Cowboys Country

Cowboys Camp Preview DBs: Takeways to the Super Bowl?

Cowboys coordinator Dan Quinn’s defense has led the NFL for two straight seasons, something not accomplished since the 1970s Steelers. CowboysSI.com's training camp preview - the secondary - ponders how to do it again.

Mike Fisher

In this story:

FRISCO - Are takeaways in part luck? “Right place at the right time”? The result of coaching, ball-hawking, talent and film study?

For the Dallas Cowboys as they roll into Oxnard for training camp, the answer to those questions is … “yes.”

Coordinator Dan Quinn’s defense has led the NFL for two straight seasons, something not accomplished since the 1970s Steelers.

And what else did those Steelers “takeaway teams” do? They took home Super Bowl trophies. A camp preview look at Dallas secondary, which figures to be key in the 2023 trophy chase …

STARTING (AND STARRING) CORNERS - The Cowboys added former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore in an offseason trade with the Colts, creating one of the top cornerback duos in the NFL with Trevon Diggs. NFL Media's Bucky Brooks recently ranked the top cornerback duos in the NFL, and the Cowboys came in at No. 3. 

Said Gilmore upon his arrival here regarding the choices opposing QBs will now face: "It's going to be fun. They got to throw it somewhere. One of us is going to be making plays.”

THE 3-HEADED MONSTER - Quinn has done a masterful job folding his three standout safeties into a system that utilizes their unusual strengths.

The 6-4 Jayron Kearse covers tight ends and rushes the passer. The rangy Malik Hooker can play centerfield and much more. And Donovan Wilson is a box safety plus, a tackling machine who also had five sacks last year.

Dallas observers talk a great deal about Micah Parsons as a Quinn chess piece. That isn’t wrong. But he’s got three more strategic movers here - "The 3-Headed Monster,'' as the fellas like to call themselves.

MISCELLANEOUS - DaRon Bland is the slot corner and also counts as a standout starter … Dallas is moving around Kelvin Joseph, trying to find him a home - especially as late-round rookie Eric Scott Jr. is about to come on. … Israel Mukuamu and Nahshon Wright can be versatile pieces. Markquese Bell could get a special-teams shot. Is there room for Jourdan Lewis?

MORE: Our camp preview look at Zack Martin's contract and the O-line is here at CowboysSI.com.

COWBOYS FISH REPORT … now a podcast! Join us inside The Star, ANY TIME!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Cowboys?

Follow FishSports on Twitter

Follow Cowboys / Fish on Facebook

Subscribe to the Cowboys Fish Report on YouTube for constant daily Cowboys live reports!

Published
Mike Fisher
MIKE FISHER

Mike Fisher - as a newspaper beat writer and columnist and on radio and TV, where he is an Emmy winner - has covered the NFL since 1983 and the Dallas Cowboys since 1990, is the author of two best-selling books on the Cowboys.

Home/News