Crayton could break return record

By GERRY FRALEY Dallas Morning News - 11/4/2009


IRVING, Texas — Dallas Cowboys punt returner Patrick Crayton will try to set history in Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

Crayton has returned a punt for a touchdown in each of the last two games. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no professional player has ever returned a punt for a touchdown in three consecutive games.

Since 1941, only 13 players have had as many as three scoring punt returns in a season. Three players share the record of four punt returns for a touchdown in a season: Hall of Famer Jack Christensen with Detroit in 1951, Denver's Rick Upchurch in 1976 and Chicago's Devin Hester in 2007.

Crayton, who played at Northwestern Oklahoma, said the entire punt-return unit now thinks score on every kick.

"The guys up front are giving even more effort, because I think they realize we have the potential to break one at any moment," Crayton said. "If we get a returnable punt and block, we've got the potential to take it all the way back to the house now."

Dante Hall is the last player to return a kick for a score in three consecutive games. With Kansas City in 2003,

Hall had a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown against Houston followed by a 97-yard scoring kickoff return against Baltimore and a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown against Denver.

Back to work: The plan, always subject to change, calls for the Cowboys to practice at their Valley Ranch complex this week. The consistency will be welcomed.

Because of bad weather and logistical restrictions, the Cowboys practiced in three locations last week. The constant shuttling made preparations more difficult.

"We practiced everywhere but in the road," linebacker Bradie James said. "But we had to find a way to get ready, and we did."

Romo on 4,000-yard pace: Tony Romo is among 10 quarterbacks currently on a pace to throw for more than 4,000 yards.

Indianapolis' Peyton Manning leads with a pace of 5,090 yards. Romo is ninth at 4,361 yards. The record for most players passing for 4,000-plus yards in a season is seven, set in 2007.




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