Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Cowboys came into the 2012 season having a need at the wide receiver position. They had an established talent in Miles Austin, and Dez Bryant was still searching consistency at the top of the depth but aside from them, Dallas was looking for players to step up.
Fifth round draft pick Danny Coale was supposed to be one of those receivers who fought for a role in the Cowboys offensive plans last season but injuries crushed any opportunity for Coale to have any impact. He broke his foot during Cowboys OTA’s, then had hamstring issues in training camp and later in the year he tore his ACL, so add Coale to the list of Cowboys who had an injury prone 2012 season.
A lot happened in 2012 that makes Coale a player who needs a big training camp in order secure a spot on the Cowboys roster when September comes around. Bryant became a star, Austin is still a good wide receiver, Dwayne Harris emerged as a reliable target for Tony Romo, Cole Beasley earned a roster spot and the Cowboys drafted Terrance Williams. That’s five receivers who are ahead of Coale on the depth chart and even though Coale isn’t out of a job yet, his status is in jeopardy.
However, Coale has plenty of promise and he should not be counted out. He has great hands, no fear when going over the middle of the field and has the ability to make the difficult catch. Coale’s former Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer said a few months ago it would be a mistake to underestimate Coale and said all he needed was an opportunity. Beamer also said that Coale would be a clutch player for the Cowboys if he could get on the field.
Coale will get his chance to be clutch for the Cowboys starting in late July at training camp, and staying on the field would be a step in the right direction. Danny Coale is good receiver and he will be fighting for a roster spot this summer and counting him out would be a mistake. Expect Danny Coale to have good training camp and make it a tough decision for the Cowboys at the end of camp.
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+
