Marist Liufau, DeMarvion Overshown on Cowboys' LB upgrades, looming battle with Browns

[CCBoy]

FRISCO, TX — There was a concerted effort by the Dallas Cowboys this offseason to not only repair the corps of linebackers, but to wildly upgrade it. That began with hiring the right maestro for the symphony of talent they were hoping to add, and Mike Zimmer returning as defensive coordinator set into motion a chain of events that might lead to an orchestra of success.

It began with poaching Eric Kendricks away from the San Francisco 49ers at the last minute in free agency, and then using a third-round pick on Marist Liufau. And though DeMarvion Overshown was already on the roster, returning from a redshirt first year makes him a de facto acquisition for 2024.

That's two third-round picks taking the field for their first NFL game.

The moves will also allow Damone Clark to get back to playing the style of ball in Year 3 that made him an All-American and First-Team All-SEC linebacker at LSU. The unit was flying around like angry pterodactyls in Oxnard, but it's time to see what they can do in the regular season — the first test coming by way of the Browns in Cleveland on Sept. 8...

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...owboys-lb-upgrades-looming-battle-with-browns

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

A lot of talk about the young LBers, but Kendricks is going to be the biggest addition there.

His ability to play fast just by being smart hasn't existed in that position group since Sean Lee.

 

[CCBoy]

A young and good linebacker group, this fan is watching.

 

[big dog cowboy]

With Zimmer conducting it all, the Cowboys' defense might just strike the right chords to begin the season, and it would be thanks in no small part to a corps of linebackers the likes of which Dallas hasn't seen in a very, very long time.

This is exactly what I've been saying for the last few months. They have the potential to not only be good, but real good.

The difference in LB play this year to last year is light years!

 

[thunderpimp91]

A lot of talk about the young LBers, but Kendricks is going to be the biggest addition there.

His ability to play fast just by being smart hasn't existed in that position group since Sean Lee.

Very true. If Kendricks goes down we are talking about how thin this LB unit is once again. There is potential in this group, but I don't see anyone else on the roster I'd want to step in at MLB for 60 snaps a game right away.

 

[CCBoy]

Very true. If Kendricks goes down we are talking about how thin this LB unit is once again. There is potential in this group, but I don't see anyone else on the roster I'd want to step in at MLB for 60 snaps a game right away.

Not so fast with a biased discard...

As noted, Clark hails from LSU (and he’s now played in many an unfriendly NFL stadium), Overshown arrived from Texas and Liufau suited up for Notre Dame; and the latter made it clear he’s accustomed to playing for a “team that everybody hates”, a sentiment that could mentally serve him well in adjusting to wearing the Star.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...fau-demarvion-overshown-dak-prescott-contract

 

[CCBoy]

A lot of talk about the young LBers, but Kendricks is going to be the biggest addition there.

His ability to play fast just by being smart hasn't existed in that position group since Sean Lee.

Cowboys fans are not the only people seeing what Overshown can bring to the table. He can be the best linebacker on the team, and probably will be. I think Eric Kendricks will still be that guy for one year, but Overshown is not far behind.

Being younger is also a plus.

https://insidethestar.com/espn-names-dallas-cowboys-lb-as-biggest-x-factor-for-2024/

ESPN names Dallas Cowboys’ LB as biggest X-factor for 2024​

https://insidethestar.com/espn-names-dallas-cowboys-lb-as-biggest-x-factor-for-2024/

 

[thunderpimp91]

Not so fast with a biased discard...

As noted, Clark hails from LSU (and he’s now played in many an unfriendly NFL stadium), Overshown arrived from Texas and Liufau suited up for Notre Dame; and the latter made it clear he’s accustomed to playing for a “team that everybody hates”, a sentiment that could mentally serve him well in adjusting to wearing the Star.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...fau-demarvion-overshown-dak-prescott-contract

How is that biased discard?

Clark profiles significantly better on the weak side, he actually played quite a bit in the middle last year after LVE went down and was half the reason fans said this team was horrible at the LB position. Overshown also profiles better as a weak side backer, and is yet to play a single snap in the NFL. Liufau is a mid round pick yet to touch the field as well. I think its more than fair to say that we have a lot of unknowns after Kendricks and no one I would feel comfortable with playing the middle right away.


If you have something of substance to disagree with me on lets have that conversation, but even the article you quoted says that Kendricks is likely to be the guy for another year.

 

[Mikexike]

This will be a fun group to watch! Sunday can't get here fast enough

 

[Roland]

Very excited to see what this group can bring to the table. Some veteran experience and some young guns. Add to that Zimmer and we should have improved results in the run D. I expect some minor hiccups early in the season as they all get accustomed to their role but overall we should be better that last year. We shall see. GO COWBOYS!

 

[Blast From The Past]

I am excited to see if this group of linebackers can hunt. If they get to the ball carrier in quick fashion so we can finally stop the run gashes we hated but yet endured season after season. And if the back end can hold up hopefully we can still get the ints we got accustomed to. But lb's are key only if the guys up front do their jobs and keep them clean can they be effective.

 

[Roland]

I am excited to see if this group of linebackers can hunt. If they get to the ball carrier in quick fashion so we can finally stop the run gashes we hated but yet endured season after season. And if the back end can hold up hopefully we can still get the ints we got accustomed to. But lb's are key only if the guys up front do their jobs and keep them clean can they be effective.

