Five Dallas Cowboys players in preseason opener spotlight
By Brad Austin
![EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 10: Roger Lewis #18 of the New York Giants reaches for a pass against Jourdan Lewis #27 of the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter during their game at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 10: Roger Lewis #18 of the New York Giants reaches for a pass against Jourdan Lewis #27 of the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter during their game at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthelandryhat-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F01-2F889692546-dallas-cowboys-v-new-york-giants-jpg-850x560-e6afb87413ad100483004902200cc4a7b63a4dea9c91a6ca047946dbdec198b4.jpg)
#64 ANTWAUN WOODS (6’1, 318, DT)
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The Cowboys have been so focused on maximizing interior pocket pressure they’re dangerously close to sabotaging the defense.
One thing Ezekiel Elliott should have taught them by now is if a defense can’t stop the run, the passing game follows suit.
Unlike the recent past, the NFC East will now have very talented runners in the fray.
With Maliek Collins coming off of foot surgery and David Irving suspended for four weeks, the interior run defense must receive needed attention.
The rookie middle linebacker, Vander Esch, won’t have a fair chance to disrupt if the middle defense is constantly pushed back into his lap.
So far Antwaun Woods has been the only tackle in camp showing he’s capable of stuffing interior blockers cold in their tracks.
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If he continues clogging the middle in game situations, a drop-off in interior pass rush on early downs will be a worthy trade.