‘That’s my bread and butter’ – Kenny Clark confirms expectations for his role on Cowboys after Micah Parsons trade
The Cowboys are moving on to the Kenny Clark era.
In return for Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys landed two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Had the deal happened in March or April, the picks would be the main characters of the compensation. However, now all eyes turn to Clark and what he brings to the table for Matt Eberflus’ defense.
If you look at Clark’s film in 2024, he spent a lot of time at three-technique over the B-gap. However, a deeper dive into his career reveals that was a result of his pass rush flashes and the Green Bay Packers’ needs. But at 314 pounds, Clark is a nose tackle at heart.
In a recent interview with the Cowboys following the splash move, Clark confirmed that’s what he sees himself as, which is exactly what Dallas’ defense is missing at defensive tackle.
Playing nose tackle is Kenny Clark’s ‘bread and butter’
“I pride myself on being an all-around defensive tackle, but I’m primarily a nose tackle—that’s my bread and butter,” Clark said. “It’s what I’ve been playing since I was in [junior high], so yeah, I’d definitely say nose tackle.”
Clark’s expectations fit with what the Cowboys need the most at the position. Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas make a solid three-technique duo but Dallas was missing a big nose who could be the anchor of the defense. The team expects Clark to be that.
As for what to expect from him, Clark isn’t going to do much talking.
“Just watch the film, I don’t do too much talking, my game speaks for itself,” Clark told reporters Friday. “I can get off the ball with the best of them.”
Clark is a good player even if the trade isn’t
Though fans have every right in the world to be upset at the trade, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Clark is a good player. And he’s more than just a run defender, as evidenced by his time at three-tech. He can get after the passer. From 2021 to 2023, he never ranked below 11th in total pressures among defensive tackles.
The Cowboys aren’t getting someone who’s going to ride the bench. Clark is projected to start at nose tackle, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s as early as Week 1. Of course, the challenge will be getting familiar with Eberflus’ defense on a short period of time. According to Schottenheimer, he’s ready.
“He’s been playing in a similar system,” Schottenheimer told reporters Friday. “He’s a pro, he should have no problem getting up to speed so you should expect to see him out there.”
Dallas Cowboys News
Here’s the flipside of the Micah Parsons trade: The Cowboys are getting more than just a better run defense in Kenny Clark
The glass half-full view.
