IRVING, Texas – Former linebacker Martez Wilson isn't preparing to just ease into his role as a defensive end in Dallas.
The Cowboys signed Wilson on the short week and released defensive tackle Everett Dawkins. Despite just a couple days to prepare at a position he's not used to playing, he said he's ready to contribute immediately against a Raiders team that cut him a week ago.
"It adds a lot of aggression toward my play when I do play against them, and also it's going to put a fire behind me," Wilson said. "The Dallas Cowboys are going to give me my chance, and I'm going to execute it when I have my chance."
Before playing three games with the Raiders this year, Wilson was a former 2011 third round pick of the Saints. He played 13 games his rookie season with eight tackles and a sack while also contributing with nine tackles on special teams. He then appeared in all 16 games for New Orleans last year and tacked on three sacks.
He said he can play all three linebacker positions in the 4-3, but the Cowboys had him working with the defensive line during his first day of practice Tuesday. He said he'll have to keep his weight up if he's going to push linemen around, but he feels prepared for that task.
"I know I can do it, I know my ability allows me to do it, and I'm going to just use my technique and everything I've learned to execute it," Wilson said. [embedded_ad]
Wilson was cut by the Saints in October after playing in four games with three tackles and a sack. He said he thought Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan liked him a lot, but a dislocated elbow he suffered during a training camp practice set him back. He never felt like he was able to fully use his abilities.
"I had a sack in my limited playing time against Miami," Wilson recalled. "It's crazy. I had the sack and my playing time went down. I don't understand it, but it is what it is."
He'll get a chance on his third team of the year to make a new impression. That's something he looks forward to, even if it means only a couple days of practice before his first game in a Cowboys uniform. "See the ball, get the ball, play and react," he said.
