Jumbo075
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If you listen to how the Cowboys are talking about Woods ("We need to find competition at free safety for Woods"), it becomes really apparent that they've already written his name in as the starting Free Safety. It says something for Woods that the Cowboys FINALLY feel comfortable moving Jones back to Cornerback - the position for which he was drafted.
As an aside, the reason the Cowboys played Jones at Safety the last two years is that they had both Carr and Claiborne playing well, and a lot of resources invested in them. Jones would have been a backup Cornerback, but he was skilled enough to play safety, and play it reasonably well. But he was never a true safety. While he has elite coverage skills, he doesn't have the instincts, or the tackling ability to be a great safety. Nevertheless, the Cowboys didn't have any better options at Safety, so Jones was stuck - for the good of the team.
What is even better for the Cowboys is that in Woods, they apparently believe they have found a legitimate Free Safety, and now Jones can go back to where he's better suited to play. Woods emergence is likely why the Cowboys are not panicking and trading the farm away for Earl Thomas. They must believe they have something special in Woods, and we can only hope they're correct.
The Cowboys still need an upgrade at strong safety, in my opinion. While I like both Frazier and Heath, I like them as depth, and I really like them as Special Teams assassins. For years, I complained about needing an upgrade at the Strong Safety position when Barry Church was the starter, and Church is better than both Frazier and Heath. So there is still an opportunity to upgrade there.
But getting back to Woods, he proved last season that he can handle duties as a nickel corner, or dime corner, and still play the middle of the field. He's more of a ball hawk, has better safety instincts, and can (no pun intended) bring the wood as a tackler. I, for one, am very interested in how he grows into his new starting role with the Cowboys this season. I'm anxious to find out if he's all they obviously think he is.
As an aside, the reason the Cowboys played Jones at Safety the last two years is that they had both Carr and Claiborne playing well, and a lot of resources invested in them. Jones would have been a backup Cornerback, but he was skilled enough to play safety, and play it reasonably well. But he was never a true safety. While he has elite coverage skills, he doesn't have the instincts, or the tackling ability to be a great safety. Nevertheless, the Cowboys didn't have any better options at Safety, so Jones was stuck - for the good of the team.
What is even better for the Cowboys is that in Woods, they apparently believe they have found a legitimate Free Safety, and now Jones can go back to where he's better suited to play. Woods emergence is likely why the Cowboys are not panicking and trading the farm away for Earl Thomas. They must believe they have something special in Woods, and we can only hope they're correct.
The Cowboys still need an upgrade at strong safety, in my opinion. While I like both Frazier and Heath, I like them as depth, and I really like them as Special Teams assassins. For years, I complained about needing an upgrade at the Strong Safety position when Barry Church was the starter, and Church is better than both Frazier and Heath. So there is still an opportunity to upgrade there.
But getting back to Woods, he proved last season that he can handle duties as a nickel corner, or dime corner, and still play the middle of the field. He's more of a ball hawk, has better safety instincts, and can (no pun intended) bring the wood as a tackler. I, for one, am very interested in how he grows into his new starting role with the Cowboys this season. I'm anxious to find out if he's all they obviously think he is.
