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Can either Xavier Woods or Chidobe Awuzie channel their inner Morris Claiborne? Did I really just say that?
This Sunday the Cowboys are going to rely on three rookie defensive backs, Jourdan Lewis, Xavier Woods and Chidobe Awuzie, when they host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys have already been relying heavily on Lewis, and he’s been doing an exceptional job. So much so, that we’re granting him temporary veteran status for this article, leaving Woods and Awuzie as the two fresh rookies we’ll discuss.
Considering that the Eagles are bringing the NFL’s best record and MVP candidate in quarterback Carson Wentz with them, well, it’s understandable to be nervous about Woods and Awuzie.
The Cowboys are an underdog, foreign waters for Dak Prescott, and it feels safe to say that right now we’re looking for any sign of optimism that we can get.
That’s where Woods and Awuzie come in. The former was a draft weekend steal for the Cowboys in the sixth round, and we’ll finally get a chance to see him start. The latter has been disappointing health-wise, but will get some reps and a chance to shine in primetime.
Cowboys rookie DBs have a tendency to come up big against the Eagles on Sunday with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth on the call. Think back my friends, all the way to Week 13 of the 2012 season.
Philadelphia had Nick Foles and Bryce Brown in their backfield, which gives you an indication of who they were in Andy Reid’s final season. Whoever they were, then-rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne owned them (fast forward to 1:56).
Yes, Morris Claiborne returned a Bryce Brown fumble half the length of the football field all the way for a score. It was his first, and what is so far only, touchdown in the NFL.
Many have actually likened Chidobe Awuzie to Morris Claiborne, although for not-so-glamorous (injury) reasons. If there’s one comparison we hope is accurate, hopefully it’s the one where they come up big against Philadelphia.
Who would have thought we’d be rooting for a Morris Claiborne moment? 2017 is wild.
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