Washington Commanders Coach Expresses Relief That Dorance Armstrong Jr. Is No Longer with the Cowboys.
It’s common for new coaches to bring in former players, so when the Washington Commanders hired head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., it was likely expected that defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. would join them soon after.
During his six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys—three of which were under Quinn and Whitt—Armstrong recorded 23.5 sacks, all while starting just 14 games and achieving a 50 percent or higher snap share only once. Now that he’s with the Commanders, Armstrong is ready for more opportunities and aims to help his new team make a mark in the NFC East. His new assistant linebacker/pass rush specialist, Ryan Kerrigan, expressed his excitement about having Armstrong on this side of the rivalry after all these years.
“I’m glad he’s not on the Cowboys anymore,” Kerrigan said after the team’s first padded practice. “He’s a pro. There was a moment when he was tired toward the end of practice, and even in the heat, he still managed to get a sack. That was a true display of professionalism because he could have easily said, ‘I’m tired,’ but instead, he pushed through. He’s a consummate pro, and I’m glad he’s not on the Cowboys anymore.”
The Commanders are also working on converting linebacker Jamin Davis to an edge defender this preseason, and he credits Kerrigan and Armstrong as key influences in his development so far.
Having played for the rival Dallas team, Armstrong is already familiar with the Commanders, with 2.5 of his career sacks coming against them, including one in last year’s Week 18 victory for the Cowboys. Now, he’s looking to bring the same level of disruption to his new team as he once did to his former rivals.
