Markquese Bell willing to fill big shoes as starting linebacker

CCBoy

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FRISCO, Texas — With the news breaking on Tuesday that veteran linebacker Leighton Vander Esch would miss the rest of the season with his neck injury that he suffered against San Francisco, all eyes turned to Markquese Bell. The second-year converted safety has filled in on the second level opposite of Damone Clark since Vander Esch's injury and has performed well despite starting the season in the third level of the defense. His calm-mannered and work-driven personality has allowed for him to take a significant jump in his second season to now fill a role that will be crucial towards the defense's success the rest of the way.

"I was nervous coming in last year not knowing where I'd fit in and how everything would play out," Bell said. "I gotta trust it and put my faith in God that he put me on this path for a reason. I'm blessed to be in this position I'm in right now."

Despite not having Vander Esch on the field alongside him, Bell has still been able to catch wisdom from him on the sideline during games as he continues his transition to the linebacker position. "He's on the sideline with us now," he said. "He's like another coach. He's definitely helping me find my way as a linebacker. He's a great guy. Leighton is a great mentor, a great leader to this team."

Playing opposite of fellow second-year defender Damone Clark, Bell has been able to form a bond with his new partner-in-crime as they look to navigate the linebacker position's success going forward. "That's my guy," Bell said. "Me and Damone came in together last year. We're both learning. We're teaching each other things. I was a safety so I'm telling him things from the backend perspective and he can tell me what the front is doing. We're giving each other game to help us grow."

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/markquese-bell-willing-to-fill-big-shoes-as-starting-linebacker
 

CCBoy

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CCBoy

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Executive vice president Stephen Jones said last week that Vander Esch wouldn't return before the playoffs, so doubt about his status already started creeping in. This latest update is hardly a surprise, but what makes it truly awful is the fact LVE's injury was entirely avoidable.

In Week 5, Vander Esch pursued 49ers running back Jordan Mason and left tackle Trent Williams shoved Vander Esch in the back and the LB crashed into Micah Parsons, which caused the injury. You can find a clip of the play behind this link.

https://thelandryhat.com/posts/did-...n-vander-esch-end-cowboys-career-01hf75xq1asx
 

HanD

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Probably makes Kearse expendable next year
With Hooker and Wilson signed to new deals and guys like bell (even if he shifts to lb full time), thomas, and overshown (either in the kearse role or playing lb and bell moving to the kerse role) i'd agree.
 

Beaker42

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Why do I feel we lucked out here? We’ve pretty much ignored the LB spot by taking projects (Clark) and guys coming off injury (LVE, Smith). Overshown was a great pick but it just seems like LB is a position we really don’t care about for lack of better wording. Maybe I’m wrong but it sure feels this way.
 

beware_d-ware

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Why do I feel we lucked out here? We’ve pretty much ignored the LB spot by taking projects (Clark) and guys coming off injury (LVE, Smith). Overshown was a great pick but it just seems like LB is a position we really don’t care about for lack of better wording. Maybe I’m wrong but it sure feels this way.
The results haven't been there, but I like the process of how the team handles LB.

The position has a long learning curve and a high injury rate, so you don't want to put all your eggs in one basket. The track record of 1st round LBs is about as bad as it gets. So DQ and McClay have hedged a bunch of cheap bets instead.

We just haven't had one of those cheap bets really hit. LVE had his moments post-2018, but he wasn't a stud. And everyone else has just been another guy.
 

exciter

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The pressure of stepping into a big role hasn't been there for Bell, as he's been able to use his special teams experience from year one to build confidence on the field while playing alongside a good friend in Clark in year two to make things familiar this time around.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/markquese-bell-willing-to-fill-big-shoes-as-starting-linebacker
He was active for 5 games and had a total of one tackle last season. Not exactly a lot of experience to draw from!
 
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