The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most recognizable sports franchises in not only the United States, but the entire world. As such, global Cowboys’ fans love to show their support for their favorite players, but they can also be relentless in their hatred for those who they deem unfit to wear the star.
It doesn’t usually take very much for Cowboys’ fans to put certain players on their “shit list”, and once there it’s nearly impossible to redeem one’s self. Fair or not, that’s just the way things go sometimes.
There is not much to dislike about how the Dallas Cowboys organization has gone about building their roster and the team that they will field in 2017. But, I believe there are 3 current starters Cowboys’ fans hate, even though they shouldn’t. These 3 players are expected to play a large role in 2017, so it might be time to let the past go and focus on what they can do now and in the future.
#38 Jeff Heath, Safety
It’s looking more and more as if Jeff Heath will be the starting safety opposite Byron Jones in 2017 after the departures of Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox. This has a lot of Cowboys’ fans in an uproar, because for some reason or another there has been an unwarranted hatred for #38 since joining the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
Maybe this all started in 2013 when Jeff Heath was forced to start nine games as a rookie due to injuries. He had a few good moments, but for the most part he struggled, which probably left a bad taste in a lot of Cowboys’ fans mouths. But, it’s time to move on and rinse your mouths out if that is what it takes.
Heath has been a solid reserve safety and core special teams player, but he is expected to take on a much larger role in 2017. I for one am excited about his opportunity and believe that the Cowboys’ defense won’t miss Church or Wilcox at all. He is more than capable of starting at strong safety and his playmaking ability could be a welcomed addition.
#83 Terrance Williams, Wide Receiver
Terrance Williams making this list shouldn’t be much of a shocker. He is arguably the one player that Cowboys’ fans love to hate the most, even though he really shouldn’t be.
Williams is a frustrating player to watch at times, because he has a tendency to run hot and cold throughout the season. This in large part has led to the wrath that has been brought to down on him from Cowboys’ fans. I myself have been frustrated at times with Williams, but when you look at the bigger picture, he is still an integral part of the offense.
Williams is never going to be a #1 wide receiver in the NFL, but he is a really solid #2 WR. Since joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2013, he has put up respectable numbers that would rival just about any #2 WR in the NFL. But, it’s not all about his numbers. He also does a lot of the dirty work that he doesn’t receive recognition for.
The Dallas Cowboys are fortunate to have Williams returning, especially after the hometown discount he gave Dallas in the off-season. #83 may never live up to a lot of our expectations, but that doesn’t diminish his importance to the Cowboys’ offense.
#31 Byron Jones, Safety
This is one I don’t really understand. I am a huge fan of Byron Jones and am baffled that there are Cowboys’ fans out there who hate him. I think I would have to chalk this one up to fans not really understanding what Jones does for the backend of the Cowboys’ defense.
Byron Jones, a former first-round draft pick in 2015, has really helped solidify the secondary for the Dallas Cowboys. He had a lot thrown at him in his rookie season and was forced to play several different positions in his first year in the NFL. But, he has finally found a home for himself at free safety and his future is looking bright.
Jones’ versatility to play anywhere in the secondary is a huge asset, but it’s his ability to match up with tight ends that has really helped the Cowboys’ defense. I believe this makes him arguably one of the most important defensive players the Cowboys have on the roster.
The only reason I can think of that Cowboys’ fans love to hate Byron Jones is his lack of turnovers. Jones’ playmaking ability hasn’t really shown up yet, but I think that will all change in 2017. This will be his second full season at free safety and he should be much more prepared to be the player we all thought he was when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the first round in 2015.
I can understand Williams and Heath but Byron is killing me, he’s been solid, he can play every position. I think Williams and Heath are interchangeable, Cowboys fans know outside of Dez, its gonna be Beasley and Switzer. We forget about Williams and Butler sometimes. With Heath, we get caught up with certain games with him, he been solid…but a starter idk!!??We need a enforcer in the secondary like wilcox or church, i think Xavier Woods might be that guy But only time will tell
Travis, I don’t think the secondary really needs an enforcer. Church and Wilcox were both liabilities in coverage, but that’s where Heath is an upgrade. As for Xavier Woods, I don’t really think he’s an enforcer either. He’s more of a FS and is a little undersized. He has starting potential and I could see were both Heath and Woods are in a rotation next to Byron Jones at some point in 2017.