The chemistry, before the game was all said-and-done, was fully cemented across the defensive line, and in the secondary as well — a unit that mostly shut down the passing attack in Philly.
“The team played with high energy the whole game,” Odighizuwa said. “The effort was there and we competed our asses off, so that’s all things you can get some good off of. … In terms of me and Solly, we’ve been working since the spring, so we’ve been able to come pretty close during this time. And I feel like, in general, our D-line group has gotten pretty close, and in a short time since the spring.
“And we’re welcoming Kenny with open arms, so it’s good to have him on the field with us.”
Clark was a force in his Cowboys’ debut.
He fought through a team-high nine double teams, four more than the next highest tally (Osa – 4), to hold the Eagles’ rushing attack to only 2.9 yards per carry when he was on the field, a number that ballooned to 6.6 yards per carry when he was pulled for rest.
Thomas was disruptive on more than one occasion with a sensational get-off that helped him become a key performer in both the pass rush and in goal-to-go defense.
“Just keep the energy, man,” Williams said of the positives the Cowboys’ defense can build upon as the New York Giants head to Dallas in Week 2. “Keep going and we’re gonna get it. Of course, we’ve got some things to fix. That’s what practice is for. We’ll come back reunited, and take over — starting next week.”
Just don’t ask Williams or Cowboys’ defenders about trying to replace Micah Parsons going forward, because that likely won’t end well.
Seeing as the entire locker room has been inundated with questions regarding Parsons since the blockbuster trade occurred six days ahead of the opener, it stands to reason players like Williams — working hard to prove themselves and some in contract seasons — are simply and completely focused on how to get better each week for the brotherhood inside the locker room, the coaching staff and for themselves.
“I feel like everybody’s really tired of that question,” Williams said matter-of-factly. “Micah’s gone. So I feel like we should stop bringing up his name. You know, he’s in Green Bay. You should ask about the Cowboys and worry about what we got in the locker room.
“You know, Micah is always going to be part of the family, especially in D line rooms. But other than that, that’s just business. You gotta go ask David [Mulugheta]. That’s his agent. I don’t have no say — Jerry Jones, you gotta ask him.
“But me, I’m worried about me, you know? I can give you his number, you can call Micah and ask him any questions you need, OK?. But me, please don’t ask me no question about it, man. He is him and I am me.”
And Sam Williams is locked in on trying to become him, but the other kind, though.