Signed by Cowboys C. Thornton signs with Cowboys

[Risen Star]

By and large, the reviews the Cowboys have gotten for their acquisition of former Eagles defensive lineman Cedric Thornton have been positive.

Allow SI's Monday Morning Quarterback to weigh in as it recapped a busy few days of NFL free agency.

In the best bang for the buck category, MMQB had this to say about Thornton:

The former Eagle has only four sacks in four NFL seasons, so there's a perception that he's a lower-tier signing. Not true. On first and second down, Thornton is as good as almost any NFL D-lineman. He has brute strength, lateral mobility and a knack for locating the ball. He can also penetrate against the run. The only hesitation with him in Dallas is, Where does he play along the 4-3 front? As a 3-4 end with the Eagles, Thornton was great because he could two-gap or one-gap, depending on the formation. The only position that calls for two-gapping in a 4-3 scheme such as Rod Marinelli's is the nose shade. Thornton has never played there full-time, and at 6-3, he might be a tad tall for the role. The other option: playing him at 3-technique, where he'd rotate with Tyrone Crawford on base downs and maybe get a few more nickel pass-rushing opportunities than he did in Philadelphia. However Thornton winds up being used, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture: The Cowboys got a very good player.

 

[CCBoy]

By and large, the reviews the Cowboys have gotten for their acquisition of former Eagles defensive lineman Cedric Thornton have been positive.

Allow SI's Monday Morning Quarterback to weigh in as it recapped a busy few days of NFL free agency.

In the best bang for the buck category, MMQB had this to say about Thornton:

The former Eagle has only four sacks in four NFL seasons, so there's a perception that he's a lower-tier signing. Not true. On first and second down, Thornton is as good as almost any NFL D-lineman. He has brute strength, lateral mobility and a knack for locating the ball. He can also penetrate against the run. The only hesitation with him in Dallas is, Where does he play along the 4-3 front? As a 3-4 end with the Eagles, Thornton was great because he could two-gap or one-gap, depending on the formation. The only position that calls for two-gapping in a 4-3 scheme such as Rod Marinelli's is the nose shade. Thornton has never played there full-time, and at 6-3, he might be a tad tall for the role. The other option: playing him at 3-technique, where he'd rotate with Tyrone Crawford on base downs and maybe get a few more nickel pass-rushing opportunities than he did in Philadelphia. However Thornton winds up being used, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture: The Cowboys got a very good player.

Nice share, Risen...and the player definitely is a player that will share the load into the immediate future.

 

[nalam]

Well , finally we have a replacement for Nick 'roller coaster' Hayden, some one who can hold the point of attack , buy those precious few seconds for LBs to fill in the holes. It's a plus if he develops a bit with better hand usage and penetration in the back field. NFC east OL will be definitely cursing this signing.

 

[CyberB0b]

By and large, the reviews the Cowboys have gotten for their acquisition of former Eagles defensive lineman Cedric Thornton have been positive.

Allow SI's Monday Morning Quarterback to weigh in as it recapped a busy few days of NFL free agency.

In the best bang for the buck category, MMQB had this to say about Thornton:

The former Eagle has only four sacks in four NFL seasons, so there's a perception that he's a lower-tier signing. Not true. On first and second down, Thornton is as good as almost any NFL D-lineman. He has brute strength, lateral mobility and a knack for locating the ball. He can also penetrate against the run. The only hesitation with him in Dallas is, Where does he play along the 4-3 front? As a 3-4 end with the Eagles, Thornton was great because he could two-gap or one-gap, depending on the formation. The only position that calls for two-gapping in a 4-3 scheme such as Rod Marinelli's is the nose shade. Thornton has never played there full-time, and at 6-3, he might be a tad tall for the role. The other option: playing him at 3-technique, where he'd rotate with Tyrone Crawford on base downs and maybe get a few more nickel pass-rushing opportunities than he did in Philadelphia. However Thornton winds up being used, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture: The Cowboys got a very good player.

Seems like a no brainer 1 tech to me.

 

[Alexander]

If anyone has the first Eagles game recorded and can watch it, Thornton was a force. There were times when Frederick and Martin doubled him and he held his ground.

It will make you appreciate how sneaky good this signing was.

 

[Texas_Pete]

With this signing, will the Golden Cock finally be cut? We also have T McClain in tow.

 

[speedkilz88]

With this signing, will the Golden Cock finally be cut? We also have T McClain in tow.

Golden Cock is a UFA, no reports they want him.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Golden Cock is a UFA, no reports they want him.

And there was much rejoicing.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Golden Cock is a UFA, no reports they want him.

he didn't sign last year till March 26th. I'd honestly take him over McClain who will get hurt and be on IR at some point.

 

[gimmesix]

With this signing, will the Golden Cock finally be cut? We also have T McClain in tow.

Hayden was always a place-holder. Dallas essentially tried to replace him with Terrell McClain, but McClain didn't hold up.

 

[Alexander]

Hayden was always a place-holder. Dallas essentially tried to replace him with Terrell McClain, but McClain didn't hold up.

That was trying to replace a JAG with another.

 

[gimmesix]

That was trying to replace a JAG with another.

I don't think so. I think they were trying to be clever like they are with Mayowa and find a player who hasn't shown his full potential.

 

[Alexander]

I don't think so. I think they were trying to be clever like they are with Mayowa and find a player who hasn't shown his full potential.

This was about McClain and Hayden.

 

[gimmesix]

This was about McClain and Hayden.

Yes, I think they hoped McClain would be a legitimate upgrade to Hayden. I don't believe they felt he was just another Hayden.

 

[Alexander]

Yes, I think they hoped McClain would be a legitimate upgrade to Hayden. I don't believe they felt he was just another Hayden.

Well, that is scary too. Both are/were certified journeymen being sold as something else.

 

[gimmesix]

Well, that is scary too. Both are/were certified journeymen being sold as something else.

Well, they probably thought they couldn't downgrade from Hayden.

 

[speedkilz88]

he didn't sign last year till March 26th. I'd honestly take him over McClain who will get hurt and be on IR at some point.

bite your t...fingers

 

[Alexander]

Well, they probably thought they couldn't downgrade from Hayden.

Well, they miscalculated on Hayden's uncanny ability to stay healthy and McClain pulling his usual injury act.

Two years, at least. Thinking just like that.

I am just relieved we have a real DT inside now.

 

[gimmesix]

Well, they miscalculated on Hayden's uncanny ability to stay healthy and McClain pulling his usual injury act.

Two years, at least. Thinking just like that.

I am just relieved we have a real DT inside now.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Generally thought of around the league as a good, solid signing. And am happy at the upgrade.
The only downside I see is if the F.O. now decides to turn their attention elsewhere, believing they have covered themselves.
It's a bit of a head scratcher that the year they decide to upgrade (finally) is the year that is possibly the deepest at DT ever - maybe a slight exaggeration. So many scenarios of how the draft could unfold but if they skip over all the DT's in this draft Ill be pissed. Vernon Butler has been my pet cat throughout the build up, with a slim chance he may be there in the 2nd. Now, would they pull that trigger ?
Say they do draft one of the QB's at # 4, they would pretty much need to take a DE at # 34 now.
Say they take Bosa or Bruckner at # 4, now CB, or backup QB takes priority.
I find myself really pretty nervous for this draft, could go really well for Dallas or really bad. I just don't want to be sitting there at the end of the draft listening to Jerry and Steven tell us, it was just the way it all fell, that like last year, the value was not there when they were on the board. As in DT like RB last year.