Cowboys’ secondary makes statement with goal-line stand

Cornerback Orlando Scandrick called a goal-line stand during Friday’s preseason game a “very important” moment for the Dallas Cowboys’ secondary.

The Miami Dolphins opened their second offensive drive by completing a 55-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill to Kenny Stills, and were seemingly bound to score a few plays later with a first-and-goal from the 4.

But second-year safety Byron Jones broke up a quick slant to Jordan Cameron on first down, and then Jones came through again on a run stop of Arian Foster on second down.

Tannehill then couldn’t connect with Jarvis Landry on third down, as Scandrick guarded him. And, when the Dolphins decided to go for it on fourth down, cornerback Morris Claiborne knocked the ball away from Stills in the back of the end zone.

“It was very important,” Scandrick said. “It turned out to be a seven-point switch. If you play good red zone defense and you get turnovers and you don’t give up big plays, you got a chance to be a good defense. I don’t care how many times you sack the quarterback, who you’ve got rushing the quarterback …

“I’m going to repeat myself: If you play good red zone defense, you create turnovers and you don’t give up big plays, you’ve got a chance to be a great defense.”

The Cowboys’ secondary is viewed as the strength for the defense, and are coming off a season in which they ranked fifth in pass defense.

This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 10:20 AM with the headline "Cowboys’ secondary makes statement with goal-line stand."