3 Things the Dallas Cowboys must do to win the Super Bowl in ’23
By Dink Kearney
Dallas Cowboys must continue to strengthen the defense
The first order of business for the Dallas Cowboys winning a Super Bowl was strengthening its defense. The weakest part of Dallas’ top-ranked defense was its running game. On any given Sunday, the defense would allow mediocre running backs to run wild for over 100 yards and look like future Hall of Famers.
Coach Big Mac-in conjunction with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn-immediately signed off on the Dallas Cowboys selecting defensive tackle Mazi Smith with its first-round pick. A player of Smith’s ability was too hard to hard to pass up for another position of need. Smith’s presence alone will allow linebackers Micah Parsons and Leighton Vander Esch to stay clean and have an absolute field day feasting on running backs and quarterbacks.
Good luck to Jalen Hurts ,Daniel Jones and any other running quarterback! The Dallas Cowboys have a defense where so many players can lay the wood!
Fans have become accustomed to Parsons being a ferocious pass edge rusher, but I will tell you to watch Parsons college game tape as a ruthless tackler. It’s literally the human version of when “Animals Attack”. With the ability to rush the quarterback and stop the run, Parsons should thank Smith in advance for him being a DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year). Yes….I’m calling it now.
Addressing the defensive tackle issue put the Dallas Cowboys in position to lead the league three years in a row in takeaways-another ingredient for Super Bowl success. Smith joins veteran nose tackle Johnathan Hankins to give the defensive line depth and a fresh pair of legs, but adding former DPOY/cornerback Stephon Gilmore to the mix was the upgrade Dallas’ secondary desperately needed.
Gilmore joins a promising secondary that includes All Pro Trevon Diggs, second-year sensation DaRon Bland (led team with 5 interceptions), and slot corner Jourdan Lewis (coming off a season-ending Lisfranc-foot injury). Lewis is a good slot corner that has a knack for the ball.
The Dallas Cowboys added some more key defensive pieces in the draft and signing UDFA (undrafted free agents). I know these players have not played a single snap in the NFL, but the tape on rookies like DeMarvion Overshown, Villiami Fehoko, Jr, Eric Scott, Isiah Land, and Myles Brooks don’t lie. Those “cats” can PLAY!
Sidenote: But the Dallas Cowboys front office must continue to seek what other veterans they can add to the defense once training camp starts and players are released. Continue to sharp the iron on the defense is wise move moving forward the ultimate goal.
If those rookies can just contribute in a decent fashion, the Dallas Cowboys defense will be one of the best in the league because of its versatility, depth, and overall talent. Those extra possessions off of takeaways will benefit the offense tremendously. Especially since Coach Big Mac wants to run the ball more.