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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kenneth Murray Jr. Promises One Key Improvement for the Dallas Cowboys Defense
Kenneth Murray Jr. Promises One Key Improvement for the Dallas Cowboys Defense originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys made several moves this offseason to improve their defense heading into the 2025 season. Dallas added value to the linebacker room by trading for former first-round pick Kenneth Murray Jr., and by signing linebacker Jack Sanborn. Advertisement Both are penciled in as starters. And … Murray is expected to contribute from Day 1 and there are rumors coming out of OTAs that he could wear the green dot to call plays this year. As someone who could immediately step in to relay the defensive play calls and quarterback the defense, Murray is vowing the unit will improve in a key area that's haunted them for years. Murray believes the Cowboys must stop the run if they truly want to be a great defense group. "The first thing you need to start by building a great defense is stopping the run,' Murray said, via DLLS. 'And so I think that was really the first thing that Ebeflus kind of talked about was stopping the run as a pillar of our defense. It's definitely an emphasis for us. Advertisement "Obviously, it's a new style coming in, and then, you know, got some new players. That's something that I'll take extremely personally. That that's mentality I'm gonna bring to it. It's personal, man. When they just running it down your throat, it's unacceptable." Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is known for an aggressive scheme and consistently getting stellar play out of his linebackers. Murray recorded 95 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble across 14 games last season in Tennessee. But now? Murray has a chance to be a key contributor on a Cowboys defense that's looking to be an elite level unit. Advertisement Related: Cowboys Make Major Change To Fix Glaring Roster Flaw Related: DeMarvion Overshown Previews His New Jersey Number at Cowboys OTAs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys have options to help survive absence of key defender, former 3rd-round pick
It's hard to find a more promising player on the Dallas Cowboys defense than third-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. Overshown, a 2023 third-round pick, has been quite the rising star since joining the Cowboys. Blessed with speed, explosiveness and game awareness, Overshown is a human highlight reel whenever he's on the field. The only problem is he's not regularly able to be on the field. Injuries are as much a part of Overshown's young career as his highlights. A pair of significant knee injuries have limited the 24-year-old to just 13 games through two seasons. Still recovering from offseason surgery, it's a situation that promises to bleed well into the Cowboys' 2025 campaign, requiring bridge players and contingency plans at the weakside linebacker (WILL) position early this season. Advertisement Overshown's exact return date has yet to be determined but given the severity and timing of the injury, anything before Thanksgiving would be considered an optimistic estimate. As such, the Cowboys have had to operate as if they're hunting for a true starter at WILL and not just a Band Aid to tread water. The Cowboys actively shopped the LB position throughout the offseason, adding veterans Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn and drafting Shemar James. It's a bit of a mystery as to where each player will fit on the Dallas defense this season but it's a safe bet new Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will test out a number of combinations. One player who could indirectly dictate where the pieces fit is second-year player Marist Liufau. Liufau, a third-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, flashed brightly during his rookie season. Liufau was inconsistent but displayed special traits which can't be taught. Like Overshown, he factors into the future at LB making his final landing spot somewhat clear. If Overshown is the future at WILL, then Liufau likely has to move to the middle (MIKE) at some point. With only two LB spots considered 'starters,' there aren't any other options left for Liufau. Granted the Cowboys could keep Liufau at WILL for another season while Overshown eases back. But with so much depth across the LB ranks it's probably wiser to start the move to MIKE right now. Advertisement If Liufau moves to the middle, he'll likely platoon with another player to share the workload. Sanborn, listed as the only MIKE on the roster, could be that player. This would leave Murray and the rookie (Shemar) James to duke it out at WILL. Murray, a veteran, is physically gifted but lacks the film to look like an obvious solution. James is equally as troubling since he's a Day 3 rookie who will be just lucky to crack a rotation in 2025. Even Damone Clark, the forgotten fourth-year LB, could step into the mix and serve as the bridge to Overshown this season. It really is an open competition heading into training camp. Eberflus is considered a LB guru, so if anyone can find an optional solution for both the short and long term, it's probably him. But Overshown is going to miss significant time in 2025 and finding a starting quality bridge player is imperative. Luckily for the Cowboys they have a handful of quality options to test out this summer. You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans! This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys will use summer to find bridge to injured LB Overshown
