News: Deji Olatoye gets start for Cowboys, a telling sign on Byron Jones

[tyke1doe]

Are fans forgetting that Byron Jones is a rookie he basically is playing two secondary positions? Playing corner and playing safety are different. And if you're playing both, you have much more to process as well as having to switch on and off as to what your assignments are.
He could be playing very tentative because he's overthinking and trying not to make a mistake.
I think Jones will be fine. If they're moving him to safety for good, that means the Cowboys will likely take a true corner high in the draft.

 

[The Natural]

Are fans forgetting that Byron Jones is a rookie he basically is playing two secondary positions? Playing corner and playing safety are different. And if you're playing both, you have much more to process as well as having to switch on and off as to what your assignments are.
He could be playing very tentative because he's overthinking and trying not to make a mistake.
I think Jones will be fine. If they're moving him to safety for good, that means the Cowboys will likely take a true corner high in the draft.

Oh lord

 

[CCBoy]

Oh lord

Oh lord, what? I agree with this fan...

 

[perrykemp]

Are fans forgetting that Byron Jones is a rookie he basically is playing two secondary positions? Playing corner and playing safety are different. And if you're playing both, you have much more to process as well as having to switch on and off as to what your assignments are.
He could be playing very tentative because he's overthinking and trying not to make a mistake.
I think Jones will be fine. If they're moving him to safety for good, that means the Cowboys will likely take a true corner high in the draft.

You could very well be right -- Jones, despite being on the field a lot, is a rookie who has had to play two different positions and that very well could have stunted his playmaking ability. That's the positive way to look at it.

A potentially pessimistic way to look at Jones is:

in 2015 season Jones has had 0 interceptions, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, 0 fumble recoveries, and only 8 passes defensed

AND

During his 4 year career at Connecticut, he averaged only 1.75 interceptions per season, had exactly 0 forced fumbles in four years, and only 1 fumble recovery in four years, and averaged a paltry 5 passes defensed per season.

In other words, for whatever reason, despite Jones immense physical talents, his actual ball-hawking skills been mediocre at best.

As I mentioned before -- If Jones plays FS next year he will quite possibly be the most physically gifted FS in the NFL. It will be up the coaching staff to help get to the next level in terms of ball awareness.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

The talent at #4 thru #7 in the 2016 Draft isn't at DB, and our biggest need defensively is a dominant sideline to sideline linebacker. Let Byron move to FS where he is a great natural fit in any Defensive System.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Oh lord, what? I agree with this fan...

So do I.

 

[DeaconBlues]

"Any time you get a takeaway it's a big thing," Olatoye said. "It's really an honor. I just made the play when it came toward me."...

If only the rest of the secondary could accomplish this.

 

[DeaconBlues]

FS is where Jones needs to be, glad they are finally recognizing what us fans have been saying for 1/2 a season now.

That went out the window with Scandrick's injury.

 

[ccb04]

Jones was asked to move all over as a rookie. From the boundary...to the slot...to single high...even a little LB. He did a quality job covering some upper-tier TE's, and I think if he can settle in at one position like FS, he'll begin to make more plays.

 

[The Natural]

Oh lord, what? I agree with this fan...

great for you buddy.

 

[Kaiser]

Jones was asked to move all over as a rookie. From the boundary...to the slot...to single high...even a little LB. He did a quality job covering some upper-tier TE's, and I think if he can settle in at one position like FS, he'll begin to make more plays.

Exactly, for a rookie to handle all those assignments is unusual. He is also an extremely bright kid, give him an offseason to focus on one position and he will make plays there when he knows the position and can anticipate plays.

 

[MRV52]

If that coaching staff would have spent some time in this forum they would have made the playoffs. They would have learnt which plays and schemes to use and which players to sit or start. Shame on them that's why we are here, to lend a helping hand.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

yea i would like to see jones do something before the season ends. He hasn't made a single great play all season. Looks like JAG.

 

[waving monkey]

Oh lord

why not?

 

[AzorAhai]

Are fans forgetting that Byron Jones is a rookie he basically is playing two secondary positions? Playing corner and playing safety are different. And if you're playing both, you have much more to process as well as having to switch on and off as to what your assignments are.
He could be playing very tentative because he's overthinking and trying not to make a mistake.
I think Jones will be fine. If they're moving him to safety for good, that means the Cowboys will likely take a true corner high in the draft.

Nobody is forgetting it, they are just withholding details to paint the picture they want. These are probably the same people who hated him predraft or at the pick and can't let it go. Anyone who is disappointed with his play this year needs to really examine the way they evaluate football players, and rookies in particular. He's played a lot better than I ever expected for a rookie, non power 5, who's playing 2 positions at 2 of the hardest positions to transition from college to pros. I would love to see the rate of rookie CB/FS who come in and play at Pro Bowl levels immediately. I would be willing to bet that rate is miniscule.

 

[jazzcat22]

Are fans forgetting that Byron Jones is a rookie he basically is playing two secondary positions? Playing corner and playing safety are different. And if you're playing both, you have much more to process as well as having to switch on and off as to what your assignments are.
He could be playing very tentative because he's overthinking and trying not to make a mistake.
I think Jones will be fine. If they're moving him to safety for good, that means the Cowboys will likely take a true corner high in the draft.

No they are not forgetting. Many do this to about every player. They either do not understand football or just just don't care.

 

[TheCount]

You could very well be right -- Jones, despite being on the field a lot, is a rookie who has had to play two different positions and that very well could have stunted his playmaking ability. That's the positive way to look at it.

I believe they absolutely did stunt his growth by making him move around. Just as Hitchens looks markedly better at MLB but they are forcing him to play OLB.

They basically forced Byron to cover up for the lack of depth at CB, especially since the team knew full well that they'd be in trouble with Scandrick out the entire season.

 

[FaSho]

I think we should draft DB in rounds 1 AND 2.

 

[robjay04]

It's not fair at all to judge our scouting department on the Claiborne bust, most teams thought he was a player. Injuries hampered his development quite a bit, not to mention having 3 different defensive coordinators in 4 seasons.

He's done, time to move on...not just assume that any first round CB will be the next Chaiborne.

 

[FiveTime]

The talent at #4 thru #7 in the 2016 Draft isn't at DB, and our biggest need defensively is a dominant sideline to sideline linebacker. Let Byron move to FS where he is a great natural fit in any Defensive System.

I've seen a couple mock drafts that have Dallas taking Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame