Cowboys LB Damone Clark: 'Huge' in Coach Dan Quinn Defense?

big dog cowboy · Jun 5, 2023

Cowboys LB Damone Clark: 'Huge' in Coach Dan Quinn Defense?

Second year linebacker Damone Clark could be thrust into a starting role alongside Leighton Vander Esch, but is he ready to grab this opportunity with both hands?

Regarding feel-good stories of last season, it was hard to look past Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Damone Clark. The former LSU standout was coming off spinal fusion surgery in March and, a mere seven months later, in October, was taking meaningful snaps in an NFL game.

In his debut against the Chicago Bears, Clark showed flashes of his talent as he filled in for the injured Anthony Barr. Clark registered five tackles in what was an assured performance.

Now, at OTA's wrap-up and minicamp and training camp on the horizon, could Clark be readying himself to partner Leighton Vander Esch in Dan Quinn's unit next season? It sure looks like it.

Read more: https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news...defense-leighton-vander-esch-minicamp-starter

Typhus · Jun 5, 2023

big dog cowboy said:
Cowboys LB Damone Clark: 'Huge' in Coach Dan Quinn Defense?
Second year linebacker Damone Clark could be thrust into a starting role alongside Leighton Vander Esch, but is he ready to grab this opportunity with both hands?

Regarding feel-good stories of last season, it was hard to look past Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Damone Clark. The former LSU standout was coming off spinal fusion surgery in March and, a mere seven months later, in October, was taking meaningful snaps in an NFL game.

In his debut against the Chicago Bears, Clark showed flashes of his talent as he filled in for the injured Anthony Barr. Clark registered five tackles in what was an assured performance.

Now, at OTA's wrap-up and minicamp and training camp on the horizon, could Clark be readying himself to partner Leighton Vander Esch in Dan Quinn's unit next season? It sure looks like it.

Read more: https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news...defense-leighton-vander-esch-minicamp-starter

Clark needs to be and holds a significant part of Qs baseline for this back seven to come together.
He has a very important role to play.

jazzcat22 · Jun 5, 2023

Another player to keep an eye on for his progress. Quite a few to see how they improve in year 2 or 3.

Bowdown27 · Jun 5, 2023

Typhus said:
Clark needs to be and holds a significant part of Qs baseline for this back seven to come together.
He has a very important role to play.

And they trusted him enough to have him play as much as he did last year. This could be his breakout year.

Typhus · Jun 5, 2023

jazzcat22 said:
Another player to keep an eye on for his progress. Quite a few to see how they improve in year 2 or 3.

Its a very good group.

Typhus · Jun 5, 2023

Bowdown27 said:
And they trusted him enough to have him play as much as he did last year. This could be his breakout year.

We are seeing this defense manifest itself.
Q will be held in high regards league wide, he already is somewhat.

Mac_MaloneV1 · Jun 5, 2023

I like Clark physically (everyone should), but he always looked a half-step slow in his reads to me.

Typhus · Jun 5, 2023

Mac_MaloneV1 said:
I like Clark physically (everyone should), but he always looked a half-step slow in his reads to me.

Clark is what Q wanted Cox to be but maybe Cox can find his real role behind LVE, he belongs there for now.
DO starting his role behind Clark is a solid back seven depth wise.
THe packgaes tha Q can release now should be in full discussion mode.
Look at the skill/talent that infests this defense, I am not being Risen, Im am Typhus and I am being cereal.

atlantacowboy · Jun 5, 2023

Not much competition in Dallas at LB. So, I don't see who beats him out.

TheMarathonContinues · Jun 5, 2023

Bowdown27 said:
And they trusted him enough to have him play as much as he did last year. This could be his breakout year.

I wonder was that trust or was it they simply had no one else?

gimmesix · Jun 5, 2023

big dog cowboy said:
Cowboys LB Damone Clark: 'Huge' in Coach Dan Quinn Defense?
Second year linebacker Damone Clark could be thrust into a starting role alongside Leighton Vander Esch, but is he ready to grab this opportunity with both hands?

Regarding feel-good stories of last season, it was hard to look past Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Damone Clark. The former LSU standout was coming off spinal fusion surgery in March and, a mere seven months later, in October, was taking meaningful snaps in an NFL game.

In his debut against the Chicago Bears, Clark showed flashes of his talent as he filled in for the injured Anthony Barr. Clark registered five tackles in what was an assured performance.

Now, at OTA's wrap-up and minicamp and training camp on the horizon, could Clark be readying himself to partner Leighton Vander Esch in Dan Quinn's unit next season? It sure looks like it.

Read more: https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news...defense-leighton-vander-esch-minicamp-starter

I think it's pretty clear from what Dallas did (or didn't do) in free agency and the draft that the team is counting on Clark to be the third linebacker, pairing him with Vander Esch and Parsons. I assume that whenever we're not in that 5-2/3-4 front where Parsons and LVE are the two linebackers, Clark is who we are counting on being out there with Vander Esch. as the two true linebackers (the third is Kearse) when we are in the nickel and Parsons is lining up as an end.

Ideally, if we want to replace one of the linebackers on clear passing downs, it's LVE ... but that will depend on the development of Cox and how ready Overshown is to contribute. Both of them are better cover linebackers than LVE.

gimmesix · Jun 5, 2023

TheMarathonContinues said:
I wonder was that trust or was it they simply had no one else?

Well, they did have Cox, whom they clearly do not trust up to this point. I think Barr getting dinged thrust Clark out there more than the team was probably expecting, but he continued to pick up some snaps when Barr returned, so that's a good sign.

gimmesix · Jun 5, 2023

Mac_MaloneV1 said:
I like Clark physically (everyone should), but he always looked a half-step slow in his reads to me.

Most rookies are a half-step slow in their reads. Lots of reading instead of reacting that first year.

Mac_MaloneV1 · Jun 5, 2023

gimmesix said:
Most rookies are a half-step slow in their reads. Lots of reading instead of reacting that first year.

Sure, he can probably improve in that regard and I assume he would.

But I'd be hesitant of him being a key cog in the defense at this point.

gimmesix · Jun 5, 2023

Mac_MaloneV1 said:
Sure, he can probably improve in that regard and I assume he would.

But I'd be hesitant of him being a key cog in the defense at this point.

Well, I'm not sure we have the luxury of being hesitant. I think he showed enough last year that they are looking to sink or swim with the young guy. Now, we have other young guys, but we know even less about their ability to contribute. LVE, who has been hit or miss in his time here, and Parsons are our only proven linebackers and Parsons is going to line up at end a lot.

stilltheguru · Jun 5, 2023

Still don't get the hype. I know that might hurt some feelings

ChronicCowboy · Jun 5, 2023

Hopefully we get some solid production from Clark and Overshown at that position. Cox probably backs up LVE.

ghst187 · Jun 5, 2023

I was really impressed with him last year esp for no camp or much practice time. I expect him to make a huge leap.

Texas_Pete · Jun 5, 2023

Damone Clark and Sam I Am Williams are gonna be key contributors to the Cowboys top 3 defense. Book it.

Bowdown27 · Jun 5, 2023

TheMarathonContinues said:
I wonder was that trust or was it they simply had no one else?

It seemed they trusted him and didn’t use cox or anyone else to step up which I was surprised about considering Clarke injury history

Cowboys LB Damone Clark: 'Huge' in Coach Dan Quinn Defense?

THE BIG DOG