Cowboys Cornerback Maurice Canady shaking things up in training camp
After deciding to opt-out of the 2020 season, Cornerback Maurice Canady is shaking things up in training camp. The Dallas Cowboys have a cornerback room with improved depth, yet the position group remains one of the biggest question marks on the team. And while there are plenty of players worthy of a 53-man roster spot, […]
After deciding to opt-out of the 2020 season, Cornerback Maurice Canady is shaking things up in training camp. The Dallas Cowboys have a cornerback room with improved depth, yet the position group remains one of the biggest question marks on the team. And while there are plenty of players worthy of a 53-man roster spot, Canady is doing his best to steal one.
The 27-year-old veteran has been turning heads in practice. On Sunday, he recorded his third interception in this year's camp. So far, he's been playing inside and outside, providing some much-needed flexibility for the Cowboys.
Just over a month away from the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Cowboys have a lot of competition going on at cornerback. Right now, many expect the starters to be Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown, and Jourdan Lewis in the slot.
However, rookies Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright could earn significant playing time with strong camps. Plus, the Cowboys are moving last year's fourth-round draft pick Reggie Robinson back to cornerback after moving him to safety in 2020.
Add special teams ace C.J. Goodwin to the mix along with recently signed free agent Kyron Brown.
Although the Dallas Cowboys may not have solved their problem at cornerback, they've done a decent job of improving their depth. A chore that was more than necessary after playing Rashard Robinson, Saivion Smith, among others last season.
Canady's path to making the 53-man roster probably requires him to shine in the slot to be a viable backup to Jourdan Lewis, who's expected to start in that role. With 32 games of experience under his belt, he has a legit shot at making the team.
However, Dan Quinn is not the only coach Canady has to impress. His play in special teams might determine whether he makes the cut or not. After all, Canady is fighting with the backend of the position group, which includes C.J. Goodwin. The Cowboys are unlikely to move on from C.J. – who's led the team in special teams snaps since 2019 – if they're not comfortable with replacing him with Canady.
Fortunately for him, he's played a lot of special teams since 2017 with the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets.
There's still a lot of training camp yet, of course. We'll continue to see if Maurice Canady manages to be consistent enough to be a Dallas Cowboy in 2021. One thing's for certain, cornerback will be one of the most fun position groups to watch in the preseason.
Featured image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
