BTB: EZ expected to make a huge 2026 leap

[exciter]

I knew Harvey Martin was going to be a star.

I knew Micah Parsons was going to be a star

Do you know how I knew? I saw it with my own two eyes. I didn't have to consult a stat sheet, I could tell you what you would find.

There wasn't any "hidden" ability that only intensive film study could find. Those guys were creating chaos. Beginning with their rookie seasons. they were terrorizing QB, forcing fumbles and embarrassing veteran O-linemen.

TV analysts were constantly mentioning their names.

Ezeiruaku was practically invisible his entire rookie season. Old Man Clowney, ten years older, quadrupled his sack numbers and more than matched every other measurement while playing in four less games.

One forced fumble, 20 solo tackles, and two sacks

He "almost " had a sack? That is called a pressure and he had 20 of them in 17 games. He almost got to the QB an average of just a little over one time each game.

I'm willing to give him a pass considering the terrible secondary pass coverage and the lack of productivity from the other side. I think his numbers would have been much higher paired with Parsons.

Having said that, I know he will be an improved player next season. It's really not a high bar.

I believe in him. I just can't say anyone looked really good on defense last season. hopefully, his new teammates will bring out his best and he will have an excellent season.

Eh,
He had 36 pressures, 4 less than Clowney.
He had 3 sacks, one got nullified because Shottenhemer chose to accept the unsportsmanlike penalty instead of his sack.
He dropped in the draft because he was thought to be a major liability vs the run.
Considering he as able to score a 73 PFF and was much stronger vs the run than what anyone expected most reasonable people would assume they put a lot of emphasis on him learning to play the run first.
They'll have a complete football player this season because of it and not just a stat monster.

Clowney recording 4.5 sacks those last two games while pinning his ears, ignoring his contain in order to chase his next contract may have impressed some fans but apparently it didn't do much to impress NFL executives or coaches!

 

[RonWashington]

I expect 6 to 10. Considering that he had two as a rookie, I think that's more reasonable. Would love for him to explode, though.

7 would be obtainable it would show progress towards a double digit sack year in the third season to gear up for contract 2 .

 

[RonWashington]

Eh,
He had 36 pressures, 4 less than Clowney.
He had 3 sacks, one got nullified because Shottenhemer chose to accept the unsportsmanlike penalty instead of his sack.
He dropped in the draft because he was thought to be a major liability vs the run.
Considering he as able to score a 73 PFF and was much stronger vs the run than what anyone expected most reasonable people would assume they put a lot of emphasis on him learning to play the run first.
They'll have a complete football player this season because of it and not just a stat monster.

Clowney recording 4.5 sacks those last two games while pinning his ears, ignoring his contain in order to chase his next contract may have impressed some fans but apparently it didn't do much to impress NFL executives or coaches!

I didn’t think any of the Edges contained for Dallas but a guy brought in after the year started wasn’t it and leads your team in sacks I’m not sure I run him down . EZE and Sam Williams both second rounders did practically nothing to make the defense any good .

 

[exciter]

I didn’t think any of the Edges contained for Dallas but a guy brought in after the year started wasn’t it and leads your team in sacks I’m not sure I run him down . EZE and Sam Williams both second rounders did practically nothing to make the defense any good .

How exactly is pointing out facts of the matter running someone down?
It's May and no one has even sniffed in his direction.
NFL coaches quantify DL play on more than just sacks

 

[RonWashington]

How exactly is pointing out facts of the matter running someone down?
It's May and no one has even sniffed in his direction.
NFL coaches quantify DL play on more than just sacks

You said he “ pinned his ears back for sacks at the cost of containment “. Williams & Eze did neither get to the QB or contain . The veteran brought in to supply pressure since there was zero did his job .

Dallas needs to recognize when it’s time to move on from players they drafted like Williams and Schoon . They finally figured it out with Damone Clark and previously Jabril Cox . Caelon Carson another hyped pick who can’t cover Drew Pearson the current Drew .

 

[exciter]

You said he “ pinned his ears back for sacks at the cost of containment “. Williams & Eze did neither get to the QB or contain . The veteran brought in to supply pressure since there was zero did his job .

Dallas needs to recognize when it’s time to move on from players they drafted like Williams and Schoon . They finally figured it out with Damone Clark and previously Jabril Cox . Caelon Carson another hyped pick who can’t cover Drew Pearson the current Drew .

I said pinned his ears because that's exactly what he did those last 2 games when he doubled his sack count.
That's been his MO his entire career.
Chasing his next contract.
DonEz had a run defense grade in the mid 60s and 9 tackles for loss.
That's respectable for a 248lb Leo. Moreso when it's a rookie whose knock coming out of college was run defense!

 

[exciter]

You said he “ pinned his ears back for sacks at the cost of containment “. Williams & Eze did neither get to the QB or contain . The veteran brought in to supply pressure since there was zero did his job .

Dallas needs to recognize when it’s time to move on from players they drafted like Williams and Schoon . They finally figured it out with Damone Clark and previously Jabril Cox . Caelon Carson another hyped pick who can’t cover Drew Pearson the current Drew .

Outside of Willams I don't see them keeping any of those players.
At 2.5m I think he's taken the special teams ace position they've reserved for Goodwin the last 4 or so seasons!

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

A lot has been made about BT Jordan being brought on as pass rush specialist after working with the Broncos last season. I would expect that to benefit Eze too.

 

[NDGAEDE]

Definitely expecting a strong season. Don't know if you all noticed, but Eberflus and crew ruined all of our good players last year.

 

[DuncanIso]

Wouldn't it be hilarious if Sam W. had like 9 sacks somehow? Not that I expect it, probably 1-2 sacks and at least 3-4 infuriating penalties that cost like 1 game.

