The loss of Leighton Vander Esch to injury creates a cavernous void to both play on the field and continue coaching young quarterbacks, leaving the Dallas Cowboys with nothing to do in free agency. Rashaan Evans – a former first-round pick who is no stranger to performing under pressure on the big stage.
The Alabama product wants to be the wave that lifts all boats in Dallas.
“Shhh, I could play this week if I wanted to,” Evans said Thursday after his first practice with the team.
That’s probably true, but head coach Mike McCarthy will make the final decision, Evans readily admits, after they see how he progresses in practice this week ahead of Monday night’s critical matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“At the end of the day, it’s the coaches’ [decision] based on what they want to do schematically,” he added. “I’m trying to take it as slow as possible. It’s always a preparatory situation when I come from the couch to full football. I actually enjoy getting back to work and doing the little things to get ready for the game.”
Evans, 27, is a two-time national champion who is no stranger to getting the job done. He joins the Cowboys after playing in 67 games over his first five seasons, including career highs in both combined tackles (159) and solo tackles (86). ), passive separations (4 ) and returns.
When asked what the biggest attribute he brings to Dallas, he was unequivocal.
“Physics,” he said. “I try to be too smart with my words about my game and I try to leave it to what’s done on TV, but I can’t wait for this opportunity.”
With that comes the opportunity, as mentioned above, to coach players like Damone Clark and Malik Jefferson, as well as Mikel Jones on the practice squad and even safety Markquese Bell, who will get plenty of work at linebacker in 2023.
“It’s absolutely [important], especially for the young guys,” the former All-SEC talent said. “I try to give them advice about my career and preparation for the game and the standard that comes with the game… Just be patient with yourself. As soon as I got to the facility, they were already asking, ‘Why. you were outside?’
“I told them, ‘This is too much, man. It’s a business after all, so make sure you’re always prepared.”
It really is business, as evidenced by the fact that Evans started September with the Philadelphia Eagles before being released — then decided to wait for the right opportunity to present itself before signing a new contract. After deciding to part ways with his former agent and sign with a new agent, he received a call from the Cowboys.
He couldn’t say yes fast enough.
“It means a lot to the Cowboys that they see something in me and bring me on board,” he said. “This is an exciting moment for me. … It doesn’t require too much of me [to get up to speed]. I trained all season to be part of someone’s team. And now that I have the opportunity to be a part of the Cowboys, I’m ready whenever they’re ready.
As Evans explained, his family is also a motivation.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to play for the Cowboys because my mom loves [them], my family loves [them] and they’re really excited to be a part of this organization.”
This is not the first time the parties have argued.
In 2018, he and the Cowboys visited this year’s NFL draft. The former one-team All-American later saw the Cowboys select, guess who, Leighton Vander Esch with the 19th overall pick, leading to the Tennessee Titans taking Evans off the board three picks later at No. 22 overall.
Five years later, Evans is in Dallas to help fill the void left by Vander Esch’s injury.
“They were definitely one of the teams I would have liked to play for, and it’s so fun how things are coming together now that I have the opportunity to come play the Cowboys,” Evans said. “… As soon as they called, I got on that plane right away.”
As for what he saw from his home in Atlanta on Sunday night, not only is Evans hungry to get on the field to help the Cowboys improve their defense, but he also doesn’t believe in a 42-point blowout. The 49ers are a testament to what the Dallas defense really is.
“I still think it’s an elite defense,” he said. “Wherever I can try to fit in and help, that’s what I’m here to do.”… I’m a representative. I like a lot of reps, so even if we’re not getting ready for another game, I’d like to go out there and do a lot of reps to get a feel for the game and get back into the game. football career With as much time as I have, I want to try to get the pads as quickly as possible – you get the feeling of making tackles, the feeling of covering the zone and doing everything you normally do as a football player. ”
He’ll get a bigger taste of the Cowboys’ practice on Friday, which will take place on Thursday this week, as the next contest isn’t until Monday, but for those wondering if he needs a long warm-up period before that. courtship in a regular season game, the answer is simple. No, he doesn’t.
“I believe in myself a lot,” he said. “I’ve played a lot in the league so far, so whenever I was brought up to play, I knew I was ready.”
The verdict will come when it’s tested against the Chargers, but given what he brings to the table, it’s certainly possible the Cowboys let him eat in Los Angeles. If not, up to a week will follow with the goal of making Dallas’ debut when another Los Angeles team visits AT&T Stadium in Week 8.
The Cowboys’ linebacking corps couldn’t be more excited to have Evans on board, and the feeling is definitely mutual.
