Cowboys Damone Clark Ready for New Role: 'He's Made The Jump!'

For Dallas Cowboys second-year man Damone Clark, strong play at training camp seems to have already been enough for the coaching staff to feel confident in him embracing a starting role at linebacker.

As is typical in the preseason, young players dominated the playing time for the Dallas Cowboys during Saturday's 28-23 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at AT&T Stadium.

Coach Mike McCarthy admitted after the game that it's difficult to assess every single player in the fast-paced environment while also re-adjusting to calling plays on offense again.

But he didn't need to over-analyze the play of second-year linebacker Damone Clark on Saturday in order to confidently express his praises for the young defender after being asked about him post-game.

"I don't get to watch the defense as much as I used to ... but Damone's really had an outstanding camp," McCarthy said. "We talk about all the time the guys from Year 1 to Year 2 making the jump. He's made the jump. You could see that coming at the end of last year."

When it comes to labeling him as a player who's "jumped" out of his rookie shell from last season, Clark's strong performance in training camp seems to have already been enough for the coaching staff to feel confident in him embracing a starting role at linebacker. Combine that with his positive flashes last year, and the Cowboys could be one step closer toward having another weapon on a defense that's already proven how elite it can be.

As a rookie, Clark played in 10 games and recorded 47 total tackles, but his impact was truly felt through his proven nose for takeaways. He posted two forced fumbles during the regular season and had a fumble recovery in the NFC Divisional against the San Francisco 49ers. Now set to receive more playing time this season, it's easy to see why there's some understandable excitement about his continued growth.

Maybe McCarthy will get a better look at Clark when the Cowboys take on the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Saturday for their second preseason game.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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