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Terrell McClain finally making impact in third season with Dallas
9:21 AM CT
Jean-Jacques Taylor
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- This is Terrell McClain’s third season with the Dallas Cowboys. He’s finally ready to make an impact.
McClain, who missed all of last season with a sprained big toe, was the Cowboys’ best defensive lineman in their 20-19 loss to the New York Giants. He had five tackles, most among the team’s linemen, including one for loss.
“He had a terrific game,” defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. “A powerful man.”
McClain played so well that he kept Cedric Thornton, the Cowboys’ big offseason acquisition, on the bench. Thornton, who signed a four-year, $17 million deal in the offseason, played only 20 snaps -- 10 fewer than Thornton.
McClain, 6-foot-2 and 302 pounds, is in his sixth season. He’s in the final year of a three-year, $3.05 million deal with Cowboys.
His job is to stop the run in the Cowboys’ scheme, and he did a good job of playing with power at the point of attack, showing an ability to make plays.
“It felt good to be out there making plays,” McClain said. “The past couple years have been frustrating, but you just keep working.”
The Cowboys will need him to continue playing well because they must do a better job against the run if they’re going to have any chance on defense this season. The Giants rushed for 113 yards on 24 carries, a 4.7-yard average.
New York rushed for 61 yards on nine carries during the last two possessions.
9:21 AM CT
Jean-Jacques Taylor
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- This is Terrell McClain’s third season with the Dallas Cowboys. He’s finally ready to make an impact.
McClain, who missed all of last season with a sprained big toe, was the Cowboys’ best defensive lineman in their 20-19 loss to the New York Giants. He had five tackles, most among the team’s linemen, including one for loss.
“He had a terrific game,” defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. “A powerful man.”
McClain played so well that he kept Cedric Thornton, the Cowboys’ big offseason acquisition, on the bench. Thornton, who signed a four-year, $17 million deal in the offseason, played only 20 snaps -- 10 fewer than Thornton.
McClain, 6-foot-2 and 302 pounds, is in his sixth season. He’s in the final year of a three-year, $3.05 million deal with Cowboys.
His job is to stop the run in the Cowboys’ scheme, and he did a good job of playing with power at the point of attack, showing an ability to make plays.
“It felt good to be out there making plays,” McClain said. “The past couple years have been frustrating, but you just keep working.”
The Cowboys will need him to continue playing well because they must do a better job against the run if they’re going to have any chance on defense this season. The Giants rushed for 113 yards on 24 carries, a 4.7-yard average.
New York rushed for 61 yards on nine carries during the last two possessions.