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There are more positions than usual this year in Cowboys camp that have uncertainty surrounding them. One of the positions on the team that fans have the most questions about is the safety position. But that may not be warranted.
Xavier Woods is quietly going about his business, and listening to all the fans ask for Earl Thomas, Tre Boston, Kenny Vaccaro, and Eric Reid. While everyone is talking, he’s working, and the Cowboys coaching staff is noticing just that. When asked about the safety position in the training camp opening press conference, Stephen Jones brought up Xavier Woods’ name first. He reiterated that they see Woods taking a big step forward in 2018, after a promising 2017 campaign.
Stephen Jones believes players will step up at the safety position, with significant time spent on what Xavier Woods did as a rookie. Said they’ll continually look at improving there, and confirms Dallas hasn’t spoken to Seattle about Earl Thomas since the Draft.
— Laurie Horesh (@LaurieHoresh) July 25, 2018
Jones also brought up Jeff Heath and Kavon Frazier, but was very complimentary of Woods and the strides he is making at the position. In his rookie season, Woods was a big time player for the Cowboys defense, getting playing time at both safety, and nickel cornerback. Woods recorded 33 tackles, three passes defended, and one interception in his first year in the NFL. Both he and the coaching staff are hoping he can improve in run support, and his ability to get takeaways. Stephen Jones was also asked about Earl Thomas, and he coolly downplayed the mutual interest.
Stephen Jones on Earl Thomas to #Cowboys speculation? Redirects to how exciting #Cowboys training camp will be with Xavier Woods, Jeff Heath.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) July 25, 2018
And "if the right situation presents itself", they'll look at it.
If you’re hoping for the Earl Thomas rumors to die, comments like this will keep them going until something happens contract wise with Earl or a trade happens. The Cowboys coaching staff sounds like they want to keep the Earl Thomas trade open, but they also have a lot of faith in second-year defensive back Xavier Woods, you should too.
Do you hope the Cowboys trade a high draft pick and extend Earl Thomas paying him big money, or do you hope the Cowboys roll with Xavier Woods?