Cowboys have found yet another hybrid player on defense
If there's one thing that Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wants on his defense, it's versatility and position flex. Now, they've got more of that. After a surprising debut for fifth-round rookie Damone Clark, there might be coming more his way. Clark played in 51% of the Cowboys' defensive snaps and had a very […]
If there's one thing that Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wants on his defense, it's versatility and position flex. Now, they've got more of that.
After a surprising debut for fifth-round rookie Damone Clark, there might be coming more his way. Clark played in 51% of the Cowboys' defensive snaps and had a very solid performance. Solid enough to have many asking for more playing time for the rookie.
After all, Clark was expected to be Day 2 pick in the NFL Draft before undergoing neck surgery after the Scouting Combine. Here's what Dane Brugler from The Athletic wrote about Clark in his 2022 NFL Draft Guide referred to as "The Beast:"
"Overall, Clark is a good-sized athlete and consistently stays ahead of schedule due to his play speed and ball-hunting skills, but he needs to expand his tunnel vision vs. the run and pass to be a complete NFL player. A projected day-two draft pick based on talent, he is expected to miss his rookie season in the NFL due to recent spinal surgery."
The mere fact that Clark was ready to suit up and play significant time (and quite well, while we're at it) is already a win for the Cowboys.
But now it sounds like the coaching staff is getting ready to ask more from their young player. Head coach Mike McCarthy suggested Clark provided Quinn's defense with "position flex."
And while we can't know for sure what he meant, one particular play from last Sunday gives us a glimpse at what that can be. In the one pass rush snap Clark got, he pressured the quarterback.
Even after the Bears attempt to cut block him with a running back, Clark's speed put him right back in position to make a play. Moments later, DeMarcus Lawrence finished the play by getting the sack as he rushed from the other side.
And while Clark might not become a pass rusher for the Cowboys, the fact that he can, when asked to, is what his defense has been built on all year long.
Hybrid players on Dallas' lineup keep offenses guessing, especially in pass protection.
That's why you will constantly see Leighton Vander Esch walk up to the line of scrimmage even when he ends up dropping back into coverage. His mere presence demands the opposing pass pro unit honors him, putting the rest of the defenders in positions to make plays.
Or maybe you will see defensive end Dorance Armstrong drop back into coverage. It's all part of the process of keeping offenses guessing when it should be the other way around.
As excited as I am about the speed rookie Damone Clark displayed on the field on Sunday, I'm even more impatient to see how else the Cowboys utilize him moving forward.
For more on Clark and Vander Esch, check out Thursday's episode of my nightly show A to Z Sports Dallas Primetime!
Featured image via Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
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