Looks like the deal is done, the Cowboys are bringing in long-time kick/punt return specialist...

Looks like the deal is done, the Cowboys are bringing in long-time kick/punt return specialist Allen Rossum. He was recently cut by the 49ers to make room for Michael Crabtree.

Rossum had one of his best seasons in 2008, setting career highs of 26.8 yards per kickoff return and 14.9 per punt return.

[snip]

"I think teams have to approach our return game differently when I'm on the field," Rossum said Monday. "These last two weeks before every game, they've been shocked that I'm not up [he was inactive]. I know I'm doing something good when those teams approach me and say, 'Hey, man, we've been preparing for you all week.' I'm not worried about it."

Hat tip to what_the_crap and his FanPost.

NFL.com

over 2 years ago Dave Halprin 36 comments 0 recs |

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His scouting report said he was sure handed.

I’m not big on bringing in an older guy that only does one thing, but if he returns kicks and punts, that’s a lot of touches each game, and this team already has 5 fumbles on returns so far.

by Baked Potato Soup on Oct 14, 2009 12:15 AM CDT reply actions

I've seen him play numerous times.

He accelerates FAST.

He’s gonna look like Hester compared to Crayton when returning punts. Crayton always looks like he’s jogging.

by JBell523 on Oct 14, 2009 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions

The nice thing about Crayton was his sure handedness, but with 2 fumbles in one game, the staff must have decided his lack of burst on returns wasn’t worth it anymore. That’s some of that accountability that everyone’s talking about, I think.

by Baked Potato Soup on Oct 14, 2009 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Ditto

Agree.

3-2 headed for the bye week.

by APerfectStar on Oct 14, 2009 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions

In his prime, there wasn't a faster player in the league

I think just a few years ago he won the NFL’s fastest man competition in Hawaii.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Oct 14, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

The Cowboys have 5 fumbles on returns this year, he has only 5 in the past 3 years, a total of 255 returns.

by Baked Potato Soup on Oct 14, 2009 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions

good Move!!

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account

by Wmillion on Oct 14, 2009 12:25 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

missing piece, but 3rd extra specialist

this is a big missing piece that can make this special teams unit truly one of the most dangerous and advantageous in the league.

Archer @ DMN blog has some good info

The Cowboys will sign return specialist Allen Rossum tomorrow, bringing the Skyline High grad home, and have cleared a roster spot for him by releasing cornerback Cletis Gordon.

Rossum was cut Monday by San Francisco when the Ninersd activated Dallas native Michael Crabtree.

Rossum played in the first three games of the year but had been inactive for the last two. He averaged 7 yards per punt return and 21.7 yards on kickoffs before being released. Last year Rossum averaged 26.8 yards per kick return and 14.9 yards per punt return, which was second-best in the NFL.

On Sunday at Kansas City, Patrick Crayton fumbled a punt and Terence Newman let one bounce to the Dallas 3. With Felix Jones slowed by a knee injury and Miles Austin’s role at wide receiver set to expand, Rossum will also handle kickoffs.

He has eight returns for touchdowns in his career. He spent five years in Atlanta with Joe DeCamillis as his special teams coach.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the deal via Twitter.

Go Coach Joe D!

but it does mean one more roster spot for a specialist, when we already have a LS and 2nd K. So he’ll fill the rotating spot on the 53 most recently filled by Gordon, but my question is who isn’t active on the 45 to make room for Rossum? That’s the problem the 49ers had. Gordon was active for us last game, but there was an extra spot with Sensi out. Rossum also plays CB, so once Sensi comes back, maybe Rossum takes Ball’s place and Ball is inactive, which is a little less depth there since Ball can play backup for CB and S. Or else you’re going short someplace else. Having 3 extra specialists can really make our special teams excellent, and I love the move, but it can cause depth problems in other areas of the roster, esp. the active roster.

by scottmaui on Oct 14, 2009 2:20 AM CDT reply actions

If it causes depth problems...

then why would Dallas continue to strengthen the ST? I don’t get it. You really think it’s smart to have Ball inactive so Rossum can be active? Our ST is just fine.

It's not cocky if it's a lie.

by FelixFanclub on Oct 14, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions

our punt returner isn't fine, he's really bad

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Oct 14, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

We have 5 fumbles on returns already this year.

And I don’t see them making Ball inactive. They had a 5th corner active this week that I didn’t even realize was on the team, and they cut him for Rossum. When or rather, if, some of our guys start getting healthy again, they’ll have to make some decisions at the safety position but I suspect M. Hamlin will be the odd man from the active roster for this season.

by Baked Potato Soup on Oct 14, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

But M. Hamlin hasn't been on the active roster anyway

who among those regular of the 45 becomes inactive? If not Ball, then Butler? J. Williams? We’re only taking 2 extra oline to the game as it is, so no room there. Ball or one of the backup LBs is the only places I can see any room.

by scottmaui on Oct 14, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

They had a 5th corner active this past week.

