OXNARD, Calif. — Mike McCarthy isn’t one to inform the media how you can do their jobs.
However throughout a press convention the opposite day, when the subject turned to Anthony Brown, the Cowboys head coach got here near crossing that line.
“I believe he’s somebody that ought to get extra love from you guys,’’ McCarthy informed reporters.
“Only a suggestion.’’
Suggestion taken.
Trevon Diggs is coming off a season the place he had essentially the most interceptions within the NFL in 40 years. But when a few movies surfaced from follow this week that confirmed him being crushed deep in a one-on-one drill by CeeDee Lamb and Simi Fehoko — with no go rush and the quarterback taking so long as he wanted to throw _ critics used it of their social media marketing campaign to allege he’s one way or the other not that good.
Diggs is a lightning rod.
Brown is the group’s different beginning nook, the one who quietly goes about his job incomes the reward of coaches and teammates alike however hardly ever transferring the needle outdoors of the group.
“I’ve been right here happening seven years now,’’ Brown mentioned about flying below the radar. “I’m used to it.
“I’m proof against it now.’’
Brown is the veteran each group within the league appreciates and desires on its roster, however believes an improve is barely a draft decide or free agent signing away. That was the case within the 2021 draft when the Cowboys took cornerback Kelvin Joseph within the second spherical and got here again with Nahshon Wright within the third.
The concept was that Joseph would transfer into the beginning lineup sooner fairly than later, nudging Brown into the function of third nook that he crammed earlier in his profession.
How did that prove?
Brown responded with the very best season of his profession. Joseph didn’t come near dislodging him final season. And he’s not shut now.
Nobody is mounting a risk to Brown’s beginning place at this stage of camp.
“AB is having a heck of a camp,’’ McCarthy mentioned. “Frankly, I’ll be sincere with you. He’s picked up proper the place he left off final 12 months.’’
Brown had a profession excessive three interceptions final season, returning certainly one of them 45 yards for a landing. He broke up a profession excessive 17 passes — greater than the earlier three seasons mixed — and compelled a fumble in his 16 begins.
Coaches and gamers say the identical factor about Brown. He’s constant in his efficiency and character. You get the identical particular person, the identical competitor, day-after-day.
McCarthy mentioned Brown has gotten stronger since he arrived as head coach in ‘20. The nook factors to a different sort of power.
“I’d say confidence and being mentally stronger,’’ Brown mentioned when requested to explain why he’s been in a position to elevate his recreation. “Motion.
“The sport is slowing down. Understanding route ideas and the offensive schemes.’’
Brown will let you know he’s extra assured and feels extra established than he has at any level of his Cowboys profession.
“Most undoubtedly,’’ he mentioned. “That is my final 12 months on my deal, 12 months Seven. It’s nothing however up from right here.
“I really feel I’m simply getting higher and my finest years are forward of me.’’
Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott and Brown are the three members of the ‘16 draft class which are nonetheless with the Cowboys. He modified his quantity in the course of the offseason to No. 3.
Why?
“I simply wished to re-event myself with a brand new look,’’ Brown mentioned. “I simply be ok with myself.
“I didn’t select 30. Thirty was given to me, so I wished to decide on one thing for myself so I simply took the 0 off.’’
4 months shy of his twenty ninth birthday, Brown’s profession is taking off as properly.
It’s time to offer him some love.
“Yeah, I recognize that,’’ Brown mentioned. “A lot like to Mike for even saying that.
“That felt good for him to say.’’
Catch David Moore on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) with the Musers at 9:35 each morning and the Hardline Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:30 p.m. throughout Cowboys coaching camp.
Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN
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