Can The Dallas Cowboys Create A Dangerous Pass-Rush In 2014?

[waving monkey]

One of the most disappointing aspects of the Dallas Cowboys historically bad 2013 defense was the performance of their pass-rush. Rod Marinelli is highly acclaimed in coaching circles and among players as one of the best at teaching and motivating Rushmen. So the question must be asked, how can the defensive line coach responsible for a defense that ranked 25th in sacks turn things around now that he will be running the defense? Is there hope for a Dallas pass-rush without their former star players DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher?

To understand what might be, we must first exam what has been. The defense suffered as the injury plague of '13 took its toll and took out starters, primary backups, and even some of the street free agents that were called upon to fill in the ranks. All in all, more than 20 defensive linemen played snaps for the Cowboys in 2013. Most regrettable, only six of them managed to bring down a QB. At first glance, the coach that is to lead this defense to the promise land, or at least out of the waste land, didn't manage to accomplish much in his first year.


However, Jason Hatcher managed to thrive in a first-year scheme change and was tied for the league lead in sacks by a defensive tackle. Hatcher was improving as of late and was playing solid football in the Cowboys 3-4 defense, but Marinelli should get credit for helping Hatcher perform as one of the best at his new position and cashing in during free agency. George Selvie also came out of nowhere and the perennial backup was forced to start for Marinelli and proved a capable Rushman. Yes, D Ware was again hampered by injuries and had a pedestrian sack total in 2013. But can the rise of Hatcher and Selvie provide insight into the potential Marinelli can tap from those skilled enough to be in the NFL?

link/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014/7/13/5896413/dallas-cowboys-can-create-dangerous-pass-rush-2014

 

[theogt]

Dangerous for our secondary.

 

[DoctorChicken]

Ben

Gardner

 

[burmafrd]

if this team manages to get 30 sacks this year I will die of shock.

 

[jday]

if this team manages to get 30 sacks this year I will die of shock.

 

[GoCowboysGo]

No

 

[DoctorChicken]

No

That's kind of funny.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Dangerous for our secondary.

The should have closed the thread.

 

[casmith07]

Ben

Gardner

I think he's going to be a player. Bishop too.

 

[sbark]

trying to recollect how many times Seattle sacked Peyton.....but they sure continuously harassed him into turnovers, misses and poor decisions.........give me a good sack number, but we'll live by pressure especially late in the game if we can play 8 plus DLine

 

[Vanilla2]

Only if they can score and run the ball when needed.

 

[slomoxn]

trying to recollect how many times Seattle sacked Peyton.....but they sure continuously harassed him into turnovers, misses and poor decisions.........give me a good sack number, but we'll live by pressure especially late in the game if we can play 8 plus DLine

That's what I'm talking about, sacks are good but pressuring the QB into mistakes are even more effective as they compound over the course of the gsme

 

[Nova]

Seems like they're building a rotation of guys who are a bit better than average to make up for a non elite DL. I personally like the approach...

Related note: Seattle does not have an elite pass rusher. Just some above average FRESH guys wearing down the OL

It's amazing what base level NFL talent can do provided they be Fresh and knowing they can go 'all out' because they only have 20-25 more snaps.

 

[waving monkey]

Ntegrse96:It's amazing what base level NFL talent can do provided they be Fresh and knowing they can go 'all out' because they only have 20-25 more snaps.
yap,that's wheee i place my optimism

 

[Bullflop]

As best I can recall, this defense hasn't really enjoyed a sound pass rushing rotation since the nineties. It'd be a welcome change.

 

[waving monkey]

Only if they can score and run the ball when needed.

scoring isn't going to be the worry

 

[visionary]

I shudder to think how bad our defense might have been last year if not for rod marinelli

We might have been the worst defense in the NFL or even a historically bad defense.......

Thank god for Rod

 

[Vanilla2]

scoring isn't going to be the worry

You never know

 

[casmith07]

Seems like they're building a rotation of guys who are a bit better than average to make up for a non elite DL. I personally like the approach...

Related note: Seattle does not have an elite pass rusher. Just some above average FRESH guys wearing down the OL

It's amazing what base level NFL talent can do provided they be Fresh and knowing they can go 'all out' because they only have 20-25 more snaps.

Volume, and then it's easier to replace guys and more affordable to keep cornerstones of your team like elite WRs, QB, etc.

I like the approach. I'm hopeful that it will pay off, but obviously cautiously optimistic going into the season. I'm really excited to watch the preseason games, and anyone thinking preseason needs to go away or that the games don't matter is just a corporate suit.

 

[DallasEast]

Rod Marinelli can only show his defensive front the way. He cannot create pash rush himself. Does he have the personnel upfront, with the necessary strength and technique, that will deform quarterback pockets consistently? That is the primary question confronting Marinelli this season. Motivation is great, but can the guys upfront get the quarterback to move in the pocket laterally or back after they have made their dropback?

Sacks are simply gravy. Making the quarterback nervous for four quarters is the real goal of any defensive front. That is how you get the quarterback to choose shorter pass routes or deliver the ball without fully accounting for the coverage scheme. Getting the quarterback out of his comfort zone generates mistakes for the defense's benefit. Are Marinelli's guys strong and smart enough to get the job done? We will see.