DMN: Sturm's Cowboys analysis: Too many snaps for Igor Olshansky

[WoodysGirl]

By BOB STURM
Special Contributor to SportsDayDFW.com
Published 07 March 2011 11:58 AM

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The Ticket's Bob Sturm offers his deep analysis of each Dallas Cowboys (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Dallas_Cowboys) player.
IGOR OLSHANSKY (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Igor_Olshansky)
Position: Defensive end
Size: 6'5, 315
Age: 29, 5/3/82
College: Oregon
Drafted: Round 2, Pick 35 - 2004
Experience: 7 seasons

2011 Analysis: Don't get me wrong. Igor Olshansky can be a useful player in a certain role. But, in his current role of being the Cowboys most used defensive end, he is miscast. It is popular to say that DEs in a 3-4 defense don't often accumulate statistics. And that is true. They are there to often occupy 2 blockers and allow others to come free and make more plays. The fact that Olshansky lines up next to DeMarcus Ware (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/DeMarcus_Ware) should not be overlooked as Ware makes all sorts of plays. But, when I look at 3-4s that have great success, Shaun Ellis (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Shaun_Ellis) and Cullen Jenkins (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Cullen_Jenkins) are disruptive ends in the 3-4 with regards to pass rush. Brett Keisel (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Brett_Keisel) and Ryan Pickett (http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Ryan_Pickett) are dynamic at plugging the run. But, to have success, your DEs need to be great at one or the other. In Olshansky, they have been needing more than they have received. I would be fine if he was a part of a solid rotation where we can drop his snaps in hopes of getting more return in run stuffing, but near 600 snaps a season offers diminishing returns. Add to this group and see improved play to those they might be over-exposing. I think this once again speaks to their need to beef up the defensive line through the draft, and perhaps their pick at No. 9.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20110307-sturm_s-cowboys-analysis-too-many-snaps-for-igor-olshansky.ece

[big dog cowboy]

I've said it a million times - the game is won in the trenches. Until both lines return to controlling the line of scrimmage we will struggle.

[Chuck 54]

The very fact that Igor was in the 600 snap range attests to the fact that someone with the Cowboys really values him, though that value may have overworked him to the point of diminishing returns last season...perhaps the reason so many fans seem to want to dump him when I've never seen Spears give any more to the defense either.

[proline]

The very fact that Igor was in the 600 snap range attests to the fact that someone with the Cowboys really values him, though that value may have overworked him to the point of diminishing returns last season...perhaps the reason so many fans seem to want to dump him when I've never seen Spears give any more to the defense either.


Well, he was a Wade Phillips guy ....

[baj1dallas]

The very fact that Igor was in the 600 snap range attests to the fact that someone with the Cowboys really values him, though that value may have overworked him to the point of diminishing returns last season...perhaps the reason so many fans seem to want to dump him when I've never seen Spears give any more to the defense either.

there's no way that you can deny that he was extremely effective against the run two seasons ago. I can't tell you why he (and most everybody else) sucked so bad last season. But looking at him objectively and ignoring the celebrations and other trivialities, there's no reason he can't be effective as a first and second down player.

[stasheroo]

I feel if for no other reason, the numbers (the lack thereof) will keep him around.

I'm hopeful that the new coaching staff and scheme will result in improvement.