By Brandon George / Reporter
bgeorge@dallasnews.com
IRVING – Veteran linebacker Ernie Sims has been with the Cowboys for less than two months but because of injuries he’s moved up the depth chart at breakneck pace. Just how far has he come in two short months?
Well, on Sunday the Cowboys made Sims their defensive play-caller on the field for the first time this season. He was the player who wore the helmet that received the coaches’ defensive play-calls from the sideline. Sims was responsible for getting the defensive players in the right spots and in the right defense.
Well, for five plays anyway. On the Cowboys’ fifth defensive play of the game Sunday against Pittsburgh, Sims suffered a concussion when he received a helmet-to-helmet hit from a Steelers player.
And just like that, Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer was back to relaying the defensive play-calls on the field. Spencer handled the duty earlier this year because of injuries.
In fact, almost every player who has been responsible for relaying the defensive play-calls on the field this season has gone down with an injury, from Sean Lee and Bruce Carter to Spencer and Sims.
“Yeah, that’s kind of the word around here,” Sims said, laughing. “The great thing about it is the next guy has to step up and that’s why I make sure I do as much studying as possible.”
Sims said he handled the defensive play-calling responsibilities on the field before when he played in Detroit and Indianapolis.
When Sims first arrived in Dallas in late October, the Cowboys just gave him a small role, having him only play in a substitution package on third downs. Since then, Sims has ascended to starter at inside linebacker because of season-ending injuries to Lee and Carter.
“I’ve kind of grown into a bigger role and really the main role,” Sims said. “I’m pretty much the lead guy, making all the checks, making all the calls, and I’m excited about that role and I take pride in that role.”
bgeorge@dallasnews.com
IRVING – Veteran linebacker Ernie Sims has been with the Cowboys for less than two months but because of injuries he’s moved up the depth chart at breakneck pace. Just how far has he come in two short months?
Well, on Sunday the Cowboys made Sims their defensive play-caller on the field for the first time this season. He was the player who wore the helmet that received the coaches’ defensive play-calls from the sideline. Sims was responsible for getting the defensive players in the right spots and in the right defense.
Well, for five plays anyway. On the Cowboys’ fifth defensive play of the game Sunday against Pittsburgh, Sims suffered a concussion when he received a helmet-to-helmet hit from a Steelers player.
And just like that, Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer was back to relaying the defensive play-calls on the field. Spencer handled the duty earlier this year because of injuries.
In fact, almost every player who has been responsible for relaying the defensive play-calls on the field this season has gone down with an injury, from Sean Lee and Bruce Carter to Spencer and Sims.
“Yeah, that’s kind of the word around here,” Sims said, laughing. “The great thing about it is the next guy has to step up and that’s why I make sure I do as much studying as possible.”
Sims said he handled the defensive play-calling responsibilities on the field before when he played in Detroit and Indianapolis.
When Sims first arrived in Dallas in late October, the Cowboys just gave him a small role, having him only play in a substitution package on third downs. Since then, Sims has ascended to starter at inside linebacker because of season-ending injuries to Lee and Carter.
“I’ve kind of grown into a bigger role and really the main role,” Sims said. “I’m pretty much the lead guy, making all the checks, making all the calls, and I’m excited about that role and I take pride in that role.”
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