VON MILLER THE TEACHER

BY MARK HALPERN

     Over the past two decades there have been some outstanding defensive players that have come and gone. The Dallas Cowboy defense was missing everything last year. The defense really struggled without Micah Parsons, who was traded to the Packers. The Cowboys gave up 377 yards per game, only the Bengals and Commanders gave up more. They were also near the bottom of the league in sacks.  So the defense needed a reboot, the Cowboys have done just that. They traded for Rashawn Gary, signed Jalen Thompson, and drafted Caleb Downs.

    The Cowboys have talent that’s not the problem. The problem in my humble opinion is that there was no voice in the locker room that anyone took seriously. Well, the Jones family finaly made a free agent siging that makes perfect sense. The seasoned linebacker has been brought in not only because of his talent but, because on any team he has been on he has been a leader on and off the field mostly to younger players. Von Miller has amassed 138.5 sacks over his career, to go along with an average of 57 solo tackles 14 assists per season. Miller has been in the NFL going on 16 years and is still as active as ever as last year for a terrible Commanders team he collected 9 sacks. 

    Miller was brought in not only for his talent but, to be the leader he has become to be. Von will be working with obviously the linebacking crew but I see him being Caleb Downs’ mentor. Downs as impressive as he is, is still a rookie and even rookies have things to learn. Von Miller has played for some impressive teams including being part of two Super bowl teams (Broncos and Rams.) In my opinion this has been an area where the Cowboys have lacked and I mean leadership. I can name plenty of voices from the offensive side but, what this team needed was a real voice of the defense and one day it will be Downs. Now it’s time to learn from one of the NFL’s best and bring back the days of the “DOOMSDAY” defense cause as good as the offense is going to be, they need the defense to keep points off the board.