OXNARD, Calif. – In the opening press conference at the 2018 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp, general manager and owner Jerry Jones, discussed his excitement on the coaching staff and the depth of the linebacker core heading into practice.
The Cowboys have the greatest threat at the linebacker position in the league with Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, and Leighton Vander Esch. Lee will be at the will-backer position, and Smith and Vander Esch will be competing and learning the mike-backer role under Ben Bloom’s new leadership.
Lee has established himself as an elite caliber player since his start with the Cowboys in 2010. He has been plagued with injury every year since his start and has never played a complete 16 game season. He never stops preparing mentally watching film, and it shows up in his performances on the field. His knowledge of the game and instincts at the line of scrimmage are unmatched. Smith and Vander Esch have the unique opportunity to learn from the best.
Jones remarked to the media on the linebacker core “ with the potential of Jaylon, Sean Lee, and Leighton, we are going to be in great shape with the front 7.” With Lee used as a pass defender and his transitional skills pursuing plays to the ball carrier, along with Smith and Vander Esch on the inside stopping runs, the Cowboys are set.
There have been a lot of questions regarding the security of Jason Garrett as head coach if the 2018 season ends in a repeat of last year with no playoff appearance. Jerry Jones put the doubters to rest stating “ Garrett is a much better coach than he was last year and the year before that and the year before that…as certain as I watch my step as I walk off this stage, Jason is the right man for the job. “ Jones has the upmost respect and faith in Garrett’s ability to bring a championship back to Dallas. He knows the standard of excellence for this club, and how long it has been since the Cowboys made history winning three Super Bowls in four years in the 90s.
He is looking forward to the coaching staff as a whole this season “ our coaching staff is the No.1 reason I am excited. They are at their very best time with the young players…for many seasons to come.” There are many new faces this season in the assistant coaches, but just like Garrett, they have a lot to prove this season in re-structuring the offensive/defensive side of the ball by assessing each individual’s talent.
