Otito Ogbonnia, a Houston native, joins the Dallas Cowboys amid roster turnover on the defensive line. He hopes to bring something special to the group after his signing a one-year contract in free agency.
The Dallas Cowboys still have a lot of work to do this free agency with regards to the defense, but the defensive line has already seen a load of movement with Osa Odighizuwa, Perrion Winfrey and Solomon Thomas getting moved off of the roster via trade or release.
Just one lineman has been brought in to fill those holes thus far, Otito Ogbonnia, a former fifth-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers who signed with Dallas this free agency on a one-year, $3 million contract.
Ogbonnia, a born-and-bred Texan, spoke with the team website about what it means to join "America's Team" for his fifth year in the league. He previously starred at high school power Katy before taking his talents to UCLA.
"It's a dream come true," he said after his signing. "I've been following the Cowboys for as long as I can [remember] — being a Houston native, it's a special place in my heart. I've always wanted to play for this team, so it's a really big deal for me."
So, he's back home ... but, as writer Patrik Walker wonders, did he always grow up a Cowboys fan?
"Always in a positive manner," Ogbonnia, 25, said about how he thought of the franchise. "I've always been a Cowboys fan, to be fair, so I know about that kind of hatred they get in Houston, but I wasn't a part of that crowd."
That passion hopes to lead to a production on a Cowboys defense that, despite fostering a strong interior foundation of Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, still remains in the eyes of most as one of the league's worst.
Dallas will now be led by rising coordinator Christian Parker, which also adds to Ogbonnia's excitement going into next season.
"The coaching staff is really excited," Ogbonnia said after talking with Parker and his staff. "I'm excited for what we're gonna do here. I know what the Cowboys' state of their defense was last year. I've been a part of a situation like that. I know what it takes to get a defense rolling. Hearing from those guys and hearing what they have planned, I'm excited."
We've reported how Parker's scheme could look different from those of the past in Dallas. With the strength of the D-line being on the inside, you can expect the Cowboys ability to stop the run to be one of the strengths of the entire defense, as its currently constructed.
That's an area Ogbonnia is especially looking forward to.
"You're gonna see dominance in the run game, dominance at the point of attack — stuffing the run, A gap to D gap," he explained. "You're gonna see a real presence, for sure."
Ogbonnia has 82 career tackles over 41 games played (20 starts). Last season he registered 10 takedowns (seven solo) and a career-high three tackles for loss in nine games.
