The Dallas Cowboys defense is a bad unit right now.
Unable to create pass rush from anyone not named DeMarcus Lawrence, and unable to get any type of consistent linebacker play from anyone not named Sean Lee, the Cowboys simply cannot make stops when they need to most.
Now, after failing the offense on Sunday and allowing 35 points in their own building, I believe it is time for a change at the safety position.
At cornerback, the Cowboys have actually been okay. Jourdan Lewis looks like the team’s best corner, Anthony Brown has had some impressive flashes, and Chidobe Awuzie gave us reasons to be excited when healthy.
At safety, however, the Cowboys have not bee good enough.
As anyone who has read my work before knows, I am a huge Byron Jones fan. Going into the season I stated that Jones was the second best player on the Cowboys defense. I also believe he is one of the more underrated and underappreciated players in the NFL.
So far this year, he has had some great moments, but has also had some bad moments (specifically against Denver). Still, Jones is this team’s best current option for his position. I may be open to letting him play corner if Awuzie can play safety, but that’s a discussion for another time.
The change that needs to be made, is starting rookie Xavier Woods over veteran Jeff Heath.
Heath has become a fan favorite over the years, seeming to always be at the right place at the right time for takeaways and important plays. But he has simply been bad this season, and a change at his position is warranted.
Heath’s angles when coming downhill to tackle have been poor, and his coverage has left much to be desired. Rookie Xavier Woods, however, looks like the team’s best safety already when on the field.
By allowing Xavier Woods to play and grow with fellow rookies Lewis and Awuzie, as well as with Byron Jones and Anthony Brown, the Cowboys will get a look at their secondary of the future right now.
I believe it is time for Woods to get the nod over Heath. Unfortunately, I don’t know if it is realistic to expect the change be made this early in the season. If Heath continues to start, and this defense continues to struggle, then it may be too late for the Cowboys’ season once the coaches finally make the switch.
Let’s hope they wake up sooner rather than later.
agreed
You hit the nail on the head !!!
Heath is just not starting material
I think Wood’s size is a problem at SS, but will stand corrected if that’s where he starts and he’s not getting run over. Definitely making an impact on the downs he comes in.
I wanted to use the top post on the board to open fire on Terrance Williams, and lobby again for his trade ASAP. Last play of the game / 4th down:
Wind your game back to the play. Elliott catches the ball 7 yards from the marker as every Cowboy fan groans that the ball is not thrown past the stick. But he is Zeke Elliott. Locate Rams #23 Robey-Coleman, and Williams on the play.
EE catches the ball and Williams totally stops. Robey-Coleman has to close on the play from the outside, and Williams simply lets him. You go after that guy and try to block him out of the play. If EE just has 2 Rams on him instead of 3, he might have bulled that ball past the stick.
Wholeheartedly agree, it’s time for a change in the secondary. Might have to right the wrong on the offensive line and linebackers too.
I got called a racist for stating that Jeff Heath was not athletic enough to be our starting safety in preseason Pull up my old posts anybody!! 4 weeks in and theirs a article on here calling for his job, Aint this bitch
Heath is one of these project guys who somehow hangs on for years without somebody coming in and knocking him off the team. This is his year to turn the corner to legit SS, and it’s not happening yet.
You miss on most projects, but then you need to have a different solution ready.
While it will never happen this year, I still wouldn’t mind trying Jaylon Smith out for SS. He had a long run in pursuit Sunday that proved most of his speed is back. If it were to work, he’d terrorize receivers.
I agree. Heath doesn’t need to start. Woods in that secondary would be great.
While replacing DBs,go ahead and find a replacement Headcoach. Even if the Cowboys make the playoffs this season,they will get outcoached. Garrett does not make the right changes at halftime and has mismanaged the clock in the past. Will not get better anytime soon and the clock is ticking on this team “NOW”!