Ex-NFL Star Commends Cowboys’ Alijah Clark for ‘All-Out Effort’ on Special Teams Turnover
Former NFL star Shawne Merriman recently commended Dallas Cowboys player Alijah Clark for his ‘all-out effort’ during a critical special teams turnover in the team’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Merriman, a former pass rusher, lauded Clark’s determination and dedication, stating that these types of plays clearly demonstrate the kind of effort any coach would expect from a player.
During the Cowboys’ punt, Clark was pushed down multiple times but still managed to get back up and cause Xavier Gipson to fumble. Merriman remarked that this moment was a ‘clear coaching tape’ of what young athletes should strive for. He explained that such plays, which demonstrate commitment and effort, are often what separate players who make a team from those who don’t.
Clark, who joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent this year, has already made an impact with his performance, appearing in six games and recording 15 tackles. Merriman emphasized that these kinds of plays are crucial for a player’s long-term success in the NFL. Despite the Cowboys not gaining any points after the play, the team managed to secure a 24-21 victory.
Merriman’s praise for Clark’s effort underscores the importance of special teams in the game and how a single moment of hustle can make a significant difference. While the Cowboys failed to gain any points after the play, Dallas was able to win the game 24-21.
He’s appeared in six games for Dallas and has 15 tackles.
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Dallas Cowboys player Alijah Clark turned heads over the weekend when he showed off incredible hustle to force a key turnover during the team’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Many NFL fans and players applauded Clark, including former star pass rusher Shawne Merriman, who told Fox News Digital that type of effort is exactly what any coach would want to see out of a player.
“It was clear coaching tape of what you want to show every high school kid in the country,” Merriman said. “People come up to me all the time, they want to play in the NFL, that’s what I would show them. If you ever want to make a team, if you’re on the fence whether you can make a team or not, you do that, you put yourself in the best position to make that 53-man roster. That’s clear coaching tape of all-out effort of what these young players need to see.”
Clark joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent this year. Merriman said it’s those types of plays that would keep him on a roster for a long time.
“That is what determines if a guy is gonna make a team or not. I always tell guys, ‘The more you can do.’ If you can run down on special teams and make a play like that, I know guys who stayed around in the NFL for a very long time making plays like that and that’s what you need to do,” Merriman added.
While the Cowboys failed to gain any points after the play, Dallas was able to win the game 24-21.
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