Downs rookie debut

[Risen Star]

Caleb Downs’ final stat line from his NFL debut against the New York Giants:

• 61 total defensive snaps (3rd on team)
• 8 total tackles (3rd on team)
• 1 sack (led team)
• 1 forced fumble (led team)
• 2 receptions allowed (7 total yards)

The Cowboys rookie safety looked like the FUTURE of Dallas defense tonight.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I said it on draft night and won't change my mind.

2026 DROY will be Caleb Downs.

He is more than the future. He is NOW.

 

[chicago JK]

He will be good. Although, i feel like the true impact of an elite safety is when you can put consistent pressure on the QB and force them into mistakes. That is when you safety can make plays while also protecting against giving up a big play.

If you can't get good pressure, you can still be a good safety put the impact is lessoned considerably.

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

I'm nitpicking here, but instead of the big hit on Dart, I think he could've stripped the ball from him and probably ran it in for a TD. Or if we recover that it could've been a different game. They had 3 fumbles and we got 1. I think the back end is fine, it's the front 7 I'm worried about. Especially the LBer play. I'm no coach but I think those 4 consecutive short passes in the flat that killed us are their responsibly. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Season is young and the only thing that game means to me is we're not going 20-0 like I predicted in that poll. Lol

We will rebound against the Rojoskins.

 

[Carson]

Diamond surrounded by trash

 

[zrinkill]

On this team he will not get the chance to show how good he is

 

[gtb1943]

I'm nitpicking here, but instead of the big hit on Dart, I think he could've stripped the ball from him and probably ran it in for a TD. Or if we recover that it could've been a different game. They had 3 fumbles and we got 1. I think the back end is fine, it's the front 7 I'm worried about. Especially the LBer play. I'm no coach but I think those 4 consecutive short passes in the flat that killed us are their responsibly. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Season is young and the only thing that game means to me is we're not going 20-0 like I predicted in that poll. Lol

We will rebound against the Rojoskins.

you are trained and drilled to tackle first; not go for the ball. That is fundamental football

 

[Risen Star]

He will be good. Although, i feel like the true impact of an elite safety is when you can put consistent pressure on the QB and force them into mistakes. That is when you safety can make plays while also protecting against giving up a big play.

If you can't get good pressure, you can still be a good safety put the impact is lessoned considerably.

That's true of the entire back seven. It's why the DL is the most important level of your defense and these corner junkies are mentally ill.

It's also why I wish Parker's background was DL and not secondary.

 

[Proof]

well. admittedly I didn't notice his impace watching live, so I'm happy to hear that he did deliver. it's also discouraging that with a good performance from him the D still looked listless

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

you are trained and drilled to tackle first; not go for the ball. That is fundamental football

They don't teach you how to strip the ball instead of a big hit? This is what I'm talking about. Caleb had an opportunity to do this because Jaxson had no idea he was coming right at him.

 

[Cowboys93]

About what was advertised. I loved seeing him around the line on 3rd and long keeping them guessing albeit didn’t happen that often last night lol

 

[EST_1986]

I said it on draft night and won't change my mind.

2026 DROY will be Caleb Downs.

He is more than the future. He is NOW.

wonder if they will allow a DROY on another historically bad defense

 

[Whyjerry]

0-1.

 

[MarcusRock]

you are trained and drilled to tackle first; not go for the ball. That is fundamental football

Good thing Jeff Heath did that here. Don't want any loose balls on the ground late in a tied playoff game or anything.

Screw that. As soon as you see Dart's arm go back you make a fist and unload and let your body follow to crash into him.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Good thing Jeff Heath did that here. Don't want any loose balls on the ground late in a tied playoff game or anything. Screw that. As soon as you see Dart's arm go back you make a fist and unload.

I still can't believe he held on to that ball.

 

[Playmaker3128]

I saw people criticizing downs in the game thread. For what!? I didn’t hear his name and for a DB that’s a great thing no? Other than the sack.

His only real time he got beat was by likely on that late throw… and even then it took a perfect throw to beat him.

 

[MarcusRock]

I still can't believe he held on to that ball.

He had MAN hands. Lol.

 

[Cowboys93]

I saw people criticizing downs in the game thread. For what!? I didn’t hear his name and for a DB that’s a great thing no? Other than the sack.

His only real time he got beat was by likely on that late throw… and even then it took a perfect throw to beat him.

That was a masterful play design and he still was right there. If coverage is his “liability” I’ll take what he provided all day every day