News: PFT: Cowboys confident Jeff Heath can fill Barry Church’s shoes

[NewsBot]

Jason Garrett refers to Jeff Heath as one of the players “who always shows up” when the Cowboys give him chances. To that end, the Cowboys plan on giving Heath more chances this season. They have penciled in Heath as the starting strong safety, a spot left open by the free agent departure of Barry…http://youwillnotrackme2.net/b.gif?host=profootballtalk.nbcsports.com&blog=&post=2461602&subd=nbcprofootballtalk&ref=&feed=1

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[DogFace]

I am too. Church was solid. Heath can be that and maybe a little more.

 

[Silver N Blue]

I am too. Church was solid. Heath can be that and maybe a little more.

Agree I think this team has found a gem here.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I have little doubt Heath can be as good a player as Barry Church.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

My main concern is him coming up to fill but he has gotten better at it and I see no reason why he should not continue doing so.

In space he is money. Marinelli and Eberflus are going to have a dynamic backend to work with.

 

[Proximo]

Not only can Heath fill those shoes but he has legit potential to be a much bigger "playmaker" whereas Barry was very consistent but not particularly dynamic.

Heath is a very underrated athlete and his instincts are good.

The fact that he's made more "splash" plays in spot duty than some of our full timers have is not just luck.

And lord knows we need more splash plays on defense.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I want to see what Xavier Woods does in training camp... I think Heath might be a good replacement as well.

 

[Doomsday101]

I really felt Heath played his best ball this past season and believe he will show he is up to the task. However I see better competition that has been added to the mix with this past draft class.

 

[Cowboys22]

I don't care if it's Heath or someone else. It shouldn't be that hard to replace an average at best player. I liked Church a lot, mainly because he was an undrafted player that became serviceable but I think it's long overdue to find a legit playmaker back there.

 

[Trouty]

I want to see what Xavier Woods does in training camp... I think Heath might be a good replacement as well.

Is Woods competing for the SS spot, CYL?

 

[Bullflop]

Is Woods competing for the SS spot, CYL?

I'd say yes, Trouty, unless they make a change. That's what he was in college and on the roster, he's listed as a SS.

Additional note: He has the skill set to play either one, according to what I've read.

 

[Trouty]

I'd say yes, Trouty, unless they make a change. That's what he was in college and on the roster, he's listed as a SS.

I thought he was a FS in college, but after checking it out, you're absolutely right. He is a SS according to DC.com.

Bleacher Report lists him as a FS, as do a couple other sites, but they're wrong. Far more rlist him him as a SS.

Thanks, Bullflop

 

[Frozen700]

He's always in position, even if he's getting caught on.

That's way more than what Church could do

 

[Bullflop]

I thought he was a FS in college, but after checking it out, you're absolutely right.

Bleacher Report lists him as a FS, as do a couple other sites, but they're wrong.

Thanks, Bullflop

He could play either one for the C'boys -- he's got the speed for either and the temperament as well. He may have played at FS in college, I'm unsure on that one. I assumed the C'boys put him at the same spot where he had played, so you might have had a point about his college experience. I tried looking it up a while ago and all I could find was a listing for "S."

 

[Trouty]

He could play either one for the C'boys -- he's got the speed for either and the temperament as well. He may have played at FS in college, I'm unsure on that one. I assumed the C'boys put him at the same spot where he had played, so you have had a point about his college experience. I tried looking it up a while ago and all I could find was a listing for "S."

No, you're right Bullflop. The confusion from the sites is probably due to him being used at both positions in college, but he's definitely listed at SS at DC.com.

I prefer that, anyways! We have a good FS, now it's high-time we shore up our SS position!

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I'd say yes, Trouty, unless they make a change. That's what he was in college and on the roster, he's listed as a SS.

Additional note: He has the skill set to play either one, according to what I've read.

He's only 199. Kinda small for the role.

 

[Bullflop]

No, you're right Bullflop. The confusion from the sites is probably due to him being used at both positions in college, but he's definitely listed at SS at DC.com.

I prefer that, anyways! We have a good FS, now it's high-time we shore up our SS position!

Even if he's unable to unseat Heath at the outset of camp, he should make an excellent backup and ST player, regardless. It looks like we'll have a really good pair with those two who can cover both the runs and the deep passes well.

 

[robjay04]

I expect starter to not mean much for the starting SS.

I expect us to rotate these guys frequently unless one becomes so good we can't take him off the field.

 

[Bullflop]

He's only 199. Kinda small for the role.

I think so, too but he hit like a Mack truck in college. I'm hoping he's able to do the same in the pros and still maintain his durability. The team could always switch him to FS if they deem it desirable, I suppose. He's got 4.5 speed, so he should be able to handle FS quite well with his ball skills.

 

[Trouty]

Even if he's unable to unseat Heath at the outset of camp, he should make an excellent backup and ST player, regardless. It looks like we'll have a really good pair with those two who can cover both the runs and the deep passes well.

Absolutely! I'm all aboard the Heath train. This is going to be one hell of a camp/preseason, Bullflop. So many positions to keep an eye on.