News: Roster Rundown: 2015 Season Marked By Inconsistency For Barry Church

CCBoy

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Roster Rundown: 2015 Season Marked By Inconsistency For Barry Church

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...2015-season-marked-inconsistency-barry-church




...Key stat:
Since returning from a torn Achilles in 2013, Church has been the Cowboys’ top tackler. He has recorded a total of 339 tackles in the past three seasons. This past season was the first time he didn’t lead the defense in tackles, as that honor went to Sean Lee.

Contract Status: Signed through 2016.

2015 Impact: Barry Church is one of the most positive players that you will ever be around. He has always been very coachable and wanting to improve his game. This year he was trying to become more of a leader and was continuing to grow in the role. Is consistent more times than not as a tackler. There are games which he is very good at it, then others he struggles with it. I thought overall he tackled better two seasons ago -- didn’t seem to have as many on the missed side. The strength of his game is as a down player. When he can play around the line, he tends to fit better. His reads and reactions are what helps him in this area. He is a good underneath defender. He has the quickness to break on the ball, then deliver a big shot to the ball carrier. In previous season has more involved in coverage on the tight end, but Byron Jones took over more of that role this year. There were some games where he did switch off with Jones and his size and physical power made him a good match up. He is never going to have great speed and you can see that when he is asked to play deep. There are snaps where he struggles to turn and run to cover ground. He has always been a much better player when he has the game in front of him. This past year was another season where he didn’t create as many turnovers as we had seen in the past.

Where He Fits: He’s at his best when he can play as a box player. He will be a strong, physical tackler that is limited in what he can really do in coverage unless he is dealing with the tight end. His lack of true foot speed makes him a bit of a liability, but his toughness makes up for a great deal of his faults. I like what they were able to do in pairing him with Byron Jones -- which took him out of some potentially bad situations coverage-wise. As long as they understand his limitations, they can work around them and he can be productive. It has been proven that you can win with guys like Barry Church in your lineup...
 

Zekeats

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His tackling is overrated. He hugs air way too often. I actually think that Wilcox is better. Not by much but he is better.
 

Tenkamenin

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Church is a solid SS, we need a good Free Safety to compliment Church and we're fine.
 

Stash

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No offense to Barry Church, but I'd like to see the team release him and save nearly $3 million against the cap and use that money (and about $3 million more) to bring in Eric Weddle. He's played as well as any safety in the league over the past 5 years and would not only help to stabilize the back end of the defense, but I think he would be a great role model and mentor to Byron Jones, effectively a coach on the field.
 

Bullflop

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I think Church has always been somewhat overrated considering his vulnerability in the passing game. He also took a dip in his in-the-box coverage this year.
Despite that, it remains to be seen if his subpar showing in 2016 sparks a desire with the staff to supplant him. I think it's fairly possible but wouldn't bet on it.
 

Clarkson

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not a single thing either of the safeties did this year should make us want to keep them. the wilcox experiment has failed. he is terrible. church is slightly less terrible, but still plenty bad. if possible, please look elsewhere.
 

Teague31

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He's a 4-3 LB. Period. The Rams did it with Barron and the cardinals did it with Buchanon. He has no business in the secondary. Move him or cut him.
 

Howboutdemcowboys31

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He typically has like 2 games a year where your like wow he made some plays with his tackling ability the other 14 games are meh. Yeah you can win with guys like him but you can easily upgrade as well. Wilcox you can't win with
 

Nightman

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They can save over 4m by cutting him, which means he is back for sure.

The Doug Free of the Defense.
 

Seven

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I've never understood the love for Church. He plays a solid game at times but has been inconsistent throughout his career. He is ok for a backup for we need a better safety starting in our secondary. Both safety positions need upgraded for that matter.

I don't know of any team in the league that has a worse tandem.

Run support is horrid and coverage is cross your fingers.

I can't honestly say who's worse. Wilcox or Church.

Together they're a hot mess.
 
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