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Jeremy Mincey: Dallas Cowboys have a lot of hardworking, lunch-pail guys, ‘and that’s what wins games’
By Jon Machota
jmachota@dallasnews.com
8:25 am on September 5, 2014 |
IRVING – Jason Garrett says one of the best parts of his day comes when Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith goes against veteran defensive end Jeremy Mincey in one-on-one pass rush drills.
Most already know that Smith is one of the best offensive tackles in the league. Mincey, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys in March, is looking to return to his 2010-2012 form when he started 40 games for Jacksonville.
“It’s clash of the titans, man,” Mincey said of his battles with Smith. “He knows I’m going to give it all I got every play. And Tyron brings it, too. We go back and forth all the time, and I think we’re making each other better players.”
Mincey, 30, has played all across the defensive line since being drafted out of Florida in 2006. This season, he’s working at right defensive end, the spot DeMarcus Ware played for the Cowboys a year ago.
With Anthony Spencer (knee) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) still recovering from surgical procedures, Mincey is one of Dallas’ only options at their top edge rushing position.
“Mince has been fantastic,” Garrett said. “He’s come in here, and he works as hard as any player on our football team. Just go to practice. He has a tremendous intensity about him in everything that he does. He’s a real pro, and he’s made the guys around him better.”
The Cowboys head coach said Mincey has set an example for the other defensive linemen by showing the younger players how to prepare and the kind of intensity that’s needed in the NFL.
Mincey has also set an example by losing 12 pounds over the last few months in hopes of getting back to being the player who recorded a career-high eight sacks and 40 tackles in 2011.
“I’ve been working hard, dieting, eating right,” Mincey said. “My flexibility is coming back, my speed is coming back. I’m just focused on having a big year for the Cowboys.”
And they’ll need it. If Mincey isn’t routinely putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, the Cowboys will be in trouble. Dallas had five sacks during the preseason and none were recorded by players on the active roster.
But Mincey’s confident his teammates will help him carry the load.
“We have a lot of talent here regardless of what you see on paper,” he said. “We have a lot of talent. We have a lot of hardworking, lunch-pail guys. And that’s what wins games. It’s all about the hungry dog.”
And what exactly is the hungry dog?
“A bunch of guys you’ve never heard of who all have something to prove,” Mincey said. “The most important traits for a hungry dog is consistency. You do the same thing over and over, every day, every day, every day and focus on getting better at things that you’re not as good at. When you become good at those things, that builds a player.
“I think we have a lot of guys who come out here and work hard every day, no complaining, no sitting out, just focused on what they need to do. I think that’s what makes our team special.”
-------------------
It is one thing to have a few lunch pail guys here and there.
When perhaps all starting eleven are that, it doesn't have an impact.
By Jon Machota
jmachota@dallasnews.com
8:25 am on September 5, 2014 |
IRVING – Jason Garrett says one of the best parts of his day comes when Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith goes against veteran defensive end Jeremy Mincey in one-on-one pass rush drills.
Most already know that Smith is one of the best offensive tackles in the league. Mincey, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys in March, is looking to return to his 2010-2012 form when he started 40 games for Jacksonville.
“It’s clash of the titans, man,” Mincey said of his battles with Smith. “He knows I’m going to give it all I got every play. And Tyron brings it, too. We go back and forth all the time, and I think we’re making each other better players.”
Mincey, 30, has played all across the defensive line since being drafted out of Florida in 2006. This season, he’s working at right defensive end, the spot DeMarcus Ware played for the Cowboys a year ago.
With Anthony Spencer (knee) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) still recovering from surgical procedures, Mincey is one of Dallas’ only options at their top edge rushing position.
“Mince has been fantastic,” Garrett said. “He’s come in here, and he works as hard as any player on our football team. Just go to practice. He has a tremendous intensity about him in everything that he does. He’s a real pro, and he’s made the guys around him better.”
The Cowboys head coach said Mincey has set an example for the other defensive linemen by showing the younger players how to prepare and the kind of intensity that’s needed in the NFL.
Mincey has also set an example by losing 12 pounds over the last few months in hopes of getting back to being the player who recorded a career-high eight sacks and 40 tackles in 2011.
“I’ve been working hard, dieting, eating right,” Mincey said. “My flexibility is coming back, my speed is coming back. I’m just focused on having a big year for the Cowboys.”
And they’ll need it. If Mincey isn’t routinely putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, the Cowboys will be in trouble. Dallas had five sacks during the preseason and none were recorded by players on the active roster.
But Mincey’s confident his teammates will help him carry the load.
“We have a lot of talent here regardless of what you see on paper,” he said. “We have a lot of talent. We have a lot of hardworking, lunch-pail guys. And that’s what wins games. It’s all about the hungry dog.”
And what exactly is the hungry dog?
“A bunch of guys you’ve never heard of who all have something to prove,” Mincey said. “The most important traits for a hungry dog is consistency. You do the same thing over and over, every day, every day, every day and focus on getting better at things that you’re not as good at. When you become good at those things, that builds a player.
“I think we have a lot of guys who come out here and work hard every day, no complaining, no sitting out, just focused on what they need to do. I think that’s what makes our team special.”
-------------------
It is one thing to have a few lunch pail guys here and there.
When perhaps all starting eleven are that, it doesn't have an impact.
