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Cowboys second-year linebacker struggling, but gaining valuable experience
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- Cowboys second-year linebacker struggling, but gaining valuable experience
When Jimmy Johnson was building dynasties with the Dallas Cowboys , he famously treated his players differently. Star players got star treatment while fringe players got tough love. Young up-and-comers got patience, while journeymen rarely saw a second chance.
While that might seem a misjustice, it's kind of the way the NFL works. Fans and media are just as guilty of this behavior as Johnson. They also give preferential treatment to young players and draft picks with good upside and show little patience for veterans and journeymen with limited upside.
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Take the 2025 linebacker situation for example: Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray are two veteran LB additions who have struggled this season. Like everyone else on this defense, they've logged more lowlights than highlights and like everyone else on this defense, they deserve every bit of the criticism they've been getting.
Yet eight weeks into the season it appears clear, some young players are getting a disproportionate amount grace. While tempers are peaking with veterans like Sanborn, Murray and Donovan Wilson , criticism has been tempered for up-and-comers like Marist Liufau .
Liufau, a 2024 third-round pick and human spark plug, has arguably been one of the most disappointing players on the field in 2025. After dropping jaws in training camp and the preseason he's been struggling to meet the hype in the regular season.
After serving as a part-time role player through the first three weeks of the season, fans demanded to see their young star receive starting snaps. They say be careful what you wish for because when Liufau finally did get his starting opportunity he played poorly. Like many young linebackers, when asked to play downhill Liufau did well, but the NFL is about a lot more than downhill and that's where the young backer struggled.
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Liufau's snap count doesn't qualify him in PFF positional rankings but his 45.4 grade on the season would slot him in at No. 74 if it did. It's poor company to keep and extremely disappointing to those who entered the year with such high expectations for the 24-year-old. Still, the backlash for his poor play has been somewhat restrained and it likely has everything to do with his potential.
Liufau's explosiveness and athleticism are virtually unmatched on this Cowboys defense. Aside from the rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku and DeMarvion Overshown , no one packs quite the same punch as Liufau. It's why fans and media have been patient and it's why he's dodged much of the ire that Murray can't seem to get away from.
Assuming the 2025 season isn't a scarring experience for him, Liufau will be well-served getting these reps. It should go a long way in his development and therefore could pay dividends down the road.
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It may seem unfair that Liufau has been getting a pass from the criticism this year but it shouldn't be surprising. He factors into the future better than the more scrutinized veterans and he brings a higher ceiling with him as well. Today's pain is tomorrow's gain…at least that's what we hope.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: LB Marist Liufau struggling, but experience gained should be valuable
