DC: Garrett: Byron Jones “Very Comfortable” Continuing To Play Two Positions

[jobberone]

Garrett: Byron Jones “Very Comfortable” Continuing To Play Two Positions
Tuesday, September 01, 2015 5:21 PM CDT

By Rob Phillips @robphillips3

IRVING, Texas – When Orlando Scandrick’s 2015 season ended last week due to a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, the Cowboys’ initial reaction could’ve been to play rookie Byron Jones strictly at cornerback from now on.

Instead, the first-round pick continued to moonlight at safety in last Saturday’s preseason game against the Vikings, and he was the first-team free safety in Monday’s practice while starterJ.J. Wilcox sat out due to neck spasms.

Why still the dual roles for Jones, who’s 12 days away from his regular-season debut? Because he can, and because he hasn’t shown any signs of sensory overload.

“If you feel like that’s the case, it becomes an issue,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “But we don’t feel like that’s the case.”

The Cowboys continue to take a similar approach with Corey White. He and Jones’ versatility at cornerback and safety could allow the team to go lighter at those two spots and heavier at another position when the roster gets trimmed to 53 players on Saturday.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...ry-comfortable”-continuing-play-two-positions

 

[Craig]

Good. If he starts showing up as a good option at fs, that draft pick is a steal.

 

[Sydla]

I think I would prefer he develop at FS. Maybe it's because we seem to have been searching for a FS forever but I think his combo of speed, athleticism, smarts and ability to tackle give him a high ceiling at FS.

 

[Proximo]

I say let's keep having him get reps at both spots as long as he can handle it. Wherever he excels is where he should start after his rookie year is over. Kid has too much athleticism and smarts to force him into one spot.

 

[Setackin]

Looks like Gregory and Jones will be best players from the draft...

 

[windjc]

Does it concern anyone that he is currently 4-5th on our depth chart at CB (even after Scandrick went down to injury) and 3-4th on our depth chart at S.

Reports are his is doing well, but how well is he doing when he is that low on our depth chart on a secondary that isn't exactly respected as one of the top ones in the league?

For all the grief Claiborne gets, he was a starter Game #1 and he is a starter now.

 

[kevm3]

I don't understand drafting a corner that high only to turn him into a safety. Why not draft a safety in the first place? I'm not a fan of this dual position thing. It's hard enough grasping one position in the NFL. Two makes it even more difficult, especially when one is one of the hardest positions in the league, aka CB. We need to hurry up and choose what we want him to be and keep him here. We're going to limit his effectiveness by making him constantly have to worry about skillsets for both cornerback and safety.

 

[Iago33]

I don't understand drafting a corner that high only to turn him into a safety. Why not draft a safety in the first place? I'm not a fan of this dual position thing. It's hard enough grasping one position in the NFL. Two makes it even more difficult, especially when one is one of the hardest positions in the league, aka CB. We need to hurry up and choose what we want him to be and keep him here. We're going to limit his effectiveness by making him constantly have to worry about skillsets for both cornerback and safety.

Are you sure it isn't the other way around? Maybe we drafted a safety and asked him to play some corner.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Does it concern anyone that he is currently 4-5th on our depth chart at CB (even after Scandrick went down to injury) and 3-4th on our depth chart at S.

Reports are his is doing well, but how well is he doing when he is that low on our depth chart on a secondary that isn't exactly respected as one of the top ones in the league?

For all the grief Claiborne gets, he was a starter Game #1 and he is a starter now.

When you have capable starters you are allowed the benefit of being able to work a rookie in.

 

[Craig]

My interpretation from the beginning was that they thought they were drafting a safety.

 

[ROUSH8692]

Does it concern anyone that he is currently 4-5th on our depth chart at CB (even after Scandrick went down to injury) and 3-4th on our depth chart at S.

Reports are his is doing well, but how well is he doing when he is that low on our depth chart on a secondary that isn't exactly respected as one of the top ones in the league?

For all the grief Claiborne gets, he was a starter Game #1 and he is a starter now.

Finally a realist..... Jones has been playing against 3rd stringers and still hasnt done much. What games are you guys watching??

 

[burmafrd]

they are apparently looking at him right now as like a utility fielder- can play all positions. And thus will let them see him play and then judge which is his best one. Nice problem to have.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

They seem to have a pretty specific plan for his playing time early: defending TEs. The approach helps to get him on the field without overwhelming him early on. If he's still reduced to that role later in the season and none of the other guys step up, there will be more reason for concern. He's always been a something of a project, but the glowing offseason praise left some hope that he was an exception. That sentiment wasn't matched by the on field performance.

 

[windjc]

They seem to have a pretty specific plan for his playing time early: defending TEs. The approach helps to get him on the field without overwhelming him early on. If he's still reduced to that role later in the season and none of the other guys step up, there will be more reason for concern. He's always been a something of a project, but the glowing offseason praise left some hope that he was an exception. That sentiment wasn't matched by the on field performance.

1st round project? ***??

 

[CCBoy]

Just saying, Jones is a top shelf cornerback. Use him developmentally in packages, but head him to where he will contribute the greatest load sharing - cornerback.

 

[AzorAhai]

Finally a realist..... Jones has been playing against 3rd stringers and still hasnt done much. What games are you guys watching??

Seriously? The kid has played what, 2 preseason games at the 2 hardest positions outside of QB to transition from college to NFL? Give the guy some time before freaking out.

 

[Jarv]

If one of our safeties is knocked out of a game, do you want to see Jeff Heath come in or Jones?

 

[mattjames2010]

Haha, people going by preseason depth charts.

 

[mattjames2010]

Does it concern anyone that he is currently 4-5th on our depth chart at CB (even after Scandrick went down to injury) and 3-4th on our depth chart at S.

Reports are his is doing well, but how well is he doing when he is that low on our depth chart on a secondary that isn't exactly respected as one of the top ones in the league?

For all the grief Claiborne gets, he was a starter Game #1 and he is a starter now.

And routinely looked FAR worse than Jones did in mini-camp and TC that year. Left and right there were reports coming out with him being burned by receivers. I have heard nothing but positive buzz on Jones throughout the preseason, both with how is playing physically and mentally.

 

[The Natural]

Does it concern anyone that he is currently 4-5th on our depth chart at CB (even after Scandrick went down to injury) and 3-4th on our depth chart at S.

Reports are his is doing well, but how well is he doing when he is that low on our depth chart on a secondary that isn't exactly respected as one of the top ones in the league?

For all the grief Claiborne gets, he was a starter Game #1 and he is a starter now.

Not really..

The difference between Jones and Claiborne is Byron has to earn his keep. The front office perceived the cornerback position to be in such a dire state a few years ago that they traded up for Claiborne and he was essentially handed the starting job from day one. If memory serves me correct Mike Jenkins was our best all around corner that year and he was 4th on the depth chart. If Jones shows in the game that he should be above Claiborne at CB or above Wilcox at FS then so be it but right now I have no problem with him being behind those guys.