The price for Dallas Cowboys star defender is only getting higher

With Zack Martin's retirement and DeMarcus Lawrence deciding to continue his career with the Seattle Seahawks, a new era is officially underway with the Dallas Cowboys. These two players have been stalwarts ever since they joined the organization and neither will be easily replaced anytime soon for what they both accomplished on and off the field.

While replacing either Martin or Lawrence in the starting lineup is as simple as plugging in the next man up, the production likely won't be on par. That's to be expected when trying to replace two players that have been building blocks for the organization for over a decade now, especially considering the caliber of players they've been.

For 11 years Martin has been a dominant force as the Cowboys right guard. The 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft has been a seven-time First-Team All-Pro, a two-time Second-Team All-Pro, and has been named to the Pro Bowl in nine of his 11 seasons before deciding to retire from the league.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...retire-zack-martin-micah-parsons-dak-prescott

Jerry and leaving his leadership elements. Dak Prescott and Parsons are it, now.
 
5Stars said:
If you were actually in the Navy, you would know this! There are no Army SEALS, there are no Air Force SEALS, there are no Marine SEALS, there are no Coast Guard SEALS and there are no Boy Scout Seals, period.

Correct yourself.

All active SEALs are members of the U.S. Navy. "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday" "It Pays To Be A Winner". "Never Out Of The Fight".
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So, you doubt my veracity sir ?
 
"I think run defense is all about mentality, there's definitely some schematics that go into it but I think for us it's just going to be about having the right approach, right mentality, and then just sitting down and getting our goals together of what we want to do, what we want to be…" Murray said.

"I don't think it's rocket science in the sense of you have to do a bunch of different things, I really do think it comes down to making sure that we're communicating and on the same page, understanding what our jobs are within the scheme, and then just play with the mentality that we're not going to let anybody run the ball on us."

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...-kenneth-murray-jr-on-dallas-new-look-defense
 
The best thing you can have as a leader is a strong supporting cast, and Murray believes that is the case with the personnel that the Cowboys have on their roster.

"I feel like we've got every piece that we need to be a dominant defense in the NFL," Murray said. "Just looking at our personnel, we're going to be a really fast defense, a really violent defense."

When Eberflus' defenses have been at their best in the past, they specialize in being able to stop the run and take the ball away. Turnovers have been a staple of the Cowboys defense in recent years, but they've struggled to stop the run, finishing 29th in the league last season and have not finished top 10 in the league since 2018 in the run defense category. Sanborn thinks all that will change soon.

"Being aggressive, one of the big things is he wants to stop the run," Sanborn said. "I think being aggressive, being physical, flying around to the football, tackling well, and we've got to get the football taken away from opposing offenses and that's what he harps on and is something he wants to get accomplished."

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...-kenneth-murray-jr-on-dallas-new-look-defense
 
It’s good to see Eberflus acknowledge how depth along the defensive line has presented some challenges for Dallas in recent years. The Cowboys had seven defensive linemen with at least two sacks in 2023, and four of those players were not available last year.

  • Dorance Armstrong (free agency)
  • Dante Fowler (free agency)
  • Sam Williams (injury)
  • Jonathan Hankins (free agency)
And attrition is at work again this year. The Cowboys had six defensive linemen with at least two sacks last year, and four of them are not on the team this year.

  • DeMarcus Lawrence (free agency)
  • Chauncey Golston (free agency)
  • Carl Lawson (unsigned)
  • Linval Joseph (unsigned)
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ers-osa-odighizuwa-dante-fowler-micah-parsons
 
https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/arti...rades_dl_breakdown_analysis/s1_16709_41921117

Cowboys EDGE​

Starter:
Micah Parsons
Dante Fowler Jr.
Dallas brought back Dante Fowler Jr. which was a major coup for this defensive front. He was a solid rotational piece but will be the starter this year — and is coming off a massive campaign with Washington. His addition softens the blow of losing both DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston.

Reserves:
Sam Williams
Marshawn Kneeland
Payton Turner
Tyrus Wheat
Luiji Vilain
Sam Williams missed all of 2024 with a torn ACL and should give this defense a spark if healthy. Marshawn Kneeland showed promise as an edge setter during his rookie season but needs to take a step forward in year two.
 

