It's early, but Byron Jones showing Cowboys positive signs
Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas -- Tony Romo to Jason Witten has been a staple play in the NFL since 2006. Teams know Romo will look to Witten in the toughest of circumstances and they still can’t stop the Dallas Cowboys quarterback and tight end.
Maybe that is what made rookie cornerback Byron Jones’s play in Wednesday’s organized team activity stand out all the more.
Romo tried to float a pass down the middle of the field to Witten, who shook free from the rookie, but Jones was able to close and knock the ball away with his left hand at the last second. Maybe the throw was a little late. Maybe there was a slight hold of Witten.
Regardless, Jones was there.
Byron Jones opened some eyes by breaking up a Tony Romo pass intended for Jason Witten. AP Photo/LM Otero
“That was a good play,” Witten said. “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.”
With Witten lining up in the tight slot to Romo’s right, Jones stood on the tight end’s outside shoulder. At the snap, he jumped at the 10-time Pro Bowler, hoping to be physical with him to make sure Witten had a hard time creating separation.
“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. “I got a chance to undercut the route and I made the play. But I think I got away with holding right there, so I’ll take it.”
The first rule of being a defensive back in the NFL is to never admit to holding. The second rule is to remember the first rule.
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s thoughts of the play?
“OK,” he said. “Getting hands on it is different than getting interceptions. It’s not good enough until we get the ball. He’s around it. That’s good. But what we want is the ball.”
Jones wasn’t waiting for praise from Marinelli.
“He wants interceptions, not just PBUs (pass breakups),” Jones said. “That’s another step you’ve got to take.”
When the Cowboys took Jones in the first round last month, they mentioned his position flexibility. While he hasn’t played any true safety yet, he has played at both outside cornerback slots and has added slot work as well, which is where he defended Witten.
Jones has found himself studying Orlando Scandrick with some amazement as he learns to play the slot.
“He has very little wasted movements with him,” Jones said. “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.”
Earlier in seven-on-seven drills, he broke up a pass to Gavin Escobar. But then he had to be reminded he was supposed to line up at cornerback on the next snap and cost the defense a timeout.
There will be other rookie moments, and the Cowboys don’t want to overload Jones with too much to think about.
“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 don’t want to get too encouraged by just one play or even a set of spring practices, but so far so good with Jones.
“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.”