With the Dallas Cowboys set to open training camp practices on Saturday, here is the first of a position-by-position look at their roster:
SAFETY
Returning players: Barry Church, Byron Jones, J.J. Wilcox, Jeff Heath
Gone from last season: Danny McCray
New this season: Kavon Frazier (sixth-round pick), Rolan Milligan (undrafted free agent)
Position coaches: Joe Baker (fifth season with Cowboys, first as secondary coach), Greg Jackson (first season with Cowboys)
Biggest issue: The Cowboys have not replaced Darren Woodson, and he last played in 2003. That’s a sign of how good Woodson was and how many safeties the Cowboys have used over the years. Jones has the chance to end the search. The Cowboys drafted him last year in the first round as a cornerback but knew he could play safety. By the end of the year he was a starting safety, and the Cowboys will keep him there as he enters his second season. Jones has the athleticism to be a center-field-type safety with range and leaping ability to help the cornerbacks. He showed he can handle the task of defending tight ends as well. Now Jones has to make some plays. He did not have an interception last season, but the Cowboys believe those will come.
Player to watch: Wilcox has been a starter for most of the last two seasons. He was drafted in the third round in 2013 after just one year of safety experience in college. The transition should be through. He has to become a better tackler. He has to take better angles in the pass game and run game. He is in the final year of his deal and is set to count $1.8 million against the cap. He enters this camp in danger of not making the final roster unless he can show the playmaking ability he displayed in 2014, when he had three interceptions.
Medical report: Church suffered a broken arm in the Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills last year and was held out of drills in the organized team activities and minicamp as a precaution. Church said he will be 100 percent ready to go for Saturday’s first practice. He is also entering the final year of his contract and will have to succeed to earn another contract.
Play it out: Jones’ versatility could impact the number of corners the Cowboys keep, which could open a spot for a safety. With Church and Wilcox in the final years of their deals, Frazier could be a part of the future. He made plays in college and did not look out of place in the spring practices. Keeping five safeties is not out of the realm of possibility, especially if they can be core special-teamers.
Notable number: 12. Jones led the Cowboys with 12 passes defensed last season, becoming the first rookie to lead the team in that category since Derek Ross in 2002.
Quote board: "I don't have to worry about corner technique anymore. ... I still have to understand the defense in its entirety, but technique-wise, it's just safety technique. I feel good back there. I feel natural, just coming down on runs and guarding tight ends. That's what we do back there, so I'm enjoying it. It's fun. I'm getting comfortable." -- Jones on the full-time move to safety
The series:
