RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesDallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who expects a big year calling the defense as the green dot linebacker.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is the leader in the club house to be the MIKE linebacker and call the defense with the green dot in his headset. Three other players are being groomed as the green dot in rookie safety Caleb Downs, second-year linebacker Shemar James and backup linebacker Curtis Robinson. But Overshown is the guy who wants the job. As a newly-married husband, he says he runs his house and would like to run the Cowboys defense. He said he could average 10 tackles a game at the MIKE linebacker.
An example of how ready Overshown is to be the green dot linebacker showed up on Wednesday when defensive coordinator Christian Parker acted like the communication system went out during a play to see how Overshown would react. Overshown got the defense into the exact right call. Overshown said he knew what to do because of all the time he spends with Parker and linebacker coach Scott Symons.
That Downs is being groomed a possible Green Dot speaks volume about the expectations for the rookie from Ohio State. Downs is unfazed by the expectations for the attention. He said he called the defense Ohio State and at Alabama as a freshman. His focused is trying to learn and get better. What are his expectations as a rookie. “That’s for me to know and y’all to find out,” he said.
WR George Pickens has had an outstanding two days of training camp so far as he looks to be picking up right where he left off last season when he led the Cowboys in yards, catches and touchdowns. Pickens didn’t get the contract extension he hoped for in the offseason and is playing on the franchise tag in 2026. Owner Jerry Jones said this is a big season for Pickens and he would cash in free agency in 2027. But he wouldn’t rule out him being with the Cowboys for life. “Make no mistake about it, George (Pickens) could be a Cowboy for the rest of his career, and that’d be a long time,” Jones said. When asked to respond to Jones is comments, Pickens said, “Super excited. I’m always super happy when someone thinks highly of me, so shout out to Jerry.”
Pickens has been hot in practice and so has receiver CeeDee Lamb. Credit their talent as well as their connection with quarterback Dak Prescott, who is entering camp as comfortable and as comfortable as he’s ever been. Prescott nicknamed the offense GOTI for Greatest Offense There Is because almost every one is back from a unit that was among the league’s best last season. Prescott said he is very comfortable in his skin right now as Cowboys quarterback. “I’m never going to put a ceiling on how good I can be,” Prescott said. But very comfortable. It’s just life. You grow, you mature, you go through things. You have kids. You understand that it’s about the way that you approach each and every day. I’m thankful for where I’m at. I’m thankful for this team. Yeah, very, very comfortable and just trying to take every moment and not look ahead and just stay right where my feet are and be present. I know I’ve said that before and you guys know it’s something I take pride in, but it feels good when you’re able to do that and live that and not just only football, but in life.”
Prescott may have said too much at his presser on Thursday when he said he expects Tyler Smith to stay at left guard. When asked why, he responded: “I know [Tyler] Guyton is going to handle is business outside.” Guyton is in competition with Nate Thomas for the starting spot at left tackle. They are alternating in four-day cycles, per coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Jaydon Blue continues to burn up the practice field with big runs. He had two would-be touchdowns on long runs on Thursday. He also got a lot of work with the first team, alternating with Javonte Williams. Schottenheimer says they love Blue’s speed and want to get him involved in the passing game to take advantage of defense’s looking to take away Lamb and Pickens on the outside. “I think what we feel like we have in Jaydon when you’re playing defenses that are trying to change the math and cheat to really elite receivers, which we have, there’s usually a favorable matchup in that regard,” Schottenheimer said.
Running back Phil Mafah, who is competing with Blue for the backup running back job, bounced back from a tough day on Wednesday that included a fumble, with a strong performance on Thursday. Mafah showed some juice of his own with a big touchdown run.
Safety P.J. Locke missed practice on Thursday with a hyperextended knee. Schottenheimer said Schottenheimer said that tests on Locke’s knee did not show any damage that created a long-term concern and that Locke will rest for a few days before he’ll have a chance to return to practice.
Schottenheimer is excited about the performance so far of defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku, who had three would-be sacks on the first day of practice. Ezeiruaku had just two sacks as rookie last season. The Cowboys expected big jump in Year 2 and is appears they are getting it. “Donovan Ezeiruaku, awesome. Welcome back,” Schottenheimer said. “We just really looked like we thought he would look going into year two.”
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