Cowboys made several changes to LB in 2025, their new DC's forte

[CCBoy]

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/st...-changes-eberflus-murray-sanborn/83447640007/


Liufau would need to take a year two leap after starting nine games as a rookie where he had 50 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and three pass deflections. Overshown is the most questionable to get better. He was incredible coming off an injury in 2024, totaling 90 tackles in 12 starts, eight for a loss, five sacks, and an interception he returned for a touchdown. If James can contribute more than Nick Vigil, who started one game but played in 16 as a special teams contributor, the linebacker corps will be better.
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Kendricks for Sanborn and Murray could be a wash. Sandborn understands the defense, and Murray brings a lot of production. The difference in 2025 could be how Liufau develops, how good fifth-round pick Shemar James plays as a rookie, and how Overshown comes back from injury.

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Dallas traded for Kenneth Murray as the starting middle linebacker, who replaces Kendricks on the field. Over the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans, Murray played over 90% of the defensive snaps, averaging over 100 tackles and three sacks. He is an excellent athlete, but isn't instinctual and doesn't play with top-notch anticipation. Eberflus has always been considered a "linebacker whisperer" and has helped develop Sean Lee, Rolando McClain, Anthony Hitchens, Shaquille Leonard, Bobby Okereke, and Roquan Smith. It could elevate the entire unit if he could help take a good production guy like Murray, to the next level.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Hope Murray can become the enforcer in the middle of the defense who can help stop the run. Something Dallas has missed for so long. Desperately needed.

 

[CCBoy]

On March 12th, the Dallas Cowboys signed former Chicago Bear, Jack Sanborn, to a one-year deal. It’s a signing that has flown so far under the radar, it’s possible you haven’t heard about it.

Despite that, this former Wisconsin Badger and Matt Eberflus project has the potential to explode onto the scene in 2025.

Everybody knows the Cowboys’ linebacker room is developing, and that could lead to quite an opportunity for guys like this.

As the years progressed in Chicago, with Eberflus molding him, Sanborn became a centerpiece for the Bears’ defense. By the end of the 2024 season, he had compiled 48 games with the Bears, 4.5 sacks, 164 total tackles, and 14 tackles for loss. His playing time was cut down some last year, but his production stayed relatively the same. He is sneaky athletic, smart, and has the instincts of an All-Pro linebacker. He just has to reach that next level in his game to become great, which the Bears seem to think he can’t do.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/arti...king_for_the_dallas_cowboys/s1_17100_42175871

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

People have such high praise for Sanborn to the point I would be disappointed if he doesn’t make a mark on this defense.

 

[stilltheguru]

People have such high praise for Sanborn to the point I would be disappointed if he doesn’t make a mark on this defense.

I liked him in college. I think he can be a kendricks level player. Kendrick according to my eye and analytics had a good year last year

 

[CCBoy]

I liked him in college. I think he can be a kendricks level player. Kendrick according to my eye and analytics had a good year last year

The linebackers are again connecting the defensive line with the secondary and up the center of the field.

 

[Pass2Run]

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/st...-changes-eberflus-murray-sanborn/83447640007/


Liufau would need to take a year two leap after starting nine games as a rookie where he had 50 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and three pass deflections. Overshown is the most questionable to get better. He was incredible coming off an injury in 2024, totaling 90 tackles in 12 starts, eight for a loss, five sacks, and an interception he returned for a touchdown. If James can contribute more than Nick Vigil, who started one game but played in 16 as a special teams contributor, the linebacker corps will be better.
______________

Kendricks for Sanborn and Murray could be a wash. Sandborn understands the defense, and Murray brings a lot of production. The difference in 2025 could be how Liufau develops, how good fifth-round pick Shemar James plays as a rookie, and how Overshown comes back from injury.

______________

Dallas traded for Kenneth Murray as the starting middle linebacker, who replaces Kendricks on the field. Over the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans, Murray played over 90% of the defensive snaps, averaging over 100 tackles and three sacks. He is an excellent athlete, but isn't instinctual and doesn't play with top-notch anticipation. Eberflus has always been considered a "linebacker whisperer" and has helped develop Sean Lee, Rolando McClain, Anthony Hitchens, Shaquille Leonard, Bobby Okereke, and Roquan Smith. It could elevate the entire unit if he could help take a good production guy like Murray, to the next level.

I wonder if he'll have Parsons playing any LB snaps on run downs.

For 45 milly, he should be willing.

 

[XXLMike]

People say this guy is better than Sanborn:

 

[boysfanindc]

Have high hopes for Liufau.

 

[plasticman]

I wonder if he'll have Parsons playing any LB snaps on run downs.

For 45 milly, he should be willing.

My thoughts exactly.

The Cowboys made every effort to bring quality players to the DE position. Besides Dante Fowler and Payton Turner, they drafted a DE in the 2nd round in three out of the last four drafts.

If these five guys can hold down the position and generate an aggressive pass rush, then Parsons would be free to roam an OLB position.

There would be no double team as soon as the ball was snapped. He would be able to use the talent and attributes that were limited on the D-line.

Parsons has elite speed with a gift of being able to slide through the resistance and find the guy with the ball..

Parsons can be a very disruptive tackler, a natural playmaker that forces mistakes by opponents like fumbles.

Offenses would not be able to neutralize him because they wouldn't be quick enough to get to him even if they did know where he was going.

Of course, I'm not saying that he should be taken out of rushing the passer completely.

I just want you to imagine a 3rd and 20 with Fowler and Ezie at DE and Kneeland and Williams at DT along with Parsons at OLB.

I would like to see a 50-50 split between DE and OLB. perhaps he will be able to maintain his productivity for longer during the regular season. In his full seasons he has a tendency to wear down entering December.

Of course, at least two DEs really have to shine for that to happen.