Blogging The Boys
As training camp winds down, the Dallas Cowboys prepare for their Saturday showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer discussed the value of assessing the offensive roster on the field during the preseason. The same could be said for the defensive side of the ball, as the Cowboys have several questions to answer before the season opener, which is a short three weeks away. The possible answer to one question is today’s undrafted star of the day.
Zion Childress has put together a nice showing at training camp over the summer. Childress possesses a varied skillset that affords him the versatility to play in multiple secondary positions. He can play the deep half as a safety; he can play as a boundary cornerback, and where the Cowboys need him is in the slot. Since losing Jourdan Lewis to free agency, Dallas has needed someone to occupy that role, and the Cowboys have tinkered with multiple options, such as Juanyeh Thomas and Israel Mukuamu. However, Childress has stood out in that capacity. It’s not hard to see why. Childress comes to the Cowboys with very good ball skills and is adept at disrupting passing lanes. A team captain for Kentucky, Childress has good leadership traits and is a good communicator on the field.
This summer, Childress has been outstanding in run support, as evidenced by his game against the Rams. That success also carried over into Wednesday’s practice, where Childress made a terrific play in the backfield to stop Deuce Vaughn for a loss. Childress is making a case for a roster spot, and it may be hard for him to bring him back to the practice squad if the Cowboys subject him to waivers. He does so many things well, and his preparation often finds him at the right place at the right time. A strong showing against Baltimore could cement his spot on the team.
