Well, it took the best part of three days, but the Dallas Cowboys have finally opened their free agency account with the signing of veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks and, in the process, got one over their bitter NFC rivals.
The San Francisco 49ers were thought to be the destination that Kendricks would choose as a strong offer was made to the linebacker, but the pull of working with his former head coach Mike "I'm Not A Jerk''' Zimmer, proved too strong.
It's a one-year deal. ... and Dallas' glacier-slow approach to free agency got a gentle nudge.
Said Zimmer (via NFL Network's Jane Slater) of a recruiting process that apparently took all of Tuesday: ”He’s a good guy. Smart, instinctive. Good in coverage and knows the system. ... “It was an all-day affair. I think he wanted to be here.”
Kendricks fills perhaps one of Dallas' biggest needs as with so much unknown about the linebacker position with Leighton Vander Esch's future uncertain and DeMarvion Overshown an unknown commodity coming off his ACL injury, the Cowboys needed bodies - and they got one.
Kendricks is a tackling machine, registering over 100+ tackles in his last eight seasons. While that stat can be a little misleading, his instincts when approaching the run game are still high, as evidenced by his play last year with the Chargers.
While what Kendricks does on the field will no doubt be beneficial (we hope), it will be what he can do for Dallas' young linebacking core of Overshown and Damone Clark by taking them under his wing could prove just as crucial. ... Not to mention Kendricks' ability to ease the transition for some in Zimmer's defense as he can aid with the new terminology.
It might not have been the swashbuckling free agent move that Cowboys fans wanted, but the franchise filled a glaring roster hole, and in doing so, the linebacking core got better.
And the cherry on top? Dallas finally "beat" the 49ers.
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