The Cowboys visit the Seahawks Sunday afternoon in an early season game that could provide a preview of what these teams might become in 2020.
In an ironic twist, the Cowboys come face-to-face against Jamal Adams, an elite safety, who wanted to play for them, much like Earl Thomas did several years ago when Seattle and Dallas last met.
So what are the Cowboys countering with on Sunday? Xavier Woods and Darian Thompson are the primary starters. In the first two weeks, the Cowboys haven’t demonstrated a commitment to a single safety opposite Woods. Brandon Carr and Daryl Worley can play safety but with injuries at cornerback going into the Seahawks game, they could work mainly at their more natural position at corner on Sunday.
“I would think it’s going to go along to some extent as being a clear-cut safety to start opposite of X, I would say that would likely happen,” Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said. “But at this point, right now, we’re going to continue to rotate those guys and work them. They’ve all had some good plays, some bad plays. But it’s nice to have a little bit of depth, if you want to call it that.”
Adams' stats after two weeks are two sacks, two tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and 21 total tackles. The Cowboys starters at safety combined for no sacks, one tackle for loss and 26 total tackles.
The Seahawks utilize Adams much differently than what the Cowboys do with their safeties. But it’s quite clear Adams is the playmaker in a secondary teams need.
“He’s everywhere,” Mike McCarthy said. “He’s a playmaker.”
The attraction to Thomas and Adams is easy to understand. Both are elite defenders who can change the game.
Cowboys fans were hoping the team would trade for Thomas after he chased Jason Garrett down outside the locker room at AT&T Stadium in 2017.
A trade or signing him in free agency never happened with the compensation too rich.
The Cowboys stuck with Jeff Heath and Woods much to fans' dismay but when the New York Jets explored trading Adams, another opportunity arose.
Acquiring Adams might have been stronger with his local ties. Adams played football at Hebron High School in Carrollton. His defensive backs coach, Clay Mack, works in Dallas. Adams even has a tattoo on his thigh of the Dallas Stars because he thought it was a dope thing to do.
Adams lives in Dallas in the offseason.
Everything seemed right.
The Cowboys just couldn’t push themselves to give up multiple first-round picks for Adams. Seattle did.
So the Cowboys come to Seattle again facing a player with a desire to wear a star on his helmet who might hurt them in a game.
In 2018, Thomas gave the Cowboys a preview of what they’re missing when he picked off two Dak Prescott passes. He even bowed to the Cowboys sideline as if he finished an audition.
Thomas left Seattle in free agency, signing with Baltimore, but after one season that relationship ended when he was released for numerous off-the-field incidents. On the market with another opportunity to get with the Cowboys, the interest just wasn’t there.
Sunday is another game against an elite safety, who sought to play for his hometown team. But there won’t be an audition on this stage, just a look at what might have been, especially if Adams has a disruptive game.
“Jamal Adams is a great player,” Prescott said. “I obviously played him when he was up in New York. But just knowing he can disrupt the game. You’ve got to account for him when he’s around the line of scrimmage or in pass protection, whether you’re running the ball in his direction.”
Adams is aware of what some believe are his shortcomings as a defender: pass coverage. In a group text message exchange with friends, it was pointed out the perception Adams struggles in pass coverage.
“What goes on in Dallas, it always comes back to me,” Adams said. “I always find out the scoop. Just a little edge, just a little chip on my shoulder to go out there and continue to do what I’ve been doing.”
Sunday has the feeling of a statement game for Adams much like it was for Thomas.
“You’ve got to make sure you get bodies on him when you account for a good player like he is,” Prescott said. “But he can certainly change the game.”
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