Quinnen Williams’ impact more than between the lines

FRISCO — There’s been a caveat swirling around conversations about the Cowboys after Monday’s win. Sure, the Cowboys looked good in a 33-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

But it was the Raiders. They’ve looked good at other times this season — but it was with wins over teams with a combined record of 9-33.

The Philadelphia Eagles, standing at 8-2, are a different story. They may be dealing with reports of internal strife when it comes to their offense, but as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones alluded to during a Friday interview with 105.3 KRLD-FM “The Fan,” if that’s what it takes to win after winning the Super Bowl last season, “give me some of that strife,” he said.

A win over the Eagles would do wonders for the Cowboys’ confidence as they head into a win-or-go-home stretch. Can they pull it off?

Cowboys

Here are some final thoughts from the week:

A bigger impact

We saw what impact newly acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams had on the field on Monday. He had 1.5 sacks and seven pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. He also opened up rushing lanes for other Cowboys. They finished with four total sacks of Geno Smith.

With Williams in the fold, fellow Cowboys defensive tackle Kenny Clark said after the game that the group has a chance to be “nasty.” He also said Williams’ impact is much more than the talent he displays on the field. Clark said Williams is giving the rest of the defensive line tips on how to beat opposing offensive linemen.

The team’s behind-the-scenes video, “Sounds from the Sideline,” showed some of the moments, including one where Williams coached rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku. Williams was seen telling Ezeiruaku to be decisive and giving confidence to Ezeiruaku to “shoot” a pass rush move that carries risk and reward with it.

“He’s my new locker-mate, and we talk all the time,” Ezeiruaku said. “It’s fun to pick his brain because he’s a smart rusher. He’s not just a guy that’s big and powerful and just so talented. He’s very smart at the same time.

“Because we have three talented guys in there now, if I do take a chance and go rush off the edge, a lot of times they’re going to make me right.”

Right now, the trade for Williams is looking like the right one — for more than just his on-field talent.

On rotation?

The Cowboys used 22 different players on defense in the win over the Raiders. Only one player, cornerback Caelen Carson, played 100% of snaps — which was something unexpected in the lead-up to Monday’s game.

The other thing unexpected: how many rotations they used. Nineteen defenders played at least 15 snaps on defense.

The rotation made sense for the Cowboys last week. They not only welcomed the addition of Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson, but they also welcomed back linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, rookie corner Shavon Revel and veteran safeties Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson from injury. There was a natural ramp-up for more than a handful of defenders.

Would the constant rotation on all three levels be something the Cowboys utilize on Sunday against the Eagles?

Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus suggested it’s possible, considering the short week against the Eagles and back-to-back Thursday games that await the Cowboys. In total, the Cowboys will play three games in 14 days.

Eberflus also suggested that some of the rotation used against the Raiders was based on competition as they look to find their best defenders.

Sunday’s game against the Eagles should tell us which players fell into which categories.

Davis earns activation

The Cowboys made a roster move Saturday to allow running back Malik Davis to continue playing on Sundays. He’s been on the practice squad while also becoming their de facto No. 2 running back in addition to being the team’s personal protector — essentially the quarterback on punt coverage — while safety Juanyeh Thomas is out.

The Cowboys had already elevated him three times, which meant they had to put him on the active roster if they wanted him to play this week.

The Cowboys could have used someone else as the personal protector and given rookie running back Jaydon Blue — inactive the last two games — another shot at being the backup to Javonte Williams.

Right now, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer insinuated that there’s a difference between Davis and Blue.

“[Davis] and Jaydon will continue to compete. But right now, when you’re looking at the two, that’s where Jaydon has to understand, until you’re the guy, which at some point hopefully he is the guy, you got to be able to impact the game in other ways,” Schottenheimer said. “I think he understands that. Jaydon is learning a lot about this league. He’s always going to continue to compete and put his best foot forward. He doesn’t have to like the decision if it goes against him to play someone else, but he’s got to make sure he’s always prepared to go play.”

Built Ford Tough

Here’s a spoiler alert for fans (and for the Eagles, if they want to trust one reporter’s opinion): When Brevyn Spann-Ford is in the game, be sure to keep an eye on him — because he’ll often be an essential blocker on running plays.

Spann-Ford, according to Pro Football Focus, is the highest-rated run blocker among tight ends in the NFL this season. Schottenheimer has said before that they call plays with players in mind. With Spann-Ford, it seems like that’s not only related to ball carriers but also for guys blocking for ball carriers.

Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said he looks at the Cowboys’ tight end room as a toolbox. It’s their job to figure out how to use those tools. That’s where Spann-Ford comes in.

Adams had a smile when he talked about the idea of having a “270-pound body who’s willing to run full speed and smash into people” and how beneficial that is. Spann-Ford is certainly that for the Cowboys.

So keep an eye on him.

Return … of the return?

There’s no question KaVontae Turpin is one of the most talented kickoff returners in the NFL. There was a reason he was a first-team All-Pro a season ago and had multiple kickoff return touchdowns.

It’s worth noting, however, that the Cowboys’ kick return hasn’t been very effective through 10 games this season. The Cowboys entered this week as the 25th-ranked team in average kickoff return yardage (24.8).

There are a lot of factors that go into it, but special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen sees room for improvement.

“We just want more,” Sorensen said. “I feel like I see it’s close.”

In order for a big return to happen, it’ll take the entire group blocking better, Sorensen said. He pointed to fundamentals and having all of the 10 other guys doing their part to finish blocks, opening holes for a returner he considers dangerous to do his job.

“We just have to finish better,” he said of the group. “It’s not to the standard that Turpin has done.”

Twitter: @JoeJHoyt

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