Cowboys Defensive Tackles​

Starters:
Osa Odighizuwa
Mazi Smith
It felt as though the Cowboys were going to lose Osa Odighizuwa following a breakout performance in 2024, but they came to terms on a four-year extension. That keeps them solid at the 3-tech but there are questions at nose tackle.

Mazi Smith as the size and power but hasn’t put it all together. This is a critical year for him and he might be running out of chances.

Reserves:
Solomon Thomas
Justin Rogers
Denzel Daxon
Earnest Brown

Solomon Thomas was the big addition thus far at tackle. He might not bring a lot of excitement but he knows defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton well and is an experienced 3-tech.

Justin Rogers and Denzel Daxon have yet to play a snap but the 338-pound Rogers is an interesting prospect at the 1-tech. Earnest Brown has been in the league for several years but is likely a camp body.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/arti...rades_dl_breakdown_analysis/s1_16709_41921117
 
It's kind of hilarious at this point that they look like they are just going to repeat what they did last year and just drag their feet on signing Parsons. If stubbornness were the most important quality in a GM, we'd have the best in the league by far.
 
CCBoy said:

Cowboys Defensive Tackles​

Starters:
Osa Odighizuwa
Mazi Smith
It felt as though the Cowboys were going to lose Osa Odighizuwa following a breakout performance in 2024, but they came to terms on a four-year extension. That keeps them solid at the 3-tech but there are questions at nose tackle.

Mazi Smith as the size and power but hasn’t put it all together. This is a critical year for him and he might be running out of chances.

Reserves:
Solomon Thomas
Justin Rogers
Denzel Daxon
Earnest Brown

Solomon Thomas was the big addition thus far at tackle. He might not bring a lot of excitement but he knows defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton well and is an experienced 3-tech.

Justin Rogers and Denzel Daxon have yet to play a snap but the 338-pound Rogers is an interesting prospect at the 1-tech. Earnest Brown has been in the league for several years but is likely a camp body.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/arti...rades_dl_breakdown_analysis/s1_16709_41921117
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DT is not all that much different than the rotation they ran out in 2024 that simply wasn't good enough. Thomas is a pass rushing 3T that can't stop the run. In a vacuum, not a terrible signing as he can get into the rotation and back up Osa. But he's still a JAG, rotational guy.

It comes down to the draft. And I have a funny feeling they are going to overlook DT again, maybe throwing some late round picks at one or two and call it a day. I hope I am wrong but I pretty much expect our DT play in 2025 to not be all that much different than our DT play in 2024.

They simply refuse to admit that DT is important and that Mazi just isn't the stud they had hope he would be.
 
CCBoy said:

Cowboys Defensive Tackles​

Starters:
Osa Odighizuwa
Mazi Smith
It felt as though the Cowboys were going to lose Osa Odighizuwa following a breakout performance in 2024, but they came to terms on a four-year extension. That keeps them solid at the 3-tech but there are questions at nose tackle.

Mazi Smith as the size and power but hasn’t put it all together. This is a critical year for him and he might be running out of chances.

Reserves:
Solomon Thomas
Justin Rogers
Denzel Daxon
Earnest Brown

Solomon Thomas was the big addition thus far at tackle. He might not bring a lot of excitement but he knows defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton well and is an experienced 3-tech.

Justin Rogers and Denzel Daxon have yet to play a snap but the 338-pound Rogers is an interesting prospect at the 1-tech. Earnest Brown has been in the league for several years but is likely a camp body.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/arti...rades_dl_breakdown_analysis/s1_16709_41921117
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also, Joseph is still here and wheat like Golston can play inside or out.. plenty of prospects for the DL coach to find the starting rotation. even of they don't draft one.. they likely will but..
 
blueblood70 said:
also, Joseph is still here and wheat like Golston can play inside or out.. plenty of prospects for the DL coach to find the starting rotation. even of they don't draft one.. they likely will but..
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LOL, if they don't draft a quality DT................ geezus.
 
