Patrick Crayton doesn't know if he'll be a Dallas Cowboy come the regular season, but he's confident enough in his talents to believe he will be. If the team wants him, that is.
The subject of trade speculation during last month's draft, Crayton told The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday that he intends to earn a spot in a crowded Cowboys receiving corps if there's a competition.
"If it's a true open competition, I'll be with the Dallas Cowboys in 2010," Crayton said. "If not, and things have already been assigned, then I'll probably be elsewhere."
Crayton has stayed away from the Cowboys' voluntary organized team activities, working out on his own north of Dallas, and said he doesn't plan to skip the team's mandatory minicamp June 11-13.
After the Cowboys selected Oklahoma State star Dez Bryant in the first round of the draft last month, the competition at wide receiver is expected to be intense. Crayton played in every game last season and caught 37 passes for 622 yards and five touchdowns, but he might have to compete with Bryant for a role in Dallas' offense.
The Cowboys recently confirmed to Crayton's agent, Fred Lyles, that they shopped the six-year veteran during draft weekend. They also gave Lyles permission to seek a trade for Crayton.
Crayton said Wednesday that he just wants to play somewhere where he has a role.
"The ideal resolution is to be somewhere where you're wanted," said Crayton, who added that he doesn't know if Dallas is that place.
The Morning News also reported Wednesday that Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick will miss the rest of OTAs and next month's minicamp after having surgery to repair a broken index finger on his left hand. Scandrick hopes to recover by the time training camp begins in late July.
