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Top 10 Frisco and Little Elm Sports Stories of 2012: 8. Change of heart: Former Lobo returns to Cowboys camp
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
After failing to participate in a Friday afternoon practice and briefly quitting the team, former Little Elm standout wide receiver Cole Beasley has returned to Cowboys training camp.
Beasley, who was signed by Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Methodist University, did not participate in Friday's practice after debating whether or not to quit football. However, Beasley now says he is committed to the team.
“I just had a couple of issues that I had to take of, and go home and spend some time with my family and go over some stuff,” Beasley said. “I think I got all that resolved, and now I’m just ready to focus on football.”
The former Lobo changed his mind after a brief trip home to visit family and friends where Beasley also said he had to deal with personal issues without getting into detail.
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett gave Beasley 24 hours to reconsider his decision before the receiver gave his coach a call Saturday night to declare his intention of returning to Oxnard, Calif.
“When I spoke with [Beasley] yesterday, it was like the guy that we signed back after the draft, so we’re excited to have him back,” Garrett said.
After leaving the team Friday, Dallas put Beasley on the reserve/left camp list with hopes he would change his mind. Cowboys Vice President Stephen Jones wasn’t ready to give up on the SMU standout so sudden.
“It’s too early right now,” Jones said Friday. “We’re still working on that.”
Beasley admits his brief leave of absence from the team might hurt his chances at making the 53-man roster but said it should give him added determination on the field.
“It just gives me motivation to push harder,” Beasley said. “Now I’ve just got to work harder than everybody out here and still show them I belong.”
The former Lobo had a successful rookie minicamp and figured to be in the mix for a backup receiver spot for the Cowboys with a legitimate chance at making the final roster. However, Beasley’s recent distractions have affected his performance in training camp.
“One of the things we liked about [Beasley] is his passion for the game and his hunger for the game,” Garrett said. “He came back and he didn’t have that same fire, and sometimes when you’re a rookie free agent in the NFL, the world seems really big to you, and these days seem monumental and hard and challenging, and maybe they take a little of the spirit out of you.”
Despite the recent actions of Beasley, the Cowboys remain optimistic about the receiver’s chances of making the team.
“What happened the past few days, in my mind, are done,” Garrett said. “All those issues, they’re behind us. What matters is what he does now.”
Beasley would have become the second player to leave Cowboys camp for personal reasons after tight end John Nalbone recently returned home.
Beasley, who was signed by Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Methodist University, did not participate in Friday's practice after debating whether or not to quit football. However, Beasley now says he is committed to the team.
“I just had a couple of issues that I had to take of, and go home and spend some time with my family and go over some stuff,” Beasley said. “I think I got all that resolved, and now I’m just ready to focus on football.”
The former Lobo changed his mind after a brief trip home to visit family and friends where Beasley also said he had to deal with personal issues without getting into detail.
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett gave Beasley 24 hours to reconsider his decision before the receiver gave his coach a call Saturday night to declare his intention of returning to Oxnard, Calif.
“When I spoke with [Beasley] yesterday, it was like the guy that we signed back after the draft, so we’re excited to have him back,” Garrett said.
After leaving the team Friday, Dallas put Beasley on the reserve/left camp list with hopes he would change his mind. Cowboys Vice President Stephen Jones wasn’t ready to give up on the SMU standout so sudden.
“It’s too early right now,” Jones said Friday. “We’re still working on that.”
Beasley admits his brief leave of absence from the team might hurt his chances at making the 53-man roster but said it should give him added determination on the field.
“It just gives me motivation to push harder,” Beasley said. “Now I’ve just got to work harder than everybody out here and still show them I belong.”
The former Lobo had a successful rookie minicamp and figured to be in the mix for a backup receiver spot for the Cowboys with a legitimate chance at making the final roster. However, Beasley’s recent distractions have affected his performance in training camp.
“One of the things we liked about [Beasley] is his passion for the game and his hunger for the game,” Garrett said. “He came back and he didn’t have that same fire, and sometimes when you’re a rookie free agent in the NFL, the world seems really big to you, and these days seem monumental and hard and challenging, and maybe they take a little of the spirit out of you.”
Despite the recent actions of Beasley, the Cowboys remain optimistic about the receiver’s chances of making the team.
“What happened the past few days, in my mind, are done,” Garrett said. “All those issues, they’re behind us. What matters is what he does now.”
Beasley would have become the second player to leave Cowboys camp for personal reasons after tight end John Nalbone recently returned home.
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