The emergence of the Texas Coast Offense is one thing, but one of the biggest "feel-good" stories for the Dallas Cowboys this season has been the progression of cornerback DaRon Bland.
After the season-ending injury suffered by Trevon Diggs earlier this season, Bland found himself in a more prominent role in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's defense. A fifth round pick in 2022, Bland is only in his second year of professional football, but has that phased him?
Not at all. In fact, he has now done something that no other NFL player has ever accomplished: register five pick-6's in a single season.
And now comes a next chapter, as the soft-spoken budding star is being touted as a valid NFL's Defensive Player of the Year contender. Consider his work against the five previous DBs who've won the award in the last 20 or so years and you get the picture (h/t Brandon Loree) ...
DaRon Bland (2023): 10 games, 7 interceptions, 5 touchdowns scored, 13 passes defended, 48 total tackles, 91.1 PFF defense grade, 29.1 passer rating allowed
Ed Reed (2004): 16 games played, 9 interceptions, 2 touchdowns scored, 17 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 78 total tackles
Bob Sanders (2007): 15 games played, 2 interceptions, 0 touchdowns scored, 6 passes defended, 97 total tackles, 90.0 PFF defense grade, 90.2 passer rating allowed
Charles Woodson (2009): 16 games played, 9 interceptions, 3 touchdowns scored, 18 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, 74 total tackles, 92.1 PFF defense grade, 51.8 passer rating allowed
Troy Polamalu (2010): 14 games played, 7 interceptions, touchdown scored, 11 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 63 total tackles, 78.0 PFF defense grade, 39.2 passer rating allowed
Stephon Gilmore (2019): 16 games played, 6 interceptions, 2 touchdowns scored, 20 passes defended, 53 total tackles, 82.8 PFF defense grade, 47.8 passer rating allowed
In short? What we're witnessing here is legend-of-the-game-level stuff. ... all unfolding one by one by one ...
“That’s a big moment, let’s be honest," head coach Mike McCarthy said of Bland's pick-6 on Thursday. "The sideline erupted. We’re very happy, very proud of him."
Bland's latest score was only one in a flurry for the Cowboys who took down the Washington Commanders 45-10 on Turkey Day, continuing their recent tear through the NFL and improving to 8-3 on the year.
The biggest thing for McCarthy, however, was not the score itself. Instead, it was the reaction from Bland's teammates. Everyone now seems invested in the young corner's performance, and he is not disappointing thus far.
“Man, what an incredible play, what he’s done in such a short time in his career,” McCarthy said. “And he’s such a humble young man. I think if you could just see, I hope you saw it on the sideline and felt it, the reaction itself is something I’ll never forget.
"Obviously, it is NFL history, but the reaction when he came into the locker room. I think it speaks volumes about how people feel, how everybody feels, about him as a man. But man, boy, he sees it and gets it. The return was as good as I’ve seen.”
Bland's thoughts during the return? "Just go!" and he certainly did.
Can the Cowboys keep that same mentality? They still have seven days of preparation in front of them as they prepare to host the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football next week.
Kickoff between Dallas and Seattle on Prime Video is set for 7:15 p.m. CT. ... and a lot of eyes will be on the game ... and on DPOY guy Daron Bland.
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