FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys have made several moves in free agency to strengthen their defense. With the loss of David Irving and Randy Gregory to suspensions, along with DeMarcus Lawrence’s long-term contract still under negotiation, adding depth to the team’s 4-3 defensive front has taken priority.
The Cowboys signed defensive tackle Christian Covington to a one-year deal. The 25-year-old former Texan (2015-2018) is a solid rotational lineman and interior pass rusher. The four-year veteran accumulated 65 combined tackles, 7.5 sacks, and a pass defensed in 50 total games played for Houston.
The team also signed defensive end Kerry Hyder to a one-year deal. The 27-year-old played for the Detroit Lions from 2015 to 2018. The three-year veteran will enter his fourth season in the league as a Cowboy. As a Lion he recorded 42 combined tackles, 9.0 sacks, and a pass defensed in 24 total games played. He had a standout year in 2016 when Detroit ran a 4-3, but he struggled in 2016 when Matt Patricia game on board and switched to a 3-4 alignment. Hyder should thrive in Dallas switching back to a 4-3.
Covington and Hyder are the type of guys that will benefit under the direction of defensive wizard-Rod Marinelli. A prime example of Marinelli’s ability as a coach is Antwaun Woods. A player who went from being a fourth string backup at the outset of Training Camp in 2018, to becoming a starting tackle for the Dallas Cowboys last season with incredible penetration on opposing offensive fronts all season long.
In addition, the Cowboys hosted a visit with current Dolphins defensive end, Robert Quinn. He is a potential trade acquisition that Dallas is interested in but he left the Star without a deal.
The club also hosted visits with three safeties to address the rotational need in the secondary. The Cowboys hosted Eric Berry, Clayton Geathers, and George Iloka. Apparently the third time’s a charm and after Dallas passed on Berry and Geathers, the team signed Iloka to a one-year deal. He played college ball at Boise State, a talent pool the team clearly loves to draw from, and he spent the majority of his Pro career with the Cincinnati Bengals (2012-2017) and played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. He played a large portion of his career under the leadership of coach, Mike Zimmer. Zimmer is a former Cowboys’ defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator.
Iloka has been exposed to a scheme that is similar to that of Dallas, and he will be another weapon and pupil for innovator, Kris Richard. Richard had a dramatic effect on Byron Jones in 2018. He switched him from safety to corner and Jones’ first year at the position in the league, he became a Pro-Bowl corner.
