Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer stressed physicality, discipline, and consistency after the Week 1 loss, praising standout efforts from Javonte Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, and Kenny Clark.
The Dallas Cowboys did not get the result they wanted in their season opener, falling 24-20 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. What they did get, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, was confirmation that their foundation of physical and disciplined football showed up against one of the NFL’s toughest fronts.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Schottenheimer made it clear he was proud of the team’s toughness.
“The big thing that jumped off the film even watching again with the players this morning was how physical this football team played. And I think if we play as physical as we did the other night, we play with the discipline that we had the other night, then I think we’ll feel good going into most weeks, that we’ll find a way to get a victory.”
Cowboys offensive line set the tone
Dallas didn’t allow a sack against Philadelphia. That is no small feat against one of the league’s best fronts. Schottenheimer gave credit where it was due. “Pad level was really good. Combination blocks were really good… and then when they were moving, they started blitzing… I thought we blocked movement pretty well.”
He pointed to one sequence that summed it up.
“There was a run down to the one-yard line… it was probably a seven or eight yard run, and it kind of got stalemated, but our guys coming behind and pushing the pile and finishing… they probably pushed the pile for another five or six yards. We talk about competitive stamina all the time and they probably pushed the pile for another five or six yards… but it was cool to see those guys like, ‘Hey, keep playing… play to the echo of the whistle.’”
Javonte Williams leads with physicality
Running back Javonte Williams carried himself like the clear RB1. The carries were limited, but the energy was not.
“[Javonte’s] clearly the starter right now, but again, we didn’t have many attempts at the plate,” Schottenheimer explained. “Overall, Javonte played the game the right way, man. If you watch him, he showed how physical he is as a runner, but also, without the ball, we ran a little speed sweep… where he comes out and he’s blocking Cooper DeJean. And then there’s a chip on a 2-technique earlier in the game… I’m excited for Javonte and what he brings to our offense.”
That’s not just numbers in the box score. That’s a back who wants all the smoke. He’s running through defenders one minute and taking them out for teammates the next.
Marshawn Kneeland makes an impact
Defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland looked like the type of player who doesn’t wait for the lights to come on to show up. Consistency is what turns effort into identity, and that’s what Schottenheimer sees in Kneeland.
“Same guy every day,” Schottenheimer described, “The guy that the world saw run around on that football field and play physical and get the sack and chase things down. And he had a great strip attempt on Saquon that didn’t come out. He is the same guy each and every single day. The consistency is what jumps off the film even at someone like myself that’s around them every day.”
Kenny Clark brings power
New acquisition Kenny Clark wasted no time showing why Dallas wanted him. “They were running a little duo play where he was getting singled,” said Schottenheimer, “…and he was holding the guard off with one hand and the back came and just the strength and the power and the pad level that he has, I think it was like a one yard run.”
Schottenheimer said Clark’s presence will continue to elevate the group. “Thrilled he’s here, man. He’s just an awesome teammate… he’s been playing high level football for a long time, and [we] love having him around as a teammate.”
That’s coach speak for: this man is a problem, and now he’s our problem to unleash.
Building on a foundation
Though the loss to Philadelphia stung, the Cowboys left the opener with a clear message from their head coach: their style is built to last. Physicality, discipline, and consistency were the traits Schottenheimer highlighted as essential. With performances from players like Javonte Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, and Kenny Clark setting the tone, Dallas believes those qualities will carry them deeper into the season.
