a big reason the Cowboys like McSurdy. Jason Garrett likes good football players, but he may value team players with a solid work ethic even more.
Caleb McSurdy may face an uphill climb to make the Cowboys roster because of the quality of linebackers ahead of him but ruling him out would be a mistake. In college McSurdy had that “it” quality people talk about and he’s willing to do anything he can to help the Cowboys. His work ethic and attitude could win him a roster spot with the Cowboys.
McSurdy is one of the under the radar players Cowboys fans should be looking forward to when training camp arrives and it should interesting to see him compete.
Ben is a Cowboys writer for www.Rantsports.com and you can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi, or add him on Google+