Sydla said:
DT is not all that much different than the rotation they ran out in 2024 that simply wasn't good enough. Thomas is a pass rushing 3T that can't stop the run. In a vacuum, not a terrible signing as he can get into the rotation and back up Osa. But he's still a JAG, rotational guy.

It comes down to the draft. And I have a funny feeling they are going to overlook DT again, maybe throwing some late round picks at one or two and call it a day. I hope I am wrong but I pretty much expect our DT play in 2025 to not be all that much different than our DT play in 2024.

They simply refuse to admit that DT is important and that Mazi just isn't the stud they had hope he would be.
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Agreed. The draft is supposedly deep for DT. Need to get one in the first 3 rounds. Round 1 preferably. But like you said, I have a feeling they will overlook once again. Look at the Eagles, they have top oline and DLine. Probably not a coincidence they won it all.
 
Sydla said:
It's kind of hilarious at this point that they look like they are just going to repeat what they did last year and just drag their feet on signing Parsons. If stubbornness were the most important quality in a GM, we'd have the best in the league by far.
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Coaches have changed. Player roles are changed. Structure and depth has changed. Injury status from last season has changed.

Only non-changed element is insulting Jerry on basis of a 30 year calendar and the prediction of worse and gloom.

As you were!
 
After a season in the nations capital Fowler Jr. opted to return to the Cowboys last week, signing a one-year free agent contract.

“It feels amazing to be back, I’m definitely happy to be here in Dallas,” Fowler Jr. told DallasCowboys.com. “I’m ready to get going with the guys for sure. I’m definitely excited to be back in this defense and to help get this defense to be one of the top defenses in the league and to help the team get some wins.”

During his first run in Dallas, Fowler Jr. appeared in 34 games and recorded 40 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

In his lone season in Washington, the former 2015 first-round pick proved just how productive he can be when playing away from attention-getting players like Pro Bowlers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ades-jack-sanborn-kenneth-murray-dante-fowler
 
LT: Tyler Guyton
LG: Tyler Smith
C: Cooper Beebe
RG: Brock Hoffman
RT: Terence Steele

Dallas employed this lineup when Martin was injured last year, however, Tyler Guyton was unable to hold his job. He was often rotated out in favor of Edoga, which won’t happen now that the veteran is gone. That puts a lot of pressure on Guyton, who needs to show improvement in year two.

Right tackle isn’t as much of a concern after Terence Steele performed well in 2024. He bounced back from a subpar 2023 campaign, which was his first year back from knee surgery.

Tyler Smith is suddenly the veteran of the group and has emerged as a leader. The Cowboys could switch Cooper Beebe and Brock Hoffman, but both did well in these projected spots last season.

https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news...ency-grades-offensive-line-breakdown-analysis

Reserve Tackles:

Asim Richards
Matt Waletzko
Nathan Thomas
Earl Bostick Jr.

Matt Waletzko is the veteran of the group but Asim Richards made one start and appeared in 13 games last year — compared to seven games with no starts for Waletzko. Richards has been a decent player and could be the swing tackle if he shows more improvement.
 
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CCBoy said:
Coaches have changed. Player roles are changed. Structure and depth has changed. Injury status from last season has changed.

Only non-changed element is insulting Jerry on basis of a 30 year calendar and the prediction of worse and gloom.

As you were!
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Coaches have changed in the past. Player roles have changed in the past. Structure and depth has changed in the past. Teams that were injured got healthy in the past.

And we still are on one of the worst postseason runs in NFL history. Jerry should be insulted on the basis of a 30 year calendar. He's the longest tenured NFL GM since he didn't like working with Jimmy and all he has to show for it is zippo. But still proceeds to arrogantly tell the world he's the best GM they could have.

You lap it up. Because you have nothing else.
 
Reserve Interior>

G: Robert Jones
G: T.J. Bass
C: Dakoda Shepley

Robert Jones started 17 games for the Miami Dolphins in 2024 but he didn’t exactly light it up. He’s expected to be a reserve but gives them valuable experience. T.J. Bass was undrafted out of Oregon but has developed into a solid option as well. He was in line to replace Martin before Hoffman’s ascension.

Overall, they did fine through Week 1, ensuring they have some depth. Still, this isn’t the same unit we’ve grown accustomed to seeing in Big D.
 
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