Damone Clark being mentored by Sean Lee, LVE

[CCBoy]

OXNARD, Calif. — Adversity is the knife designed to carve away our outer layers to reveal who we truly are, if we allow it, and Damone Clark understands this all too well. He went from an All-American linebacker and national champion at LSU, and likely top-15 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, to an unexpected spinal fusion surgery that offseason that led to him being selected in the fourth round.

But, as Fate would have it, it was the Dallas Cowboys who discovered the issue in his neck during the pre-draft process before also repairing it and, ultimately, drafting him in April — Clark then bucking the odds by returning to the field only six months later.

Fast forward to 2023 and Clark found himself being, almost literally, the only linebacker on the active roster before it was all said-and-done, operating on an island with safeties attempting to help at the position; and then his beloved mentor, Leighton Vander Esch, was forced into medical retirement by yet another neck injury of his own.

He now finds himself surrounded by a stable of other talent, including former First-Team All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown, now returned from a redshirt season due to a torn ACL, rookie third-round pick Marist Liufau, UFL standout Willie Harvey Jr. and more...


https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/damone-clark-being-mentored-by-sean-lee-lve

 

[big dog cowboy]

Great article!

"Everything, and that's why I switched to it," he explained. "I'm going back to the root of things. I'm going out there and having fun. This is a game I've been playing my whole life. Last year, it got too far ahead of me sometimes. I was too high sometimes and too low sometimes. The biggest thing for me is now finding that neutral mindset and, at the end of the day, it's all just a game that I've been playing since I was five years old."

Anyone who's kept an eye on Clark can readily attest to the way he's been flying around the field to make plays in Oxnard in both coverage and in run defense — the latter showing an explosiveness and, more importantly, a decisiveness that harkens back to his days at LSU.

Really love that part. That's the Clark the Cowboys defense needs and will get now.

 

[The Ominous]

Man hearing that Frederick has been here which is awesome, I was going to post "Dang if only Sean Lee could come in and mentor. Possible future d coach? Please!"

 

[gimmesix]

OXNARD, Calif. — Adversity is the knife designed to carve away our outer layers to reveal who we truly are, if we allow it, and Damone Clark understands this all too well. He went from an All-American linebacker and national champion at LSU, and likely top-15 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, to an unexpected spinal fusion surgery that offseason that led to him being selected in the fourth round.

But, as Fate would have it, it was the Dallas Cowboys who discovered the issue in his neck during the pre-draft process before also repairing it and, ultimately, drafting him in April — Clark then bucking the odds by returning to the field only six months later.

Fast forward to 2023 and Clark found himself being, almost literally, the only linebacker on the active roster before it was all said-and-done, operating on an island with safeties attempting to help at the position; and then his beloved mentor, Leighton Vander Esch, was forced into medical retirement by yet another neck injury of his own.

He now finds himself surrounded by a stable of other talent, including former First-Team All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown, now returned from a redshirt season due to a torn ACL, rookie third-round pick Marist Liufau, UFL standout Willie Harvey Jr. and more...


https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/damone-clark-being-mentored-by-sean-lee-lve

Love Lee being involved. If Clark can learn his study habits and diagnostic ability, it will make him better as a player.

 

[Ranching]

Damn...a real football thread and everyone would rather post about Dak's contract..lol

 

[The Natural]

Sounds good and all but my expectations are low for Clark.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Sounds good and all but my expectations are low for Clark.

Expectations should be low but there’s some talent there for sure. Or was anyway.

 

[Jfconrow]

Clark, Overshown, and Liufau could be solid. I wish they had a stud at DE so Parsons could play LB. It seems to me they still need another DE and DT, but if the LBs all turn out to be solid it’ll be exciting to have what seems like 3 new LBs. Kendrick’s is in there too, but I don’t know if he’s big enough maybe they want him as a nickel LB to cover.

 

[Mikexike]

Promising news, love that the vets and alumi are mentoring these young guys.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Damn...a real football thread and everyone would rather post about Dak's contract..lol

What contract?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I can't remember which video it was on or I would post it.

However Broddaus and someone else was talking about Damon doing better and when out there Liufau was out there giving directions. They also said they noticed that Damon no longer had the green sticker on his helmet to indicate he was the one with the headset in his helmet to get calls from the D coach.

They seem to indicate that he has been playing better and flying around quicker without having to get the plays and direct other players and over think things.

Do not know if that is completely accurate but it is pretty close to what they were saying.

