Happy 4th of July to Cowboys Nation!
My next potential breakout player is Chidobe Awuzie.
A former prospect who made an immediate impact as a rookie. Very good cover corner, who possesses all the physical attributes needed for the position, considered a high-level tackler and is extremely durable. Many were surprised how fast Awuzie truly is as he caught Saquan Barkley from behind in which nobody has shown they can do on this level. Awuzie probably one of the most underrated players on the entire team.
Awuzie biggest issue is his lack of ball skills, he struggles badly locating the football when his back is turned to the QB. This allows too many contested catches given up. He usually is in perfect coverage, if he had a little ball awareness, he would become more of a #1 corner. Almost everyone gives Bryon Jones all the praise, but Awuzie was targeted far more, he typically didn't have over the top help as Richard would do that more on the side in which the slot lined up.
The new coaching staff wants Awuzie to play to more to his strengths, playing more facing the QB. They have toyed with the idea of Awuzie playing some nickel safety, this has been confirmed by Awuzie himself. Many forget when coming out he was viewed more as a safety prospect who had CB skills, but also was considered one of the best nickel defenders in his class. Does this mean Awuzie becomes more of a sub-package player? It's my understanding he isn't coming off the field, may remain as the team's outside CB against the run and will be moved inside against the pass.
Any sort of breakout probably gets him paid from another team during fa next off-season. Unless he transitions to more of a full-time safety, the odds of returning would be very small. I believe Nolan and his defensive staff are looking for a particular kind of corner, one who is big, long and possesses high level ball skills. All this said, Awuzie could be primed for a legitimate breakout year!
Thanks for Sharing,
- Didn't safety Jeff heath also ran down Barkley by angle as well ? Awuzie was a timed 4.43 speedster prior to the draft so his speed does not surprise me at all. i always knew he can run. In fact he can stick with receivers downfield but his lack of ball skills to locate and make a play on the ball when turning and go remains his biggest downfall. Ironically it's been the issues with our CBs
no matter who the DB coach is - we don't turn our heads to make plays on the ball.
- You make some good points. If the coaches are truly going to be insistent on Awuzie moving to safety
then i would think it has to do with them thinking being in a role where you're going to be inclusively
facing and driving forward such as a safety is the reason why they would consider moving him
- But here's what's irony of it more, Anthony Brown is the same kind of DB,..same kind of CB, who works far
more better when he's facing the QB, .and who can get turned and lost in turn and go situations.
But they re-signed him with a 3 year 15 million dollar deal. And its assumed that he is in the club's plan
as one of the three starting CBs
- Should Awuzie moved to safety, what would be the plus and minus of that move ?
Plus: he should make a lot of break up plays with driving forward on plays, he can match up with slot WRs
and athletic TEs, you'd have an ideal safety who can always be another 3rd CB vs sub packages needing to
come in on obvious 3rd downs.
Minus: You still have to worry about a lack of INTs as he's never been a ball magnet. some CBs, some safeties
just have a knack for INTs, ..some just do not. Also Awuzie's tackling comes and goes, he has been benched
for both blowing assignments, and for questionable tackling effort.
