Photo Credit: Dallas Cowboys
FRISCO, TEXAS — The greatest deficiency for the Cowboys’ defense in 2019 was in takeaways, tying for sixth fewest (17) and no team had fewer than Dallas’ seven interceptions. Following the lackluster season on defense, changes were made. The club hired Mike McCarthy and Mike Nolan to revamp the defense with an emphasis on taking the ball away from the opposition.
Training Camp kicked off on Friday at the Star with the team’s first practice in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Evidence of the changes could already be seen in drills.
“ One thing he [McCarthy] really preaches on is taking the ball away and ball security, “ Ha Ha Clinton-Dix remarked to media via conference call. “ We work a lot of ball drills, today we did. I just know that taking the ball away is very important to give the offense another chance to go out and score points.”
That message is certainly resonating with players and began to translate on the field. Donovan Wilson got an opportunity to work with the first-team and hauled in an interception. He certainly took advantage and caught the coaches’ eyes registering the first takeaway of camp.
A likely result from Nolan’s new “swarming” type of defense. Clinton-Dix was asked about the defensive scheme in Dallas and he immediately responded, “ We fast to the ball. We fly around and it’s ultimately about making plays. “
During the Draft, the Cowboys’ primarily focused on the defense, specifically cornerbacks; getting lengthy guys that will compete for the football in Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson II. Like Clinton-Dix, Trevon is a former Alabama product that prides himself in coming away with the ball. He was considered one of the best press corners in the draft that thrived in Saban’s press-heavy scheme.
On Diggs, Clinton-Dix noted, “ He’s very long. He’s very confident in his play and he knows how to do it and when to do it, so I’m excited to be playing with him on the back end. We come from a tough defense that we played down in Tuscaloosa so he is very familiar with the scheme. “
