My first foray into the fanpost world, but I thought the kid deserved special mention-

Anthony Spencer is deservedly basking in the kudos for the goal line stand which resulted in a Texans field goal despite 4 cracks from the 1 yard line (to which Raf has a great breakdown of Spencer’s play-by-play over on his site), but hopefully not lost in the shuffle is the fact that there was another Cowboy making a complete nuisance of himself in the Texans backfield in stuffing Arian Foster on 1st & 2nd down. 

Arise, Sir Barry of Church. 

The rookie UFA provided the type of in-the-box safety run stuffing support on that sequence not seen in these parts since the pre-Kelly Rowland/Santana Moss version of Sooner Roy Williams.  Spencer & Keith Brooking (for his 3rd down sack) will deservedly take most of the plaudits for the stand, & Church’s UFA running mate Danny McCray may take the stat headline from the game for his late INT, but it would be a shame if Church’s contribution went unnoticed.

Our current safety combo features a SS who seemingly is more suited to FS, and a FS probably more suited to CB- its been while since we’ve had a true box-playing SS that has the ability to knife in the opposing backfield & disrupt a play.  Church may not have had the combine measurables a la Jason Williams to warrant a higher draft pick, but unlike Williams he has some serious instincts for the game & a nose for the ball, evidenced by his form in preseason as well as his play yesterday.

A poster on this site right around draft time (my apologies for not being able to find the proper thread & giving credit to where its due) was clamoring Jerry to take a late-round flier on this kid, & was the first to champion Church’s cause.  To you sir, I tip the fedora for your prescience.