Cowboys Rushmen: Is A Future Being Built At DE?

[boysfanindc]

Interesting article from Jordan Ross from Scout.com

Some positive potential on the DL to start your Friday, be nice to see these 3 guys break out this year.

http://www.scout.com/nfl/cowboys/story/1668686-cowboys-rushmen-a-future-being-built-at-de

It's a time for optimism, so here goes: What if Marinelli Magic is assembling a group of capable Cowboys 'Rushmen' at defensive end?

Irving is a physical freak of nature. He has a 130.0 SPARQ score and is more athletic than 91.1 percent of defensive linemen in the NFL. His arms (37 1/4") would've been the longest among all D-linemen at this year’s combine. The next closest was Alex McAlister (36"). Only four others had over 35”. Irving's broad jump would've been the best among all D-linemen at this year's combine. His vertical would've been the second best among all D-linemen. His 4.84 40-yard dash is very good for his size (6-7, 272). Only four D-linemen over 270 pounds had a faster time at this year's combine.

Russell has a SPARQ score of 125.1 and is more athletic than 66 percent of defensive linemen in the NFL. He ranked in the top eight in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, 3-cone drill and 60-yard shuttle among all D-linemen at the 2015 combine. Like Tapper, Russell struggled in a 3-4 scheme in college but could excel in Dallas’ 4-3 scheme. He looks the part, with long-arms and a muscular build. He’s very flexible, has quick feet, ability to quickly change direction and also has some decent power. Plenty of tools to work with. Russell is disciplined vs. the run and can play multiple position - another parallel between him and Tapper.

Mayowa would've finished in the top seven among all defensive linemen at this year's combine in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump jump, 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill. And like Russell, he’s also in the 66th percentile athletically. Mayowa is a complete athlete working to be a complete player with many positive traits but hasn’t gotten a chance to show what he can do on a regular basis. He may finally get that shot for the Cowboys in 2016.

 

[Galian Beast]

Ryan Russell might not even make the team. I think we're getting way too ahead of ourselves here. If even one of these non 1st or 2nd round linemen turn into anything, I'll be happy (and that includes Crawford).

 

[waving monkey]

It's a time for optimism, so here goes: What if Marinelli Magic is assembling a group of capable Cowboys 'Rushmen' at defensive end?

Fans and media alike spent the majority of the offseason saying the Cowboys HAD to use a high draft pick on a DE or sign one in free agency for big money. I completely understand his thought process, too. After all, both Lawrence and Gregory are facing suspensions for the first four games (though Fish reported a couple of weeks ago that Lawrence's circumstances may allow for some leniency) -- leaving the Cowboys with a bunch of unproven youngsters. But while an elite presence off the edge would undoubtedly help this team, the Cowboys clearly feel good about the guys they have ... and so do I.

It can be risky relying solely on unproven guys reaching their potential but it can also pay off big-time. I want to give you a look at the potential of the young defensive ends who all have a chance to break out for the Cowboys in 2016.

First off, starting in preseason games, then-rookie Randy Gregory showed enormous potential in 2015 before his injury ... but he hasn’t proven himself as trustworthy. I’m approaching this season as if he won’t play a single snap. If he does, then it’s just a bonus.
Gregory, by the way, popped into Wednesday's sponsors golf tournament, and Fish was on the scene:

link/http://www.scout.com/nfl/cowboys/story/1668686-cowboys-rushmen-a-future-being-built-at-de

 

[waving monkey]

sorry just saw already posted

 

[boysfanindc]

Ryan Russell might not even make the team. I think we're getting way too ahead of ourselves here. If even one of these non 1st or 2nd round linemen turn into anything, I'll be happy (and that includes Crawford).

From Cover32 article:

http://cover32.com/2016/05/12/examining-cowboys-pass-rush-can-rise-16/

Not sure we are as good at talent evaluation as the Seahawks, but they sure seem very capable of finding D talent outside of the 1st and 2nd round.

Here’s a look below at the sack leaders of the Seahawks’ vaunted defense that dismantled the Broncos’ record setting offense in Super Bowl XLVIII.

DE, Michael Bennett – undrafted, 8.5 sacks

DE, Cliff Avril – third-round 92nd overall, 8 sacks

DT, Clinton McDaniel – seventh-round 249th overall pick by Bengals in ’09 draft, 5.5 sacks

MLB, Bobby Wagner – second-round 47th overall, 5 sacks

DE, Chris Clemons – undrafted, 4.5 sacks

LB, Bruce Irvin – first-round 15th overall, 2 sacks

DT, Tony McDaniel – undrafted, 2 sacks

LB, K.J. Wright – fourth-round 99th overall, 1.5 sacks

DE, Red Bryant – fourth-round 121st overall, 1.5 sacks

DT, Brandon Mebane – third-round 85th overall, 0 sacks, but helped against the run

Plus, outside of FS Earl Thomas (their best defensive player and in many eyes the best safety in the league that was drafted in the first-round) – two of their big three in the secondary, CB Richard Sherman (three-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro) and SS Kam Chancellor (four-time Pro Bowler) are both 5th round picks.