 

[plasticman]

I don't know why I was just thinking about Leroy Jordan, Chuck Howley, and Dave Edwards, the starting LB's for the Cowboys first Super Bowl Championship in 1971. I was 14 years old. I have the entire 1971 starting defense memorized for life.

Chuck Howley is 88, Leroy Jordan is 84 and Dave Edwards passed away in 2016. Bob Lilly was he heart of the Doomsday defense but those LB's were the muscle.

Even if they were up to being mentors, I don't think their game was the same as it is today. They played the game before all the "safety" rules were installed. Their techniques would probably be categorized as "unnecessary roughness" today.

The penalty of "unnecessary roughness" around 1971 was pretty much synonymous with 2nd degree attempted homicide.

That being said, Edwards missed one game in his last 11 seasons, Howley missed 6 games in 12 seasons, and Jordan didn't miss a single game in his last 11 seasons.

When Edwards retired after the 1973 season, he was replaced by D.D. Lewis who was the primary backup at LB for four seasons and had only started 2 games. Lewis would go on to missing only 2 starts over the next 9 seasons while also starting in three SB's.

 

[Coogiguy03]

This could be great for his growth, hoping he soaks up everything he can!!



https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/damone-clark-being-mentored-by-sean-lee-lve

 

[Ranching]

What contract?

He is currently under contact....DUH!

 

[Brooksey]

Hopefully he improves but I don't think he's the same player from college before the spinal fusion, probably have to be a backup.

He didn't look like a starting NFL LB in the playoffs... it was some of the worst LB play I've ever seen against GB

 

[CCBoy]

He is currently under contact....DUH!

Patrik [No C] Walker

@VoiceOfTheStar

Damone Clark told me he will continue to send film to Leighton Vander Esch this season for critiques and advice. LVE also connected Clark with former 2x #Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker Sean Lee. Lee and Clark exchanged numbers and Lee will also be helping Clark develop.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...r-teammate-leighton-vander-esch-sean-lee-2024

 

[Ranching]

Patrik [No C] Walker
@VoiceOfTheStar

Damone Clark told me he will continue to send film to Leighton Vander Esch this season for critiques and advice. LVE also connected Clark with former 2x #Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker Sean Lee. Lee and Clark exchanged numbers and Lee will also be helping Clark develop.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...r-teammate-leighton-vander-esch-sean-lee-2024

This is great....kinda like when Haley helped out Demarcus Ware early on.

 

[blueblood70]

Damn...a real football thread and everyone would rather post about Dak's contract..lol

until u dropped his name SHAME!

 

[blueblood70]

Clark, Overshown, and Liufau could be solid. I wish they had a stud at DE so Parsons could play LB. It seems to me they still need another DE and DT, but if the LBs all turn out to be solid it’ll be exciting to have what seems like 3 new LBs. Kendrick’s is in there too, but I don’t know if he’s big enough maybe they want him as a nickel LB to cover.

Harvey's looked good as well don't forget Wilson, they have a lot more options this year.. wide opened comp for all the spots IMHO..no true returning starters other than Parsons mixing in at times.

 

[blueblood70]

OXNARD, Calif. — Adversity is the knife designed to carve away our outer layers to reveal who we truly are, if we allow it, and Damone Clark understands this all too well. He went from an All-American linebacker and national champion at LSU, and likely top-15 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, to an unexpected spinal fusion surgery that offseason that led to him being selected in the fourth round.

But, as Fate would have it, it was the Dallas Cowboys who discovered the issue in his neck during the pre-draft process before also repairing it and, ultimately, drafting him in April — Clark then bucking the odds by returning to the field only six months later.

Fast forward to 2023 and Clark found himself being, almost literally, the only linebacker on the active roster before it was all said-and-done, operating on an island with safeties attempting to help at the position; and then his beloved mentor, Leighton Vander Esch, was forced into medical retirement by yet another neck injury of his own.

He now finds himself surrounded by a stable of other talent, including former First-Team All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown, now returned from a redshirt season due to a torn ACL, rookie third-round pick Marist Liufau, UFL standout Willie Harvey Jr. and more...


https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/damone-clark-being-mentored-by-sean-lee-lve

we have much more options than we had last year to get all these dudes mixed in there with Wilson and Harvey and Kendrick as veterans.. Then there's no pressure on where to plug the young guys in they could find a good healthy mix somewhere in there... People keep forgetting about Damien Wilson he's a pretty solid veteran... I haven't heard Malik jefferson's name but I believe he might still be on his roster...