On a roster littered with linebackers, Matt Stewart hasn't exactly stood out during the Cowboys' training camp.
Stewart was one of a dozen linebackers on the roster, a number that seemed out of whack when compared to most NFL rosters. But this isn't Stewart's first NFL season, nor his first turn with a 3-4 defensive scheme.
"It seems like a lot, but when you're in a 3-4 defense, a lot of the outside guys are going to have to play defensive end in third down situations anyway," Stewart says. "That takes a little more space (on the roster)."
The eighth-year pro entered the 2009 preseason staring at the end of his career. At 6-3 and 239 pounds, Stewart has enough skill and build to play either inside or outside in the Cowboys' defensive scheme, and it helps that he's had success both in a 3-4 and playing in a Wade Phillips-coached defense.
If he's going to get one last chance to extend his NFL career, returning to the coach who once made him a NFL starter isn't a bad move.
"It was another opportunity, another chance to keep playing," Stewart says. "I don't know if Coach Phillips had something to do with that. He may have."
Stewart entered the NFL in 2001 as a fourth-round pick for the Atlanta Falcons. At the time, former Cowboys player and assistant Dan Reeves was the head coach. Stewart injured his hip flexor in the preseason finale that year, but he bounced back to finish the campaign with 17 special teams tackles, second-best on the squad. He also earned 16 tackles on defense.
For the next three seasons, Stewart became a fixture on the Falcons' defense. In 2002, he started 13 of 16 games and ended up with 87 tackles, including 49 solo stops. He added three sacks, one recovered fumble, one blocked kick and eight special teams tackles as the Falcons reached the postseason and won a wild-card contest before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.
That was the Falcons' first playoff appearance since their run to Super Bowl XXIII in 1998. That was also Phillips' first year as defensive coordinator for the Falcons and Stewart's introduction to the 3-4 defense. That 2002 unit finished with 47 sacks, second-most in team history and tied for fourth in the NFL. They also had 39 takeaways, second in the league, and 24 interceptions, which were fourth.
In 2003 Stewart had his best season as a pro, starting all 16 games for Atlanta and finishing with 108 tackles (65 solo). He also had two-and-a-half sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two special teams tackles.
That wasn't enough to save Reeves' job, as he was let go late in the season and Phillips took over as interim head coach for the final three games. Despite a 2-1 record, Phillips didn't do enough to stay in Atlanta in the eyes of ownership, either, and Jim Mora Jr. took over the team for 2004.
Phillips went to San Diego to become defensive coordinator and Stewart remained, playing for Mora Jr. and former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
But based on his performance under Phillips, Stewart took the opportunity to come to Dallas despite the plethora of linebackers already on the roster, including All-Pro DeMarcus Ware, longtime starter Bradie James and Stewart's former Falcons teammate, Keith Brooking, who also signed with Dallas this offseason.
"It was definitely a positive experience for me (in Atlanta)," Stewart says. "It's helped me in knowing the scheme here, after playing in it for two years. The terminology, I came in knowing what to do and it helped me get started."
The Falcons changed defenses under Zimmer, but Stewart remained a starter in 2004, starting 16 games at outside linebacker and finishing second on the club with 89 tackles and a career-high four pass breakups. For the second time in three years, Stewart and the Falcons went to the playoffs, again losing to the Eagles, this time in the NFC Championship game.
After the season, Stewart was a free agent and went to the Cleveland Browns. In Cleveland Stewart returned to the 3-4 under new head coach Romeo Crennel, and in his first year with the Browns, Stewart made 12 starts at outside linebacker and recorded 41 tackles, including 22 solo, three tackles for loss, one interception, three pass breakups and one forced fumble. The interception, which came against Miami, was the first of his career.
However, his playing time in Cleveland quickly evaporated. In 2006, his second year with the Browns, he played in 16 games, but had only 17 tackles and a quarterback sack. By the next season he was gone.
Stewart has spent the past two years trying to reclaim his career. In 2008, he went through training camp with the Arizona Cardinals, who would eventually reach their first Super Bowl. But, Stewart didn't take part in the ride. He was one of the final cuts of training camp.
He spent the football season staying in shape, hanging out with his family and waiting for the phone to ring.
"It was a tough transition," Stewart says. "I don't think guys realize that until you come to the point where there's a chance you could be done."
Stewart may have been coming to that realization before the Cowboys called him during the offseason. Phillips had specific plans for Stewart when the Cowboys signed him.
"We brought Matt in to work as a snapper and he's worked some at linebacker and he's done a good job for us," Phillips said at the conclusion of mini-camp. "He did a good job for us in Atlanta. We had a good defense while he was there. But toward the end of his career here he wanted to work as a snapper so we're working him there and we'll see if he can challenge L.P. (Ladouceur).
"(But) him being familiar with a lot of things helps. If we're able to get him to the football, he'll make plays."
Unseating Ladouceur is harder than it sounds. He's emerged as the Dale Hellestrae of the 21st century. Hellestrae, of course, squeezed a 14-year career out of long-snapping duties, 11 of them in Dallas from 1990-2000.
The Canadian-born Ladouceur came to Dallas as a free agent, signing on Sept. 28, 2005. His skills as a long-snapper are so valued that he inked a five-year deal with Dallas in 2008.
Stewart's road is equally uphill at linebacker. Ware, James, Brooking and third-year pro Anthony Spencer have done nothing during the preseason to hurt the perception that they will be the four starters.
If the Cowboys were to keep four more backups, Stewart would be fighting with Victor Butler, Bobby Carpenter, Stephen Hodge, Steve Octavien and Jason Williams for a roster spot.
While Stewart's chances of unseating Ladouceur seem remote, his combination of linebacking skills, deep-snapping and familiarity with Phillips' scheme could conspire to make Stewart a dark horse candidate to make the team.
But he'll need to let his playing do the talking.
"I think (my) versatility (is a real asset)," Stewart says. "I can play inside or outside. Those are real positives. I don't like to toot my own horn, so I can't give you much more than that."
There has been plenty of talk lately about changes in Phillips' demeanor or coaching style. Stewart says he's seen little change in Phillips from their days in Atlanta, and, in his opinion, that's not a bad thing.
"No, definitely not," Stewart says. "I think he still coaches the way he always has. He's a positive, upbeat coach and I see that he's still coaching that way.
"Coach (Phillips) always emphasizes knowing what to do and doing things exactly right and we're making good progress."
And playing with a star on your helmet, as opposed to a Falcon, is a whole new world for Stewart.
"I think the expectations are high here because being America's Team, everyone feels more pressure, I think, to perform," Stewart says. "Guys are definitely getting better because they know that.
"(There's a) lot of talent (on this defense). A tremendous amount of talent. It's going to be a good scheme. Putting pressure on the quarterback was huge last year, and if we keep doing that again this year it will be a real tough defense."
Stewart knows this training camp might be his last. That's why he chose to work out all of last season, as opposed to moving into a part-time or full-time job and transitioning into the real world. That work ethic allowed him to transition easily into the Cowboys' training camp regimen.
"I don't feel behind in that sense," Stewart says.
He believes he has one more chance left in him. And he's grateful to Phillips and the Cowboys for giving him that chance.
"I felt I needed to stay in shape just in case an opportunity arose last year," Stewart says. "Next year it might be a different story."
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