DALLAS - While the Dallas Cowboys pass defense was one of the best in the league last year, their ranking in stopping the run was just the opposite. ... The problem? It was clearly apparent in their 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers last year when Aaron Jones recorded 118 yards and three touchdowns.
This offseason, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn left to become the coach of the Washington Commanders. Dallas replaced him with former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. And then ...
The Cowboys, in an attempt to shore up their shaky run defense, signed linebacker Eric Kendricks who played for Zimmer in Minnesota.
In a recent article by CBS Sports, Kendricks was named one of the under-the-radar players that could shape the season
“Much like the Cowboys' first name on this list, Kendricks hopes to be a salve to Dallas' rush defense woes,” CBS Sports writes. “Since 2020, Kendricks' 286 run tackles are sixth in the NFL, and while he may not be the All-Pro he once was, Kendricks should help a unit that ranked dead last in success rate against the run in 2023.”
The Cowboys boast one of the best secondaries in the league along with a top-three pass-rusher and game-wrecker in Micah Parsons. They do not boast credentialed run-stoppers in the front line, however.
Teams will therefore try to run early and often on the Cowboys defense to take them out of the game and put them back on their heels.
If the Cowboys can’t get a better grasp on stopping the run this season, teams will exploit that weakness every week until they do. .. with Kendricks hopefully serving as a difference from last year to this year.
Training camp begins in Oxnard, California on July 25 to mark the official start of football season. ... at which time we'll see the unveiling of a Zimmer defense that might be relying on Kendricks to serve as a leader.
