Malik Hooker knows that he can help the team in an indisputable way

Just a few days ago, the Cowboys decided to enlist the services of safety Malik Hooker. In fact, the player signed with the organization on Tuesday morning and then rejoined practices in Oxnard a short time later.

However, the coaching staff has decided to take it little by little, and to adapt to what the franchise may require. Also, he’s not practicing with all the props yet, despite being in California with the rest of the guys.

Malik Hooker wearing No. 28 with the Cowboys pic.twitter.com/Hmod3yxUEC

– Jon Machota (jonmachota) July 27, 2021

Likewise, there is a detail to take into account and that is its great injury section. In fact, this is what made his previous team, the Colts, not opt ​​for the fifth-year option to safety that was selected in the first round of the 2017 Draft. Malik has had a sports hernia on a couple of occasions, as well as tears in the glenoid rim, medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament. Of course, we must not forget the tear in the Achilles tendon that left it out practically the entire 2020 campaign.

Despite all this less than encouraging medical history, when Hooker is in tip-top shape, he becomes a major threat down the line. Analyzing his numbers since entering the NFL in 2017, he has had 124 combined tackles. Along with this, two recovered balls, seven interceptions and eleven passes defended. Notably, this was in a total of 36 regular season games in four years. When he could well have seen 64, only the injuries did not allow it.

Now, the safety has been talking to the media lately, and has left pleasant impressions regarding his attitude. Especially because of the fact that he wants to help the lone star team in any way possible.

“Right now I feel very good physically. There are no setbacks when it comes to the recovery process, ”said Malik. “Now it’s just taking my time and going back to work to play football, I’ve already been out for a year.”

New Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (No. 28) is not in pads. Part of easing him along. https://t.co/0tAE2Ag7hL pic.twitter.com/kvZoTEySLu

– Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 28, 2021

On the other hand, the player has stated that he is comfortable with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s system. All this because of the similarities it has found with previous systems in which it has already played. “I think this is the perfect place for me,” said the safety. Hoping that from one moment to the next, the coaching staff will finally decide to incorporate him along with the rest of his teammates in group exercises.

Cowboys S Malik Hooker said he feels comfortable in DC Dan Quinn’s system, given similarities with past schemes in which he has played. “I feel like this is the perfect place for me.” Wearing a face mask because, so far, he’s had only the first of two vaccine shots. pic.twitter.com/7Od4yiZTv1

– Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 28, 2021

Either way, there are high expectations for Hooker and what he can bring to the secondary line. Especially because of what has happened in the last days of the practices in Oxnard. Where the defense has been unbeatable making interceptions everywhere. “I’m an athlete who knows how to steal the ball,” Hooker said. “That’s what I’ve been since I got out of college. I feel like I can change the game, and vocally I’m a leader. “

With Malik’s skills, it’s easy to understand why Dan Quinn wants to give him a shot. In fact, when looking at the schemes that the cowboy defensive coordinator can use, it is understandable that he wants to use it in cover systems 1 and 3, since Hooker has the correct high safety profile. Of course, the latter is a very important position because the whole scheme is based on channeling receivers towards free safety.

If all goes right, Malik should be practicing with the rest shortly and maybe have some action in preseason games. But this will already be the final decision of the coaching staff, to see if the player would already be suitable for the challenges he faces in the weeks to come. Including, of course, the season that will begin on September 9.