Making it to September is a long shot for the 14 undrafted free-agent signees reporting to Valley Ranch today for rookie minicamp.

The way Danny Amendola sees it, he's at least got a pretty good example that it can be done. Four years ago, fellow Texas Tech-ex Wes Welker was in his shoes, an undrafted, undersized slot receiver with a slight hope of making the NFL.

Welker grew into a pro who led the league with 112 catches last year for the AFC Champion Patriots. And since he's been compared to Welker since he set foot in Lubbock four years ago, Amendola draws strength and pride from Welker's story.

"Being the shorter white guy who played hard, made little plays, and being a punt returner as well, you couldn't help but draw comparisons," Amendola said. "From when I first got it here, it was 'Wes Welker Jr.' Every time I hear that, I must think I'm doing something right. It's an honor being compared to him."

Welker is an example that it takes more than doing the right things to make it. His entry to the NFL was bumpy. The Chargers cut him a week into the 2004 season, and after signing with the Dolphins days later, he faced a long climb from the bottom of Miami's roster to the top of its receiving charts two years later. He then netted a five-year deal in New England.

But a few things were constant from the start for Welker. There was his effort, his preparation and a willingness to do whatever was asked. And then, there was his resolve.

"I think the belief I had in myself was the key," Welker said. "It's not getting down. You have to keep fighting through."

And he sees it in Amendola, whom he referred to as "my replacement" at Tech.

"It's evident watching him play," Welker said. "That's what he does, he's confident, plays with a lot of effort, and gets better each day."

Welker saw it while returning to Lubbock during the Red Raiders' summer conditioning sessions. Tech coach Mike Leach saw it every day in both players.

There is one more thing that Amendola will have to take with him, though, and that's the ability to adjust on the fly until he becomes indispensable. Leach calls Welker a "master of that," and says while there are differences between the two – the primary one he cited was that Amendola's faster and Welker's quicker – he adds that there are more similarities.

"They're both pretty gritty guys at key times," Leach said. "And they play with a high effort level and go full speed at all times."

Amendola knows it will take more than that, and that's a big reason why he picked the Cowboys over the Eagles, Texans, Dolphins and Chargers. He studied the situation, knowing that Dallas didn't draft a receiver and has a history of keeping undrafted players, and he saw, again from Welker's example, how important a good fit was.

"Wes had a good deal with the Patriots, a situation where he could shine," Amendola said. "He fit the mold in New England. And I need to get into a great situation like that."