He has a lot of talent.

The knee injury set him back.

 

[shabazz]

I certainly hope EBT is right about EZE.

 

[RonWashington]

Outside of Willams I don't see them keeping any of those players.
At 2.5m I think he's taken the special teams ace position they've reserved for Goodwin the last 4 or so seasons!

I give you the point on ST but they didn’t spend a 2 on someone in year 5 to be a ST ace . Be interesting to see if CP can get more out of him then shown . I think putting Williams on the DL is a mistake he gets washed out by TE’s he would be better served as an OLB a WIll LB and have more freedom less OT to contend with .

They brought in quite a bit of DB help now talking to Adoree Jackson I think Caelon Carson days are numbered and Michael Trigg if he can show up in camp can replace Schoon

 

[FaSho]

He would've had more sacks if we had even decent coverage last year lol

 

[RonWashington]

Bottom line the veteran gunslinger came in and in less than a full year outplayed the two # 2 draft picks on the line at Edge . This is a good indication why Malachi Lawrence was drafted at 23 , McClay & the scouts have to hit on an Edge sooner or later if you draft enough of them using 1’s and 2’s .

 

[5Stars]

I can’t believe a poster as dumb as him and lies as much as him has the gall to put anyone else down.

lol...you are obsessed with me, huh. Juvenile kid.

 

[exciter]

I give you the point on ST but they didn’t spend a 2 on someone in year 5 to be a ST ace . Be interesting to see if CP can get more out of him then shown . I think putting Williams on the DL is a mistake he gets washed out by TE’s he would be better served as an OLB a WIll LB and have more freedom less OT to contend with .

They brought in quite a bit of DB help now talking to Adoree Jackson I think Caelon Carson days are numbered and Michael Trigg if he can show up in camp can replace Schoon

Except that 2nd round pick was 5 seasons ago and the 2nd contract they gave him is in line with what a core sp teamer would make.

Williams was an edge OLB in Ole Miss 34 defense.
He posted 20 sacks in 3 seasons.
He looked like he was playing around 270plus last season.
Dropping him back to 260 may help but again looking at the contract they gave him looks more like special teams ace with pass rusher in a pinch!

 

[DarkVader33]

lol...you are obsessed with me, huh. Juvenile kid.

Oh ya, very much so.

 

[blueblood70]

Eh,
He had 36 pressures, 4 less than Clowney.
He had 3 sacks, one got nullified because Shottenhemer chose to accept the unsportsmanlike penalty instead of his sack.
He dropped in the draft because he was thought to be a major liability vs the run.
Considering he as able to score a 73 PFF and was much stronger vs the run than what anyone expected most reasonable people would assume they put a lot of emphasis on him learning to play the run first.
They'll have a complete football player this season because of it and not just a stat monster.

Clowney recording 4.5 sacks those last two games while pinning his ears, ignoring his contain in order to chase his next contract may have impressed some fans but apparently it didn't do much to impress NFL executives or coaches!

Well he's a year older but this is the norm for him and players like him When you say it didn't impress anyone II think that you're missing the point that he does this every year he waits till camper after to sign he made everyone understands he doesn't want to practice or do anything until it gets real..

But yes he's still on People's radar but not for the reasons that you think he hasn't been signed yet it's not why but you're right most of what you said is correct..

Not going to get overpaid for stat padding, Doesn't mean the Cowboys aren't bringing him back I think people misunderstood when they said he's not a scheme fit that was not true and that did not come straight from the Cowboys a lot of that stuff gets written by the media and why they feel he has not yet been resigned but a lot of it has to do with him and the timing and there's no reason for guys like him to be at camp especially not early on..

For sure I'd like to go younger and people forget they have Eazy E, James Houston, Sam Williams, Now we've added Lawrence there, are others probably leaving her name off but this is a different defense you're not using your edges the same you have to turn them into outside linebackers with Gary leading the way on one side Liafu will get shot to play there, and there be more of those added after camp, they will figure out who's who and they'll figure out where their holes are all over the team and probably add some players right before the season starts...

 

[exciter]

Well he's a year older but this is the norm for him and players like him When you say it didn't impress anyone II think that you're missing the point that he does this every year he waits till camper after to sign he made everyone understands he doesn't want to practice or do anything until it gets real..

But yes he's still on People's radar but not for the reasons that you think he hasn't been signed yet it's not why but you're right most of what you said is correct..

Not going to get overpaid for stat padding, Doesn't mean the Cowboys aren't bringing him back I think people misunderstood when they said he's not a scheme fit that was not true and that did not come straight from the Cowboys a lot of that stuff gets written by the media and why they feel he has not yet been resigned but a lot of it has to do with him and the timing and there's no reason for guys like him to be at camp especially not early on..

For sure I'd like to go younger and people forget they have Eazy E, James Houston, Sam Williams, Now we've added Lawrence there, are others probably leaving her name off but this is a different defense you're not using your edges the same you have to turn them into outside linebackers with Gary leading the way on one side Liafu will get shot to play there, and there be more of those added after camp, they will figure out who's who and they'll figure out where their holes are all over the team and probably add some players right before the season starts...

The only other time he wasn't signed until September was with the Titans in 2020.
Prior to Dallas he had signed a 2yr contract with Carolina and was released after 1 season!

 

[blueblood70]

The only other time he wasn't signed until September was with the Titans in 2020.
Prior to Dallas he had signed a 2yr contract with Carolina and was released after 1 season!

You're entitled to your opinion, i'm just saying as he gets older and each year goes by it may take a little longer for him to get on a team but he will And they won't ignore his stats but they also won't utilize it to make their choice he was good here he deserves another shot but I'm not that worried about it right now but he could still end up on this team...