FRISCO, Texas – If report cards were given out, Dallas Cowboys’ defensive end Dorance Armstrong would get an A. Over the last several weeks, Armstrong has arguably been the most improved defensive player on the roster. With his dominance off the edge, he is pushing for more snaps in the rotation.
Against the Arizona Cardinals last Friday, Armstrong notched a two-sack performance and for good measure, finished second on the team with five tackles. His production continues in Frisco after the team returned from California. During Monday’s practice, Armstrong recorded several would-be sacks during team drills. He relentlessly pursued the quarterback and on Wednesday, the trend continued. Armstrong quickly shed blockers with his lethal get-off, bypassing starting right tackle La’el Collins and backup Ty Nseckhe. Regardless of who he faced; he was a problem to block.
It is no surprise his development has caught the eye of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
“Man, I have been encouraged by the work that he has put in,” Quinn described to D210SPORTS. “What I have seen from the spring and into here, really making a push to be a part of the group as a rusher. Him, and [Tarell] Basham and Bradlee [Anae], the three of them have been really battling for some spaces behind Randy [Gregory] and D-Law [DeMarcus Lawrence]. Now, you got real competition at the spot. He has really answered the challenge that’s come over him. Sometimes just details, you need to stay in it. Stay in through the play, you just need it over and over again. He is definitely a player that has my attention by the work that he’s put in.”
After the signing of veteran end Tarell Basham during free agency, it seemed Armstrong would fall on the depth chart amidst the crowded unit. DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory have their starting roles locked in, but Armstrong is making a strong case to be next in line. He has exceeded expectations.
Entering his fourth year with the Cowboys, Armstrong has accumulated 61 tackles, three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, two passes defensed, and two forced fumbles/recoveries in 46 games played (three starts). With many household names donning a Star at the position, Armstrong often became overlooked. He lacked consistency in his game, flashing when given opportunities then disappearing, garnering more prominence for his role on special teams than for his harassment of quarterbacks.
However, the offseason ushered in a new opportunity for ascension at defensive end and to say Armstrong has “stepped up” would be doing him a grave disservice. DeMarcus Lawrence has been a spectator during training camp on the PUP list and Tarell Basham is nursing an ankle injury. Their absence has accelerated Armstrong’s growth on the field with increased reps and one-on-one instruction with Quinn and defensive line coach, Aden Durde.
Granted, it is a small sample size and still preseason, but his transformation and dominance off the edge cannot be understated. Armstrong’s jaw-dropping improvement is what he attributes to an evolved mindset.
“Really, OTA’s when AD [Aden Durde] got there and he called me, I already knew what was up,” Armstrong recalled to media. “He told me what I could be and what I can do for the game, and I had to change my mindset since that day then…Watching more film and being more locked in on the details to be honest. That is pretty important I think, just wanting to dominate the game. Not just for myself but for the whole defensive line, the whole defense.”
The former fourth-round pick has prioritized becoming a student of the game and it has paid off. Both Quinn and Durde have stressed the importance of the defense being a collective, detail-oriented unit. Those focal points in the classroom have translated into his initial burst out of a three-point stance. Lawrence and Gregory may be the starters, but Armstrong’s emergence has earned him additional playing time. No. 92 is no longer a forgotten name but one that continues to rise.
