Sophomore Trio Shining For Cowboys

The Cowboys have a trio of second-year players that are making an impact on Sundays.

Cornerback DaRon Bland, safety/linebacker Markquese Bell and linebacker Damone Clark gained their spots in the starting lineup because of injuries but are making plays like seasoned veterans.

Bland, who is now starting at cornerback for the injured Trevon Diggs, was already in the lineup at nickel corner.

Clark, a backup linebacker, moves into the starting lineup for the injured Leighton Vander Esch.

Bell, who has been playing all over the defensive backfield, has picked up snaps at linebacker to help ease the void created by LVE’s neck injury.

All three have been impactful for the Cowboys this season, something not lost on Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

“Bland, Bell and Clark, I have really been seeing them playing fast,” Quinn said. “They’ve been rolling in hard. Seeing their improvement continue to grow. Stepping up is such a cool moment for a player, or for any of us, and when that opportunity comes, you have got to go take it. I thought what a great example for those three knowing these moments are here for them to go for it and put their best foot forward. It’s just the best when you see guys really applying themselves when their (opportunities) happen. So, for those three specifically, I’ve really been pleased with what I have seen.”

It started in training camp, and by the time the season opener rolled around the three were going to be counted on to contribute, some more than others.

But the injuries to Diggs and Vander Esch pushed the trio to starting roles, where they have all flourished.

Bland has been the flashiest of the three this season. He has four interceptions, second in the NFL, three of which he has returned for an NFL best three touchdowns.

His pick-6 against the Rams, where he read the route and stepped in front of Cooper Kupp for the easy interception and 30-yard return for the score.

“Clearly it was an option route, and the ball was hung inside a little bit, and he has that ability,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said. “For a young player, when you see guys work their technique and fundamentals, especially at a young age, and he carries it to Sunday – he’s as good as I’ve seen. He really, really has a clean understanding of what he is asked to do and how to do it. He has very, very strong fundamentals for a young player.”

To go along with his flashy plays, Bland also has 28 tackles, seven passes knocked down, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit in 373 snaps at outside corner and nickel corner.

“Number one, it has to be about opportunities,” McCarthy said about the growth of Bland. “He’s a young corner, so people feel that they can still test him, and he’s made them pay. That’s all part of the evolution and growth of D.B.”

As for Bell, he started the season playing safety behind Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse, using his speed and tackling abilities to catch the coaches eyes.

When LVE got hurt, Bell, despite being just 205 pounds, moved down to middle linebacker because the Cowboys shifted Clark to Vander Esch’s spot at weakside linebacker.

Bell has now played 189 snaps, made 33 tackles, one tackle for loss and led the Cowboys in tackles with eight in the win over the Giants.

“A guy like (Bell), who has the traits, you just want to put him in the spaces that he can (be more versatile),” Quinn said. “It gives me a lot of excitement to know where Markquese can go to. He’s playing fast. He’s playing aggressive. But now, you just need to get that confidence to keep going, and so he is showing that. So, guys like he, and (DaRon) Bland and (Damone) Clark, who you make a play and then there’s some more and you keep stacking these moments and before you know it you’ve made more plays and you’ve had more of an impact.”

Clark has been mister consistent, playing an average of 42.5 snaps a game this season. He led the team in tackles with nine against the Cardinals and eight against the Chargers and has 44 total on the season.

It is quite the jump from their rookie seasons, where Bland played 52 percent of the snaps (596), Clark played 35 percent (398) of the snaps and Bell was on the field for 22 snaps in 5 games.

“These guys are going to continue to improve, I just know it,” Quinn said.