IRVING -- After the Cowboys released Cletis Gordonon Saturday, it left the club with just three cornerbacks, Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick.
The Cowboys rectified this by moving rookie Akwasi Owusu-Ansahfrom safety to corner. In college, Owusu-Ansah lined up in the slot and played corner.
Starting free safety Alan Ball, who played corner in college, will also see some time at the position. During training camp, Ball got some scout team reps at corner. But his main job will play centerfield in the base defense.
The release of Gordon stunned many.
"We thought he did fine, but I don't make the final decision," secondary coach Dave Campo said of Gordon. "We felt it was best for the team."
In three receiver sets, Scandrick will become the slot corner but in other packages, Owusu-Ansah will be on the field.
The Cowboys are not afraid to use young players at corner. Newman started 16 games his rookie year in 2003, and Jenkins reached the Pro Bowl in just his second year. Scandrick has received significant playing time in his first two-years as a pro.
"Whatever the coaches want me to do I'm going to do it," Owusu-Ansah said. "It's good to know yo ucan help the team and make some kind of impact."