The Landry Hat
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The Dallas Cowboys top five position battles of 2017

By Dyllan Larson

Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys strong safety Jeff Heath (38) celebrates with strong safety Kavon Frazier (35) after a play during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/The Post-Crescant via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys strong safety Jeff Heath (38) celebrates with strong safety Kavon Frazier (35) after a play during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/The Post-Crescant via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Sep 10, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers running back Leon Allen (33) carries the ball away from Louisiana Tech Bulldogs safety Xavier Woods (7) down the field during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers running back Leon Allen (33) carries the ball away from Louisiana Tech Bulldogs safety Xavier Woods (7) down the field during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

Position Battle #3 – Strong Safety

After seeing long time starting strong safety Barry Church leave in free agency this spring, the Dallas Cowboys now have a vacancy that needs to be filled.

A strong safety needs to be extremely versatile in Rod Marinelli’s Tampa 2 defensive scheme- capable of playing deep in cover 2 but also able to be a hammer as the eighth man in the box in run defense. The strong safety will also be asked to cover tight ends at times and play zone covering the curl and flat on the strong side of the formation in cover 3.

The Cowboys have several options to choose from in training camp and depending on what traits they end up valuing the most could end up helping them make the decision as to who gets the starting nod.

Potential Strong Safety Candidates

Jeff Heath – 6’1″, 212 pounds

Heath has been a solid contributor on special teams since his arrival as an undrafted free agent out of Saginaw Valley State. Coaches love his straight line speed and toughness which make him an excellent player in kickoff and punt coverage.

Heath has shown the ability to be in the right place at the right time to make impact plays when given opportunities on defense. On the other hand, he has also shown inconsistency when it comes to taking proper angles to the ball and has been a liability in coverage at times.

Heath will be given the opportunity to earn the starting strong safety job although I believe his best fit is as a core special teamer that can play some quality snaps in passing situations.

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