FRISCO, Texas – Throughout the 2018 season, the Dallas Cowboys’ defense was the consistent stellar factor on the gridiron, until the Divisional Round of Playoffs against the L.A. Rams when Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson ran all over the Cowboys’ defense. With a fresh start looming ahead for America’s Team in 2019, their defense looks stronger than ever with added depth in free agency/the 2019 NFL Draft.
Solidifying the defensive line took top priority during the off-season. The team needed a boost to help with pass rush. The Cowboys’ acquired Christian Covington, Kerry Hyder, and Shakir Soto in free agency to strengthen the interior of the line, along with Robert Quinn- to replace Randy Gregory at right end opposite DeMarcus Lawrence in the lineup to seal the edge, while Gregory fulfills his indefinite suspension. In the Draft, with the 58th overall selection, the Cowboys picked Trysten Hill, a defensive tackle from the University of Central Florida. In addition, Dallas drafted Joe Jackson, a defensive tackle from Miami, and Jalen Jelks, a defensive end from Oregon. All of the above will benefit from the leadership of defensive wizard, Rod Marinelli as they fight for a spot on Dallas’ final 53-man roster.
Safety was another dire need for the Silver and Blue to bring about consistency in the last line of defense and up the production of strong safety, Jeff Heath, and free safety, Xavier Woods. The club acquired George Iloka in free agency and Donovan Wilson in the draft. Both are solid zone defenders and have the height and speed combination that innovator, Kris Richard loves to work with. Both will help add physicality to the backfield and depth to pass coverage.
Former Cowboys’ safety and special teams player, Kenny ‘the Shark’ Gant, at the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Gala on the added dimension Wilson and Iloka will bring and the impact of Richard in 2018, “ He [Richard] has more smarts than I gave him credit for. You have to have smarts in the secondary and I think with those new pieces in the secondary, it made them stay away from the Earl Thomas’s, which is encouraging for them. Jerry and the organization trust them and want them to be successful. They trusted me way back in ’90, when I came from a small school and didn’t think I was going to make the team but eight years later, they gave me a chance. “
In 2018, the Cowboys’ defense finished sixth in points-per-game (20.3), seventh in total defense (329.3 yards-per-game), and sixth in big plays (20-plus yards) allowed with 52. Those statistics are largely due to the production of the linebacker core, specifically Leighton Vander Esch’s outstanding rookie year. LVE registered a franchise rookie record with 176 tackles to lead the team, and was named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Luke Kuechly. In addition, he became the third rookie in team history to earn NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month Honors. Jaylon Smith finished second on the team with a career-high 150 stops to give the Cowboys its first-ever linebacker duo with over 100 tackles apiece since 2016.
“ When a rookie comes in, I did not know he [LVE] was going to make that kind of impact, “ former Cowboys’ star defender DeMarcus Lawrence discussed with me at the 15th annual Taste of the Cowboys event. Then I started seeing him play and then Sean Lee coming back and with Jaylon that is the linebacker core you always wish for. They have solidified the defense I feel like.”
Ware discussed his desire to come to work for the Cowboys in a consulting role several days a week to help with pass rush/help coach up some of the new young players. He would be an additional tool to help bring Dallas to the next level and perhaps bring home another trophy.
The future looks bright for the hotboyz in 2019!
