“Played on the 1st snap.”
That sums it up.
But yes. I’d say he was not a starting quality player.
When your ‘starting’ RDE gets you ZERO SACKS from the position. He’s clearly not “starting quality”.
Crawford has had between 3 and 5.5 sacks each year that he has been a full time starter.
In 2018 he started the first 7 games at DT and then 8 games at DE (he played 15 games).
- When he started at DE, he rotated with Gregory.
- Gregory played the majority of the pass rushing snaps at RDE.
- When Crawford played on pass rushing snaps it was primarily at DT.
All of his 2018 sacks were from the DT spot; however, he did not play DE on the majority of pass rushing snaps.
- His job at DE was to play as the base DE (i.e. The run stopping DE) with Gregory as the pass rushing DE.
I'm in favor of cutting Crawford this year (If Collins is still healthy as of cut day and DLaw is near-100% as of cut day).
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However, Crawford has had value to the team over the past 5 years as a full time starter.
- The Cowboys defense was 6th in points allowed and 5th in rushing yards allowed with Crawford as a full time starter in 2018.
- Crawford's ability to move positions due to injuries to other players saved the Cowboys bacon multiple times.
The Cowboys have drafted multiple DL since Crawford was drafted but have not been able to replace him up to this point.
They have signed various free agents since Crawford was drafted and have not been able to replace him up to this point.
For 2018 they obviously want Collins, Hill and Woods to get the bulk of snaps at DT.
- That means they see Crawford as a DE that can move to DT if needed.
- They traded for Quinn to play RDE.
- If they are planning to keep Crawford, it's primarily as a DE.
- With Crawford projected to DE, a free agent DT like McCoy was not a Crawford replacement option.
I've seen people say they should have signed DT McCoy to replace Crawford.
- They did exactly what those people wanted but it was Quinn at DE (same cost as McCoy).
The Cowboys have:
- Drafted 14 DL drafted since Crawford.
- Signed a multitude of free agent DL, including:
- T.McClain
- Cedric Thorton
- Greg Hardy
- Jermey Mincey
Summary:
I can't see any rational reason to be upset about Tyrone Crawford.
If Randy Gregory & Taco lived up to their draft status & David Irving didn't flake out, then Crawford would have been gone already.
- I'm mad at those players, not a Crawford.
