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Dallas Cowboys: Four key players to watch in preseason opener

By Brad Austin

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 02: Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals throws while hit by Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 2, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 02: Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals throws while hit by Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 2, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – AUGUST 30: Running back Samaje Perine #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners is brought down by defensive back Xavier Woods #7 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs August 30, 2014 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – AUGUST 30: Running back Samaje Perine #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners is brought down by defensive back Xavier Woods #7 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs August 30, 2014 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

XAVIER WOODS #25 – Safety

It pains me to leave second round pick Chidobe Awuzie (CB) off the list. However, the specifics of this match-up favor a different rookie defensive back.

Awuzie will definitely play a lot and is well deserving of attention. Yet I have a gut feeling Woods is destined to show up big tonight.

Ever since the draft fireworks Woods hasn’t made much noise. No bad reviews are out there, but no one is raving over his play either.

So why is Mr. Woods flying under the radar so far? The Cowboys don’t tackle in practice and certainly don’t allow vicious hitting like Woods is known for.

Arizona announced they aren’t playing their first or second team quarterback. They also will sit the starting offensive line.

The roster has three running backs who’ve all started over 16+ games in the NFL. Plus they drafted rookie runner T.J Logan in the 5th round.

All of this adds up to an uneven dependence on running the football tonight.

Woods is a striker who loves to fly downhill from the safety spot and unload. With Jones and Heath watching from the sideline, he should get plenty of snaps.

Next: Dallas Cowboys: Fantasy Football preview 2017

This match-up will provide the rookie ample opportunities to unleash the calling card aggression he’s had to muzzle in practice.

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