OXNARD, Calif. — There are many in training camp for the Dallas Cowboys who are trying to either navigate their way through a rookie season or figure out how to take the leap forward in Year 2 or Year 3, so forth and so on, but DeMarcus Lawrence has been there, done that and he's trying to figure out how to continue improving after a decade in the uniform.
The former Pro Bowl pass rusher is entering Year 11 and is still performing at a high level, and he's going to need to continue that trend going into a highly pivotal season for the team; and especially considering the loss of Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler to the Washington Commanders in free agency — having followed Dan Quinn — and Sam Williams to a season-ending torn ACL and MCL.
Lawrence held court following the second day of padded practice in Oxnard, touching on a variety of topics that paint a clear picture as to where his and the team's mindset stands going into the 2024 season.
On Sam Williams' injury and DE rotation:
"It's a tough loss, losing Sam, especially being out for the season. Prayers to him and his health. This game of football is all about the next man up. You never know when you're gonna get your opportunity, so you've got to come out here and be prepared when the time comes."
On rookie second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland:
"Marshawn has a lot of ambition and great with his game. His fundamentals are very clean, and especially for a rookie. It's a high ceiling for him. I'm gonna keep working with him and I definitely think he's gonna evolve into something better than me. … Marshawn definitely has an instinctive style to his play. He's down, dirty and gritty. He's 275 [lbs], and I've never played at 275. I like the grit about him."
On Mike Zimmer's scheme:
"With the schemes over the last couple of years, with DQ, it was about using our speed to set up linemen. This year, with Coach Z, it's more about details – working on our details and staying in our gap, and controlling our space. We work our speed through that. … He really cares about ball. It's dope to have a coach that's gonna settle for nothing but the best out of you. You wish to have that in all your coaches, and we're glad we've got it in Z."
On upgraded LBs corps:
"I'm definitely loving the speed. They're coming downhill and not afraid of contact. Those guys are having fun playing ball. At linebacker, your job can be tough — trying to communicate to the whole defense and get everybody set up — but also go out there and make plays. I'm excited to see them going out there and doing that."
On Tyler Guyton's progress:
"Tyler is a pretty strong young fella. He's 6'7" and he's got a long wingspan. I feel like the difference between him and Tyron [Smith] is that Tyron had a toolbox of different hand movements that he could put on you. Right now, Tyler is still figuring out his tools so it's a learning process. He's a rookie, but I feel like he's gonna be great."
On his 11-year career in Dallas:
"It's definitely rewarding but, also, I don't try to think about it. I try to come in, each and every day, and work on my craft; and try to get better. I haven't reached the top yet, so there's still a long way for me to go."
On odds of ending the Cowboys' Super Bowl drought in 2024:
"I'm really just trying to be where my feet are. We see ourselves holding up that Super Bowl trophy at the end of the year but, right now, we're in training camp. We have a lot of preparation and work to do, and a lot of young guys to bring up and make into star football players. We don't want this opportunity to pass us first, so we've gotta make sure we get all of those details handled and we'll move on to that later down the road."
On how many more years he has in the Tank:
"I don't know. How much longer do you think they wanna pay me? We'll talk about that next year."
