Dallas Cowboys Safeties: Start, Bench, and Cut

The Final Ruling

Alas the time is here. In this week’s game, who are we cutting, benching, and starting?

Starting: George Iloka

Benching: Jeff Heath

Cutting: Donovan Wilson

There’s nothing surprising about this list. In fact, I expect most everyone reading this to come to this same conclusion. The only other possible pattern that I could argue is starting Heath, benching Wilson, and cutting Iloka, but that wouldn’t make sense from a talent perspective.

I love what Iloka can provide for the team knowing he played a role last year that I expect him to play this season. In addition, Iloka’s instincts and solid tackling make him hard to pass up even if Jeff Heath improves in both departments like I expect him to this year. (Knowing the struggles Heath had last season, it’s good not having to deal with a hypothetical)

I can’t fathom cutting Heath. Even though Jason Garrett uses the phrase “he’s the right type of guy” quite liberally, I imagine the whole coaching staff and front office feel that way about Heath. Heath has been able to step in for relief duty and has been a consistent contributor on special teams. Nothing about that resume would suggest he’s release-worthy.

So that leaves Donovan… I don’t BY ANY MEANS expect the Dallas Cowboys to release Wilson, but he is the sacrificial lamb of today’s article. In comparison to the other guys, he needs to refine his play and he has less experience playing special teams than these two. While he can lay the boom, so can Iloka. (Iloka also doesn’t miss tackles very often)

Even if his ceiling might be the highest of the three, it’s hard to pick an extremely raw product over two guys you know are going to contribute immediately. With that, we conclude this week’s game of Start, Bench, and Cut.