Church Sets Sights on Pro Bowl

Barry Church believes the Pro Bowl is a realistic goal if he can stay healthy this year

2012 was supposed to be a coming out party of sorts for Cowboys’ safety Barry Church. After seeing just one start over his first two seasons with the team, he won the starting job opposite the now-departed Gerald Sensabaugh early on in camp. But Church suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in week three, leaving him to spend all last year rehabbing.

Church is back now, though, and he has some high expectations going into 2013.

“Me personally, I would like to make the Pro Bowl,” Church told the team’s official website. “I feel like I was on my way last year before I got injured. This year, I feel like if I could withstand the whole season, I have a good chance.”

Church will be a part of a new-look safety corps. and a brand new defense, in Monte Kiffin’s Tampa 2 system. Gone is Sensabaugh, here are J.J. Wilcox (Drafted back in April in the third round), veteran Will Allen and Matt Johnson, who missed his entire rookie season with a series of injuries.

The new faces won’t change the way Church approaches camp, though.

“I feel like I’m always competing,” he said. “It feels weird to look over and see a different body every time. (But) every time I see a new guy come in, I say, ‘it’s your time to take advantage of it. It’s your time to shine. Take it and run with it.’ That’s what they told me coming in.”

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