FRISCO, TX — There was a concerted effort by the Dallas Cowboys this offseason to not only repair the corps of linebackers, but to wildly upgrade it. That began with hiring the right maestro for the symphony of talent they were hoping to add, and Mike Zimmer returning as defensive coordinator set into motion a chain of events that might lead to an orchestra of success.
It began with poaching Eric Kendricks away from the San Francisco 49ers at the last minute in free agency, and then using a third-round pick on Marist Liufau. And though DeMarvion Overshown was already on the roster, returning from a redshirt first year makes him a de facto acquisition for 2024.
That's two third-round picks taking the field for their first NFL game.
The moves will also allow Damone Clark to get back to playing the style of ball in Year 3 that made him an All-American and First-Team All-SEC linebacker at LSU. The unit was flying around like angry pterodactyls in Oxnard, but it's time to see what they can do in the regular season — the first test coming by way of the Browns in Cleveland on Sept. 8.
"Coach Zim would just say, 'Cut it loose. Let me do the thinking. Just go out there and have fun," Liufau said of Zimmer's message to the young linebackers and other defensive players.
This is a message that materialized often on the field in Oxnard and in the preseason, seeing how fast and free the linebackers were playing on any given rep.
It also works in Zimmer's and the Cowboys' favor that their top four linebackers aren't easily shaken by hostile environments such as the one that'll greet them at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
As noted, Clark hails from LSU (and he's now played in many an unfriendly NFL stadium), Overshown arrived from Texas and Liufau suited up for Notre Dame; and the latter made it clear he's accustomed to playing for a "team that everybody hates", a sentiment that could mentally serve him well in adjusting to wearing the Star.
Overshown knows a little something about that as well, and while he's turned up to take the field for his first-ever regular season game after an arduous journey back from a torn ACL suffered last August, he has no plans on letting his nerves get the best of him.
"Basically, I'm just going in there with a level-headed mind — knowing what we're going into and knowing it's the first game of the season." he said. "Everybody's amped up to play, but you can't be too far in your head to where you're making mental errors. Go in there grounded and knowing I'm there to take care of business. I love this.
"This is what I do for fun and I'm gonna go out there and take care of business."
There is the matter of matchups to consider here though, and the Browns are a handful.
There's the headline battle to come between former Cowboys' receiver Amari Cooper and a secondary that is both familiar with his tendencies but also down a First-Team All-Pro, as DaRon Bland recovers from foot surgery, but the offense will go as Deshaun Watson does.
Watson has made a career out of being able to make and extend plays with his legs, and the Cowboys have routinely struggled in the past against mobile quarterbacks.
"Definitely emphasizing that as a defense — knowing he's a good runner," said Liufau. "It's always a challenge when you've got a running quarterback, because they're a threat to you in so many ways. We're just preparing for that and keeping that in mind this week."
Overshown agreed, and added some oomph to the outlook.
"That's always one thing about a running quarterback: they're scary and able to improvise if things don't go right there in that play," he said. "We've definitely got some stuff cooked up for those situations, and that's one of my specialties: getting after quarterbacks who like to leave the pocket.
"I'm looking forward to that as well."
One of the best, if not the best, cover linebacker in the 2023 class, Overshown is not exaggerating regarding his ability to cover ground rapidly and play sideline to sideline. The same goes for Liufau’s speed and football IQ, and all of these things will be needed to help contain Watson — though it must also be said that Watson hasn't played in a game since being put on season-ending injured reserve in November with a shoulder injury.
Nobody on the Cowboys' defense is assuming Watson will have any rust though, instead preparing for him to be in top form to avoid getting caught off-guard.
And considering they're practicing regularly against the league's No. 1 offense, Overshown says they're all prepped well and ready to go.
"One thing about going into this Cleveland game is knowing I practice against the best everyday, so whatever they've got for us, I'm pretty sure I've seen it here with the talent we've got on this roster," he said. "I'm going into the game just knowing I've got to do my 1/11th for the team."
The young linebackers are playing for each other in Week 1 and beyond.
"Anytime I step on the field, I'm gonna bring energy and everything I got with me for the guy next to me," said Liufau.
With Zimmer conducting it all, the Cowboys' defense might just strike the right chords to begin the season, and it would be thanks in no small part to a corps of linebackers the likes of which Dallas hasn't seen in a very, very long time.
It's music to everyone's ears.
