Kenny Clark reminds Cowboys why he’s the best part of the Micah Parsons trade, reveals Packers’ offensive focal point
The Dallas Cowboys lost one of the best defenders in the NFL but landing Kenny Clark makes things slightly better.
To this date, I can’t believe the Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons away. I think it was a bad decision from the front office and one that should’ve been avoided. Three weeks into the regular season, it still baffles me. But it would be unfair to not recognize how good defensive tackle Kenny Clark has been since joining the team as part of the trade.
In a week in which everyone is focused on Parsons’ return to Dallas, Clark is also facing his old team, the Green Bay Packers. And his comments leading up to the Week 4 matchup are a reminder of why he’s the best part of the trade from the Cowboys’ point of view.
Clark downplayed the importance of facing the team that drafted him in 2016. And when pressed by reporters about it, he had a response Cowboys fans are guaranteed to appreciate.
“I mean, it is [a real connection], but at the end of the day, we trying to get 1-0,” Clark told reporters. “It’s not about me. It’s about the Cowboys getting the win, and I’m going to do everything in my power for us to do that.”
When the Packers traded away Clark, Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur went out of his way how hard it was to make that decision because of the veteran’s leadership in the locker room. This is the type of response that makes Clark a top-tier teammate.
“I [was] there nine years,” Clark added. “So, I mean, of course, it’s emotion. I have a lot of family there and all that kind of stuff. But at the end of the day, I’m trying to help the Cowboys get a win.”
Clark’s impact has been noticeable in production, too
In the NFL, Clark’s leadership would mean little if it wasn’t accompanied by production. Though he plays nose tackle—a position that doesn’t produce numbers that jump off the page—he leds the Cowboys in QB pressures. He also boasts the team’s fifth-highest run defense grade and third-best overall.
The Cowboys run defense has been inconsistent but Clark and the defensive tackles have been the lone strength of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ unit. But the veteran’s focus remains on improving his new team.
“[I’m] fitting in great,” Clark said about his three weeks playing for the Cowboys. “Like I’ve been saying every week, everybody’s been welcoming and all that kind of stuff. Just trying to talk more to the guys, build my leadership role on this team, and just communicating, trying to help our defense as best as I can. It’s been great since I’ve been here.”
Kenny Clark shares the Cowboys’ key to beat his former team
When the Cowboys host the Packers on Sunday, Clark will have a suite box for his family and friends to attend. But are they in for a win or loss? Dallas is a seven-point home underdog heading into the matchup. Clark knows what it will take to upset Green Bay.
“It’s going to take all 11 to stop [Packers RB Josh Jacobs],” Clark said. “He’s the focal point of the offense. If he gets going, it’s hard to stop him. Him and [tight end] Tucker Kraft, we got to do a good job at tackling them and getting them down. And when they do get a chance to drop back and pass, we got to put pressure on them. [Quarterback Jordan Love’s] numbers are down when you do get pressure on him, and that’s the key to the game.”
Easier said than done for the Cowboys defense. But perhaps personnel adjustments teased by head coach Brian Schottenheimer could make the difference. We’ll find out Sunday night.
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