Veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore exceeding expectations for Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are getting all they expected and more out of veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Since his trade from the Colts this offseason, the former Patriots star has fit right in opposite Trevon Diggs.

Gilmore, going into his 12th season, has already achieved what few have ever done. He’s won the Super Bowl and the league’s defensive MVP award. Even still, he’s eager to help his fellow defenders and even coach the wide receivers.

Cornerbacks coach Al Harris sang Gilmore’s praises at practice this week.

“His preparation, he’s on it every single day,” Harris said, via the Athletic’s Jon Machota. “He eats right, studies, takes notes. And the thing about it is usually when you get guys that have the accolades that he has and the amount of years that he’s played, you kind of as a coach, you don’t know if you can disrupt that. And he’s still willing to learn.

“Just little things that you tweak him on, you only got to tell him once. He’s been great. To hear him talk to the younger guys, I think it’s awesome. I think that was a really, really good addition for the team and the entire defense.”

Diggs mirrors Gilmore’s routine

Gilmore’s addition has been a big boon for Trevon Diggs. Even after leading the NFL in interceptions in 2021, he still pesters the veteran for tips.

“I feel like he’s just very professional,” Diggs told reporters of Gilmore. “Just how he goes about his work, it’s like rubbed off on me. He’s waking up at 6 o’clock every day. So now I want to wake up at 6 o’clock every day, and go get a workout with him and do all the little stuff like that… He doesn’t eat foolishness. He has seen me eating gummy snacks and he’ll be like, ‘Why are you eating that?’

“Little things like that, him just taking me under his wing and just showing me how to last in the league that long. I’m just taking notes and soaking everything up. And I’m very appreciative for it.”

At nearly 34 years old, Gilmore remains a top-10 cornerback in the league. Last season he posted 66 tackles and two interceptions for the Colts. His career total is now up to 29 picks in regular season games.

Mike McCarthy has been trying to avoid having his quarterbacks throw in Gilmore’s direction so far during camp. He nearly intercepted a ball from Dak Prescott on Thursday but couldn’t get two feet in bounds.

“You could see it from Day 1,” McCarthy said. “When we signed him, the next day those two (Diggs, Gilmore) were working out in the weight room.”

McCarthy called the cornerback a perfect fit for the Dallas defense.