If I'm being completely honest, there was really only one reason I was looking forward to watching the Dallas Cowboys play the Washington Redskins Thursday night. I wanted to see how rookie cornerback Chidobe Awuzie played now that he is finally healthy.
I don't know about you, but I was expecting a lot from Chidobe Awuzie this season after the Cowboys drafted him with their second round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, he has battled reoccurring hamstring issues that has all but wiped out his season up to this point. His inability to stay healthy and get on the field has been one of the major disappointments for me this season.
That is why I was really looking forward to seeing Awuzie back on the field in his first full-time action this season. Luckily, he didn't disappoint and already looks like arguably the best CB on the Cowboys roster.
The Dallas Cowboys played a total of 60 defensive snaps against the Redskins Thursday night. Only Jeff Heath (56) played more snaps than Chidobe Awuzie (53). Awuzie finished the night with three tackles and three pass breakups, which doesn't seem like much, but his impact was definitely felt on the field.
Let's take a look at the impact the 22-year-old rookie out of Colorado made against the Washington Redskins Thursday night.
This is pretty good coveragwe by #Cowboys rookie DB Chidobe Awuzie. Watch him swipe at the ball at the end of this play. pic.twitter.com/cR4B8MCZBW
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) December 1, 2017
The clip above is an excellent example of Awuzie's talent and awareness. Not only is he in perfect position by having the WR in his hip pocket, but he goes up to high point the ball and swipes with his hand to ensure an incompletion. This couldn't have possibly been played better, which is a testament to #33's talent.
Let's take a look at another example of Awuzie's impact in the game against Washington.
Chidobe Awuzie played one heckuva game. pic.twitter.com/l4FcEoD0tH
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) December 1, 2017
Awuzie wasn't in the best position against Josh Doctson on this play and it should have been an easy completion. But, Chidobe doesn't give up on the play and is able to knock the ball out of Doctson's hands forcing the incompletion and near fumble. This is a great example of Awuzie's awareness and playmaking ability. But, he made an even better play a little later in the game.
More of Chidobe Awuzie in his first start. pic.twitter.com/mZCn4xTzVr
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) December 1, 2017
On this particular play Chidobe Awuzie looks to be in man coverage on Redskins WR Ryan Grant. Awuzie recognizes that Grant is breaking off his route to the inside to try to pick up the first down. He quickly plants his foot in the ground and makes a beeline for Grant arriving just as the ball does. Awuzie uses proper technique and sticks his left arm out to break up the pass, while using his right arm to wrap around Grant for the tackle if need be.
As you can see, Chidobe Awuzie had a heck of a debut as a full-time starter. In fact, he already looks like the best CB currently on the Cowboys roster. This probably couldn't have come at a better time with Orlando Scandrick expected to miss some time due to a back injury he sustained and played through Thursday night.
If Awuzie can remain healthy the rest of the season, he upgrades the entire Cowboys secondary and improves the entire defense. I'm personally expecting big things from him the remainder of the season.
