Why aren’t we talking about Xavier Woods

[21Savage]

Am I the only one who thinks he’s playing like a top 3 FS in this league?

We do not give up the big play.

His tackling has gotten way better and he isn’t the liability he used to be.

Almost every game he makes a play where he flies in like a missile and virtually every one of them has been mind-bendingly legal.

His play makes a pass on ET a no brainer. They both have the same profile as center field types who don’t fit the SS or the cover the TE part. If a S spot needs upgrading it should be Heath’s.

 

[Hawkeye19]

He is playing well... I like his aggressiveness as a hitter.

He missed the first Seattle game with the hamstring injury. His play is a factor that really calmed things down back there as when Heath and Frazier are out there— we give up more big plays.

I am fine with Woods— I just think we need better depth at the S position in general. Any of our starters go out— and we are exposed on the back end.

Marinelli’s scheme is built around not giving up the big play, which requires solid, consistent safety play. Why we are willing to go so lean at such an important position for our scheme is a mystery.

 

[Jenky]

He's pretty good. Just need someone better opposite of him.

 

[The Natural]

Idk about top 3 but he’s playing much better than whoever we had there last year.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Am I the only one who thinks he’s playing like a top 3 FS in this league?

We do not give up the big play.

His tackling has gotten way better and he isn’t the liability he used to be.

Almost every game he makes a play where he flies in like a missile and virtually every one of them has been mind-bendingly legal.

His play makes a pass on ET a no brainer. They both have the same profile as center field types who don’t fit the SS or the cover the TE part. If a S spot needs upgrading it should be Heath’s.

Yep you are the only one.

And why because he made one jarring hit that got us a penalty?

I will say this...…….He is already better then the Horrid Heath. Lets hope that the new safety in the offseason replaces Heath and not Woods.

Every game he makes one play where he hits someone good? One play? Wow

 

[JoeKing]

Am I the only one who thinks he’s playing like a top 3 FS in this league?

We do not give up the big play.

His tackling has gotten way better and he isn’t the liability he used to be.

Almost every game he makes a play where he flies in like a missile and virtually every one of them has been mind-bendingly legal.

His play makes a pass on ET a no brainer. They both have the same profile as center field types who don’t fit the SS or the cover the TE part. If a S spot needs upgrading it should be Heath’s.

I was on the X. Woods wagon when everyone else was begging for a trade for ET. You're not alone thinking Woods is tops in the league at FS.

 

[Alexander]

He is playing a safe brand of football, but not at top 3 level.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

He is playing well. But until he starts making anticipatory plays on the ball, where he reads the route and steps in front of the WR for an INT — like Earl Thomas routinely does — I’m not going to call him top 3. We have a great pass rush, so our DBs should be creating more INTs than they have. Woods in particular.

 

[Scotman]

He certainly isn't a liability. But, to be top three at any position, you take over games and always have to be accounted for. Xavier Woods isn't taking over any games. He makes very few splash plays. He isn't jumping off the screen.

No one's talking about him because he's doing his job. Not spectacular, but not horrible enough for us to be talking about him either. He's significantly improved this year.

 

[tkluu]

We run the same scheme as Chicago. Look at Eddie Jackson for Elite FS play this year

 

[LACowboysFan1]

No one's talking about him because he's doing his job

And that's a good thing, overall. Just like L Collins isn't heard from much, he has few penalties and the announcers don't call him out for holding, etc.

Would be nice to have Woods get lots of ints, sacks and passes defensed, but with all the other needs on this team, letting him go or reducing him in playing time is taking a pretty bod risk, let's concentrate on areas we absolutely know we need, like better DT play and keeping the o-line up to snuff...

 

[ghst187]

He is playing well. But until he starts making anticipatory plays on the ball, where he reads the route and steps in front of the WR for an INT — like Earl Thomas routinely does — I’m not going to call him top 3. We have a great pass rush, so our DBs should be creating more INTs than they have. Woods in particular.

Agree with this. No doubt our safety and DB play is vastly better than it has been in many years. That said, still not seeing a lot of INTs which is often the measure of top Ss.

 

[conner01]

He may be a top 3 some day
He may be a top 5 someday
He’s neither today
But he is coming along and is developing into a starter quality player

 

[cnuball21]

Because he is still a below average tackler.

I think he might be best suited to be a slot / nickel corner.

He lacks length and struggles tackling, so I wouldn’t think twice about drafting / signing a safety.

 

[CowboysRule]

He's never around the ball to make a play. Just like Heath, you see him get to the spot too late to prevent a completion. That's why our CB's can't jump routes. They know they have incompetence over the top. Safety is by far the weakest position on the team.

 

[Vinnie2u]

I think some Dallas Fans won't be happy until we have 22 all-pros lining up every week.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Agree with this. No doubt our safety and DB play is vastly better than it has been in many years. That said, still not seeing a lot of INTs which is often the measure of top Ss.

Well I think the ints will come once and if the cbs start getting more consistent, tight coverage. Back in the 70's Mel Renfro was a Pro Bowl cb, got few ints because teams just didn't throw his way, the safeties got them because teams threw more at them, lesser of two evils so so speak.

I just think at this point we need to stick with the young guys who show promise/play pretty well, but spots like LT, with Smith missing games every year, need the attention..

 

[Hennessy_King]

He's playing average football right now which is an upgrade from last year's safety play. I think if he was paired with a good safety he would shine even more.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

I would give him a B as a safety he’s better than I thought and I love how he hits. If we had him AND Earl, now we’re talkin

 

[21Savage]

I would give him a B as a safety he’s better than I thought and I love how he hits. If we had him AND Earl, now we’re talkin

Part of my point is that no we’re not now talking. Because one of them would have to play that SS, cover the TE role that neither of them are great at.