And, with that, his focus is completely on the football component, and his first year goal is clear.
“To contribute in any way possible, doing whatever the coaches ask me to do,” Ezeiruaku said, never once dropping the aforementioned grin. “That’ll be a successful year [to me]: staying healthy, obviously, and just putting my best foot forward every single day, every single game. That’ll be a successful year of work for me.”
It bodes well for the upstart NFL pass rusher that his position group is led by none other than Micah Parsons, an All-Pro who is off to a historic start to his career and, despite ongoing contract negotiations, reported to minicamp with the added goal of mentoring and coaching up the younger talent on the defensive line.
“I told them no egos in this room,” said Parsons of his message to the group. “… If I’m not [hustling], tell me to get the f-ck on. … Everybody’s sh-t stinks. We’re not all perfect.”
The words resonate heavily with Ezeiruaku and others.
“Nobody’s above anybody,” he said. “We all have different successes, and have all done certain things already in the game. [Granted, in the NFL] I haven’t done anything, but it doesn’t matter, because if one guy isn’t going hard, we’re gonna get on that guy the same way as anybody else was not going hard.
“Everybody’s equal. That’s pretty much what we mean by [an egoless group].”
The bond has also been made more profound off of the field, by way of group gatherings that include bowling nights, and though the super-competitive Parsons may or may not agree, Ezeiruaku pointed out he’s one to contend with at the lanes; and that he routinely bowls “in the [200s]”.
A close-knit group and locker room speaks largely to the culture being constructed by head coach Brian Schottenheimer and, to this point, there is evidence everywhere of its early roots taking hold.
“Yeah, I would say the chemistry is getting really strong,” said Ezeiruaku. “We actually had a conversation about this together, today. And that’s something that we need to do to move forward and to be the best defensive line that we can possibly be and want to be. That’s us hanging out outside of the facility, picking each other’s brains, holding each other accountable or just chitchatting and checking up on each other.
“That’s something that we need to do and we’re going to do. And I think that’s what’s gonna help us be successful.”
As for what he expects from himself that would help him achieve the goal of contributing as early as Year 1, the former Eagles fan turned opp[onent] has a clear vision for that as well.
“It’s going really well. I’m living the dream, honestly. I graduated from school, so this is just football right now, so I don’t have to worry about anything else, so it’s really good. … And you’ve got to be a dawg. You’ve got to be hungry. You gotta want to go do it every single day, day in and day out, and that’s how you will be successful.
“That’s how you become one of the greatest.”
The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, and Ezeiruaku isn’t interested in walking that road when he can lace up his cleats and run toward that horizon with and for the Cowboys.
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