It is not a surprise that the Dallas Cowboys' defense is ahead of the offense two weeks into training camp. That is generally the case for most NFL teams, but there is still a lot to be excited about with Matt Eberflus' unit even amidst the absence of superstar Micah Parsons.
Being that Eberflus is a former linebackers coach, Cowboys fans are anxious to see how the group performs until DeMarvion Overshown returns. Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray figure to handle the bulk of the snaps, but don't count out Damone Clark.
According to Patrik Walker of the team's official website, Clark is having the "best camp of his career" and it's not all that close. Walker spoke to Clark off the record and it seems that Clark's confidence is night and day compared to last season.
"Clark is arguably having the best camp of his NFL career - rejuvenated by the addition of Matt Eberflus - stacking great plays literally daily at the halfway point of the Oxnard trip," Walker wrote.
Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark is having a great training camp
For whatever reason, Clark did not fit Mike Zimmer's scheme and he barely saw the field. While he appeared in 10 games, he played four or fewer snaps in five of them. From Week 3 on, he logged just 84 snaps. When all was said and done, Amani Oruwariye, Tyrus Wheat, Israel Mukuamu and Carlos Watkins all played more snaps in 2024 than the former fifth-round pick.
While nobody is saying that Clark is a perennial Pro Bowler, it was shocking that he went from a three-down starter to a nobody. He started all 17 games the previous season (2023) under Dan Quinn and led the team with 103 tackles.
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Tackles are admittedly a hollow stat, but Clark gave the Cowboys adequate to above-average linebacker play. His six missed tackles that year were tied for the fewest at the position among LBs who played at least 750 snaps, per PFF. Only the ageless wonder Bobby Wagner had a higher tackling grad than Clark.
It seems that Clark is trusting his eyes again and making good reads. There seemingly hasn't been a practice in Oxnard where he hasn't blown up a play in the backfield. He has even been seen stacking and shedding blocks to bring down ball-carriers at the line of scrimmage.
The linebacker room is in a fine spot without Overshown, but Clark returning to form - and potentially leveling up - would make Cowboys fans sleep a lot easier at night.