Photo Courtesy: Dallas Cowboys
FRISCO, Texas — After the Cowboys’ finished 31st in run defense last season, bolstering the defensive front became a top priority in free agency. The club signed seven-year veteran Brent Urban to a one-year deal back in March and he is already drawing eyes during mandatory minicamp at the Star in Frisco.
“Brent’s doing well,” head coach Mike McCarthy described to D210Sports. “I love the way he works. He’s the same guy every single day and he is just a great fit. Before I came in here, I was watching the defensive individual drills with Will McClay, and we were just commenting on what a great signing he was for us; just a great fit for us. So, I love what he is giving us so far.”
Urban had the best season of his career in 2020 for the Chicago Bears. In 16 games, the Virginia product had the third-highest run defense grade (83.7) among interior lineman, per PFF. He adds much needed reinforcement in Dallas. He prides himself on being a run stuffer and doing the dirty work in the trenches. His size and length (6’7) allow him to stay square and play the run effectively, freeing things up for linebackers at the second level to flow freely from sideline-to-sideline.
It is a selfless role. One that may not be flashy or produce recognition but is vital to the success of a defense. An ability that garnered a phone call from Dan Quinn in the spring. Urban received many offers after his stellar 2020 campaign in the NFC North but chose Dallas. A testament to his faith in the new defensive coordinator and fit in his scheme.
“He’s the man,” Urban remarked to D210Sports on Quinn. “He called me way back in March, he’s a very high energy guy, I guess you can put it. He’s just one of the guys as well. He’s a great player’s coach…He played D-line so a lot of us D-lineman gravitate toward that. He’s just a fun guy to be around. He keeps it interesting. We’ll switch up meetings certain ways or he’ll let players lead stuff. He keeps things fresh which allows us to have more fun with it than the daily grind that we often get used to.”
Urban provides the position flexibility of playing both defensive end and tackle in certain packages. He will be utilized in a Red Bryant role- a base defensive end in Quinn’s 3-4. In addition, he can rotate inside on nickel packages and disrupt from the interior. From a three-point stance, Urban locks opponents out and wins matchups at the line of scrimmage with hand leverage. He fits Quinn’s mold and will be a player to keep an eye on come fall.
