The Cowboys have been criticized in recent years for their lack of physical play. And now they start the season against one of the most physical teams in the league with some other really physical clubs coming up in the first half of the schedule. What gives you confidence that the Cowboys can match that level of physicality this year? – Ray Fraley/Phoenix, AZ
Nick Eatman: Good question. I think Mike Zimmer is a big reason things are going to change defensively. If you watched his teams in Minnesota, no one rarely said they weren't tough enough. That's just the nature of him as a person and that's how he coaches and that's what he demands. Look at the linebacker position and see the difference in the type of players they've added. The defensive tackles up front are huge, strong and hard to move. I think on offense, they added a center in Cooper Beebe who made a career out of "dirtin" people to the ground. Sure, there's going to be a learning curve with the rookies, but they seem ready to fight. And a game like this will be a fistfight. I think this team will be up for that challenge but we're certainly about to find out.
Patrik: It took a while for me to get here this offseason, but, months later, the team hasn't simply added Kendricks, they've drafted a physical, fast linebacker in Marist Liufau, seen the return of a bulkier DeMarvion Overshown (those three variables now allowing a very physical Damone Clark to play more downhill) and they didn't stop there. Mike Zimmer also fueled the move that brought Jordan Phillips from the Giants (can flex between nose tackle and 3-tech with Osa Odighizuew) and Linval Joseph to help Mazi Smith at nose tackle. Hell, Zimmer even waved goodbye to a rookie draft pick (Justin Rogers) because apparently he wasn't being physical enough in the trenches. The secondary features not only cornerbacks and safeties who are damn good in coverage, but be it Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas, Trevon Diggs (go look at his tape just before injury in 2023), Jourdan Lewis and, yes, Caelen Carson also loves to hit as much as he loves to cover; it's no longer difficult for me to fathom this defense being more physical under Zimmer. The vision is becoming clear to me now, though it took a while for the Cowboys to convince me of it.
