Dallas Cowboys: Can Josh Norman be a Byron Jones replacement?

Who Would you Pick?

While both are good cornerbacks, Byron Jones would be my pick. One of the main reasons for this is that Byron is 27 years old while Norman is 32 years old. That’s another five years of play that the Cowboys can get out of Byron.

When players get older, their football IQ gets better but their body can’t keep up. Having an athletic player in Byron would be the safer bet as someone who may continue to play longer. It’s not as if he isn’t a smart player either, as he can play any receiver well.

The scheme issue with Norman will be another problem. If he were to go to the San Francisco 49ers, then it would make much more sense. The Cowboys don’t seem like they will play the way Norman would need them to.

Mike Nolan said he wants to take a more aggressive approach with Dallas’ defense. I would imagine this would result in more blitzing and plays that athletic players are needed for. This is not a fit for Norman.

Also, add in the fact that Norman will likely want good money. That’s something that the Cowboys are not going to be able to do.

He was just released from a contract that was paying him an average of $15 million per season. Seeing him want anything under $12 million per season would be a surprise. He would need to be forced by teams around the league not offering him anything to dip in his contract value.

I think it’s quite an easy pick who Dallas Cowboys fans would prefer. Sure, Norman was an All-Pro, but there are too many things that Dallas would have to change to accommodate for him. Byron Jones is younger, can play safety and corner, and has a bright future.

Sure, there is a chance that Norman can find his All-Pro form again. I would much rather bet on Jones continuing where he is now, and long-term.