Cowboys Mailbag: Former TCU standout Butler could provide help at corner
Quincy Butler can’t wait for minicamp to get underway.
In the wake of the departure to Miami of free agents Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones, Butler is positioned to earn a backup role at cornerback after spending two seasons on the practice squad.
“I see this season as a real good opportunity,” the former Roosevelt and TCU standout said. “Jacques and Nate were two real good players and I learned a lot from them. It’s unfortunate they parted ways with us. On the other hand, we have a couple of young guys like me and Alan Ball and Evan Oglesby who will now have a chance to show what we can do.”
The Cowboys find the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Butler’s speed and instincts intriguing. He was hampered last season by a foot injury that required surgery in January.
That setback, though, didn’t stop the Cowboys from re-signing him.
“I was hurt the whole season. In fact, I just got out of a (protective) boot,” Butler said Saturday before speaking along with teammate and fellow San Antonian Sam Hurd at a banquet in the Alamo City honoring the Southwest Region Pop Warner Little Scholars.
“The coaches are looking for me to do what I’ve been doing,” Butler said. “The key is to stay healthy.”
Butler was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection at corner his senior season for the Horned Frogs. An undrafted free agent, he earned a spot with the Cowboys during the 2006 training camp and spent 15 weeks on the practice squad before making his NFL debut on Christmas Day against Philadelphia.
Butler returned to the practice squad last season, but there was talk of giving him a shot at returning punts. His foot injury, however, shelved those plans.
Now healthy, Butler is eager to show he’s worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster.
“Every year you feel it is your year, but I really feel that this year,” Butler said. “As long as I stay healthy and continue to set my goals high and keep my faith in God, I feel comfortable I can contribute to this team.”
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