The perception of safety Jayron Kearse has certainly changed from where it was to start the offseason. It has gone from fans thinking he was just a depth signing to now recognizing he’s one of the most important players on the Dallas Cowboys defense and a vocal leader.
Kearse has been one of the main contributors to the defensive turnaround in Dallas from the worst unit in franchise history in 2020. The Cowboys are first in interceptions with 20 and second in total turnovers with 27 while ranking fourth in turnover differential at plus nine this season. He was recently asked if Dallas has enough defensively to win a championship and expressed confidence in the individuals in the building.
“You don’t know if it’s a championship defense until you win a championship, so we will just see … I think we have the players in the locker room to do it,” Kearse said.
The Cowboys have two top-notch, full-time edge rushers in DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory. Lawrence has only played in three games due to a broken foot but has at least five pressures in each to go along with a sack and a forced fumble. Gregory has missed six games because of COVID protocols and a calf injury but has tied career highs in sacks (six) and forced fumbles (three), and his 14 quarterback hits are one short of his career-high set in 2018.
Defensive tackle Neville Gallimore made his season debut against the Washington Football Team and made an immediate impact but recorded a sack. Sprinkle in rookie Osa Odighizuwa, Trysten Hill and Carlos Watkins and there’s solid depth on the interior to partner with Lawrence and Gregory coming off the edge.
Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has had a rocky season as he looks to earn another contract with the Cowboys. Last week against Washington may have been his best game of the year as he was the Cowboys’ highest-graded player according to Pro Football Focus, which proves how important getting the aforementioned Gallimore back was, keeping offensive lineman from reaching the second level.
Then there’s linebacker Micah Parsons, who has taken the NFL by storm with 72 tackles (17 tackles for loss), 12 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and two passes defended. Whether he’s rushing the passer, flying around sideline to sideline playing linebacker, or dropping into coverage, Parsons is the clear frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year and is making a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs is having a monster second year in the NFL. He leads the league with nine interceptions (logged at least one interception in eight games) and is tied for the league lead in passes defended with 17. Like Parsons, he’s also in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year.
The much-maligned Anthony Brown, despite a few hiccups here and there with blown coverages and penalties, is having the best season of his career. He’s already set career highs in tackles (62), interceptions (three), and passes defended (14).
Slot corner Jourdan Lewis has contributed nicely after signing his three-year, $16.5 million deal in the offseason with 52 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and 1.5 sacks.
Kearse’s fellow safeties Damontae Kazee and Malik Hooker have both registered 32 tackles so far in 2021 and the former has two interceptions and a forced fumble. Donovan Wilson was recently activated off of injured reserve after missing three games with a chest/shoulder issue. In the six games he’s played however his ability to come down in the box against the run with his physical style can’t be undervalued.
Kearse has been the best safety for the Cowboys this season though.
He has achieved career highs in tackles (88, leads the team), tackles for loss (eight), interceptions (two), passes defended (nine), and quarterback hits (four). Also, he has the lowest missed tackle percentage (3.3) in the entire NFL which is crucial when playing defensive back. Simply put, the Cowboys hit the jackpot in the offseason by signing him.
The Cowboys lost three out of four games in November and were in desperate need of a spark, and the defense obliged. Dallas has won two consecutive games since the calendar changed to December on the strength of forcing eight turnovers, racking up seven sacks, and scoring two defensive touchdowns.
This defense doesn’t resemble the 1985 Chicago Bears or 2000 Baltimore Ravens by any means. However, they have found a way under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to become one of the most opportunistic units of its kind in the NFL, and if the Cowboys can get their offense back on track, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.
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