Latest news with #KennethMurrayJr
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Rookie LB Could Threaten Starting Lineup Spot
Cowboys Rookie LB Could Threaten Starting Lineup Spot originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With Matt Eberflus now calling the shots as defensive coordinator, the Dallas Cowboys targeted the linebacker room heavily during free agency and the NFL Draft. Advertisement Not only does Eberflus bring unique linebacker-driven schemes and coverages, but the departure of former DC Mike Zimmer meant the expected loss of Dallas' leading tackler from last season in Eric Kendricks, who is still an unrestricted free agent. As free agency got underway, the Cowboys traded for Tennessee Titans captain Kenneth Murray Jr. and signed promising prospect Jack Sanborn, who played under Eberflus last season with the Chicago Bears. In the Draft, Dallas picked Florida linebacker Shemar James with the 152nd pick in the fifth round. These additions, along with returning youngster Marist Liufau, should fill out the group as breakout star DeMarvion Overshown rehabs his knee injury, which could take at least half the season. Advertisement What's left to determine is what combo of these four available pieces will be in the starting lineup. Some believe James could be a "dark horse" candidate to sneak up to the top of the depth chart. James, 20, is among the youngest players drafted this year, but benefits from one factor that comes with being by Cowboys over anywhere else: collective unfamiliarity. As a rookie, he's already faced with a tough task of getting acclimated to the NFL game to go along with a new environment. That's no easy test. But James could be better off in this situation because there is change for the others, too. Advertisement Under a new coaching staff, James' peers are in that learning process right along with him, which levels the playing field. Sanborn may be the slight exception having been with Eberflus recently, but he still was in and out of the starting lineup and has room to grow athletically. James has a ways to go before he earns a spot on the 53-man roster, let alone the starting 11. Thankfully for him, he plays a position in need of a difference maker or someone that asserts themself as the alpha in this room. The cognitive processing will come with Eberflus showing him the ropes, but by building on his impressive showings from earlier this offseason, James could find himself in the hunt for first team reps in training camp. Advertisement Related: Cowboys Make Surprising Cut of Fan-Favorite Defensive Tackle Related: Cowboys' New-Look Run Game Gets Embarrassing Ranking from PFF This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DeMarvion Overshown Previews His New Jersey Number at Cowboys OTAs
The Dallas Cowboys have officially started OTAs, and some players are rocking new jersey numbers heading into the 2025 NFL season. Example? DeMarvion Overshown, who is rehabbing from a serious knee injury, was on the field as an observer during team drills at The Star this week. Advertisement Overshown could be seen sporting his new jersey No. 0 … going back to his college number at the University of Texas. This will be the third jersey number Overshown will wear in a Cowboys uniform after he was No. 35 during his rookie season, and No. 13 during his breakout 2024 season. He will become the first player in franchise history to wear No. 0. Jerry Jones (kinda) claimed the number belonged to the Cowboys mascot Rowdy (who is actually 00) before allowing any player to sport the sweet look. And Overshown impressions? 'Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown made an appearance at practice and worked a bit with the rehab group. He was moving around well and looks to have added some upper body mass,' Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris posted on X. Advertisement Overshown putting on good weight in his upper body while recovering from a lower body injury proves he is committed to continuing to improve himself despite not being 100 percent. Overshown's resiliency is unquestionable, and when he returns to the field, he will join a talented linebacker room featuring Kenneth Murray Jr., Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Buddy Johnson, and rookies Shemar James and Justin Barron. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has been known as a linebacker whisperer around the league and Cowboys Nation should expect highly productive linebacker play from the Cowboys this season. The Cowboys are hoping that 'Agent 0' makes a speedy recovery and returns better than ever. Related: Cowboys Pickens Trade Receives Intense Scouting Report from NFL MVP Related: Cowboys Fans Thrilled By Overshown Update on Thanksgiving Goal
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kenneth Murray Jr. Promises One Key Improvement for the Dallas Cowboys Defense
Kenneth Murray Jr. Promises One Key Improvement for the Dallas Cowboys Defense originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys made several moves this offseason to improve their defense heading into the 2025 season. Dallas added value to the linebacker room by trading for former first-round pick Kenneth Murray Jr., and by signing linebacker Jack Sanborn. Advertisement Both are penciled in as starters. And … Murray is expected to contribute from Day 1 and there are rumors coming out of OTAs that he could wear the green dot to call plays this year. As someone who could immediately step in to relay the defensive play calls and quarterback the defense, Murray is vowing the unit will improve in a key area that's haunted them for years. Murray believes the Cowboys must stop the run if they truly want to be a great defense group. "The first thing you need to start by building a great defense is stopping the run,' Murray said, via DLLS. 'And so I think that was really the first thing that Ebeflus kind of talked about was stopping the run as a pillar of our defense. It's definitely an emphasis for us. Advertisement "Obviously, it's a new style coming in, and then, you know, got some new players. That's something that I'll take extremely personally. That that's mentality I'm gonna bring to it. It's personal, man. When they just running it down your throat, it's unacceptable." Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is known for an aggressive scheme and consistently getting stellar play out of his linebackers. Murray recorded 95 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble across 14 games last season in Tennessee. But now? Murray has a chance to be a key contributor on a Cowboys defense that's looking to be an elite level unit. Advertisement Related: Cowboys Make Major Change To Fix Glaring Roster Flaw Related: DeMarvion Overshown Previews His New Jersey Number at Cowboys OTAs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
