After one week of practices in Oxnard, California, the Dallas Cowboys are quickly turning grief into relief when it comes to their defense. Following a complete overhaul of both the coaching staff and roster, this revamped unit boasts a completely different identity, and there are already several standouts demanding our attention.<\/p>\n
While it is still early in training camp, the collective excitement surrounding the new regime is already translating into tangible, high-energy results on the practice field. Here is what we learned about the Cowboys\u2019 defense during week one.<\/p>\n
Rashan Gary has brought a fierce veteran presence to the defensive line, showing why he\u2019s such a good fit for Parker\u2019s defense. As a dirt-pinning 4-3 guy, he\u2019s been giving Terence Steele fits attacking with a full-speed rush, disrupting the tempo. He\u2019s also shown his stand-up 3-4 versatility running down receivers along the outside. He\u2019s always attacking and already forced a fumble during the first practice of training camp<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another edge earning high praise early is Donovan Ezeiruaku. Most importantly, he\u2019s been fully cleared after rehabbing from hip surgery. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has indicated that he looks like the Ezeiruaku of old after reviewing the film of day one, revealing that he had three would-be sacks during the team\u2019s first practice.<\/p>\n Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark have looked good together and are proving to be a formidable force along the interior defensive line. Their strength and athleticism have made it difficult for the offensive line to gain any traction in the running game.<\/p>\n The linebacker group is very interesting as the coaching staff is throwing all kinds of tests at them. They challenged their leader by cutting the communications in DeMarvion Overshown\u2019s helmet<\/a> to see how he could handle a high-stress situation, and he passed with flying colors. Parker has been rotating first-team reps between Dee Winters and Jaishawn Barham, using staggered looks alongside Overshown. Winters will move back in coverage while Barham is more of a creeper at the line of scrimmage.<\/p>\n Barham has been coming on stronger with each new day. Sometimes he steps up and attacks the backfield<\/a>, while at other times, he\u2019ll slide back into coverage. He had a nice pass breakup on Saturday<\/a>, preventing a completion to CeeDee Lamb over the middle. This versatility allows Parker to keep their intentions secret until the last minute.<\/p>\n Parker is also trying to get a better feel for what he can do with linebacker Marist Luifau. There\u2019s been a lot of talk about moving him around, and based on the first week of practice, they\u2019re walking the walk. Literally. Luifau is walking around, moving to different spots, sometimes on the same play. He\u2019ll start inside, then walk down to the outside like he\u2019s going to attack the quarterback, only to bounce back to middle linebacker before the ball is snapped. It\u2019s unclear where this will ultimately lead, but Parker is trying out stuff.<\/p>\n The cornerback hierarchy put Shavon Revel Jr. as the odd man out in the first couple of practices, but he found more action on Saturday. DaRon Bland and free agent Cobie Durant have been primarily handling the boundary spots, but this isn\u2019t a knock on Revel Jr., as the veterans have looked really good.<\/p>\n