FRISCO, Texas – Robert Quinn looks around his new locker room and sees a team ready to contend.
"I don't see a weakness, which is unbelievable to say," he said.
Quinn wants to be an impactful addition to the Cowboys' divisional-round playoff roster from a year ago.
In March the Cowboys traded a 2020 sixth-round pick to the Dolphins for the 29-year-old defensive end, adding pass rush experience alongside Pro Bowl left end DeMarcus Lawrence.
Quinn, a career two-time Pro Bowler himself, was granted permission by the Dolphins to seek a trade this offseason. In Dallas, he's back in a scheme he's familiar with: rushing in a 4-3 defense after transitioning to standup outside linebacker the past two seasons in L.A. and Miami.
"It's fun to be back in a system like this," he said.
The Cowboys are glad to have him.
Quinn is a plug-and-play option at right defensive end. In addition to Tyrone Crawford and Taco Charlton, he offers quality depth with Randy Gregory currently facing an indefinite NFL suspension.
Those 69 career sacks are proof.
"Edge rush. You've got an elite rusher in this league," Cowboys defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Kris Richard said. "And he's still got things that he wants to work on that we know what we can help him with. Obviously rush and coverage goes together. That's exactly what he's going to bring us."
Taking part in his first week of OTAs with his new team, Quinn is excited to get to work under defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
"He just allows guys to play fast, think as little as possible, and I guess to simplify it, get in the backfield -- no matter if it's a tackle for loss or a quarterback sack, just disrupt," he said. "That's what a D-lineman is kind of made for. That's just how from day one he instills in us – get off the ball and disrupt the backfield."
The Cowboys ranked sixth in points allowed last season (20.3 per game) and continued to add interior pass rush options by drafting Trysten Hill in the second round.
Quinn, who has one year left on his current contract, helps shore up pressure on the outside.
This is the type of situation – a playoff team with potential – he wanted to be in.
"It makes you more excited to come into the building. It makes you want to work harder," he said. "You don't want to let anyone down because of what they did last year. I believe I'm a pretty decent player. So I just want to add what I can do and help this team get even better."
