The Dallas Cowboys era of safety-turned-linebacker is over. Or is it? Guess it depends on your strict definition.

We all know that under Dan Quinn, the Cowboys former defensive coordinator, taking a safety and finding a role for them at linebacker was the norm. It started with Keanu Neal and carried on with players like Jayron Kearse and Markquese Bell.

But Dan Quinn is now the head coach for the Washington Commanders, and former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is back for a second go around. Quinn’s defense was built on speed, stunts and overloads to disrupt offenses. Zimmer’s defense is much more meat and potatoes, with an adherence to bigger-sized players capable of stuffing the run, topped with a dash of disguised blitzing to unbalance things.

So in that sense, it seems like the converted safety at linebacker is out of favor in Dallas. Except for DeMarvion Overshown. Overshown’s conversion started in college, so it’s not quite like what was being done under Quinn, but he is a fast linebacker that will be used to cover tight ends and running backs as well as run sideline-to-sideline in run defense. But he also may have another component we haven’t talked as much about – a blitz specialist in Zimmer’s disguise scheme.

In a recent ESPN article, Overshown was named as the team’s x-factor.

New defensive coordinator (and former Vikings head coach) Mike Zimmer has historically used linebacker-sized linebackers to make his defense work, and he brought in longtime Viking Eric Kendricks accordingly. Kendricks’ best football is behind him, however, and if the veteran is forced into a starting role beside Damone Clark, the Cowboys will struggle in coverage over the middle of the field.

Overshown is Dallas’ best bet at finding a three-down linebacker on the roster — better than Bell, Kendricks or 2024 third-round selection Marist Liufau. Of the undersized options, he has the sideline-to-sideline range and violence into contact that will remain viable against the run. If he converts two promising preseasons into successful regular-season play, he’ll quickly become a playmaker Zimmer deploys on his complex blitzes, too.

So obviously the author of the ESPN piece is a little off-target in saying Eric Kendricks might be forced into a starting role; Zimmer actually brought Kendricks in to be the starter and to lead the defense. But beyond that, there is some merit to Overshown being an x-factor player.

Cowboys fans have seen the talent in training camp and preseason, but haven’t seen it on the field yet when it counts because of injury. But Overshown is now healthy.

“I feel great,” said Overshown through his trademark ear-to-ear smile. “Just making it to the season healthy is a plus, so we’re already doing better than last year.”

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“I felt great even going into the last [preseason] week,” he explained. “It was just making sure I was healthy enough for Week 1 and making sure there were no bumps or bruises, or something that could’ve been avoided.”

Overshown’s ability to run with faster receiving-types should automatically qualify him for some third-down duty. He also shows plenty of ability to be productive in run defense with the addition of some beef ahead of him at defensive tackle. His speed and agility might also be an asset when it comes to deploying Zimmer’s blitz package.

For all those reasons calling him an x-factor is legit.

In an Oak Cliff parking lot turned memorial, two families united to honor Darron Burks, a man who left an indelible mark in both the fraternity brotherhood and the world of law enforcement.

“This crowd speaks highly of him and everyone knows what Brother Burks stood for. He was a pure guy. He was very pure,” said Kenneth McCloud.

Dozens gathered in the For Oak Cliff parking lot on Friday for a candlelight vigil to remember Burks, who was gunned down just feet from where he was standing just a few nights earlier.

“It hurts. I think I’m cried out today,” said Fredrick Bishop.

Bishop first met Burks through the brotherhood of Omega Psi Phi.

Although they never crossed paths at Paul Quinn College, as alumni, they both shared a commitment to their fraternity’s mission of service.

At a homecoming a couple of years ago, Bishop said that shared passion for helping others further bonded the friends when Burks sought Bishop’s help joining the Dallas Police Department.

After more than 20 years, Bishop is honorably retired from the force.

“He got to the point where he said let me see where I can do more and he wanted to serve more,” he said.

At Friday’s vigil, the men and women of Burks’s police academy class stood shoulder to shoulder with his fraternity brothers and those who knew him from his nearly two decades-long career as an educator and coach.

As they lit candles and shared stories and prayers, loved ones encouraged each other to focus on memories of good times rather than dwelling in sadness.

It’s just one of the ways they said their friend and brother would want to be remembered.

“Work to continue his vision. His vision of service to young people. His service to making a mark here in this city,” said Dallas City Council member Carolyn King Arnold.