Woods tries not to worry about job security
Second-year safety knows Cowboys have interest in Seahawks’ Thomas.
Standing in the back end of the Cowboys’ FRISCO — defense, Xavier Woods seemingly needs to be jumping in the air and waving his arms these days to make sure he’s not forgotten.
Ever since Seattle safety Earl Thomas went into Dallas’ locker room on Christmas Eve and told coach Jason Garrett to “come get me” if he wasn’t with the Seahawks anymore, the Cowboys have been linked to the Pro Bowler.
The Cowboys have talked to the Seahawks multiple times about a trade for Thomas — including during the draft — but haven’t come to an agreement.
The Cowboys are now in wait-and-see mode on Thomas. He skipped Seattle’s offseason practices in an effort to force a contract extension or trade. The Seahawks haven’t been willing to ship off Thomas for little compensation.
This dance between the Cowboys and Thomas will likely continue into training camp next month.
Meanwhile, Woods has been the overlooked man.
‘I’ve learned this is a business at the end of the day. The job is based on yourself. You have to be irreplaceable. It’s all on you.’ Xavier Woods Cowboys safety
If Thomas remains in Seattle, Woods is in line to be the Cowboys’ starting free safety. He’s being trained by new defensive backs coach Kris Richard, the Seahawks’ ex-defensive coordinator who coached Thomas in Seattle.
Woods would replace Byron Jones. One of Richard’s first moves after the Cowboys hired him in January was to move Jones from safety back to cornerback.
Woods isn’t in the dark about the Cowboys’ flirtation with Thomas. He’s well aware of the mutual interest, although he doesn’t let it bother him.
“I just block it out,” Woods said. “I’ve learned this is a business at the end of the day. The job is based on yourself. You have to be irreplaceable. It’s all on you.
“I just control what I can control. I’m trying every day to give them a reason not to want anybody else.”
Woods played safety throughout his career at Louisiana Tech, intercepting 14 passes over his final three seasons. The Cowboys drafted Woods in the sixth round last year. He began to emerge midway through his rookie season, playing mostly at nickel back but sometimes at safety.
Woods played 51.5 percent of the defensive snaps as a rookie, finishing ninth on the team with 41 tackles and tied for fifth with six pass breakups. He also had an interception and a fumble recovery.
Richard has been impressed with Woods so far.
“He’s really smart,” Richard said. “That’s the thing that stands out first and foremost about him. He picks stuff up really quick. He takes coaching points really well. He already has an idea how to simplify things in his mind, and it works for him. He’s fast, he’s bright, he’s got ball skills and he fits the profile.”
Jones said Woods doesn’t need to lean on him to pick up the free safety position.
“He’s all set, man. He doesn’t have to ask me anything,” Jones said. “He’s going to be just fine. He’s going to be very good for us.”
Like the Cowboys and Richard, Woods is also fond of Thomas. He said he’s studied Thomas ever since college.
“He’s one of the greatest safeties in this game right now,” Woods said. “Instinctively, his impact on the back end, he’s a playmaker.”
Before offseason practices started, Richard showed Woods and other players in the Cowboys’ secondary tape of how Thomas and the other Seattle defensive backs played within his scheme.
Woods said he also spent more time with Richard breaking down how Thomas moves within the scheme.
“I pick Coach Richard’s brain about what Earl thinks,” Woods said. “We used to watch film together, me and Coach Richard, and just look and see what Earl brings, what is Earl thinking at this point and time on this play.”
Thomas is in the final year of a four-year, $40 million contract. He will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason, free to sign with any team.
The Cowboys could just wait until next offseason to make a push for Thomas, but the price could be even steeper for a safety who turns 30 next offseason.
Or Dallas could be just fine with Woods and Jeff Heath starting at safety in 2018. Heath said he sees a bright future for Woods.
“He’s doing a great job right now,” Heath said. “If you spend any time around him you understand how serious he takes this, how hard he works, how smart of a player he is. He’s got the tools and the skill set you need at that position.”
Woods believes he and Heath can excel next season.
“We’re both rangy. We both can hit. We both can get our hands on the ball and we both can play in the box or on the back end,” Woods said. “I believe we can be one of the best tandems in the league.”