So far, this Dallas Cowboys player has been the league’s best at his position
Byron Jones’ move to cornerback has been a clear winner for the Dallas Cowboys early in 2018.
The fourth-year player from Connecticut played exclusively at free safety the past two seasons before switching to corner during the off-season. Through four games, Pro Football Focus rates him the top corner in the league.
That’s good and all, but Jones said the short-term success isn’t the goal.
“After Week 16 if it looks that way, I’m happy. Right now, I’m trying to win games,” said Jones, 26. “Winning back to back is one thing we’re challenged with right now. We had success Sunday but can we do it again next Sunday?”
Jones’ fast start has caught the eye of quarterbacks. The Lions’ Matthew Stafford stayed away from Jones’ side of the field and instead went after Chidobe Awuzie. Awuzie, who has also played well, was the victim of some excellent receptions by the Lions despite his blanket coverage.
“It was kind of comical just how many times they could catch a ball when I’m right there,” Awuzie said after watching game film. “But there’s always some little thing I can do better so it’s definitely about being introspective and learning from my mistake.”
For Jones, there have been very few of those through four games. Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson is likely to stay away from Jones, too. Jones, however, said the QB’s reads are more complicated than just respecting the the corner. The entire defense plays a part, he said.
“I’m not sure what [Stafford’s] reads were but it’s a team thing. I may be beat one play but a linebacker helps me out or we get a sack. There’s a lot more that goes into the reason why a quarterback doesn’t look to one side as to opposed to just one player,” he said.
After hearing rumblings and rumors of a potential move to corner from safety in January, Jones called newly-hired defensive backs coach Kris Richard.
“Nobody really tells you [crap] here,” Jones joked. “So I made the phone call to figure out what was going on.”
He credits Richard for helping him rediscover the rhythm of playing corner during the off-season.
“He’s incredible at what he’s doing, his defensive style is, the way he allows me to play. The technique he’s teaching me, it’s all great and works hand in hand,” he said. “I made sure throughout training, even before OTAs started, that I was going to be on point, that I was going to hit the ground running.”
Jones didn’t want to look like a first-year player when the season started. And he hasn’t.
“He has phenomenal physical talent, speed, leaping ability. No one is any smarter than Byron,” Cowboys’ owner and general manager Jerry Jones told KRLD/105.3 The Fan. “The thing has opened up for him. He’s got some outstanding coaching. If Richard is about anything, it’s making you aware of the inhibition inside you. All of that is real out there, especially at that position because you’re out on an island and it’s you and the play.”