The last time Sam Darnold played the Dallas Cowboys, he went with them for 332 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-22 win for the New York Jets. That was 2019, however, and Trevon Diggs was still snapping photos for Nick Saban in Alabama. Fast forward to week 4 of the 2021 season and Darnold is now leading the Carolina Panthers, and he was officially introduced to Diggs, who made sure there was no déjà vu in Dallas.
Just three days after being named NFC Defensive Player of the Month, Diggs stepped onto the field at AT&T Stadium and got a crucial interception against Darnold in the second half. And then, not long after, he grabbed another one – marking his second multi-interception game as a pro, increasing his INT score to eight in his first 15 NFL starts.
In addition, his five early season interceptions now pass the iconic Defensive Back Everson Walls for most in Cowboys history in the first four games of a campaign, and he does so continuously keeps his promise to his young son.
“He said he wanted another interception,” said Diggs after the week 4 win. “I gave him one. Well, actually, I gave him two.”
But as brilliant as the start is, Diggs still believes he’s leaving something on the field.
“No,” he said when asked whether he was satisfied with his performance so far. “I expect more from myself. I just have to keep fighting, keep working and keep pushing. … I have the feeling that I still have a lot to do.”
It’s now the fourth straight week that Diggs mainly travels with the opposing team’s top wide receiver – from perennial Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Keenan Allen to DeVonta Smith and now DJ Moore. All he’s done is what no one has done before him in the history of one of the most famous franchises in the entire NFL, and his path to possibly becoming an all-pro himself continues to sweep across football heaven.
When asked if he goes to Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn and asks to play the best wideout every week, or if Quinn challenges him to do so, a smiling Diggs essentially said yes, which meant that in practice, both of them at exactly the same time happens and at meetings.
“I love the challenge,” said Diggs. “It’s mano y mano. Who is better at the end of the day? I want to see who is better.”
At some point, however, opposing quarterbacks might start treating him like elite corners that came before him, e.g. so that he can continue to regret them.
“Keep throwing,” he said. “I want more interceptions. If they throw it and I get it, I’ll get it first” [the WR] Can get it. “
It’s a lesson Dak Prescott himself learned from fighting Diggs on a daily basis and isn’t shy to admit it.
“I’ve learned in practice when and where not to throw Trevon Diggs,” said the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback. “When he gets these INTs, I think, ‘Yeah, I see.'”
Diggs draws praise from many both outside and inside the Cowboys organization, and rightly so considering that what he does has never been seen in Dallas before, which says a lot when you consider their dominance in The Hall of Fame thinks – with more defensive backs (like walls) will sooner or later still be immortalized.
“Diggs is on the ball, brother,” said rookie first-round pick Micah Parsons. “But you have to remember, he’s the type of guy who comes in every day and competes. He wants to be the best receiver. I expect that now [another INT]. “
The franchise interception record for a single season is 11, also set by Walls, and Diggs is almost halfway through with 13 games remaining in the regular season. He is currently well on his way to blowing it out of the water and strolling past the league record in this category as well.
“I don’t know what they are [INT] It’s a record, “said Randy Gregory after seeing what Diggs is doing in 2021.” But if he continues like this, he’ll have it by mid-season. … Crap.”
After facing Diggs for the first time, Darnold will likely agree.
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