Trigg has shown some promise this offseason, but it might not be enough to claim a roster spot, and showing out against the Saints will help his chances.
ARLINGTON - Dallas Cowboys UDFA TE Michael Trigg knows he's up against it to survive the roster cuts, but he's got one more shot at winning over the coaching staff against the New Orleans Saints tonight at AT&T Stadium.
Having produced against the Seattle Seahawks in Dallas' first preseason game (4 receptions, 30 yards), a toe injury sidelined him and he missed the Arizona Cardinals outing.
Now, as the Saints come into view, it is Trigg's last chance to show that he is deserving of a roster spot, or at least landing on the practice squad.
Oh, and he knows what's at stake at AT&T Stadium.
"It's very important, just want to be able to show my full talent so these coaches know what I got," Trigg said.
We know of his athletic ability - the Baylor ex is 6-4 and 240 and can do receiver-like and basketball-player-like things - but that only gets you so far; you have to be able to catch the football, be stout in the run game as a blocker, and offer value elsewhere.
And while he has been a back-burner guy of late thanks to the injury, believes he's already shown some of what it takes to gain a roster spot.
"Shown a little bit of my dog mentality, my will to work, and I don't think I'm scared of anything, so I'm ready for any moment."
And that moment will come against the Saints in the preseason finale.
With the Cowboys maybe only keeping three tight ends in Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, and Luke Schoonmaker, it means that Trigg will have to pull a rabbit out of a hat at AT&T Stadium to jump Schoonmaker. (Or come up with a stash-worthy injury.)
That means there is ample pressure because, as we know, when a player gets cut, that could very well be his last shot in the NFL.
But Trigg - who is working to overcome an "immature'' repuation that comes from his three NCAA stops - isn't too bothered by the perceived pressure of having to perform after missing time with injury.
"I wouldn't say 'pressure,' but just me being me, I want to get out there and do the best I can," Trigg said.
And if he can show something substantial, it might boost his chances of surviving the roster culls on Sunday.
Still, that can be a tough balancing act, knowing you have to go out and play well against New Orleans; otherwise, a couple of days later, you're out of a job.
But Trigg isn't sweating it. Not even a bit.
"At this point, me being in the situation I'm in, I'm going to go out there, give my 110 if I can, and let the chips fall where they may,'' he said.
