FRISCO, Texas – You can probably remember Jeff Heath flying through the air against Oakland in 2017 forcing Derek Carr to fumble in the end zone, resulting in a touchback on the final play of the game and a 20-17 victory for Dallas.
That was the moment fans started paying attention to No.38 in the defensive backfield. He has incredible speed and instincts at the conception of a play to get to the football and make a critical stop. This season, the same caliber player has shown up each week for the Cowboys.
Last week against the Texans, Heath tackled Deshaun Watson at the two-yard line on fourth down keeping Houston out of the end zone and extending their lead. In Sunday’s game against the Jaguars, Heath had an interception and a 35-yard return to put Dallas’ offense back on the field and in the red zone.
“ He is just a good football player and it shows up in his production, “ Jason Garrett remarked on Heath. “ When we first got him he was a college free agent, one of those guys that not many people knew about. He just started showing up. On special teams he was always the first guy down there; was always the guy making tackles. Over the course of his career that has really been his calling card- productivity. He had a chance to earn a spot on the defensive side of the ball. He was playing different roles early on in his career and every time he went out there he was making plays on the ball or making tackles. He ultimately earned the chance to be a starter and he continues to do that. He makes a lot of plays in the running game and he is a very aware/instinctive guy. “
In the first six games of the 2018 season, Heath has amassed 16 total tackles, 13 assists, 3 pass defends, and one interception. The Cowboys’ have been thinner at the safety position with Byron Jones’ switch to cornerback before Training Camp and S Xavier Wood’s hamstring injury during the preseason game against Cincinnati. Heath continued to make an impact on the field with critical plays as coaches Greg Jackson and Kris Richard worked to balance out positions and add depth to the secondary. Heath is a success story for the Dallas Cowboys as he continues to make noteworthy plays as the last line of defense. He will do whatever it takes to keep opposing offenses out of the end zone and has set the standard of effort for the team!
