What are everyone's opinions on Heath?

[TINGS21]

The kid always seems to be in the right spot. He was obviously put on the field way too soon but has come a long way since those days. Even when he was making the mistakes, painful as heck to watch, he was there to attempt a play on the ball. Can't say the same for some of our other Safeties.

I don't ever see him being a special player but is one that could be useful as a role player and fill a void when injuries occur.

 

[RJ_MacReady]

He is a good player who plays his butt off....if he were taller that would help..

He's 6'1". With few exceptions (Chancellor, a guy that is a few biscuits away from LB), Heath is at the height limit you want your SS, and especially FS, to be. Physically, he's fine. Mentally, he checks out better than Wilcox. He just needs some actual play time at FS/SS instead of just the regular special teams and occasional snaps in the defense here and there. We've devoted 2 years of starting snaps to Wilcox and it didn't pan out or even show progression. I'd like to see Heath for the remainder of the season to see if he can blossom a bit. And because I didn't address it earlier, Church is a damn fine SS. There's nothing "sexy" about his game and he is average, among other SS, in coverage but the dude is just a plain textbook tackler. I feel that we take for granted how consistent he is at cleaning up after the LBs considering some of the SS play before him with Sensabaugh.

 

[samilpa4life]

He has quietly been playing better the past few games. Unlike jj he is always where he is suppose to be.

he has been laying the wood recently, i like his physical tackles, he hits hard and wraps up

 

[LandryFan]

That's doesn't make sense. Did he really insinuate that? Stupid considering the best safety in the NFL is white. (Arguably the two best, Weddle and Harrison Smith).

I am a fan of Heath as a third safety to come in on certain packages and snaps. As someone else said, he's not the type of player you'd want if you want s really dynamic defense. That said, if you put him beside a ballhawk, I think he could thrive.

This. You can't have prime rib at every position in today's NFL. The budget mandates that you have hamburger at a position or three. He's not going to cost a lot to keep, and with a good supporting cast around him he's the type of player that will give you a very good return on your investment, IMO.

 

[erod]

Heath has really challenged himself and learned the game. He's a very useful player, especially in the dime packages.

 

[Silver N Blue]

What are everyone's opinions on Heath? Was watching him Sunday and feel like he played a great game at safety. Good in centrefield and decent in run support. Way better than what Wilcox or Church have shown. What do you guys think flash in the pan or potential started going forward?

He has the potential to be Bill Bates III behind Kenny "the shark" Gant, and of course Bill Bates himself.

 

[DFWJC]

Being a small school kid getting thrown to the wolves right away was tough.

I'd prefer him as a backup but those who say he's physically limited must not be comparing him to those on our roster or most around the league.

6'1"
215

At his pro day, Heath ran a 4.40 40 yard dash, bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times, and had a 37 inch vertical leap, broad jump 10'6"

He since has times ranging from 4:38 to 4:47. His vertical is up to 40 inches.


Those are very good measurables for an NFL safety.

 

[Idgit]

It's amusing how it keeps coming up that Heath's actually quite a good athlete, and people are just having none of it.

 

[DFWJC]

That's doesn't make sense. Did he really insinuate that? Stupid considering the best safety in the NFL is white. (Arguably the two best, Weddle and Harrison Smith).

I am a fan of Heath as a third safety to come in on certain packages and snaps. As someone else said, he's not the type of player you'd want if you want s really dynamic defense. That said, if you put him beside a ballhawk, I think he could thrive.

Cam Chancelor is white?

Earl Thomas too?

j/k

 

[Zimmy Lives]

He's a limited player. Good backup and special teamer, but don't want to see him out there too much longer.

This.

He, along with Wilcox and Church, is renting space in the Dallas secondary until the position(s) is/are upgraded.

 

[Daillest88]

All I can say is the guy has improved.. maybe there is more potential then we all think..

 

[Denim Chicken]

Good tackler and seems to have a knack for creating fumbles. Will get beat in coverage, though. Another SS to go along with Church and Wilcox.

 

[Jake0]

Do people seriously believe Heath is a good tackler? All he can do is throw his shoulder into people. Anytime he tries to wrap someone up, he gets punked and thrown to the floor. I don't know what it is, short arm wingspan maybe? Serviceable guy for now, I wouldn't ever want to go into a season fresh with him chalked in as the team's starting safety though.

 

[coult44]

Heath better than JJ and is smarter than Church. That makes up for other things. I like guys who play with a desire not because they have the physical tools. We have too many guys who are playing just because they are big enough or fast enough to, not because they are anart enough or love to.

 

[Nexx]

How do you figure he is limited physically? He runs in the 4.4s at 6'1" weighs 215 lbs. He can vjump over 3' bjump 10.5'. When he breaks on the ball he gets to the spot on time. That is more than Wilcox and to a lesser extent Church can say.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=97368&draftyear=2013&genpos=SS

That is what he was able at his tiny schools proday at least. He looks better physically to me now than he used to so I would guess he might improve those scores.

I never said athletically. No doubt he is a good athlete but he doesnt have the stature, size or the physicality to be a starting safety in the NFL.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I never said athletically. No doubt he is a good athlete but he doesnt have the stature, size or the physicality to be a starting safety in the NFL.

He hits so hard that people call for flags on legal hits. I think he is plenty physical. What size do you think a FS should be?

 

[cmoney23]

I didn't read everyone's posts before mine, but I'll give you my honest opinion.

He is the worst player on our team and possibly in all of the NFL. If we cut him, he wouldn't be in the league 2 years later.

 

[Redball Express]

What are everyone's opinions on Heath? Was watching him Sunday and feel like he played a great game at safety. Good in centrefield and decent in run support. Way better than what Wilcox or Church have shown. What do you guys think flash in the pan or potential started going forward?

Heath brings the wood.

I like that about him.

They may catch it..but they will feel it.

With Scandrick out..

we don't have the coverage guys we would like..

but being physical is a good alternative.

Roy Williams was another big hitter I miss..

 

[perrykemp]

This. You can't have prime rib at every position in today's NFL. The budget mandates that you have hamburger at a position or three. He's not going to cost a lot to keep, and with a good supporting cast around him he's the type of player that will give you a very good return on your investment, IMO.

Great post.

 

[Derinyar]

I somewhat disagree that he's been far worse than that over his time in Dallas. Plenty of people complained about him in more than just those two games, but he wasn't that bad IMO.

I do agree completely that he probably isn't the starter that you want in your defense. I leave some room there for a small chance that he does turn out to be a starter... but that's quite a longshot, IMO.

He really has been playing well lately though, as you mentioned.

To me it feels like Heath is a perfect backup Safety. He probably won't single handedly kill your defense if he has to play for a while and he's also an excellent teams player by all accounts. Our safety issue is that we don't really have a starting FS, unless you count Jones, who is a CB right now and if he plays well I could see him never going back to FS.