The Dallas Cowboys aren't just expecting big things from first-round defensive back Byron Jones. They need big things from their newest DB. The Cowboys finished 2014 ranked 26th in passing yards allowed (251.9) and 28th in opposing completion percentage (66.5). Without DeMarco Murray, the defense is going to have to pick up some of the slack, specifically the secondary.
Luck for Dallas fans, Jones is impressing early on in OTAs.
"That was a good play," tight end Jason Witten said after Jones broke up a pass attempt in practice. "He made a good play. I think anytime you can get in a competitive situation is good. He's coming on there. He is playing the slot. Thought he did a good job."
Witten is a future Hall of Famer at the position. So how is a callow rookie sticking with him in practice?
"Just trying to feel his body, trying to get as physical as I can as early as I can to disrupt the timing of the route," Jones said.
Studying the pros around him doesn't hurt either.
"He has very little wasted movements with him," Jones said of fellow defensive back Orlando Scandrick. "He's not bouncing around a lot. He's just almost super calm out there. He doesn't waste any steps. He knows what he's doing."
Of course, Jones doesn't play without a few inevitable rookie mistakes. On occasion ,he has to be reminded where to line up at cornerback on the next snap so he doesn't cost his team a time out. But defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli is working hard to put Jones in positions to succeed.
"You hate slowing a guy down," Marinelli said. "That's the No. 1 thing: Don't slow him down with too much to learn. He's a bright guy and right now, especially at this time of the year, we can move him around in some spots and hopefully get him in position to compete for a job and then also to be able to help us."
The Cowboys aren't jumping to any conclusions based on OTAs. But there's no doubt that they are excited by what they are seeing from their first-round pick.
"It definitely shows up," executive vice president Stephen Jones said. "I don't think Witten liked it. But it looks like Byron is fitting right in. If he can be competitive in a situation like that, then you're taking steps."
