FRISCO, Texas – Not for nothing, if learning anything about me over these past 24 Dallas Cowboys seasons on DallasCowboys.com, probably my streak of stubbornness stands out.
So here we go, one more time.
The Cowboys will be leaving for training camp in 11 days, scheduled to arrive in Oxnard, Calif., on July 23. Staying a robust 30 days. Gobs of work to do. Lot to figure out. Especially knowing 13 guys from last year's team, including nine starters and four prime rotation players, will no longer be with them.
And when you can only afford to sign one presumed starter in free agency (Eric Kendricks) – and who knows where Ezekiel Elliott fits in, but rest assured prominently – plus re-signing only a handful of your own rotational-type guys, the Cowboys are in desperate need for some of the youngsters on this team to step up. Way up.
So once again, instead of selecting a Mr. Indispensable, we go another route, right? The indispensable players on this team are so obvious. Dak Prescott. CeeDee Lamb. Zack Martin. DeMarcus Lawrence. Micah Parsons. Tyler Smith. Brandin Cooks. DaRon Bland. Trevon Diggs. Jake Ferguson. Heck, Brandon Aubrey.
Assuming no arguments there, and don't need me to point out why with any one of those guys. You know.
That means once again for this year's pre-camp designation we'll go with someone on the verge. The guy having shown promise but not quite having that hugely needed impact just yet. The guy who must become relevant.
This is where my stubbornness comes in and didn't even realize until looking back to the chosen ones from 2023.
Now guessing you guys are probably thinking Mazi Smith is my choice. And the Cowboys certainly need last year's first-round pick to step up. Way up. But remember, we're looking for someone "on the verge." There was no "verge" to Mazi's game last year. He's got to come comparatively from out of nowhere.
Another potential guess would be Jalen Tolbert, another youngster needing to make a leap. But to me, this choice of relevancy must spur the Cowboys to new heights. Tolbert, or for that matter Jalen Brooks, at this point would become no better than the third receiver. And look, if a team is counting on a third receiver to make or break a season, you got bigger problems. Heck, back in 1995 when the Cowboys last won a Super Bowl, got an educated guess who the third receiver in the pecking order was?
Wait on it … wait on it. After Michael Irvin and Kevin Williams, plus not counting tight ends or running backs or fullbacks for pure reception numbers … it was …
Cory Fleming, six receptions, 10 times fewer than Jay Novack and Emmitt Smith and five times fewer than Daryl Johnston.
After that, well, can you really count on rookie draft choices or guys spending last year's rookie seasons on injured reserve to save the day? They must supplement.
Indeed, so let's go back to last year. My choices for Mr. Relevant started with tight end Jake Ferguson being called upon in his second season to replace the free-agency departed Dalton Schultz. Bingo, Fergie went on to a Pro Bowl season, second on the team in both receptions (71) and receiving yards (761). Not bad, eh?
My other choice? Sam Williams. Uh, relevancy, uh, not so much. Not enough.
Sam had an OK Season 2 in the NFL, finishing third on the team with 4½ sacks, sixth with 17 pressures but just 16th with 20 total tackles. More telling, Williams only earned 28.3 percent of the defensive snaps, ranking eighth on the defensive line and 16th on the entire defense. Played in all 17 games, but no starts. Well, did tie for the team lead with four special teams tackles and one blocked kick.
To me, well, that's some verge.
And had decided Sam was going to be The Man for Mr. Relevant before going back to remind myself of the chosen ones from last year. Just can't believe was that wrong.
Now "Sam The Man," Take II.
It's time. Maybe even past time. The 2022 second-round draft choice is entering his third season. Man, the Cowboys need him to become a player. Need him bad.
Last year he might have been the fifth guy in the defensive-end rotation behind Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. Well, Armstrong and Fowler took the Commanders money to run to Washington in Dan Quinn's wake. Let's also remember new-old defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has designs on Micah playing a little more at linebacker.
That means if Micah is at linebacker, the defensive ends are D-Law and … and … well, Sam, step right up. Because besides him, it's second-round draft choice Marshawn Kneeland, 2021 third-round draft choice Chauncey Golston, who has been playing inside some at tackle, a last year rookie free agent Tyrus Wheat, a last year fourth-round draft choice Viliamo Fehoko, another guy getting some looks inside but has yet to play an NFL down, and another 2023 rookie free agent Durrell Johnson, who spent all of last season on the practice squad.
As you can see, Williams is needed. And by the looks of things, the third-year defensive end will get opportunities. Plenty of opportunities just waiting to be earned.
Williams arrived in 2022 out of Ole Miss as an intriguing defensive end with minimal college experience. Oh, for sure he had pass-rush skills but was a work in progress playing the run. Had spent two years in junior college before three more at Ole Miss thanks to the 2020 COVID stoppage.
Last year there were times Williams' light was blinking, and especially on special teams in coverage and kick-blocking opportunities – when he remembered he can't run into the kicker or interfere with a return man's ability to catch the punt.
Man, if Sam can become The Man, think about the cap space the Cowboys will have saved not trying to match Washington's offers to Armstrong and Fowler.
It's your time, buddy, and count on me stubbornly thinking Sam is capable of emerging from just the average weeds.
To become relevant. Mr. Relevant, to you.
