Who Is Miles Austin?

Name: Miles J. Austin

Born: June 30, 1984

Height: 6' 3'' Weight: 214 lbs

College: Monmouth University

Drafted: Undrafted

Years Pro: Currently in 4th Season

Position: Wide Receiver

Jersey Number: 19

Miles Austin set a school record with 2,687 receiving yards over his fours years at Monmouth University (three years as a full-time starter). He also compiled 150 receptions, 33 touchdowns (TDs; including a school record 12 TDs as a sophomore), and 140 rushing yards as a wide receiver (WR). Monmouth University is a Division I-AA school so Austin did not get too much attention for the numbers he put up as a Monmouth U Hawk. He was projected to be a a 6th or 7th round pick at best. Unfortunately he wasn't lucky enough to be selected in the 2006 NFL Draft.

Jim Garrett, a Dallas Cowboys scout at the time and father of current Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, saw Austin's potential during a workout after his record breaking sophomore season at Monmouth U. Garrett invited several small-college players over to his backyard for a few teaching sessions and of course to try and find some hidden talent at these smaller schools (a scout's work is never done). Garret saw something in Miles and told him he had the talent to reach the NFL, he just needed to keep working on his game.

Even he didn't know what his true potential was at this point, but he took the advice to heart. Miles worked hard on his route-running, techniques that allowed him to get better releases and create space from cornerbacks, and on getting out of his breaks quicker.

The Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans are reportedly the only two teams with any interest in Austin as a receiver. Tennessee ended up picking Jonathan Orr over Miles and the Cowboys decided Montavious Stanley (DT), Paul McQuistan (T), and E.J. Whitely (T). Orr and Whitely are both out of the league, but Whitely became a global phenomenon for his work on the cotton gin (joking, that was Eli Whitney people). The Cowboys had Bill Parcells call Miles and try to get him to sign as a free agent rookie and that was all he needed, he was going to be a Dallas Cowboy.

"I knew he was a Jersey guy," Austin said of Parcells. "He knows I was a hard-working type guy. He told me I had a chance to make the team through special teams. That's what I did."- ESPN's Tim McMahon

As a rookie, Miles returned kickoffs in 2006 and finished with 29 returns for 753 total yards. Where he really made a name for himself was in the playoffs. Against the Seatlle Seahawks, in the Wild-Card round, Austin returned three kickoffs for 136 yards. This was the second best total in team history and included a 93-yard return touchdown which was a playoff first for this storied franchise. The Cowboys lost that game in heartbreaking fashion which took some of the luster off of Austin's performance, but he was still a standout in the loss.

Miles was given the chance to play some wide receiver in 2007, as the teams fifth wideout, while continuing his primary role as part time kick return man. He finished the year with 24 returns for 612 yards and 5 receptions for 76 total yards. His first reception came against the New York Jets in Week 12.

2008 is when Miles Austin finally started getting significant playing time and a shot to become a major player for the Dallas Cowboys. He was named the team's full time return man and continued to get more time at WR. He became the 12th player in franchise history to compile over 1,500 career return yards and also caught 13 passes for 278 yards. He finally caught his first touchdown pass against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. In that game he had 2 receptions for 115 yards for his first career 100 yard game as well.

After the 2008 season, the New York Jets showed a little interest in Miles Austin as a free agent. The Jets would have to give the Cowboys a second round pick if they signed Austin so the team decided to pass. Had the Jets decided to bite the bullet, the world may never have seen Miles' full potential as the Jets quarterback situation at the time and offense as a whole was in flux with a new HC coming in (still love the Bill Belichick referring to himself as HC of the NYJ). Lucky for Dallas they were able to re-sign Austin for 1 year, $1.5 million, he should get a big pay raise after 2009.

Heading into 2009, Miles Austin was set to battle Patrick Crayton for the #2 receiver spot in the Cowboys offense. Austin was never given much of a chance to show what he can do and was once again relegated to #3 receiver and kick return duty. He didn't complain, he just kept working and waited for his chance.

In Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Roy Williams and his broken ribs could not play so Miles was given his first career start. He took this opportunity to showcase everything he's been working on while waiting in the wings. He finished the game with 10 receptions, 250-yards and the game winning 60-yard TD in overtime to complete this franchise-record breaking performance. Miles Austin had arrived.

Roy Williams might have been the bigger name (and cashed the bigger paycheck) coming into this season, but Miles Austin is every bit the #1 receiver this team desperately needed. His humble approach, hard working nature, and quiet confidence are also a breath of fresh air after the Terrell Owens era in Dallas. Williams' complaints about his limited role in the offense after Miles' emergence as a weekly threat to NFL defenses also made us appreciate the Quiet Assassin's (Miles Austin) demeanor even more.

"He deserves everything he gets," Jim Garrett said. "But do me a favor, will you? Tell him that the road isn't finished yet." - ESPN's Tim McMahon

From Division I-AA Monmouth University Hawk to starting wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys and leading all NFL receivers in touchdowns through nine weeks of the 2009 NFL Season. Miles Austin worked hard to get where he is today, hopefully he keeps working and taking his game to even higher levels.