The Washington Commanders did more than bring in former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their head coach to revamp their defense.
A few of Quinn’s top players in Dallas followed him to D.C. and should be a big factor for the unit this season, including defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr.
October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92)
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
If you turn on Armstrong’s tape you see exactly that. Not a man who is immune to celebrating making good plays himself, but one who prioritizes the unit’s success over his own.
In Week 12 against Washington, the Dallas defensive end was called upon to drop into coverage in the middle part of the field where a linebacker would usually be found. The Commanders, advantageously, had dialed up a screen play needing 11 yards for a first down.
With four blockers and just two defenders about five yards downfield you’d think Washington was in for a big gain and a first down. That is, until Armstrong hurled himself at two of the blockers knocking one into the path of running back Antonio Gibson and creating an opportunity for his teammates to corral the ballcarrier before he reached the sticks.
Plays like that don’t enter the box stats, but they make big impacts on the outcome of games.
Armstrong will look to make similar plays this season alongside Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and others on the defensive line.
