News: Dallas Cowboys have unprecedented depth in the trenches

Before he was injured, Jalen Jelks seemed to be a disruptive presence on the D-line, although a bit under-strength. How do you think he'll progress with a year of NFL strength training? —DAVE DEWEY / BARDWELL, AZ

Nick: I had someone on the staff tell me they were disappointed that he got hurt and spent all of last year on IR because he not only needed the practice, but likely could've helped out later in the season. That was just one opinion but I do get the sense there is some serious optimism about him, and Joe Jackson, heading into this year. Now, with the current situation we're in, the guys haven't had the same strength program they would've had and it will likely affect these young guys. But if Jelks is indeed stronger this year, he could develop into a player that fights for a roster spot and/or playing time.

Rob: As Nick said, social distancing measures mean there's no in-person strength work with the coaches at The Star right now. But Jelks does have a big frame that can carry more bulk, even though he entered the league listed at under 260 pounds. The Cowboys liked his potential last year before the injury. I'm interested to see the competition for those reserve defensive end spots. Obviously the Cowboys are hopeful that Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith are reinstated. But regardless, Jelks and Jackson and Dorance Armstrong will be in competition with draft pick Bradlee Anae. And the Cowboys reached rookie free agent deals with three edge rushers, including Ron'Dell Carter, who was very productive at James Madison.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-more-help-at-defensive-end

The staff hasn't been off day dreaming and Jerry has not hit the pricey labeled Daniels.

9:31 a.m. – When guard Zack Martin joined the Cowboys in 2014, Travis Frederick helped him transition to the league. The two offensive linemen became good friends and perennial Pro Bowlers.

With Frederick retiring, the Cowboys drafted another former Wisconsin center – Tyler Biadasz – in the fourth round this year. Martin is excited to work with Biadasz when the team is able to get back on the field together. Right now, NFL offseason programs are in a virtual setting due to the nation's COVID-19 crisis.

"I've gotten a chance to just text him a little bit and hear him in the meetings," Martin said via conference call. "But I'm looking forward to, whenever we do get back together, to kind of bringing him along and helping him out along the way."

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/updates-may-2020

1:33 p.m. – Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was rather optimistic when asked about many players on Thursday, stating that he would like to keep everyone. One of them was Tyrone Crawford, who missed most of last year with a hip injury.

"We have every reason to believe he is going to be productive," Jones said. "I know he has been outstanding in rehab as we sit right here. I don't want to equivocate but the answer is yes (to returning in 2020.)

However, Crawford is scheduled to count $9.1 million on the cap, including $8 million in salary. Jones was asked if Crawford might need to take a salary reduction to stay.

"I don't have an answer to that. The answer to being on the team … yes," Jones said. "What we do as we work through putting the whole thing together we more than likely are going to be asking for several restructures to the get the most out of what we have available."

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/updates-february-2020

...Aldon Smith is 30 years old and will turn 31 just before the Cowboys third game of the season, if the season starts on time. Looking back at sack totals by players 30+ years of age at the end of a season reveals that plenty of NFL players in that age range have had very successful seasons rushing the passer. In fact, Michael Strahan had his record-setting season of 22.5 sacks when he turned 30 years old (shout out Brett Favre for helping him set the record). When Strahan was 32 he put up 18.5 sacks. 19 times since 1982, a player over 30 has put up 15+ sacks. 157 times since 1982, a player 30 or older has put up 10+ sacks.

Given that Smith is probably a “young” 30 based on sitting out for four years, there’s a decent shot he can be a productive pass rusher again at his age. Many of those players who put up double-digit sack totals after turning 30 did it in multiple years, including DeMarcus Ware.

We don’t know what kind of player Aldon Smith will be, and whether he can stay on the right side of the commissioner for any length of time. Only time will tell us that. But age shouldn’t be a huge problem for Smith.

It’s true that most of the names you see on those pass rusher lists mentioned above are elite players, many of them are in the Hall of Fame. Their talent was among the best to ever play. But we do know that at one time Smith possessed that kind of talent. Those 19.5 sacks he put up in 2012 is tied for the sixth-best single-season sack total since 1982. The list of guys ahead of him are Michael Strahan, Mark Gastineau, Jared Allen, Justin Houston, Chris Doleman, Reggie White, Aaron Donald, Lawrence Taylor, J.J. Watt, Derrick Thomas and DeMarcus Ware. That’s rarefied air...

