Dorance Armstrong Review

[Denim Chicken]

Armstrong, a RD4 pick in 2018, is going into his third year with us.

I wanted to take the temperature from the zone.

He hasn't been able get playing time (in on 23% of snaps) & has been bad on special teams (missed all his tackle attempt last year). Though, he has a good first step and has flashed at times. 2.5 sacks and a FF last year in 257 snaps.

What do we think about him going forward? Any chance he doesn't make the team?

 

[Kaiser]

I think he definitely makes the team, the question is whether he improves this year. If he does he could challenge for starter reps, if not he is still solid depth IMO.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Definitely replaceable. But he's still a young player. He makes the team in 2020 but will need to show considerable improvement.

 

[cowboygo]

He looks suited for the DPR (Designated pass rusher) role Stephen Jones was talking about about a month ago. I thought he was light for a 4-3 END.

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

I was excited for him last year but hard to be this year. With so little progress last year, I can’t see him on the team. Would like one of the other DE’s to make a jump. Jackson or Jelks.

 

[beware_d-ware]

He looks like a run of the mill backup DE. That's not necessarily a bad thing; every team's got their Dorance Armstrong and every team needs their Dorance Armstrong, but he's not a difference maker at all. You give him a dozen snaps a game when you shift your starting DE inside on the diesel package or the starter wants a breather.

 

[Typhus]

In definite competition here is how I have RDE others may differ in their opinion
Crawford
Armstrong
Jalen Jelks
Rondel Carter
Have Aldon Smith and Bradlee Anae at LDE behind DLaw, but that could change in camp.

 

[JBell]

He's shown some flashes.

I'm hoping he can turn into a solid rotational rusher at RE. If he can turn into a Benson Mayowa type at DE he'll be a valuable piece.

 

[Creeper]

I am expecting Joe Jackson to pass him on the depth chart.

 

[Kaiser]

Have Aldon Smith and Bradlee Anae at LDE behind DLaw, but that could change in camp.

Why at LDE? Smith seems a much better fit at RDE and we need someone there, Crawford is a better fit at LDE backing up DLaw IMO (if he returns, which I think he will after a paycut).

 

[CATCH17]

He should’ve flashed by now.

 

[Risen Star]

In definite competition here is how I have RDE others may differ in their opinion
Crawford
Armstrong
Jalen Jelks
Rondel Carter
Have Aldon Smith and Bradlee Anae at LDE behind DLaw, but that could change in camp.

Anae is a weak side end.

 

[Risen Star]

Armstrong's a special talent. Very Pollard-like. I can see why the Cowboys had to sweat it out that he'd be there on day 3 after failing to move back into the 3rd round to take him.

Solid scouting work there.

 

[charron]

Armstrong, a RD4 pick in 2018, is going into his third year with us.

I wanted to take the temperature from the zone.

He hasn't been able get playing time (in on 23% of snaps) & has been bad on special teams (missed all his tackle attempt last year). Though, he has a good first step and has flashed at times. 2.5 sacks and a FF last year in 257 snaps.

What do we think about him going forward? Any chance he doesn't make the team?

plenty of chance he won't.

If we end up with Anae, Randy and Smith at DE then armstrong might not make the cut. For all we know randy may not get re-instated. And that may give armstrong his chance to stay.

 

[buybuydandavis]

He looks like a run of the mill backup DE. That's not necessarily a bad thing; every team's got their Dorance Armstrong and every team needs their Dorance Armstrong, but he's not a difference maker at all. You give him a dozen snaps a game when you shift your starting DE inside on the diesel package or the starter wants a breather.

Assuming Gregory is back, Armstrong is competing with a lot of guys for rotational time:
Crawford, Smith, Jelks, Anae

Maybe we go 9 dline on gameday? Crawford as a tweener. and 4 DEs, 4 DTs?

DLaw, Gregory, Armstrong, Smith, Jelks, Anae. I'm more positive than many on Smith as pass rush specialist, but if he's not the 3rd, he definitely loses the push to the young guys under contract for the future. Armstrong could be the third. But if Smith *and* a young guy impress, Armstrong could be a game day inactive.

A wildcard Armstrong is that DLaw disappeared in the back half of last season with only 0.5 sacks. His salary may not keep him from being rotated out more on passing downs. The 3rd could get significant pass rush snaps that way. Although now that we've moved on from Marinelli, I'd expect the starters to play more snaps if they're playing well. The 20 Million Dollar Man only played 62%. That doesn't make sense if he's playing up to his contract.

 

[Mr_437]

RDE - Aldon, Randy, Anae
LDE - DLaw, TyCraw, Jackson
I think they groom Jackson because he has the size n strength to play some 5Tech in this multiple scheme. Dorance just hasn't done much, but could these new coaches tap in to something with this guy? Idk.

Sidenote: If I'm these coaches I'm hiding pass rushers (edge) as SOLBs/DPR...like 2 of them. Most of the time it's a 2 LB front anyway, so why carry more than 4-5 true LBs?

 

[fivetwos]

Armstrong, a RD4 pick in 2018, is going into his third year with us.

I wanted to take the temperature from the zone.

He hasn't been able get playing time (in on 23% of snaps) & has been bad on special teams (missed all his tackle attempt last year). Though, he has a good first step and has flashed at times. 2.5 sacks and a FF last year in 257 snaps.

What do we think about him going forward? Any chance he doesn't make the team?

I can answer one question....theres a very good chance he doesnt make the team.

I'm hoping Jerry or his kid or whoever mans the phone over there can swindle someone out of a 6th or 7th for dudes like him.

Tremendous selection btw. Another Rod special no doubt.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Armstrong, a RD4 pick in 2018, is going into his third year with us.

I wanted to take the temperature from the zone.

He hasn't been able get playing time (in on 23% of snaps) & has been bad on special teams (missed all his tackle attempt last year). Though, he has a good first step and has flashed at times. 2.5 sacks and a FF last year in 257 snaps.

What do we think about him going forward? Any chance he doesn't make the team?

Some very strange awnsers here lol. He had a very good sack rate for the amount of snaps he play. He improved significantly from 2018. Thats about 7 sacks if he got starter reps. He is a quality backup 7T.

I dont see him and Anae are competing with each other. They both play different alignments. Anae will likely get snaps in 8 or 9 gaps standing up or in a wide set, whereas Armstrong is likely going to be more of backup than a rotational player considering he is a 7T.

Thats your bottom roster DE's. Jelks or Jackson will have to convince them to go heavy at DE.

 

[GenoT]

Soon to be available at a JAGS-R-Us outlet near you.

 

[DanA]

We’ve got
1. Lawrence
2. Gregory
3. Smith
4. Crawford
5. Anae
6. Armstrong
7. Jackson
8. Jelks

McCarthy has indicated six DE’s will be on the 53 man roster so we’re looking at two players cut unless Gregory isn’t re-instated. I have Armstrong sliding into the last spot on the roster.