Leighton Vander Esch Reveals 'Growing' Message to Cowboys Defense

Many have the Dallas Cowboys defense as one of the best in the NFL, but for linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, that means nothing unless they back it up on the field.

The Dallas Cowboys' defense has been lauded over the last two seasons under Dan Quinn and is now regarded as one of the best in the NFL.

But while being touted as a top-tier defense is all good and well, it has to translate onto the field consistently. Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is a believer in the idea that his unit is elite - but that it's a work in progress.

“No doubt,'' he said of Dallas' abilities, "but we can’t just talk about it, we got to actually do it. We’re doing what we need to do in meetings, and we got to come out here and showcase on the field. We got to keep getting better, gotta keep cleaning things up, I don’t think we are at the standard of where we want to be at right now, but that’s what we’re working for. 

"To be an elite defense, you gotta keep growing every single day.”

Part of that growth happens at training camp, and the Cowboys' defense has been putting its best foot forward in Oxnard.

With padded practices now being worked into the schedule, coordinator Quinn and coach Mike McCarthy are getting to see the improvement in the roster from last season.

After OTA's and then minicamp, to the slow burn at training camp, what does it finally feel like to practice in pads on a regular basis?

“It feels good to be playing some real football," Vander Esch said. "Feels good to have pads on, everybody’s running around, having fun.”

One such player who is having fun is Micah Parsons. The defensive star has been wreaking havoc all of camp and has lived in the offensive backfield, so much so that our own Mike Fisher jokingly stated on The Fish Report that maybe Micah should sit out portions of practice to allow the offense to get something going.

After stating that he wants to take his opponents into the "deep water" to see how they react when physically challenged, Parsons looks locked in.

With many thinking the Dallas defense is already elite, Quinn's unit is focusing on growth and proving it day in, day out, with Vander Esch - the "Wolf Hunter" = helping to lead the pack.

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