Football is a game of attrition. On the field, it's whichever team can outlast the other through conditioning and injury survival. For late-round picks and undrafted free agents in the off season, it sometimes comes down to outlasting the competition that's been invited to fight it out for a roster spot. Cornerback Isaac Madison is fighting it out with several defensive backs to make the Cowboys 53-man gameday roster or at least its practice squad.
Madison hails from the University of Arkansas and was a redshirt senior in 2011. After tearing the ACL in his left knee during an August scrimmage in his 2009 junior year he sat out a season but he would return to the field in 2010. The native of Dallas was brought to Valley Ranch as part of Dallas Day and outlasted fellow UDFA CB Troy Woolfolk who was released yesterday.
Madison has decent corner size, standing at 5'10.5" and weighing in at 185 lbs. He runs a 4.48 40 yard dash as well. One of the NFL's coveted UDFA's was receiver Saalim Hakim; who was pursued by over half the league but chose Dallas to come to camp with.
Reports from the recently completed rookie mini camp have been scarce on Madison. However, former scout Bryan Broaddus did have this mention from Madison's first practice:
· Really liked the movement that cornerbacks Mario Butler and Isaac Madison showed. Was really impressed with how they were able to play with quickness and position in the routes. There was not much separation from receivers or windows for the quarterbacks to throw in.
It's a war of attrition, as Madison will face long odds trying to become the next Cowboys UDFA star. The next OTA's kick off May 22nd; Madison will have to put in a lot of work to survive another round of eliminations.