Position Update: Linebacker
The Cowboys return starters at all three linebacker spots, with productive veterans manning each spot.
Still, competition rages, both among for backup spots and by prospective backups bidding to earn a significant share of the playing time. Linebacker may be the team’s deepest and most talented position.
Linebackers coach Glenn Spencer encourages the competition, regularly rotating players in with the No. 1 defense.
“There are a lot of 2s who are getting reps with the 1s now,” Spencer said. “I’m trying to mix and match to make sure that I’m seeing everybody against the best competition that they can go against, so I can get a better evaluation of who’s getting better and who’s playing better against better competition.”
Shaun Lewis, Caleb Lavey and Alex Elkins seem to be secure as starters. Behind them, Ryan Simmons, Lyndell Johnson and Nico Ornelas are pushing.
“It goes back to having a lot of guys that can play and trying to develop as much depth as I can,” Spencer said, “knowing that during the course of a season, that’s going to pay off big dividends.
“We’re going to get banged up. We’re going to get bruised – those things happen, not to mention limiting the total number of reps that one guy can get, so you’ve got some fresh legs in the fourth quarter.”
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