Cedric Thornton

[Hawkeye19]

Torn on this guy... Sounded like he was having a decent offseason, but has been hampered with (another) injury.

Is he on the bubble? There are younger, cheaper guys that are playing well (Neal, Ivie) and Maliek and Paea look great. With Irving being able to play inside as well-- is Thornton a possible surprise cut or trade?

 

[DandyDon1722]

I honestly hope not.

You can never have enough depth at that position and while it's promising that the younger guys are playing well in pre-season - it's pre season. I think he'll be fine once he's healthy.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I think that if he will be available to start the season he is safe, but once the suspensions end and assuming Crawford is playing by week two I think he could be in some trouble.

 

[Zordon]

i wish he'd just return to being the top run defender he was in philly.

 

[Teague31]

Not a good signing. But he will be on the 53 at least one more year

 

[MrMom]

He's not on the bubble. Maybe next year, but we currently only have three legit defensive tackles. Collins, Paea, Thornton. Irving and Crawford can slide inside, but we'll need Thornton this year, especially early on with the Irving, Moore suspensions and Crawford recovering from his ankle. I certainly don't want to see Ivie or Neal taking significant snaps at DT.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Thornton's situation along with that of Paea show just how much of a crapshoot free agency is and how scheme fit is something that probably isn't considered nearly enough.

Thornton was coming off a good season in Philly and is still young so it felt like a good deal when Dallas brought him aboard. Everyone felt we needed an upgrade from The Golden Cock so most people seemed to be good with the signing. He struggled all last year as he has different responsibilities in our defense from what he did in Philly. So far this year he really hasn't shown signs of being any better.

Paea on the other hand had a less than stellar season a year ago and was brought in on a relatively cheap deal and it really didn't bump the enthusiasm needle at all. People just assumed he was another body to plug in. So far, being back in the scheme he previously excelled in looks to have been a great one for him. He is attacking the middle of the line and apparently is giving our All Pro interior linemen all they can handle. If he can carry over into the season what we have been hearing from the reports it looks like our interior duo of he and Collins might just be a load for offenses to handle.

 

[Stash]

A bad signing who looks to be safe strictly due to his contract.

 

[Doomsday]

Should be a solid rotation guy.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think he will be better this year.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Thornton's situation along with that of Paea show just how much of a crapshoot free agency is and how scheme fit is something that probably isn't considered nearly enough.

Thornton was coming off a good season in Philly and is still young so it felt like a good deal when Dallas brought him aboard. Everyone felt we needed an upgrade from The Golden Cock so most people seemed to be good with the signing. He struggled all last year as he has different responsibilities in our defense from what he did in Philly. So far this year he really hasn't shown signs of being any better.

Paea on the other hand had a less than stellar season a year ago and was brought in on a relatively cheap deal and it really didn't bump the enthusiasm needle at all. People just assumed he was another body to plug in. So far, being back in the scheme he previously excelled in looks to have been a great one for him. He is attacking the middle of the line and apparently is giving our All Pro interior linemen all they can handle. If he can carry over into the season what we have been hearing from the reports it looks like our interior duo of he and Collins might just be a load for offenses to handle.

Yep.

 

[PhillyCowboysFan]

I think that if he will be available to start the season he is safe, but once the suspensions end and assuming Crawford is playing by week two I think he could be in some trouble.

Yes but if I am correct his salary would be guaranteed by then.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Yes but if I am correct his salary would be guaranteed by then.

His salary is already guaranteed according to Spotrac. It is one of the reasons he likely is safe. His play hasn't really stood out at all.

 

[speedkilz88]

Thornton & Paea will platoon at the 1 tech just like Thornton & McClain did last season.

 

[KingintheNorth]

The 1Tech is basically a 2-down player and we just need Thornton and Paea to be split those already limited reps.

Irving, Crawford and Tapper, maybe even Taco, can slide inside on passing downs.

 

[big dog cowboy]

He is safe but so far disappointing.

 

[xwalker]

Torn on this guy... Sounded like he was having a decent offseason, but has been hampered with (another) injury.

Is he on the bubble? There are younger, cheaper guys that are playing well (Neal, Ivie) and Maliek and Paea look great. With Irving being able to play inside as well-- is Thornton a possible surprise cut or trade?

The backup 1tech does not play that much in Marinelli's scheme. They prefer a 3-man rotation with a 1tech and two 3techs. He'll play more while Irving is out because Irving or Crawford will be in the DT rotation when Irving returns.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Thornton's situation along with that of Paea show just how much of a crapshoot free agency is and how scheme fit is something that probably isn't considered nearly enough.

Thornton was coming off a good season in Philly and is still young so it felt like a good deal when Dallas brought him aboard. Everyone felt we needed an upgrade from The Golden Cock so most people seemed to be good with the signing. He struggled all last year as he has different responsibilities in our defense from what he did in Philly. So far this year he really hasn't shown signs of being any better.

Paea on the other hand had a less than stellar season a year ago and was brought in on a relatively cheap deal and it really didn't bump the enthusiasm needle at all. People just assumed he was another body to plug in. So far, being back in the scheme he previously excelled in looks to have been a great one for him. He is attacking the middle of the line and apparently is giving our All Pro interior linemen all they can handle. If he can carry over into the season what we have been hearing from the reports it looks like our interior duo of he and Collins might just be a load for offenses to handle.

Excellent post. I agree with every word.

 

[Silver N Blue]

Thornton's situation along with that of Paea show just how much of a crapshoot free agency is and how scheme fit is something that probably isn't considered nearly enough.

Thornton was coming off a good season in Philly and is still young so it felt like a good deal when Dallas brought him aboard. Everyone felt we needed an upgrade from The Golden Cock so most people seemed to be good with the signing. He struggled all last year as he has different responsibilities in our defense from what he did in Philly. So far this year he really hasn't shown signs of being any better.

Paea on the other hand had a less than stellar season a year ago and was brought in on a relatively cheap deal and it really didn't bump the enthusiasm needle at all. People just assumed he was another body to plug in. So far, being back in the scheme he previously excelled in looks to have been a great one for him. He is attacking the middle of the line and apparently is giving our All Pro interior linemen all they can handle. If he can carry over into the season what we have been hearing from the reports it looks like our interior duo of he and Collins might just be a load for offenses to handle.

Thornton was playing for what was likely going to be his best contract before Dallas signed him. Paea is playing for what may be his last chance for a multi year contract. I get the scheme analogy but both these players are average to slightly above average who are motivated to kick it up a notch for the almighty . Sometimes the only thing which can truly take a player to the next level is knowing if they don't turn it up a notch they most likely are not going to receive top pay. Just my opinion with these two.

 

[Hawkeye19]

The backup 1tech does not play that much in Marinelli's scheme. They prefer a 3-man rotation with a 1tech and two 3techs. He'll play more while Irving is out because Irving or Crawford will be in the DT rotation when Irving returns.

Which is exactly why a younger player with more upside and durability might make sense at this point.