Dontari Poe: Strong like bull, quick like lightning and something Cowboys haven’t had in a while

Dallas has a big man in the middle for a change, going a different route this year under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.

The Dallas Cowboys are finally interested in chowing down an interplanetary system or two. Over the last decade and a half, the club has seemed allergic to having a run-stuffing space eater in the middle of their defensive gameplan. Dallas hasn’t had a defensive lineman who weighed over 320 pounds since 2017; they haven’t had one who weighed over 325 since Daleroy Stewart was drafted from Southern Miss in 2003.

Have no fear, Dontari Poe is here. For years, the Cowboys have ignored two defensive positions in both the draft and free agency. Safety and defensive tackle have been after thoughts, but it looks like the tide is changing. After using their top pick on a DT in 2019, the club’s three major free agent signings in 2020 were two tackles and a safety. The team also spent their third-round pick on another DT, signaling a true changing of the guard. Even with all the new faces in the position group, it will be nearly impossible to not recognize Poe as soon as one lays eyes on him.

When Dallas hired Mike McCarthy and he subsequently tabbed Mike Nolan as his defensive coordinator, it was obvious change was coming. The Cowboys focused on the defensive tackle position in free agency, and all 347 pounds of Poe were tabbed to be the anchor to the defensive line for the 2020 season.

Former DC Rod Marinelli wanted lean, slicker guys at every position on the line, and when it came to bulk, the 310 to 315 pound tackle was what he looked for at the 1-technique. Wade Phillips was similar in his one-gap 30 front. Even Bill Parcells went with guys in the 320-pound range for his run stuffers.

The former Memphis star isn’t just a space eater, though. He has pass-rush ability as well, notching four last season in just 11 games. It was the third time since 2013 the soon-to-be 30 year old had at least four in a single campaign.

Now, he’ll get to work with veteran DL coach Jim Tomsula, who has turned far less talented players into pass-rushing threats. It stands to reason with a couple tweaks he could have Poe ready to turn in his most dominant season in that regard.

The former first-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career in Kansas City. He moved on for a year to Atlanta before spending the last two seasons in Carolina under Ron Rivera.  Earning Pro Bowl nods in 2013 and 2014, Poe has been a steady contributor since, but is still looking to make the type of impact he did in his early years.

Early Beginnings

Poe didn’t play any football until he was in high school, when the football coach took a look at him during marching band practice and told Poe he was now a football player and to report to practice the following Tuesday. He did, and a path to greatness was made available for him.

He earned a scholarship to Memphis among other places, but chose to stay close to home to be in proximity to his older brother Robert, who was locked up. Poe relays the story of asking Robert if he could follow in his footsteps but being told there was something greater waiting for him.

Following his stellar career at Memphis, Poe garnered attention outside the football addicts world, when his 4.98 second 40-yard dash at over 340 pounds drew the attention of President Barack Obama.

“They just had the Combine and they were talking about some guy who’s like 340 and runs a 4.8 and has a three-foot vertical,” Obama said in an appearance on Bill Simmons’ Grantland podcast. “I don’t know what you do if a guy like that hits you.”

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Big Man Doing Big Things

Poe’s magic as a pass rusher is having the strength to push the pocket back, and having the straight-line quickness to then descend on the quarterback once he’s occupying the pocket.

He has 20.5 career sacks and has also batted down 14 passes. Poe has also played a little fullback in his time, leading to some tremendous and fun moments near the goal line.

Running it in? No problem. Catching it? No problem. Passing it? He’s a problem!

Poe is the heaviest player to score a touchdown in NFL history and is now the heaviest member of the Cowboys in recent memory.

As a part of the revamped defense, it will be interesting to see how he is deployed. Not only did Dallas sign Poe, but they brought his teammate from last year, Gerald McCoy as well. With the two at the middle of their 30 front, the Panthers did not have a stout rush defense, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the same result will occur.

In addition to McCoy, Poe will also be rotating snaps with Antwaun Woods and Tyrone Crawford (provided each make the roster) as well as youngsters Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore. Both of the youngsters can play either the nose tackle or under tackle role so training camp will be an interesting exploration of where each fits in behind Poe.

Poe will likely be subbed out on obvious passing downs, but his ability to get to the quarterback when they pass in what could be considered run downs should augment the ability of edge guys like DeMarcus Lawrence to put the defense in advantageous down-distance situations.

This is part of our Countdown to the Regular Season player profile countdown. With 94 days remaining until the NFL’s first game, up next is defensive end Randy Gregory.

Antwaun Woods | Tyrone Crawford | Trysten Hill | Jalen Jelks

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