NFL Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys’ Defense Will Only Get Better With Return of Josh Brent, Demarcus Lawrence

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By @KyleOnTheDaily

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

A Dallas Cowboys‘ defense that has already far exceeded expectations should become one of the top five units in the league over the next few weeks with the impending returns of rookie defensive end Demarcus Lawrence and defensive tackle Josh Brent.

Lawrence, who fractured his right foot during training camp and was placed on injured reserve, is eligible to return to practice this week and can play in live game action for the first time in a clash with the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 2. The Cowboys are hoping that Lawrence can provide defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli with more than enough ammunition to continue to get after the quarterback. Keep in mind Dallas thought so highly of Lawrence’s ability that they traded all the way to up to the No. 34 overall pick of April’s draft to grab him. With a solid core already established around him, look for this Lawrence to cause nightmares like his predecessor with the same name.

Brent, meanwhile, will finish serving his suspension that resulted from his 2012 drunken driving accident that killed Cowboys teammate Jerry Brown. He will be eligible to return to practice just one week after Lawrence in Week 9.

Already able to use the Cowboys’ facilities and attend team meetings, Brent should be able to make a huge impact in the middle of the field for the defense. Before his unfortunate incident, Brent was known as a legit run-stopper who struck fear in his opponents coming at him in the trenches.

Although the Cowboys sit at an NFL best of 5-1, anyone will tell you that the weakest part of this team is the defensive line. However, with Lawrence and Brent back in the fold, this oft-maligned defensive line can only go from good to great, and Marinelli should be salivating at the prospects.

Currently, the Cowboys’ defense ranks 7th in points allowed per game, and that ranking will only improve with two Pro Bowl caliber defensive linemen back in the fold. What’s perhaps even more exciting is that the rest of the Cowboys’ defense will also benefit from the duo’s return.

With more pressure on the quarterback and another run-stopper in the middle, Rolando McClain will have more opportunities to wreak havoc all over the field, Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr will have more chances for interceptions and Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox can focus on making hard hits wherever necessary. Expect nothing less than for this Cowboys defense to continue to earn their respect as the toughest in the league with these strong reinforcements rapidly approaching return.

Kyle Nault is a NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @KyleOnTheDaily.

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