Anthony Henry - A Future Safety

by Aaron Novinger on Aug 13, 2008 1:10 PM CDT

CB Anthony Henry's future with the Dallas Cowboys looks secure, but his position at corner does not. This is another offseason that has produced rumors of his move, or eventual move, to free safety.

But I gotta tell you: when I saw him make that goaline hit in the Chargers' backfield the other night, I was excited. That is what a safety does. I hit rewind on my TiVo just to see if Henry was lined up at any safety spot. Not so, but it did look like he kind of stunted with the safety on that play. Interesting play, Wade/Stewart.

With the depth at corner, it would make sense for Henry to make a switch to FS. This year, he'll play more of a safety position on dime and nickel packages to shadow the opponent's TEs, which is what I think he was doing on the goal-line--he saw the TE stay in to block and decided to make a great play. The coaching staff seems to be grooming him for a position switch.

But really, I would miss his aggressiveness on the corner. And I think the Cowboys would too. I just don't see him making the switch if Roy steps up his game. Then, what will happen to Henry next year if the safety position is set and one of these other corners are starting?

Poll

What will happen with Henry?

Henry will stick at CB.

14 votes

Henry will start at FS next year after Roy leaves.

34 votes

Henry's role will be reduced in favor of AJ or Jenkins.

10 votes

This is Henry's last year with the Cowboys.

5 votes

63 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Impressed

Henry looked good on Saturday.

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Aug 13, 2008 3:29 PM CDT reply actions

might have hybrid role

When we play teams like Cleveland he sticks Winslow, and we play teams like NYG he would stick Plaxico..

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Aug 13, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope that's what the coaches have in mind

at least when they break from their basic defense. The new corners should be able to make that possible. If so, Henry would be like that “rover” position in co-ed softball.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger on Aug 13, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions

good spot

Id rather have Roy step up his game and keep Henry at corner, his size & agressive play is needed out their especially against the bigger receivers. Jenkins has that about him as well, but he”s still learning.
the option of having Henry being able to go to safety in certain situations makes our secondary even stronger,

by bleedn blu on Aug 13, 2008 3:43 PM CDT reply actions

hybrid, situational

I think as with a lot of other guys on this defense you can’t just say he’s a CB or a S, it depends on the package. Just like sometimes Rat will play NT and sometimes DE, and Ware and Ellis are sometimes OLB sometimes down DE. The overall label matters less than the role in each given package.

As his career goes on I think you may see him move more toward the role of a safety, which apparently can help prolong a career, but this year I think he’ll be a CB who sometimes plays the role of S in covering TEs, etc.

by scottmaui on Aug 13, 2008 4:25 PM CDT reply actions

flexibility

is the name of the game here and with henry, he has the skills to play either or. i believe jenkins actually played some safety and he certainly has the physical ability as well. Courtney brown played CB and is now trained as a safety. I think henry’s size and skills will serve him well and i think if he’s not hurt, we’d be well served to keep him in one role or another.

by Scoobay on Aug 13, 2008 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Why keep in one role

When can play to his strength, his size? Help lock down the bigger more physcial players?

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Aug 13, 2008 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions

right

i didn’t mean just keep him one role

i mean that we’d keep him (that was one of the things in doubt in the poll)
and then that he’d be used in whatever role is needed.

by Scoobay on Aug 13, 2008 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions

gotcha!!

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Aug 14, 2008 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions

great points Scoob.....our DB's are multi demensional....and that's gonna keep this group in the elite status for years to come...

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on Aug 13, 2008 5:16 PM CDT reply actions

The thing with Henry

is that I am reluctant ot move him to safety. Even though he may be eventually forced to move, I think, that with PacMan still trying to shake off the rust, he is the biggest playmaker out of the corners.

"Well, the Dallas Mavericks got beat by the New Orleans Hornets last night ending their season. Word is that someone on the team is dating Jessica Simpson." - Jay Leno

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by MayurP on Aug 14, 2008 11:48 AM CDT reply actions