Cowboys criticized for failing to re-sign Chidobe Awuzie

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Jerry Jones, owner of the Getty Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are facing criticism for allowing local talent to walk in the last offseason.

Going further, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski called Dallas’ failure to re-sign cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, who joined the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, as the team’s “most stubborn decision”. the 2021 NFL campaign.

“Obviously the Cowboys have a budding star in Trevon Diggs in an outside corner. Anthony Brown has been solid on the other side, ”Sobleski wrote in an article published Thursday, November 18. “Still, the idea of ​​letting a quality starter go to a privileged position where a team can’t have enough good players is problematic on the road.

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Chido Exam at Cincy

A second-round pick in 2017, Awuzie totaled 213 tackles (148 solo), 37 pass deflections and four interceptions in 49 career appearances (42 starts) in Dallas. The 26-year-old only appeared in eight games last season due to injuries and a move to the Reserve / COVID-19 roster – factors that catalyzed his 21.75 million free agent contract. dollars with Cincinnati.

“It seemed likely that an outside team would offer a stronger bid for CB Chidobe Awuzie than the Cowboys, who considered the last offseason if safety could be their best position,” Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken tweeted at the time of the report. signature of Awuzie.

Awuzie made eight starts for the Bengals, scoring 33 tackles (29 solo), eight PD and one INT on 487 defensive snaps. He currently ranks 11th on Pro Football Focus CBs out of 119 qualifiers, scoring solid (77.0) for his passing coverage.

“Financially, Dallas could have rocked Awuzie’s retention by structuring his current deal a little differently, as the Cowboys have some financial leeway ($ 4.6 million). Three reliable outside turns is definitely a luxury most teams don’t have, ”Sobleski wrote.

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Diggs discusses the latest INT

The Cowboys have let Awuzie slip away elsewhere, in part due to the presence of second-round cornerback Trevon Diggs, who is emerging as an NFL superstar in the middle of his second season. Despite being ranked No.104 CB in the PFF, Diggs leads the league with eight interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

The latter pick came courtesy of Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who threw the ball straight at the former Alabama star in last Sunday’s 43-3 blowout at AT&T Stadium. It was a rebound effort from Diggs after allowing TD receptions in the previous two games, and he clarified why.

“I’m just getting back to basics. It’s the little details that I was missing, ”Diggs told reporters after the Week 10 win, according to the team’s official website. “You have to stay on your details to stay specific. So, I just did that.

Diggs’ ball hawking prowess will be put to use next Sunday when the Cowboys travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes has already signed 10 picks this season, four more than his 2020 tally, and knows he is tempting fate by pitching for Diggs’ side on the pitch.

“He’s going to wait for his opportunity and usually when he gets his hands on it he ends up being successful,” Mahomes said Wednesday, via Cowboys reporter Brianna Dix. “[He’s] someone you have to pay attention to all the time and try to find ways to be successful in other places or on him in certain areas.

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