Scout’s Eye: Xavier Woods Is Ready To Go
The Cowboys are enjoying their first day off since the start of training camp, but Bryan Broaddus filled a notebook with observations from Tuesday's practice.
At this time last season, Connor Williams would not have been able to handle a bull rush from Maliek Collins. Williams didn't have the upper or lower body power to handle that type of a charge. Williams is now equipped to deal with those defensive tackles that play with power. It appears that his newfound strength hasn't affected his ability to play in space, though. Williams is still as athletic as ever and along with Zack Martin has looked impressive early in camp.
I am not alone in my love for Xavier Woods. I don't want to jinx the guy, but I believe he's in for a special year. On his interception during practice, I don't believe Dak Prescott even saw him due to how well he disguised his coverage. Prescott thought he had a clean shot to get the ball to Randall Cobb on the "hot" read. After his play action fake, he fired the ball in Cobb's direction but Woods was in perfect position. As soon as the ball left Prescott's hand, Woods was on the break and was able to secure the ball.
Darius Jackson made a heck of a blitz pickup on Leighton Vander Esch to give Dak Prescott the chance to hit Randall Cobb for a nice gain. Cobb knew exactly what was about to happen and he adjusted his route accordingly. The problem is that Cobb tried to make a move on Jourdan Lewis without securing the ball first. Prescott put the ball in a perfect spot and should have been rewarded with a big play. It's a play that Cobb makes in his sleep but just not this time.
If you've been following me for long, you know how much I love cornerbacks that can defend routes that break inside. It's beyond difficult for a cornerback playing on the outside to chase a guy inside and knock a ball away. Chidobe Awuzie was able to do just that when Amari Cooper tried to shake him. Awuzie played the route perfectly by taking an angle that cut Cooper off from going to the inside. Even with Awuzie in position, Dak Prescott still attempted to fit the ball in to Cooper. With no window, there was no chance. Awuzie was able to deflect the ball away without making any contact with Cooper. It was a difficult play that Awuzie made look very easy.
Well-executed stunt by Kerry Hyder and a blitzing Jaylon Smith to get a sack on Dak Prescott, going over Zack Martin and La'el Collins. Smith was able to penetrate deep enough that he split Martin and Collins. With the two blockers occupied, it allowed Hyder to sneak around to the inside, untouched, right on top of Prescott. Taco Charlton also had an effective inside rush on the play, as well, where he was able to defeat Cam Fleming.
Kellen Moore stole a play from the Green Bay Packers' playbook with the quick screen to Randall Cobb. I can't tell you how many times I have seen Aaron Rodgers fake the inside handoff and then fire the ball to ball to Cobb with blockers in front. It's a quick way to get the ball into Cobb's hands, and Cobb knows how to make something happen in those situations. With the athletic ability of those offensive linemen it has a chance to be a play that could pay dividends -- much like it did for the Packers.
Joe Thomas had a nice day filling in for Sean Lee, who was nursing a slight MCL sprain. Thomas got several snaps in OTAs and minicamp and appears to have carried some of that to Oxnard. Thomas was able to trap Darius Jackson in the backfield by beating La'el Collins to the spot. Collins tried to adjust back to him as he shot the gap, but he was unable to even lay a hand on him. I thought the depth of the linebacker position was a strength and Thomas' ability only strengthens my belief.
It was nice to see Trysten Hill take a shot at Zack Martin in the 1-on-1 pass rush drills. Martin set a little while on Hill and then had to quickly adjust back to the inside. Hill was able to actually get underneath Martin -- which rarely happens -- to work him back to the quarterback. Martin was able to finally sit down on Hill and gain control, but it was an encouraging snap for the rookie tackle. Hill just needs to develop some moves and some confidence but going against Zack Martin helps too.
