Andy Reid helps explain why Dallas Cowboys’ latest addition is better than it initially seems
The Dallas Cowboys made a late addition at running back. And he’ll play a bigger role on the team than you might think given the timing.
The Dallas Cowboys surprised many by waiving running backs Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, and Israel Abanikanda on cutdown day. All of them appeared to have at least a slim chance of making the 53-man roster, yet only Abanikanda was brought back to the practice squad.
Instead, the Cowboys turned to RB Emari Demercado from the Kansas City Chiefs in waivers to complement the room made up of Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, and fullback Hunter Luepke.
But what are the Cowboys getting in Demercado? Let’s turn to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid for some insight on the 27-year-old back that spent the offseason competing for a spot in Kansas City.
Reid breaks down new Cowboys RB
Before joining the Cowboys, Demercado spent the offseason with the Chiefs. Speaking to reporters last month, Reid provided his take on the young running back. Here’s what one of the most respected offensive minds in football had to say.
“I like the pass protection, I like the way he’s not going to bounce anything,” Reid told reporters. “He sees (the hole), he lowers it, and he hits it in the run game, and I think that’s important. And pass routes are pretty good. He’s played it. He’s got experience.”
Notice how the first thing that Reid said is pass protection? Well, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer is also excited about it.
“We love his pass protection,” Schottenheimer said Tuesday. “He’s a really good pass protector, both understanding the scheme but also in executing the protection principles. I think that’s really important.”
You can watch some of it below thanks to Bob Sturm, who posted some cut-ups on social media:
Though pass pro clearly stands out, Reid shouting out Demercado’s vision and patience is something that shouldn’t go overlooked. The Cowboys’ scheme will reward Demercado for those traits, as Adams likes to work with pulling linemen who can create some havoc.
Demercado also brings explosiveness to the table
Pass protection is one of Demercado’s biggest calling cards but it’s not the only one. After all, he does average 6.5 yards per attempts. And he has 126 career attempts. That’s right, he’s a big-play dude.
Jaydon Blue was expected to bring explosiveness to the Cowboys offense. Now that he’s off the team, Demercado may be the one to provide it.
“This guy’s got, I think, 20 explosives over the last couple years,” Schottenheimer said of Demercado. “And some of that’s been with (Cowboys OC Klayton Adams), off some of the G schemes and the counter schemes that they’ve been running. Got very good vision. He’s a buildup speed guy that’s got explosive playmaking ability.”
On top of all that, the Cowboys see Demercado as someone who can play on special teams. So despite him arriving late to the team, don’t expect Demercado’s role to be a tiny one.
He’ll be on the field.
