Former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jimmy Johnson once said, “Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great?”
I'll take the latter, but that's just my opinion.
In this team's case, there are a few positions within the roster where Dallas could choose to go with potential over the comfortable choice. I mentioned playing Mazi Smith over Johnathan Hankins a couple of weeks ago.
Heck, you could argue that stance for about 3 or 4 other players on this roster.
Nevertheless, Dallas has an opponent waiting for them at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, that's not on their level.
This may be an opportunity to get more players more action on the field.
It does beg the question, what is Israel Mukuamu doing or not doing to get some additional defensive snaps. He ended last season on a high and has been missing in action in 2023.
Let's discuss why he has been tucked away as a special team participant.
With Dallas' questionable defensive back depth, why is Mukuamu not getting love?
If you have the answer to that question, please share it with me. I can't be the only person in the dark on this one.
Izzy seems like an easy answer for someone who has not been getting snaps that should be.
It's no secret he wasn't a ‘slam dunk' choice to make this roster, but his physical tools make it nearly impossible to move on from.
Last season, he gained 154 total defensive snaps. So far, in 2023, only 45 snaps given.
With 8 games remaining in the season, there is still an outside chance that he will blow past last season's opportunities.
Once Kelvin Joseph was traded and Trevon Diggs was lost for the season, it seemed a foregone conclusion that Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn would plug Mukuamu into the corner/safety hybrid role.
Unfortunately for fans, that has not been the case.
My initial thoughts went to position needs. Mukuamu's size (6'4″, 205lbs) seems tailor-made to play on the boundaries if not at safety.
Fortunately, DaRon Bland has been playing lights out on the outside. It would be criminal to move him back to the slot.
I would never say that Jourdan Lewis is playing well. I'm sorry, I can't subscribe to that. However, his physical profile matches the slot better than Izzy's.
With all three safeties (Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse, and Malik Hooker) back healthy, there are little to no snaps to be had in that unit.
Juanyeh Thomas appears to be the fourth spot in vice grips.
While the defensive backfield isn't setting the world on fire, they're not horrible. Is it possible that they don't need Mukuamu at this point in the defensive backfield?
Seems very highly unlikely.
Did injuries during offseason activities set him back or is he playable based on matchups?
What we know is that Izzy missed time with a groin injury during offseason activities. He did play in the preseason, but it was uneven at best.
Could a soft tissue injury smother your momentum entering the season?
Short answer – yes. However, that isn't the case. I would be more on board with that premise if we were still in the early part of the season. We are much further along than that.
For all intents and purposes, the groin healed, and his participation on special teams confirms he is healthy.
The second part presents a different perspective. In a way, the same thing happened last year.
Quinn brought Trayvon Mullen, Mackensie Alexander, and even Xavier Rhodes to compete with Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright at the bottom of the depth chart.
But, when the right matchup presented itself, Izzy's number was called.
I'm talking about the often-mentioned 2022 Tampa Bay Wildcard game and his matchup against Chris Godwin.
His made a huge impact then; maybe Quinn is waiting for that opportunity to employ Mukuamu.
I have to trust that our defensive coordinator has a plan. I don't understand it yet, but I believe there is one.
