Despite their season ending short of the playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys have plenty to be excited about moving forward on both sides of the ball — particularly in the secondary. Rookies Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and Xavier Woods all contributed defensively. This new-look secondary managed without the veteran presence of Orlando Scandrick, who was placed on IR yesterday, ending a 2017 season that last saw the 30-year old suit up in week 13 against Washington.
The Cowboys will place cornerback Orlando Scandrick on injured reserve in what may be the end of his tenure with the franchise. Scandrick has missed the last three games because of a back injury and was not likely to play Sunday against Philadelphia…. https://t.co/dsFYxTqvml
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 28, 2017
There is a basic philosophy in the way NFL teams build their rosters that says anytime a younger player can effectively replace an older one, the team is in a better place. Earlier in this season, it appeared that second year CB Anthony Brown was the weak link in the back-end of Rod Marinelli's defense, but his transition to Scandrick's slot position has done him well.
If Brown is the Cowboys' slot corner of the future (with Xavier Woods playing out of position but admirably here too), Orlando Scandrick's time with the Cowboys may be coming to a close. His age and injuries have simply hindered his ability to do most of the things he once excelled at.
Dallas should feel comfortable committing further to their youth movement on defense.
Scandrick is technically under contract with the Cowboys through 2019, but the team could benefit from the cap savings of moving on from his contract early.
This season was going to be one of his most important with the team, as he quickly became the most experienced remaining CB on the roster, but the Cowboys are likely a better team without Orlando Scandrick in 2018.
Has CB Orlando Scandrick played last game for Cowboys w/ young DBs on roster? "They're playing well together right now. They're going to continue to grow, they're going to continue to get better & I'm not at the point in my career where I'm willing to be an inactive guy," he said
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) December 28, 2017
Playing as much Nickel and Dime defense as the Cowboys do requires putting willing tacklers on the field at all three levels that can play in space, both of which traits that Scandrick no longer possesses.
Orlando Scandrick's season will end with 32 tackles and three passes defended in 11 games.
