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Position Battles: Who Will Challenge Jeff Heath For The Other Safety Spot?
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...o-will-challenge-jeff-heath-other-safety-spot
...Battle To Watch: Byron Jones is back for his third season, and suddenly the 24-year-old former first-round pick is a veteran leader at free safety. Defensive co-captain Barry Church and his primary backup, J.J. Wilcox, departed in free agency, leaving an open job next to Jones at strong safety.
The Cowboys' subpackages allowed for a rotation of sorts with their safeties last season, but Jeff Heath is the frontrunner for Church's old job. Heath, a fifth-year veteran, had a terrific showing in the divisional-round playoff loss to the Packers, but he’s been more and more productive with increased playing time throughout his career. With just under a fourth of the defensive snaps in 2016, he recorded 20 tackles and an interception and also tied for third in special teams tackles.
Heath will have competition. Last year’s sixth-round pick, Kavon Frazier, played well on special teams as a rookie and will push for more playing time on defense. And the Cowboys clearly feel good about rookie Xavier Woods, or they wouldn’t have traded next year’s fifth-rounder to move up and draft the former Louisiana Tech star near the top of this year’s sixth round. Second-round cornerback Chidobe Awuzie also played some safety at Colorado.
Don’t Forget About: Robert Blanton, who signed a one-year deal on April 20. This addition might have gotten lost in all the pre-draft anticipation, but Blanton brings experience to the suddenly young safety group. A 2012 fifth-round pick by Minnesota, Blanton has made 19 career starts in five seasons with the Vikings and Bills. At the very least, Blanton has an opportunity to become a core special teams contributor for Rich Bisaccia...
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...o-will-challenge-jeff-heath-other-safety-spot
...Battle To Watch: Byron Jones is back for his third season, and suddenly the 24-year-old former first-round pick is a veteran leader at free safety. Defensive co-captain Barry Church and his primary backup, J.J. Wilcox, departed in free agency, leaving an open job next to Jones at strong safety.
The Cowboys' subpackages allowed for a rotation of sorts with their safeties last season, but Jeff Heath is the frontrunner for Church's old job. Heath, a fifth-year veteran, had a terrific showing in the divisional-round playoff loss to the Packers, but he’s been more and more productive with increased playing time throughout his career. With just under a fourth of the defensive snaps in 2016, he recorded 20 tackles and an interception and also tied for third in special teams tackles.
Heath will have competition. Last year’s sixth-round pick, Kavon Frazier, played well on special teams as a rookie and will push for more playing time on defense. And the Cowboys clearly feel good about rookie Xavier Woods, or they wouldn’t have traded next year’s fifth-rounder to move up and draft the former Louisiana Tech star near the top of this year’s sixth round. Second-round cornerback Chidobe Awuzie also played some safety at Colorado.
Don’t Forget About: Robert Blanton, who signed a one-year deal on April 20. This addition might have gotten lost in all the pre-draft anticipation, but Blanton brings experience to the suddenly young safety group. A 2012 fifth-round pick by Minnesota, Blanton has made 19 career starts in five seasons with the Vikings and Bills. At the very least, Blanton has an opportunity to become a core special teams contributor for Rich Bisaccia...