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ductive-de-age-isnt-as-big-as-you-might-think

There is a long stretch between depth and quality depth. The Cowboys haven't had quality depth in the trenches since FA began to gut the lines in the 90's. Quality depth allows for rotation to keep the starters fresh for the 4Q with little fall off from the backups.

The Cowboys have struggled to put together a good starting DL, let along any quality depth. They don't even know at this point if this DL is as good as last year's the the top sacker gone.

They also don't know about the starting 5 on the OL yet.

They need to change the team name to The Paperboys because the majority of the time they look better on paper in the off season.

And no, I am not being negative, I am looking at this for what it is at this time, unknown.

CouchCoach said:

There is a long stretch between depth and quality depth. The Cowboys haven't had quality depth in the trenches since FA began to gut the lines in the 90's. Quality depth allows for rotation to keep the starters fresh for the 4Q with little fall off from the backups.

The Cowboys have struggled to put together a good starting DL, let along any quality depth. They don't even know at this point if this DL is as good as last year's the the top sacker gone.

They also don't know about the starting 5 on the OL yet.

They need to change the team name to The Paperboys because the majority of the time they look better on paper in the off season.

And no, I am not being negative, I am looking at this for what it is at this time, unknown.

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Unknown? The ceiling is maybe unknown, but I feel pretty confidence there’s at least a decent floor on both lines.

LDE: Lawrence 3T: McCoy 1T: Poe RDE: Crawford
RT: Collins RG: Martin C: Looney LG: Williams LT: Smith

Who out of the above is an unknown? I feel like I’ve got a pretty good understanding of the level of all of them. Things get speculative when you project Aldon Smith, Gregory, or McGovern as starters but we’ve got a solid baseline of players that I’d consider known quantities.

DanA said:

Unknown? The ceiling is maybe unknown, but I feel pretty confidence there’s at least a decent floor on both lines.

LDE: Lawrence 3T: McCoy 1T: Poe RDE: Crawford
RT: Collins RG: Martin C: Looney LG: Williams LT: Smith

Who out of the above is an unknown? I feel like I’ve got a pretty good understanding of the level of all of them. Things get speculative when you project Aldon Smith, Gregory, or McGovern as starters but we’ve got a solid baseline of players that I’d consider known quantities.

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What is it that gives you confidence about Crawford at RDE?

stasheroo said:

What is it that gives you confidence about Crawford at RDE?

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He's the one that I have the least confidence but it's also a position we have half a dozen guys competing. We've got Aldon Smith, Randy Gregory, Dorance Armstrong, Bradley Anae, Jalon Jelks & Joe Jackson. But Crawford has done it before, he's started 74 games, in the five years prior to 2019 and always been a solid player.

DanA said:

He's the one that I have the least confidence but it's also a position we have half a dozen guys competing. We've got Aldon Smith, Randy Gregory, Dorance Armstrong, Bradley Anae, Jalon Jelks & Joe Jackson. But Crawford has done it before, he's started 74 games, in the five years prior to 2019 and always been a solid player.

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He's been solid playing inside.

stasheroo said:

He's been solid playing inside.

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I think he's been good in both positions.

DanA said:

I think he's been good in both positions.

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No offense, but you would be wrong. And there's no statistical evidence that shows otherwise. That's the part that always shuts up people who try to talk about him at defensive end. Not directed to you in particular, but it's the same thing that always happens. It's talk not supported by facts.

stasheroo said:

It's talk not supported by facts.

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That's about 90% of all posts here.

I'll buy "unprecedented" when I see it on the field. I've seen Cowboys teams with strong lines on both sides of the ball. I just haven't seen it in recent years.

You have to build and develop depth. We’re seeing more of that in 3 months than we did in a decade. Largely ignored on the DL. A terrible philosophy that never worked at all did a complete turnaround! That’s a start.. and you have to start somewhere!

Jake said:

That's about 90% of all posts here.

I'll buy "unprecedented" when I see it on the field. I've seen Cowboys teams with strong lines on both sides of the ball. I just haven't seen it in recent years.

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I can appreciate a measure of fan optimism, but people cross over into insanity, where anything and anyone is suddenly better when the get a star placed on them. And then throw a tantrum if everyone else doesn't think the same way.

Valkyr said:

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Yeah, we hosed the pick.......seems like we miss more than we hit, not counting this past draft.

stasheroo said:

I can appreciate a measure of fan optimism, but people cross over into insanity, where anything and anyone is suddenly better when the get a star placed on them. And then throw a tantrum if everyone else doesn't think the same way.

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Yep, I see a lot of bodies on both sides and the D bodies are looking better than the O’s. A bunch of unproven guys on the OL.