The Dallas Cowboys have made a dramatic step toward bridging one of the large voids in their defense. All is not lost with Sam Williams out due to a torn ACL and MCL. With that, the Cowboys needed to act fast to find someone who could rush the quarterback with force. That was especially true since Williams was going to have a big role in Mike Zimmer’s defense, with Micah Parsons going down as a linebacker more often. In filling that void, the Dallas Cowboys signed veteran defensive end Carl Lawson.
The Impact of Sam Williams’ Injury
Sam Williams was tabbed as one of the cornerstones of a stout Cowboys defensive line this season. His injury opens up a gaping hole, particularly with Parsons likely to rush less often on the edge. The pass rush from the preseason opener revealed how greatly it needs an heir with talent. The team has remedied this by signing veteran defensive end Carl Lawson. He brings much-needed experience and a strong resume with 27 career sacks. Dallas inked him after the Cowboys pegged him as one of the top candidates to replace Williams. What the Cowboys liked about Lawson was that he could put pressure on the quarterback and tighten plays.
Lawson, 29, has had stints with several teams, most recently the Bengals and Jets. As a rookie in 2017, he had his best season, notching a career-best in sacks. Throughout his career, Lawson has proven he can be a difference-maker on the line, which is exactly what the Cowboys need right now.
The Recent Moves of the Cowboys
Joining Lawson in the defensive line is Jordan Phillips, acquired in a trade. The former makes the Cowboys’ defensive front even stronger with veteran tackle Phillips. Combined, Lawson and Phillips should do enough to support a solid defensive effort all year. Since the narrow loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams, the Cowboys have been active in reevaluating their roster. More than ever, the preseason game drove home the need to improve the pass rush. Signing Lawson thus indicates that the team is dead serious about improving its weaknesses as fast as it can.
What to Expect
Now that Lawson is on board, solidifying the defensive line seemed to be what the Cowboys were looking for. His knack for pressuring quarterbacks and fitting in with their overall defensive game plan will be huge. How well Lawson ultimately performs and the changes made defensively will be monitored and discussed throughout this season. The meaning of that signing will become more apparent as Lawson is further integrated into the defensive plan for the Cowboys. Or, in essence, how well the team can adjust without Williams and still have a strong defensive line this year.
Final Thoughts
Carl Lawson’s signing by the Cowboys is geared toward mitigating the loss of Williams. With the season drawing closer, they are doing everything in their power to hold up the team’s defense, which is tight and very formidable. His experience and skills are to be at the core of the defensive performance; thus, the team’s fans will keenly wait to see how he fits into the Cowboys’ plans.
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