Last week they went with 2 safeties + Ball, and 4 corners + Ball; they had an emergency CB that they picked up and was active Sunday, but they cut him for Rossum. So Rossum becomes the emergency DB, but basically they are going with 3 CBs, 2 Ss, and Ball. When Sensabaugh gets healthy, they probably make either a DL (Hatcher or Bowen), Pat Watkins, or LB (Octavien) inactive, or maybe the 3rd TE since they believe in running the same pass play back to back at the goal line over running anyway.

by Baked Potato Soup on Oct 14, 2009 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I would guess Hatcher, I think Bowen is a better backup DL

At first I thought maybe a LB, but they are already thin there and those backups contribute on ST, same with the secondary.

3-2 headed for the bye week.

by APerfectStar on Oct 16, 2009 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Has anyone gone over to the niner sb nation site to get some feedback on rossum?

I will head there now.

Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!

by cowboy78 on Oct 14, 2009 8:13 AM CDT reply actions

Rossum...

Who is this telling you they planned for you all week? The ST’s coach? lol who else would the special teams prepare for? That’s all they do. The special teams consists of mostly back ups. This signing makes no sense to me. How about signing an O-lineman?

It's not cocky if it's a lie.

by FelixFanclub on Oct 14, 2009 9:38 AM CDT reply actions

signing an OL makes no sense

because none of our starters are hurt. Signing Rossum is a great move because a returner can have a great impact on a game, unlike a back up OL.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Oct 14, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

Greetings from the Humungus, the Ruler of the Wasteland, the Ayatollah of Rock and Roll-A. I laugh at your puny plans.

by Lord Humungus on Oct 14, 2009 10:49 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

yes and Felix Jones and Miles Austin

are probably not better than Rossum. I like this move very much. It’s pretty rare the 45th player on the game day roster makes it in to the game. And clearly, Rossum is a football player. In an era of specialization, lets embrace it.

by AustonianAggie on Oct 14, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

go watch a few highlights of Rossum on youtube

dude has speeeeeeeeed to burn, I think he will make a positive impact quickly, while freeing up Miles Austin and Felix Jones to focus on offensive plays.

by AustonianAggie on Oct 14, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Special teams turnovers have hurt us already.

On top of being just a return specialist, the guy is sure handed. We have 5 fumbles on returns this year, and he has only had 5 in the past 3 years – 255 returns.

by Baked Potato Soup on Oct 14, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Thank Gawd

He’s not Hester, but watching Crayton is downright painful. He has had so
e great returns this year, but his lackadasical demeanor on the field drives me nuts.

Good move

Greetings from the Humungus, the Ruler of the Wasteland, the Ayatollah of Rock and Roll-A. I laugh at your puny plans.

by Lord Humungus on Oct 14, 2009 10:47 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Cletis Gordon was active against KC.

Now, we have Rossum.

Who would you rather have active against Atlanta? Rossum or get Gordon back?

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...
http://twitter.com/BloggingTheBoys

by Aaron Novinger on Oct 14, 2009 11:55 AM CDT reply actions

But Gordon was active in place of Sensi

Once Sensi is back, who does Rossum replace?

by scottmaui on Oct 14, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Ogletree will sadly be inactive when Roy returns.

They can also inactivate McGee if need be.

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...
http://twitter.com/BloggingTheBoys

by Aaron Novinger on Oct 14, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions

McGee is always inactive as the 3rd qb

3rd string qb doesn’t count on the 45 man roster, but you can use him if both 1st and 2nd teamers get hurt.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Oct 14, 2009 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, McGee doesn't count

and there are 4 WRs no matter what, so Roy/KO doesn’t affect Rossum’s spot.

by scottmaui on Oct 14, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Damn...forgot about that rule.

Buehler can always double-up on the punt coverage team if they had to deactivate someone there.

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...
http://twitter.com/BloggingTheBoys

by Aaron Novinger on Oct 15, 2009 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Probably Watkins or Octavien, but maybe Phillips, Hatcher, or Bowen. I don’t think Hatcher or Bowen play special teams, so that could be it.

by Baked Potato Soup on Oct 14, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Archer guesses J. Williams

Archer rules out Phillips, Hatcher and Bowen. All have been getting snaps and all are important backups. He says he thinks it will most likely be Jason Williams.

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/10/taking-allen-rossum-to-the-game.html

by scottmaui on Oct 14, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions