The way we'll use Crawford

[gimmesix]

Although Crawford is starting at right end, Dallas has started moving him back inside in pass rushing situations because Dorance Armstrong has stepped up. I think this is the way it will be during the season (especially while Irving is out), except that Gregory may end up taking the pass-rush snaps at right end.

Now, I'm unsure why Charlton isn't playing right end, especially as a run defender, but right now we seem set on using him at left end in a rotation with Lawrence. Maybe it's a case of Crawford being a better run defender, but Charlton is a little better IMO against the pass and would make the position balanced on those early downs.

Cowboys rookie DE Dorance Armstrong continues to impress, received some 1st-team work in recent practice - Jon Machota, SportsDay
Armstrong continues to be one of the surprises of this year's Cowboys training camp, Machota writes.

The coaching staff has been so impressed with Armstrong that they've given him more opportunities to work with the starters in team drills. In pass-rushing situations Monday, Armstrong lined up at right end with Tyrone Crawford kicking inside to play tackle.

"He's showing up as a good pass rusher," Marinelli said. "He can bend, he's got that nice long arm that he comes up with, his balance was good, he penetrated the run well. For a rookie like that, that was a pretty good start. Now he's got to build on it, but he had a good start."

 

[DiResta]

you want your RDE to have that bend and speed, Armstrong is really impressive with that
Crawford is a 3 tech and if you get Armstrong/Gregory rotation with Tank/Taco over there strong against the TE (run) i dont see how that isnt your best rotation
look at this nasty bend from Armstrong yesterday
@ 2:58
Crawford couldnt dream of doing that

 

[DeaconMoss]

Trade bait hopefully

 

[Sydla]

Although Crawford is starting at right end, Dallas has started moving him back inside in pass rushing situations because Dorance Armstrong has stepped up. I think this is the way it will be during the season (especially while Irving is out), except that Gregory may end up taking the pass-rush snaps at right end.

Now, I'm unsure why Charlton isn't playing right end, especially as a run defender, but right now we seem set on using him at left end in a rotation with Lawrence. Maybe it's a case of Crawford being a better run defender, but Charlton is a little better IMO against the pass and would make the position balanced on those early downs.

Cowboys rookie DE Dorance Armstrong continues to impress, received some 1st-team work in recent practice - Jon Machota, SportsDay
Armstrong continues to be one of the surprises of this year's Cowboys training camp, Machota writes.

The coaching staff has been so impressed with Armstrong that they've given him more opportunities to work with the starters in team drills. In pass-rushing situations Monday, Armstrong lined up at right end with Tyrone Crawford kicking inside to play tackle.

"He's showing up as a good pass rusher," Marinelli said. "He can bend, he's got that nice long arm that he comes up with, his balance was good, he penetrated the run well. For a rookie like that, that was a pretty good start. Now he's got to build on it, but he had a good start."

My issue with this is it just seems like some poor planning on their part.

Crawford said they made him lose weight to play RDE almost extensively. Now they want to move him back inside at times at 265?

I guess it is true that they had no idea that Armstrong would look this good or that Gregory would definitely get reinstated or Tapper would somehow stay healthy.............. There are three guys that could play RDE. But if Crawford was to play inside at times, he'd probably have been better off staying in that 280ish range.

 

[Stash]

I totally agree. I'm expecting a true rotation. And while Crawford may be named the "starting" right defensive end, I think his plays will be liberally shared and balanced with guys like Armstrong and Gregory getting similar playing time, especially in passing situations.

I'm not sure if you saw it, but in one of the tweets about Gregory, he was lined up outside and Crawford was inside. They ran a picture perfect T-E stunt and Gregory would have had a sack in a real-game situation. I'm very hopeful that it was a sign of things to come.

 

[Sydla]

I totally agree. I'm expecting a true rotation. And while Crawford may be named the "starting" right defensive end, I think his plays will be liberally shared and balanced with guys like Armstrong and Gregory getting similar playing time, especially in passing situations.