The Seahawks’ front office cashed in on three undrafted players, two third-round picks, two fourth-round picks, and a seventh-round pick that finished second on the team in sacks – proving that it’s mainly the eye for talent, not where prospects are projected to go.

 

[Alexander]

Interesting article from Jordan Ross from Scout.com.

So interesting it was posted twice.

 

[DogFace]

Irving is a find. I find everything this article to have a good possibility to be very hopeful and accurate. These suspensions may hurt the two of them and their playing time more than it hurts the team's win loss %

 

[boysfanindc]

So interesting it was posted twice.

Glad you enjoyed on this fine Friday the 13th.

 

[Jarv]

Good article, there is a lot of potential across the whole DL...DT and DE's feed off of each other, I feel were at least 25% better this year without Hayden starting...10% better with Crawford healthy and with 1 out of the three mentioned above has a breakout year in 2016 (Irving is my choice) we could really surprise along the DL.

 

[boysfanindc]

Let's hope you earn every bit of you $18M:

As Mayowa says himself, "I haven't really scratched the surface yet…I'm not about to brag or boast about anything…Football will take care of itself. ... I'm trying to take this opportunity and run with it.''

 

[big dog cowboy]

Fans and media alike spent the majority of the offseason saying the Cowboys HAD to use a high draft pick on a DE or sign one in free agency for big money. I completely understand his thought process, too. After all, both Lawrence and Gregory are facing suspensions for the first four games

That still makes zero sense. You don't draft for the first 4 games of a rookie season you draft for the future. I was thrilled when SD got Bosa.

 

[boysfanindc]

That still makes zero sense. You don't draft for the first 4 games of a rookie season you draft for the future. I was thrilled when SD got Bosa.

I think Bosa had a lot of position flex, saw him playing outside on 1st and 2nd down and moving inside on 3rd down passing downs, much as Hardy did last year to get another pass rusher @ DE on the field.

 

[The Natural]

They nees to lose that rushmen moniker until they actually do something

 

[boysfanindc]

They nees to lose that rushmen moniker until they actually do something

It is a philosophy, let's hope they start to live up to it.

 

[FaSho]

That still makes zero sense. You don't draft for the first 4 games of a rookie season you draft for the future. I was thrilled when SD got Bosa.

+1

 

[DBOY3141]

SPARQ scores are great....but can they play football??

 

[BoysWin]

Ryan Russell might not even make the team. I think we're getting way too ahead of ourselves here. If even one of these non 1st or 2nd round linemen turn into anything, I'll be happy (and that includes Crawford).

Ryan Russell plays as stationary as the Statue of Liberty. He may be athletic, but he is a non-factor on a football field.

 

[Stash]

Ryan Russell is a player that I'm really interested in seeing this year. The team really needs him to step up. The measurables and potential are there, but both he and Marinelli need to maximize them.

It would be a huge boost for the defensive line and pass rush if Russell can become a factor.

 

[BlindFaith]

Ryan Russell is a player that I'm really interested in seeing this year. The team really needs him to step up. The measurables and potential are there, but both he and Marinelli need to maximize them.

It would be a huge boost for the defensive line and pass rush if Russell can become a factor.

The key here is position flex for Russell and Irving. Irving played mostly inside last year and Russell flipped from outside to inside. When Lawrence and Gregory come back it will be nice to have the option of moving both those guys inside for passing downs.

After game 4 things will get interesting on the D Line. We probably will go with 9.

Lawrence
Thorton
T Crawford
Mayowa

Tapper
??? Coe
Collins
Gregory

That leaves two spots. So who makes it between Irving, Russell, J Crawford and maybe Coe? I'm not even considering McClain as he should be shown the door. We have Walker as well.

Ideally Coe will show something and be a backup 1T.

J Crawford wouldn't cost much to cut. He's on a 1 year deal. Irving shows more upside. Russell was hurt for most of the year, so this will be big for him to show if he has anything.

 

[erod]

I think Bosa had a lot of position flex, saw him playing outside on 1st and 2nd down and moving inside on 3rd down passing downs, much as Hardy did last year to get another pass rusher @ DE on the field.

I watched a lot of Ohio State film trying to love this guy. It just didn't happen.

Bosa has a tremendous highlight reel. But when you watch full series in games, he's Tony Tolbert. Nice player, but not the 3rd pick in the draft.

I also wonder a bit about his natural frame. If he's a Sean Lee and has to kill himself for every ounce of muscle, he could be a injury waiting to happen.