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ARLINGTON – Jeff Heath knew all about the improbable journeys of Tony Romo and Miles Austin from undrafted free agents to NFL stars.
What the safety from Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) didn’t know while looking this spring for a team to sign with as an undrafted free agent was that the Cowboys’ unsurpassed history of finding gems among overlooked college players began long before he was born.
“I talked to one of the Cowboys scouts at my pro day and I had a good feeling about my chances here because they’ve had a good history with undrafted players,” Heath, 22, said. “They are not scared to play one if he shows up and performs. I knew about Miles and Tony, but the scout told me about Bill Bates and Cliff Harris.”
It’s understandable Heath would be interested in Bates and Harris, two hard-hitting safeties. But the list of hidden treasures Dallas has unearthed also includes Cornell Green, Drew Pearson, Mark Tuinei and Everson Walls.
All but Bates enjoyed multiple trips to the Pro Bowl, and Harris and Pearson are Ring of Honor members also selected to the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team.
The Cowboys hope Heath becomes their next rags-to-riches story. After an impressive camp and four solid games, a run that included a forced fumble with a big hit against Cincinnati last week, plenty of eyes will be on him in Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Houston Texans.
“He’s shown up throughout and done everything correctly,” said Stephen Jones, Dallas’ executive vice president and player personnel director. “For a college free agent trying to make an impression, someone gave him the recipe and he’s done a good job.
“It’s not over yet, though. He’s got to do it again, but he’s obviously gotten our attention.”
Indeed, Heath turned plenty of heads when he jarred the ball loose from Bengals receiver Cobi Hamilton.
“I’ve been playing solid, but you always want to make a big play that makes you stand out,” Heath said
The Cowboys are looking for playmakers after notching just 16 takeaways last season, so impact plays by someone with Heath’s size (6 foot 1, 209 pounds) and 40-yard dash speed (4.4 seconds) are noteworthy.
“He represents what (defensive coordinator) Monte Kiffin and (Kiffin’s top lieutenant) Rod Marinelli want in terms of hustling to the ball and creating turnovers,” Jones said.
Said coach Jason Garrett, “He’s done a nice job, both in practice and the preseason. He’s shown up on special teams and made some plays on defense.”
If Dallas decides to keep another safety beyond starters Barry Church and Will Allen, third-round rookie J.J. Wilcox and special teams ace Danny McCray, the choice will come down to either Heath or oft-injured 2012 fourth-round pick Matt Johnson, who hasn’t played since the preseason opener because of a foot injury.
“I knew coming in we had a lot of safeties and that it would be tough for me to make a name for myself,” Heath said. “But there were a few injuries and a few opportunities, so I decided to take advantage of those opportunities.”
But Jones said the Cowboys “haven’t given up on Johnson,” who Heath counts as one of his closest friends on the team.
“I do (have empathy for Johnson),” Heath said. “Matt is one of my really good buddies. I’ve connected well with him since I’ve been here. I knew he was struggling with injuries last year. I haven’t been in his shoes – knock on wood – but I know what it’s like. It feels like you get put on an island when you are hurt, that you are not part of the team. I really do feel for him. I hope the best for him. I want him to have a good recovery and a successful career. But in the sport we play, it’s going to happen.”
Continue reading...
What the safety from Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) didn’t know while looking this spring for a team to sign with as an undrafted free agent was that the Cowboys’ unsurpassed history of finding gems among overlooked college players began long before he was born.
“I talked to one of the Cowboys scouts at my pro day and I had a good feeling about my chances here because they’ve had a good history with undrafted players,” Heath, 22, said. “They are not scared to play one if he shows up and performs. I knew about Miles and Tony, but the scout told me about Bill Bates and Cliff Harris.”
It’s understandable Heath would be interested in Bates and Harris, two hard-hitting safeties. But the list of hidden treasures Dallas has unearthed also includes Cornell Green, Drew Pearson, Mark Tuinei and Everson Walls.
All but Bates enjoyed multiple trips to the Pro Bowl, and Harris and Pearson are Ring of Honor members also selected to the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team.
The Cowboys hope Heath becomes their next rags-to-riches story. After an impressive camp and four solid games, a run that included a forced fumble with a big hit against Cincinnati last week, plenty of eyes will be on him in Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Houston Texans.
“He’s shown up throughout and done everything correctly,” said Stephen Jones, Dallas’ executive vice president and player personnel director. “For a college free agent trying to make an impression, someone gave him the recipe and he’s done a good job.
“It’s not over yet, though. He’s got to do it again, but he’s obviously gotten our attention.”
Indeed, Heath turned plenty of heads when he jarred the ball loose from Bengals receiver Cobi Hamilton.
“I’ve been playing solid, but you always want to make a big play that makes you stand out,” Heath said
The Cowboys are looking for playmakers after notching just 16 takeaways last season, so impact plays by someone with Heath’s size (6 foot 1, 209 pounds) and 40-yard dash speed (4.4 seconds) are noteworthy.
“He represents what (defensive coordinator) Monte Kiffin and (Kiffin’s top lieutenant) Rod Marinelli want in terms of hustling to the ball and creating turnovers,” Jones said.
Said coach Jason Garrett, “He’s done a nice job, both in practice and the preseason. He’s shown up on special teams and made some plays on defense.”
If Dallas decides to keep another safety beyond starters Barry Church and Will Allen, third-round rookie J.J. Wilcox and special teams ace Danny McCray, the choice will come down to either Heath or oft-injured 2012 fourth-round pick Matt Johnson, who hasn’t played since the preseason opener because of a foot injury.
“I knew coming in we had a lot of safeties and that it would be tough for me to make a name for myself,” Heath said. “But there were a few injuries and a few opportunities, so I decided to take advantage of those opportunities.”
But Jones said the Cowboys “haven’t given up on Johnson,” who Heath counts as one of his closest friends on the team.
“I do (have empathy for Johnson),” Heath said. “Matt is one of my really good buddies. I’ve connected well with him since I’ve been here. I knew he was struggling with injuries last year. I haven’t been in his shoes – knock on wood – but I know what it’s like. It feels like you get put on an island when you are hurt, that you are not part of the team. I really do feel for him. I hope the best for him. I want him to have a good recovery and a successful career. But in the sport we play, it’s going to happen.”
Continue reading...