In your opinion, how would Crawford be used in Nolan’s defense?

Could we see a 4-3-Over type base defense? That’s a base defense that also looks very similar to a 3-4. Maybe they are keeping Crawford and planning to use him as a “4 technique” defensive end and not the standard RDE he was in Rod’s base 4-3. He would fit that role and be good against the run if he’s healthy. I may be wrong, but in a 4-3 over I think the weak side linebacker would be your main pass rushing threat on the weak side. Not sure yet who that would be on this team. For the record I still think Crawford should have to take a pay cut.

Not sure what they are going to run, but if I had to bet on it Crawford plays run downs at RDE (meaning he’ll start on paper) and 3T/1T on passing downs depending how they rotate McCoy and any other interior pass rushers they have.

Randy/JoeJack/Jelks/Armstrong/FA/Draft Pick will be the options for RDE on passing downs

A lot of posters won’t want him, but he’s a plus run defender at DE and most of his 5.5 sacks in 2018 came rushing the passer as a DT. He gives you good run defense and solid pass rush production inside.

I don’t mind him for one more year with next year being a better pass rusher draft class, can’t have every D-Lineman be elite we’ve upgraded tremendously on the inside; though I would love an Everson Griffen signing lol.

Hopefully as a waterboy with a reduced salary

He wouldn't be used because he would be unemployeed.

They'll start him at DE, hope Gregory can get up to speed and then by mid-October you'll see stories and rumors of them sniffing around for DE help that could upgrade our pass rush.

We've seen this before, multiple times.

DCCowboys11 said:

Could we see a 4-3-Over type base defense? That’s a base defense that also looks very similar to a 3-4. Maybe they are keeping Crawford and planning to use him as a “4 technique” defensive end and not the standard RDE he was in Rod’s base 4-3. He would fit that role and be good against the run if he’s healthy. I may be wrong, but in a 4-3 over I think the weak side linebacker would be your main pass rushing threat on the weak side. Not sure yet who that would be on this team. For the record I still think Crawford should have to take a pay cut.

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RDE in a 4 down lineman defensive front. We really need an upgrade at RDE badly. I'm not ready to start relying on Gregory.