I'm not sure if you saw it, but in one of the tweets about Gregory, he was lined up outside and Crawford was inside. They ran a picture perfect T-E stunt and Gregory would have had a sack in a real-game situation. I'm very hopeful that it was a sign of things to come.

One of the things I think that people miss when the discussion of how overrated Crawford is (based on his contract) is that it's been said Crawford excels at stunts and crosses and really does the dirty work in trying to eat up blockers.

 

[Stash]

One of the things I think that people miss when the discussion of how overrated Crawford is (based on his contract) is that it's been said Crawford excels at stunts and crosses and really does the dirty work in trying to eat up blockers.

I can say that he did a great job in that clip. Picture perfect. Drove the guard right into the tackle and made it easy for Gregory.

I except him to be a "starter" in name only - ceremonially really. And then to be the same jack-of-all-trades rotation guy he's been for years now.

And I'm fine with that, as long as he's not getting in the way of pass rush snaps for better options like Armstrong and Gregory.

 

[HungryLion]

My issue with this is it just seems like some poor planning on their part.

Crawford said they made him lose weight to play RDE almost extensively. Now they want to move him back inside at times at 265?

I guess it is true that they had no idea that Armstrong would look this good or that Gregory would definitely get reinstated or Tapper would somehow stay healthy.............. There are three guys that could play RDE. But if Crawford was to play inside at times, he'd probably have been better off staying in that 280ish range.

Wanting Crawford to lose weight to move outside was poor coaching from the get go.

He was not and will never be a proper RDE.

 

[noshame]

I love this front seven more than any in recent memory, hopefully for once offenses will be pulling their hair out trying to figure out who's coming from where and when.

If numb nuts gets back after game 4 it will be icing on the cake.

 

[glimmerman]

If he could stay healthy he will be effective either space.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

His best role is as a run stopping DE, & DT on passing downs - nickel rusher.

 

[Teague31]

Armstrong is turning into the steal of the draft.

 

[Doomsday101]

My issue with this is it just seems like some poor planning on their part.

Crawford said they made him lose weight to play RDE almost extensively. Now they want to move him back inside at times at 265?

I guess it is true that they had no idea that Armstrong would look this good or that Gregory would definitely get reinstated or Tapper would somehow stay healthy.............. There are three guys that could play RDE. But if Crawford was to play inside at times, he'd probably have been better off staying in that 280ish range.

Crawford is listed at 290

 

[Jarv]

I think we should trade Crawford for ET...Rather keep our draft picks and get something for Crawford.

 

[Sydla]

Crawford is listed at 290

It appears the roster on their site has not been updated.

Crawford said earlier this year that he played at 290 last year but in the offseason the team wanted him to lose significant weight to handle the RDE position.

The weight goal that John Owning is referring to in the previous tweet is the advantage in Crawford getting an entire offseason to prepare for the right defensive end position. In his highlights from 2017 it is noticeable that Crawford looks big for what an NFL right defensive end is supposed to look like. He had been playing around 290 pounds last season, but apparently the Cowboys want him at a much lighter weight in 2018.

Tyrone Crawford told the guys on Talkin Cowboys/Break that the team wants him to cut a substantial amount of weight.

He said chuckling, “They have this unrealistic weight for me to get to”

— #OptimisticJoey (@JoeyIckes) May 9, 2018

 

[armadillooutlaw]

If a guy like Crawford is getting less playing time for other guys, that means you have a pretty dang good rotation IMO.
He could be in a spot like Chris Long in Philly.
Good depth.

 

[Stash]

Crawford is listed at 290

I think that listing is woefully outdated.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think that listing is woefully outdated.

Still seeing other posting he is at 285, I think he would be better suited at DT working the inside as opposed to outside where Cowboys have several good players at DE. I think Crawford shows good strength to work inside

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Armstrong is turning into the steal of the draft.

Hard to imagine with how well Gallup has been playing.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

Crawford is not a fit in our scheme. He’s a 3-4 DE. They’ll use him as a run stopping DE and 1st and 2nd down and move him inside on 3rd downs. He’s small to play inside full time.