I like to hear some opinions Damone Clark's second season

[RonWashington]

I like to hear some opinions of a mostly knowledgeable passionate Cowboys fan base on what really is Clark’s second season . At times I like what I see and other times he gets lost in the wash . His cover skills seem a little suspect . In his favor it’s early in the career and he should improve his game .

No question in my mind the linebacker position along with OLine need serious consideration of talent in the April convention .

 

[nyc-cowboy]

With their first pick of the 2024 draft the Cowboys select...

 

[stilltheguru]

He's been better than last year but I still haven't seen the hype that I heard pre-draft. (First rounder in the 5th).

 

[Mr_437]

I remember when Ken Norton Jr. was a ok LB that wasn't much to talk about, but something clicked and he became a leader of a SB Defense. Damone is in his first full year of starting, and Idk if he'll become a impact player but I'll have some grace about his game.

 

[Jumbo075]

I like to hear some opinions of a mostly knowledgeable passionate Cowboys fan base on what really is Clark’s second season . At times I like what I see and other times he gets lost in the wash . His cover skills seem a little suspect . In his favor it’s early in the career and he should improve his game .

No question in my mind the linebacker position along with OLine need serious consideration of talent in the April convention .

He needs to continue to improve. He’s not playing at the level the Cowboys need.

But I’m not going to write him off. There is still time for him to improve

 

[Bagman]

He definitely doesn't jump off the screen. Gets washed a bit and I think he lacks the power to blast an RB or TE. An MLB should shatter people. Think Bobby Wagner or Fred Warner. He should be an enforcer and he's just not.

 

[RonWashington]

Yeah it’s early in the career no doubt . But when the front office fishes for LB’s other clubs are cutting loose , Barr and Evans come to mind it’s time to break out the college tapes scout some new blood at LB .

Bell for a lack of options is playing out of position . I look for him to move back to safety in 24 . Where he belongs .

 

[Praxit]

..he's coming along. Future looks bright.

 

[stilltheguru]

I remember when Ken Norton Jr. was a ok LB that wasn't much to talk about, but something clicked and he became a leader of a SB Defense. Damone is in his first full year of starting, and Idk if he'll become a impact player but I'll have some grace about his game.

Yea I'll Def give him time. Next year is the last chance to show what he is though. Linebackers don't take 4-5 years to arrive

 

[805BoysInBlue]

The jury is still out on him, but so far it's not looking good.

 

[RonWashington]

The Jabril Cox hype saw him as a Commander out of town . Hope this Ends better for Dallas

 

[beware_d-ware]

Clark isn't very good, but he's also basically a rookie, and LB is a position that takes time to develop. Good LBs have to diagnose plays from an offense that is working hard to fool them. It takes time and reps to start seeing things fast.

Right now, I would list him as "meeting expectations". I'd be worried if he doesn't start playing a step faster next season.

I'd still prioritize adding another LB in the offseason. Assuming Vander Esch calls it a day, Clark is the only "real" MLB we have on the roster. Overshown isn't the answer there, he looks like a good player, but he's another 220 lb hybrid type. I would sign a vet as insurance in case Clark doesn't develop.

 

[ak47kaehu]

With their first pick of the 2024 draft the Cowboys select...

Some guy with a neck injury in college

 

[ak47kaehu]

Clark isn't very good, but he's also basically a rookie, and LB is a position that takes time to develop. Good LBs have to diagnose plays from an offense that is working hard to fool them. It takes time and reps to start seeing things fast.

Right now, I would list him as "meeting expectations". I'd be worried if he doesn't start playing a step faster next season.

I'd still prioritize adding another LB in the offseason. Assuming Vander Esch calls it a day, Clark is the only "real" MLB we have on the roster. Overshown isn't the answer there, he looks like a good player, but he's another 220 lb hybrid type. I would sign a vet as insurance in case Clark doesn't develop.

Overshown and Fred Warner are the same height and weight......look it up.

 

[kskboys]

I like to hear some opinions of a mostly knowledgeable passionate Cowboys fan base on what really is Clark’s second season . At times I like what I see and other times he gets lost in the wash . His cover skills seem a little suspect . In his favor it’s early in the career and he should improve his game .

No question in my mind the linebacker position along with OLine need serious consideration of talent in the April convention .

"Info processing is still developing. Late to recognize route development. Short area quickness is lackluster. Slap tackler who doesn't drive his weight thru targets. Poor lateral mover who will have to eat blocks to get around them. Slow to reve up his engines in pursuit. Play speed rarely reaches full potential......"

Translation: Lacks burst and lateral agility. If you think about it, this is the same type of inconsistencies we saw w/ Jeff Heath. Guys who don't turn well(get this) don't turn well. It's not something that can be learned. Damone will always have these limitations due to poor lateral agility and burst.

I have no idea why people started seeing him as a high draft pick. The stuff I looked at puts him in the 6th round, which is what he's playing like.

 

[atlantacowboy]

I remember when Ken Norton Jr. was a ok LB that wasn't much to talk about, but something clicked and he became a leader of a SB Defense. Damone is in his first full year of starting, and Idk if he'll become an impact player but I'll have some grace about his game.

The something was Jimmy Johnson who lit a fire under his butt.

 

[kskboys]

The Jabril Cox hype saw him as a Commander out of town . Hope this Ends better for Dallas

Same lack of lateral agility. You absolutely will not be able to play LB at a high level if you can't cut and turn quickly.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Overshown and Fred Warner are the same height and weight......look it up.

So is my neighbors kid, Sean. I’m the exact same size as Deron Bland. This is fun!

 

[ak47kaehu]

So is my neighbors kid, Sean. I’m the exact same size as Deron Bland. This is fun!

OK great argument

 

[plasticman]

In one word?

.....Inauspicious.

Yeah, he's there. I would say he is doing an average job. It's not easy being the only true starting LB for the Cowboys that weigh more than 205.LBS.

However, I expected a much steeper rise in performance given his late season development in 2022. The narrative was that he would have been a much higher pick had it not been for his injury and that taking a risk on him was going to pay dividends, he was considered a steal.

He's functional and the design of the defense is not his fault. He's having to dodge the big boys to get to the ball carrier.

Those O-linemen should be engaged with some huge DT cluttering up the middle. However, Hankins is hurt and Mazi is inexperienced, so Clark is trying to do his job with a huge target on his back. He should be in search and destroy mode, not the opponent's blockers.

It's a combination of team design and Clark's inability to play up to the next level. I had him contributing with a breakout season, it's disappointing.