Dallas Cowboys: Antwaun Woods the key to defense's improvement
Although the Dallas Cowboys' defense has a long way to go, it's clear something has changed in the past few weeks. After allowing more than 30 points per game in the first six weeks of the season, they've allowed 24 points. But what's changed? Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie has his own take on the situation. Awuzie […]
Although the Dallas Cowboys' defense has a long way to go, it's clear something has changed in the past few weeks. After allowing more than 30 points per game in the first six weeks of the season, they've allowed 24 points. But what's changed? Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie has his own take on the situation.
Awuzie hasn't been able to suit up for Gameday since Week 2, when he suffered a hamstring injury. The Dallas Cowboys have missed him a lot in the defensive backfield but they should be getting him back next Sunday when the Cowboys travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings.
Awuzie talked about the defense's turnaround on Wednesday and mentioned one key player as the key to an improved unit. The answer might just surprise you: DT Antwaun Woods.
Woods is a big reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers struggled to beat the Cowboys in Week 9, when the young DT was named team captain for the first time in the season. Through the first six weeks of the season, Woods played in only 41.3% of the team's defensive snaps. However, over the last couple of weeks, his playing time has increased to 64.9%.
Antwaun Woods was a big part of the Cowboys' best performance in the defensive line in Week 9 versus the Steelers. Playing alongside rookie Neville Gallimore, the defensive tackle position looked pretty solid.
It sure is interesting to hear about Awuzie's comment considering how the Dallas Cowboys have dealt with Woods' situation. His offseason was frustrated by the team's signings at defensive tackle that were apparently set to bury the young promising player in the team's depth chart. Yet Woods has stepped up after being handed the opportunity of an increased role.
Not only that, but he's been a leader. Awuzie is not the first one to praise his presence and leadership as well as his play. Last week, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan talked about the 27-year-old defensive tackle and mentioned he's done "a hell of a job."
And of course, Antwaun Woods earned plenty of fans by defending the Star in Week 9. After scoring a touchdown, JuJu Smith-Schuster was denied the chance to imitate Terrell Owens' famous celebration at the Cowboys' sacred team logo. Woods knew what's up after the Steelers scored, and he made sure to keep his former college teammate from disrespecting his team at AT&T Stadium.
The Dallas Cowboys will likely keep playing Antwaun Woods as a starter for the rest of the season. It'll be interesting to see how the defensive tackle earns his pay as he's in a contract year prior to hitting restricted free agency in 2021.
So far, according to Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Nolan, he's a big reason why the defense has played significantly better as of late.
