‘The Voice!’ Inside What Eric Kendricks Gives Dallas Cowboys’ Mike Zimmer Defense

Former Dallas Cowboy Jesse Holley lauded the team's signing of Eric Kendricks, reasoning that there's now a bridge between the defense and new coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Many have criticized the Dallas Cowboys for engaging in a "quiet" offseason amidst promises of being "all in." Fortunately for North Texas, the Pokes appear to have found "a voice."

Cowboys receiver-turned-analyst Jesse Holley lauded the addition on the "Bleav in the Dallas Cowboys" podcast, reasoning that there's now a bridge between the tense Dallas defense and new/old overseer Mike Zimmer.

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"For Zimm, bringing in a guy like Eric Kendricks gives you a voice, gives you somebody who can help explain what you want done from a locker room level," Holley explained. "He can take guys...even Micah Parsons, even Tank Lawrence, take these guys under their wing or around the shoulder, say, 'Hey, here's what Coach was actually talking about. Here's what he means. Hey, let's go watch this and I can show you guys how we did it over here.'"

Kendricks, 32, comes over from the Los Angeles Chargers but is more renowned for eight seasons with Minnesota to kick off his NFL career (2015-22). Most of that time was spent under Zimmer's watch, as the latter was the Vikings' head coach during Kendricks' developmental years. 

Zimmer helped guide Kendricks to All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors after the 2019 season and is now back as Dallas' defensive boss for a second term after holding the position for seven years (2000-06) at the turn of the century. As Holley implies, concerns about a potential learning curve can be curbed by the expertise of Kendricks, one of the star participants of Zimmer's systems. 

Kendricks, in fact, was inspired to choose Dallas over the team's Bay Area nemesis by the idea of hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy with Zimmer by his side.

"I'm happy I'm able to be in Coach Zim's system again ... It felt right," Kendricks said, per Cowboys Country's own Mike Fisher. "Ultimately, playing the best football and winning a championship is our ultimate goal and that's why I'm back with him."

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"I feel like me and Zimm have had our times where we've even butted heads," Kendricks continued. "(But) the fact that I'm back with him shows you that I believe in him and he believes in me and we want to get the job done. Ultimately, playing the best football and winning a championship is our ultimate goal and that's why I'm back with him."