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IRVING, Texas -- In search of pass-rushing help, the Dallas Cowboys will bring Michael Sam in for a physical on Wednesday and potentially add him to the practice squad. Forget the off-the-field attention that would accompany Sam should he join the Cowboys, how does he fit on the field? Sam was not on the Cowboys’ draft board in May. At the time, they did not believe he would be a good fit in Rod Marinelli’s scheme. Marinelli constantly stresses speed all over the defense and Sam timed poorly leading up to the draft despite being the Southeastern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year last season at Missouri. When Sam was cut by the St. Louis Rams on Saturday, the Cowboys did not initially budge from their stance in May. Perhaps more time and the pressing need to improve defensively changed the perception of Sam. He had three sacks and 11 tackles in four preseason games, but was unable to crack St. Louis’ strong defensive front. The Cowboys do not have a strong defensive front and can use pass-rush help. Since the final preseason game the Cowboys added two defensive linemen to the 53-man roster, picking up Lavar Edwards in a trade from the Tennessee Titans and signing Jack Crawford on Monday. They re-signed Kenneth Boatright, who was among their final cuts, to the practice squad on Monday. The Cowboys will take a committee approach with their defensive line this season and need numbers. They have 11 defensive linemen on the active roster and could dress as many as nine for games. If Sam becomes a Cowboy, then he could get a chance to be part of that rotation down the road.
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