ESPN KC Joyner on Anthony Henry vs Adam Jones... talks Dallas' depth

[WoodysGirl]

Jason (San Diego, CA): Everyone has Adam Jones pushing Anthony Henry out of his starting spot as soon as he's reinstated. I think it will be a tough to keep Henry on the bench. Can you back me up with some numbers on Henry vs. Jones?

KC Joyner: Sure can! Henry had a very good 6.6 YPA in 2007. In his best year, Jones was in the low 5 YPA range, so if he is back at that level, he could push Henry out. Having said that, Jones was a 6 YPA range most of the rest of the time and if he is at that level, Henry is still the starter. What I bet is going to happen is that they both end up starting on the outside and Newman moves to play slot CB like he did so often last year.

Clint (Tyler, Texas): So are you saying the Cowboys starting cornerbacks will end up being Henry and Pacman with Newman just playing the slot CB position in the nickel? I don't buy that at all. Newman's too good.

KC Joyner: The Boys used Newman in the slot a lot last year and he did quite well. I'm not sure Henry is as well suited to play nickel and I have the same questions about Jones. I wouldn't think of that as being a demotion, either, as they could keep Newman as the starter in standard defensive sets.

Clint (Tyler, Texas): Yeah, it's basically standard practice for the Cowboys to use Newman in the slot in the nickel. They even did it all of last year with Jaques Reeves, so I'm sure they'll do it this year with Pacman. I thought you said the Cowboys starting corners will end up being Henry and Pacman.

KC Joyner: I meant that in the sense that you described in your question. When there are three in the game, Newman goes inside. When there are two in the game, it's Henry and Newman with Jones on the bench.


Andy (Ann Arbor, MI): Free Agent RB question. Any word on people being interested in S. Alexander, Kevin Jones, or Cedric Benson? Who do you think would be the best to sign?

KC Joyner: Jones has the longest term future of these three but for the 2008 season Alexander is the best. When he was healthy last year he was putting up very good performances behind bad blocking. After he got hurt his numbers went downhill but if he went to a playoff contending team that had a good O line and needed another back (maybe Dallas?), I think he'd be a great candidate for a 1,000 yard season and then some.

Josh (Lincoln, NE): Why would Dallas need another back with Jones and Barber?

KC Joyner: They really wouldn't but Jerry Jones is trying to stock that roster as deep as possible for a Super Bowl run this year and therefore was the first team to come to my mind.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I expect to see all three getting a lot of playing time regardless.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

but if he went to a playoff contending team that had a good O line and needed another back (maybe Dallas?), I think he'd be a great candidate for a 1,000 yard season and then some.

Josh (Lincoln, NE): Why would Dallas need another back with Jones and Barber?

KC Joyner: They really wouldn't but Jerry Jones is trying to stock that roster as deep as possible for a Super Bowl run this year and therefore was the first team to come to my mind.

:bang2:

 

[CrazyCowboy]

We need depth at QB......that is what we need.....someone who could win or go .500 until ROMO comes back.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Newman actually played a lot less time in the slot this past season than in '05 and '06 because when he was healthy enough to play, Henry got hurt and that meant Nate Jones became the nickel corner. Jones can't cover, but was a good blitzer from the slot, so they put him there for a good chunk of the season and just kept Newman outside.





YAKUZA

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Newman actually played a lot less time in the slot this past season than in '05 and '06 because when he was healthy enough to play, Henry got hurt and that meant Nate Jones became the nickel corner. Jones can't cover, but was a good blitzer from the slot, so they put him there for a good chunk of the season and just kept Newman outside.





YAKUZA

Just thinking about Jones in the slot vs. New England... uke:

 

[CATCH17]

Just thinking about Jones in the slot vs. New England... uke:

I was at that game and it was just a gimme every single time and you could see it coming from a mile away.

We really needed Newman on Welker.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Well we really need Pacman to start really, with the injury history and age of Henry, it would be better to be able to sit him in a game.

Hopefully the best man will win, but a healthy Henry for the whole season would be a welcome sight, and I believe that could happen if Pacman starts......of course Henry might not like it much but when you have alot of talent, some of that talent will have to scarifice to win.

It would be nice to say just go with Henry as the starter til either Pacman is ready this year or let Pacman start next year, but not if Henry gets hurt in the process.

 

[koolaid]

our corner depth is great now, a nice turn around from last season

 

[jobberone]

Yeah, what a problem to have. Having to sit one of the better CBs in the league because the talent ahead of him just can't be sat.

Seems people are forgetting a big part of what I think championship defenses do. And that's take the ball away. Actually Henry and Adam are the better takeaway CBs. Rotating them and putting them on the best matchups seem the better thing to do.

In reality what will happen is the two healthiest CBs will play when one gets a little nicked up. And there will likely be plenty of times to have all three on the field. I have a feeling it will be difficult to run on us. And while it will be hard to pass on us, too, that is the easiest way to move the ball in the NFL.

 

[Disturbed]

I hope all our "new" corners are as good as advertised when the season starts. It has been a while since our secondary was this strong on paper, with the exception of our coverage by our SS. If we did not have this glaring weakness that the entire NFL knows about and seems to game plan for every week, I could get really excited about our secondary.