By Steve Hunt
FOXSportsSouthwest.com
March 7, 2011
Sports fans are always on the lookout for the next big thing. That's because there's something pretty great about following a player before they made it big. Sports fans here in the Metroplex are no different. They're always reading up on rookies and other up-and-comers with their favorite team and continually observe them to see a flash that they might be a primetime player in the near future. Dallas-area sports fans have been blessed to have their share of iconic superstars play for the Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers and Stars and several of them like Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki, are still playing. But of the young players currently in this market, who are the top candidates to one day move into such rarified air? Here's a breakdown.
COWBOYS
Already There: Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, Roger Staubach
Current Phenom: Dez Bryant WR
Like the man whose No. 88 he wears, Bryant aspires to become a truly iconic receiver. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and fans alike both hope he reaches that status in the near future. In 12 games as a rookie, he caught 45 passes for 561 yards and six touchdowns. The ex-OSU Cowboy also took back a pair of punts for scores. Some feel that had he not missed the last four games of the season with a fractured ankle that he would have been a top contender for 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He continues his rehab from that injury and is about a month away from starting to run full speed. But there isn't any reason for Bryant to be healthy once all this lockout business is finally resolved. Dez is already the team's No. 2 receiver behind Miles Austin and in just his first year, looks to have already built a solid working relationship with Dallas starting QB Tony Romo. Like Irvin, who he calls one of his idols, he is a big receiver who at 6-2 can just go up and outmuscle opposing players for the ball. In short, he has all the makings of the league's next great receiver. Bryant's development will be something to watch as the 22-year-old hopefully evolves into a true top-flight pass catcher in the NFL.
MAVERICKS
Already There: Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki
Current Phenom: Rodrigue Beaubois G
Beaubois' resume might not have that much on it at least yet, but few players have emerged on the local basketball scene and created the amount of buzz that this 6-2 22-year-old guard from Guadeloupe has. He has played in just eight games so far this year but comes off a season-high 15 in Sunday night's loss to Memphis. Of course, when Roddy B's name comes up, it's almost always linked to the 40-point explosion he had last March at the expense of Golden State. In that game, he was 15-of-22 from the field and 9-for-11 from long range. That performance remains one of the most memorable by a Maverick player in some time. Fans, media and head coach Rick Carlisle know it's unrealistic to expect such an outburst from Beaubois on a regular basis. Still, you have to love his speed, tenacity and fearless approach when it comes to taking it to the hole. His take no prisoners approach to doing what it takes to score and to help his team win are just two reasons why he's already become a huge fan favorite here in Big D. And if he can deliver on his immense potential and maybe help lead the Mavs to the promised land, namely winning the franchise's first-ever NBA title, then it's no doubt he will achieve cult hero status here in the Metroplex.
RANGERS
Already There: Pudge Rodriguez, Nolan Ryan
Current Phenom(s): Elvis Andrus SS, Neftali Feliz P
There are plenty of similarities with Andrus and Feliz. Of course, the most obvious one is that both players are only 22 and represent the bright future of Rangers baseball going forward. Elvis heads into his third year and in 2009, was runner-up for American League Rookie of the Year honors while Feliz won that honor in 2010 after setting a rookie standard with 40 saves. Both were also all-stars for the first time in 2010, an honor they should repeat many more times before their playing days conclude in about 15-20 years. Andrus hit .267 as a rookie and stole 33 bases. Last year, his average dropped a bit to .265 with 32 steals but there is no doubt he is a true up-and-comer and considered one of the top young shortstops in the league. The same can be said for the fireballing Feliz but in pitching circles. For a second straight spring, he is getting a look at securing a spot in the Ranger rotation as that is where club brass feels his best value might be in the future. The 6-3 right-hander may well end up as the club's closer once again in 2011 but no doubt about it, he will get a number of shots at the rotation in the future. Of course, before the Rangers' financial situation was resolved and Chuck Greenberg took over the club last summer, there was some fear about Andrus and Feliz leaving in free agency in the future. Some saw Elvis as the heir apparent to the iconic Derek Jeter in New York and Feliz's stellar rookie campaign already had some wondering which big spender he could end up with. But now that Greenberg has come in and the Rangers payroll has jumped considerably, there isn't much talk about Elvis and Neftali leaving. Sure, it might happen in the near future but then again, it might not. Still, watching these two Latin ballplayers ply their trade is truly a sight to see.
STARS
Already There: Mike Modano
Current Phenom: Jamie Benn LW
Benn has been back from a 10-game absence due to injury for just six games but the 21-year-old winger has five points since his return. In the wake of all-star center and Stars offensive cog Brad Richards being sidelined with a concussion, he has recently taken on the role of centering Dallas' top line alongside all-star winger Loui Eriksson and up-and-comer Tomas Vincour, a recent call-up from the minor league Texas Stars. In 52 games this year, Benn has 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points, a solid total considering he missed 10 games earlier this season. In fact, the Stars think so much of their fifth-round pick from 2007 that they recently traded fellow winger James Neal to Pittsburgh for defenseman Alex Goligoski. Neal or "The Real Deal" as he was dubbed, was a solid goal scorer but it was the emergence of Benn in just his second season that ultimately helped make Nealer expendable. Since his return, not only has Benn contributed on the score sheet in the way of goals and assists, but he has also done all the little things, which Dallas head coach Marc Crawford emphasizes above all else. Benn is in there delivering a big hit, digging pucks out of the corner and blocking shots. In short, he's doing whatever it takes to help his team inch closer to somewhere they've never been since he's played here, the playoffs. The Stars might still have a ways to go to reach their ultimate goal but if they do return to the postseason, stellar play from Benn will be one reason they get there.
