"Perfect'' is a lovely word and a pleasing concept. Mint chocolate-chip ice cream seems like a perfect snack, until it melts. A bouquet of flowers seems like a perfect gift, until it wilts. The Royal Wedding, like all weddings, seems perfect, until ... Well, let's not go there. Good luck, love birds!

Byron Jones, since the day he was selected late in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, has seemed "perfect.'' His physical gifts are off the charts, having dazzled observers at the NFL Combine with his broad-jump numbers. His intelligence, character and work ethic make him the classic "Right Kind of Guy'' that coach Jason Garrett -- or any coach, really, loves. And as a performer on the field? He's shown a particular knack for covering tight ends, he fights through aches and pains to stay on the field, he plays well on special teams ...

So why is he now more "perfect'' than ever?

“I think I’m a perfect player for what he wants,'' said Byron, referring to a football relationship with new Dallas Cowboys top defensive aide Kris Richard.

Richard -- three years ago the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks who spent time scouting then-UConn prospect Jones -- thought then what he thinks now.

“Prototypical,” said Richard on the eve of Cowboys OTAs, which begin today here inside The Star in Frisco. “Fantastic athlete, size, length, speed.”

The Richard "prototype'' corner is, in short, bigger, taller, more rangy than the norm. The Cowboys’ new defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach therefore projected the 6-0, 205-pound Jones as a corner. Now that Richard is here, Jones is there -- after two years of serving as Dallas' starting free safety, he's now a cornerback.

“He said he likes long, rangy corners,” Jones said. “I think I’m a perfect player for what he wants. I'm getting there. A lot of work to go, but I'm comfortable. I'm going to get there."

Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said Richard might be the Cowboys’ best offseason acquisition. Jones certainly has reason to see it that was; a couple of months ago, the Cowboys were so unsure about Byron's future that they didn't know if they'd even pick up the fifth-year option on his contract. They finally did so, though -- maybe because of Richard's influence -- and now think he's in a position to succeed ... even as he's got to compete for a starting job with touted youngster Jourdan Lewis to play opposite another highly-thought-of kid, Chidobe Awuzie.

Jones played some corner in college and did so in his rookie year, too. He said he's obviously aware of the Seahawks' style of play under Richard, but is working to develop his own style. He's obviously got a fan in Richard.

“Everything is there,” Richard said. “He has a great attitude. He’s been working really hard from Day 1. I’m thrilled to be around him.”

It sounds almost ... perfect.