OXNARD, Calif. – It’s the joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams. Situational, non-tackling drills commence. Rams’ quarterback Matthew Stafford takes the snap and drops back. He rolls out to the right to avoid pressure in an attempt to extend the drive and find an open receiver. One thing he did not account for in his read, the “freak” athleticism of veteran cornerback Maurice Canady. Canady kept his eyes on Stafford and accelerated his momentum parallel to the quarterback but was not fooled by the change of flow in the opposite direction. He sunk back inside, contorted the upper half of his body backwards in mid-air, and hauled in the catch for an interception. In a highlight-worthy pick, Canady’s body control and reactionary quickness were on full display.
Canady has received increased first team reps at slot corner with primary slot-man, Jourdan Lewis missing the bulk of training camp due to a sore hamstring. In his absence, Canady has continued to turn heads with “splash” plays on the back end, notching at least four interceptions and multiple pass breakups. A surprising position battle has taken form in Oxnard with Canady’s emergence. Many players and coaches have taken notice of No. 31’s playmaking ability throughout the offseason, including Dallas’ secondary/passing game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
“To be honest with you, I didn’t know that he would be at the level that he is, talking about Mo [Canady]. He’s playing fast, he’s playing with intent, he’s downhill, he’s playing with purpose, and it just needs to continue. He can’t get satisfied with where he is, and none of us can. But just been pleased with him. He has played outside some as well. He just hasn’t been in the slot. He’s kicked outside, and he’s played well.”
After opting out in 2020 due to personal reasons, Canady’s one-year deal worth $1.25 million will go into effect at the inception of the upcoming 2021 season. He certainly did not miss a beat coming back and is building a strong case to not only earn extra reps donning the iconic Star but looks the part of a starting corner. Canady has accumulated the most takeaways of the unit and has consistently been a bright spot in Dan Quinn’s revamped defense. He can line up in the slot as well as on the outside and is effective in both man and zone. The former Virginia Cavalier’s catch radius, vision, and ball-tracking ability have mesmerized on the practice field.
“I think he’s done an excellent job in there at the nickel position,” Joe Whitt remarked on Canady. “He’s touched more balls than anybody in the secondary, anybody on defense. So, I think both of those guys [Canady, Jourdan Lewis] together are causing us to say, hey, we need to find a package where both of them are on the field at the same time and create that.”
Projected to be the starter at the outset of the offseason, Lewis signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract extension after playing in all 16 games for Dallas last season. Lewis may have the loftier paycheck and be the likely frontrunner to start, but Canady has the higher-quality film from camp. He continues to rise and is vying for the starting role.
Politics often enters the construction of an NFL team’s depth chart. However, the Cowboys enter a new era on defense under Quinn, tasked with transforming last year’s lackluster defense into a formidable one. He has made it clear the best player will take the field and right now, that is Maurice Canady. He has not only been a standout at the slot position, but the most impressive defensive back throughout training camp.
