Stephen Hodge News

Stephen Hodge leaned on his crutches, a Dallas Cowboys cap outing him as he watched TCU football practice with a couple of former teammates on Thursday.

By STEFAN STEVENSON Stopping BYU quarterback Max Hall's passing show is an obvious priority for the TCU defense when the No.

Sitting the majority of the time while his teammates enjoyed a 3-0 start was like adding insult to injury for TCU strong safety Colin Jones.

After Troy Calhoun's worst week at Air Force, it's the right time to return to his best week.

This is the sixth of a nine-day position breakdown of TCU football, culminating with special teams on Saturday, when the Horned Frogs open their season at Virginia.

It didn't matter. The receiver said all he needed one hour later when he took the practice field.

The injury isn't considered serious, but coach Wade Phillips said he's reluctant to let Hurd either practice or play until he's 100 percent.

By CLARENCE E. HILL JR. Five views of linebacker Stephen Hodge The Tatum native is making the switch from safety in TCU's 4-2-5 defense to linebacker in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme.

By CLARENCE E. HILL JR. Five views of linebacker Stephen Hodge The Tatum native is making the switch from safety in TCU's 4-2-5 defense to linebacker in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme.

By CLARENCE E. HILL JR. Five views of linebacker Stephen Hodge The Tatum native is making the switch from safety in TCU's 4-2-5 defense to linebacker in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme.

By JEFF CAPLAN SAN ANTONIO - It took six days and nine practices for rookie Stephen Hodge to get over two injuries and finally get on the field Monday at the Alamodome.

By JEFF CAPLAN SAN ANTONIO - It took six days and nine practices for rookie Stephen Hodge to get over two injuries and finally get on the field Monday at the Alamodome.

Tony Romo might still wear his ball cap frat-boy backwards on the sidelines, but between the lines the Dallas Cowboys are expecting a take-charge approach from their veteran quarterback.

First Victor Butler , then DeAngelo Smith , then Manuel Johnson and now Stephen Hodge, John Phillips and Mike Mickens.

The seventh in a 10-part series. Safe bets: Stephen Hodge On the bubble: NA Long shots: Matt Stewart What's worth watching: Bradie James, who is coming off the best season of his career, will have his third ILB partner in three seasons.

For the third straight year, former Gilmer Buckeye football standout Kenneth Pettway hosted a free football camp for dozens of area kids Friday, bringing with him a few fellow professional football-playing friends.

POSITIVES Hodge is a special teams stud. He has pretty good speed and a relentless motor.

Of the Cowboys' 12 picks Sunday, at least nine had special teams ties in college.

Sixth-round pick Stephen Hodge was accustomed to covering receivers as a safety/outside linebacker in TCU's 4-2-5 scheme.

Third-rounder Jason Williams and sixth-rounder Stephen Hodge are expected to be core special teams players right away.