And that last part is what concerns me. Did we do enough up front to keep the lbs free and clear?

 

[Mr_437]

And that last part is what concerns me. Did we do enough up front to keep the lbs free and clear?

I was gonna say they have to stay clean to make plays.

 

[CCBoy]

How is that biased discard?

Clark profiles significantly better on the weak side, he actually played quite a bit in the middle last year after LVE went down and was half the reason fans said this team was horrible at the LB position. Overshown also profiles better as a weak side backer, and is yet to play a single snap in the NFL. Liufau is a mid round pick yet to touch the field as well. I think its more than fair to say that we have a lot of unknowns after Kendricks and no one I would feel comfortable with playing the middle right away.


If you have something of substance to disagree with me on lets have that conversation, but even the article you quoted says that Kendricks is likely to be the guy for another year.

(coughing)

Cowboys fans are not the only people seeing what Overshown can bring to the table. He can be the best linebacker on the team, and probably will be. I think Eric Kendricks will still be that guy for one year, but Overshown is not far behind.

Being younger is also a plus.

https://insidethestar.com/espn-names-dallas-cowboys-lb-as-biggest-x-factor-for-2024/

He also is one of three high talent linebackers now in the current positional group.

 

[thunderpimp91]

(coughing)

Cowboys fans are not the only people seeing what Overshown can bring to the table. He can be the best linebacker on the team, and probably will be. I think Eric Kendricks will still be that guy for one year, but Overshown is not far behind.

Being younger is also a plus.

https://insidethestar.com/espn-names-dallas-cowboys-lb-as-biggest-x-factor-for-2024/

He also is one of three high talent linebackers now in the current positional group.

I'm capable of reading....I'm still confused by what your issue is with my initial statement though. If Kendricks goes down do you expect Overshown to play the middle????

 

[CCBoy]

And with all due respect to the venerable Dawg Pound, nothing the newly-renamed Huntington Bank Field can throw at him is likely to faze the 23-year-old Liufau. He did, after all, see his very first college snaps as a visitor between the fabled hedges in Athens, Georgia. Then over his tenure with the Fighting Irish came road contests at The Big House in Ann Arbor, The Horseshoe in Columbus, L.A. Memorial Coliseum, and Clemson’s Death Valley: some of the biggest and most awe-inspiring settings in the nation for a college player. “You either love Notre Dame or you hate them, so everywhere we go on the road, everyone hates us, ” Liufau told reporters this week at The Star. “That’s helped me to grow as a player and kind of handle those environments and sort it out.”

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2024/09/04/cowboys-marist-liufau-quotes-week-1-prep/

...“Having great D-linemen in front of linebackers is, it’s everything, really,” Liufau confirmed.

“Any time we step onto the field, it’s really trying to prove that we’re a top defense in the NFL.”

If Liufau is able to help the Dallas defense do that with a strong debut showing in Cleveland, much of the credit, he says, will go to the Cowboys coaches staff. More intense film study and opponent-specific prep work, he’s found, is one of the major differences in making the transition from college- even a big-time program- to the pros.

 

[Blast From The Past]

And that last part is what concerns me. Did we do enough up front to keep the lbs free and clear?

That is our hope and we are gonna find out soon enough.

 

[CCBoy]

I'm capable of reading....I'm still confused by what your issue is with my initial statement though. If Kendricks goes down do you expect Overshown to play the middle????

First, you predicting injury from the start? I'm not at all.

The postings pointed to potential for strong growth with this very trio beyond a new leader, to the defense.

I'm not about to discount their youthful potentials. You?

This whole linebacker group, here and now, are a strength and good.

Point, if you are first discounting and talking them down, That is your contribution. But that is on you. I'll gladly wait and just see...not doubt.

 

[blueblood70]

Very true. If Kendricks goes down we are talking about how thin this LB unit is once again. There is potential in this group, but I don't see anyone else on the roster I'd want to step in at MLB for 60 snaps a game right away.

You know all teams can play this what if game... it's hilarious that you don't believe other teams that have the same problem. how deep does anyone's roster go ay any position, you expect no drop off ?? LOL umm ok delusional; like this is why our fan base doesn't seem to watch pother teams,

they are NOT deep where they can say no drop off on most positions unless they lucked out like us for instance Safety is deep , just worked out that way ...roster limits and salary cap dictate if there are injury's just suck it up move payers around and hope for the best you can bring guys back for short periods like Hitchens or Wilson types for in season needs. Its what the PS is for and not many teams are deep enough to not worry if their best player goes down at each position.

attrition is part of sports.

 

[thunderpimp91]

First, you predicting injury from the start? I'm not at all.

Nope, I clearly said "IF Kendricks were to go down". Not a prediction at all,

The postings pointed to potential for strong growth with this very trio beyond a new leader, to the defense.

I'm not about to discount their youthful potentials. You?

This whole linebacker group, here and now, are a strength and good.

Point, if you are first discounting and talking them down, That is your contribution. But that is on you. I'll gladly wait and just see...not doubt.

There is a ton of youth and potential in this group, I never said otherwise. That still doesn't mean that the raw talent they have at the position is ready to step in. If your only goal here is complete Cowboy homerism that's 100% fine, but please don't quote my posts for trying to have actual football discussions beyond just face value.