BTB: Jeff Heath will be the Cowboys most improved player on defense in 2017

[jobberone]

Unicorns aren’t for real, but the Cowboys new strong safety is.

The offense of the Dallas Cowboys is awesome. They just are. Last season they were fifth in points scored, averaging 26.3 points per game. This year, with a more experienced Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, they will be even better. It’s going to be fantastic.

The defense of the Cowboys is getting better. They just are. Last season they were also fifth in points allowed, giving up only 19.1 points per game. That was a nice jump, considering they were ranked 16th the previous season and 26th in 2013. It’s no secret that the defense has been the teams Achilles heel for several years, but as this unit gradually improves, so does the collective greatness of the entire team. And this season offers even more reasons to believe they can be even better in 2017.

First there is that beautiful 2016 draft class. I’m not talking about the two offensive stars, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. Sure, we all know how great those two are. I’m referring to the defensive guys - Maliek Collins, Anthony Brown, and oh yeah - that Jaylon Smith fellow. And that’s not even including whatever Charles Tapper gives the team. He’s a free-roll as far as I’m concerned.

Man, what a piece of work that 2016 draft was. Take a moment to bask in all of it’s glory.

Some could claim that Jeff Heath was one of those carbon-copy guys that the team grabbed just in case. For example, the team drafted slot receiver, Danny Coale in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. But that didn’t stop them from doubling down and signing Cole Beasley as a UDFA that same year. Coale struggled to stay healthy and his career never took off in Dallas, but the same is not true for Beasley. The Cowboys got their guy, it just wasn’t the guy they thought it would be.

pic.twitter.com/p9jtYI0113

— David Helman (@HelmanDC) July 11, 2017

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[jobberone]

Fair amount of snips from me but there's stuff on Heath including some tables. Looking forward to seeing how he does. My guess is he's the starter.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm looking forward to seeing if Heath can pick up where he left off last season. Things just seem to start clicking for him but now he has to show he can build off of that. I also like the fact we have some young talent behind him who will be pushing for the job as well.

 

[Section446]

Should be interesting, he did well when given a chance last season.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Good thing for Heath the Saints aren't on the schedule......

 

[elcowboi]

That would really be nice if that were the case. I think he is going to be pretty good but I'm not sure if he'll be the most improved. I wouldn't complain at all if he was though.

 

[bsbellomy]

I'm looking forward to seeing if Heath can pick up where he left off last season. Things just seem to start clicking for him but now he has to show he can build off of that. I also like the fact we have some young talent behind him who will be pushing for the job as well.

Oh you mean pick back up where he left off playing the game of his life? If you expect that guy you are gonna be disappointed.

 

[Doomsday101]

Oh you mean pick back up where he left off playing the game of his life? If you expect that guy you are gonna be disappointed.

Not talking about just the GB game. He played very well from the TB game in week 15 through to the GB game. In the last 4 games he 11 tackles, 3 ints. What I expect is for him to go out and produce and help the team win ball games, it is the same thing I ask of all the players.

 

[visionary]

Fair amount of snips from me but there's stuff on Heath including some tables. Looking forward to seeing how he does. My guess is he's the starter.

I think the safety positions are more important than CB
If Heath and Jones are quality starters this year it will go a long way in improving our defense

 

[shabazz]

Fair amount of snips from me but there's stuff on Heath including some tables. Looking forward to seeing how he does. My guess is he's the starter.

Its amazing how many of us forget to include intangibles like sniffs and tables when judging a player. I'm as guilty as the next guy

 

[Maxmadden]

I am almost certain he can upgrade the position. My main concern is can he do it for 16 games and stay healthy.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Bringing up the name Matt Johnson made me puke in my mouth a lil......Danny Coale....BTB is just trying to bring up nightmares.

Be nice if we got a safety with talent.

 

[KingintheNorth]

 

[cowboyblue22]

if jeff heath is the most improved player on that defense they are in deep trouble those guys on the line had better be in that part

 

[timb2]

I am not putting any faith in Jeff Heath..I am hoping they bring in a veteran via trade or a late preseason cut waiver pickup maybe a guy like 49ers Jaquiski Tartt. I have seen enough of Heath to know , he is not starting material. The only way I think he becomes a solid starter is to be like John Lynch and just comes in a like kamakazi and punishing anyone with the ball. Jeff Heath needs to become the HEATH SEEKING MISSILE.

 

[jobberone]

Its amazing how many of us forget to include intangibles like sniffs and tables when judging a player. I'm as guilty as the next guy

Sniff all you want. I've transferred all my sniffs to you. I must keep the snips though.

 

[jobberone]

I am not putting any faith in Jeff Heath..I am hoping they bring in a veteran via trade or a late preseason cut waiver pickup maybe a guy like 49ers Jaquiski Tartt. I have seen enough of Heath to know , he is not starting material. The only way I think he becomes a solid starter is to be like John Lynch and just comes in a like kamakazi and punishing anyone with the ball. Jeff Heath needs to become the HEATH SEEKING MISSILE.

I like.

 

[ShiningStar]

we always have that one player, hes mediocre as heck but we will pump him up to a new status. Who knows what Heath will be, Heath probably doesnt know how he ll be. He probably just shows up to work, does whats asked and leaves. Who knows. Few years ago he was the worst thing, one or two plays, and the loss of Dunbar, new great fantastic improved player, of 2017, of July, 3rd week in July , on Tuesday at the 2 pm hour, ok 15 minutes of that hour. Who knows, To be honest with you hes not even a thought right now as we have other guys we need to rise to Olympus and hope they do their jobs at a better level. If they do their jobs better, Heath will have an easier time. In fact we might see one or two rookies already be ahead of Heath in the "improved" category.

I dont even know what fans are expecting of Heath. Is he going to be the next ball hawk guy? thats something we need more. Is he going to make plays on the ball in tight games? thats something we need more. Yea he got two inceptions, We need to find out what hes got and what can he do well.