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Cowboys unheralded defensive ends are showing bite
Cowboys unheralded defensive ends are showing bite
Viewed as a bottomless pit filled with disqualified and unproven talent, Dallas Cowboys defensive ends are quickly raising confidence in their position.
After learning of Demarcus Lawrence‘s 4-game suspension and the indefinite absence of Randy Gregory, fan hopes for quality end play dwindled.
At the start of camp Dallas listed eight, fully-eligible ends battling for two starting spots and rotational roles during the first four games.
The ragtag collection of rookies and developing young veterans offer a combined 4 starts and 8.5 career sacks between them.
It’s hard to fault Cowboys fans for entering camp with low outside rush expectations.
To much surprise, overall end performance is surpassing hopes with regularity.
RIGHT END POSITION
During the Cowboys playoffs season in 2014, Jeremy Mincey started at right end.
Though the veteran accounted well with six sacks, his calling card was limited pass rush athleticism coupled with solid run support.
The right (rush) end spot typically features a team’s most gifted pass rusher (Charles Haley, DeMarcus Ware), yet Mincey was held sackless in 11 of 16 games in 2014.
At rush end, Dallas now turns to a pair of new faces. Both are capable in run support, yet more athletically gifted rushers than Mincey.
While neither will enter 2016 developed enough to rival Greg Hardy, an upgrade in right end pressure over 2014 is in the works.
KEEPING FAITH IN MAYOWA
Benson Mayowa has been sidelined all camp while recovering from knee surgery.
Despite his absence, there’s little doubt within Cowboys circles he’s the most developed pass rusher after Lawrence and will start at right end.
I agree with the team’s assessment and even believe he’s an overall position upgrade over pass rush specialist Gregory.
That being said, potential cannot be validated without results on the field.
The good news is Mayowa will soon have the opportunity to prove his worth. His awaited return is scheduled for next week and will include preseason action.
TAPPER DEFYING THE ODDS
One of the surprises of camp has been flashes shown by rookie Charles Tapper.
Blessed with ideal size (6’2, 271) and raw talent (4.6 40-yards), Tapper faced an uphill battle to make significant noise while first adjusting.
His college responsibilities were vastly different from the Cowboys 4-3 defense.
Also, a rookie end receiving only middle round draft consideration should struggle to defeat elevated blocking tactics of pro tackles.
Despite disadvantages, Tapper has shown a knack to quickly capture the edge and pressure the pocket.
Though lacking consistency (typical of rookies) and having most success against back-ups, the youngster is winning his share of battles against pro linemen.
If the position is manned by Mayowa and Tapper, Dallas should exceed underwhelming pressure provided from the right side in 2014.
LEFT END POSITION
While often not the most dominant end rusher on a 4-3 defense, the Cowboys left end has led the position in sacks two of the last three seasons.
George Selvie held the honor with 7 sacks in 2013 and DeMarcus Lawrence topped his left end prowess with 8 sacks in 2015.
Lawrence won’t be on hand the first four games of 2016, yet calls to hit the panic button are now appearing premature.
LAWRENCE MAKING AMENDS
With each practice defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli grinds his teeth while Lawrence displays his transformation into a pass rushing force.
In several practices the suspended end is giving All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith fits.
There are days when Lawrence alternates wins and losses with the elite tackle who rarely is pushed to a draw, even by Hardy last year.
Lawrence has advanced his rush skills to the point Marinelli is now rotating him on the right side in preparation to threaten an opponent’s best pass blocker.
While his 4-game hiatus will sting, knowing an improved, double-digit caliber sack master will bolster the ranks in Week 5 is great news.
It’s unclear which spot Lawrence will return to, but reassuring he’ll be ready for either.
IRVING’S PLAY LIVING UP TO SIZE
Ryan Russell was the favorite to claim the vacated left end when camp began.
Over the last two weeks, big man David Irving (6’7, 273) is wrecking the order.
While flipping between tackle and end over the last year to find his ideal fit, Irving is showing outside disruption to earn the starting nod at left end.
From day one in Dallas, Marinelli gushed over his traits. The defensive line guru highly values rangy, athletic DE’s.
“I like him. You know the key measurable with him? His ability to bend is off the charts. I usually don’t like tall guys because they can’t bend. This guy bends. He bends like Big Cat [Leon Lett]. Big Cat is tall, but he bends. Watch a guy get in his stance, that tells you everything. I’m going to look at [Irving] at left end also.” — Rod Marinelli on Irving
Irving reminds me of a 2013 Selvie-caliber rusher (7 sacks), yet with more size and wingspan to set the edge and defend the run.
Cowboys unheralded defensive ends are showing bite
Viewed as a bottomless pit filled with disqualified and unproven talent, Dallas Cowboys defensive ends are quickly raising confidence in their position.
After learning of Demarcus Lawrence‘s 4-game suspension and the indefinite absence of Randy Gregory, fan hopes for quality end play dwindled.
At the start of camp Dallas listed eight, fully-eligible ends battling for two starting spots and rotational roles during the first four games.
The ragtag collection of rookies and developing young veterans offer a combined 4 starts and 8.5 career sacks between them.
It’s hard to fault Cowboys fans for entering camp with low outside rush expectations.
To much surprise, overall end performance is surpassing hopes with regularity.
RIGHT END POSITION
During the Cowboys playoffs season in 2014, Jeremy Mincey started at right end.
Though the veteran accounted well with six sacks, his calling card was limited pass rush athleticism coupled with solid run support.
The right (rush) end spot typically features a team’s most gifted pass rusher (Charles Haley, DeMarcus Ware), yet Mincey was held sackless in 11 of 16 games in 2014.
At rush end, Dallas now turns to a pair of new faces. Both are capable in run support, yet more athletically gifted rushers than Mincey.
While neither will enter 2016 developed enough to rival Greg Hardy, an upgrade in right end pressure over 2014 is in the works.
KEEPING FAITH IN MAYOWA
Benson Mayowa has been sidelined all camp while recovering from knee surgery.
Despite his absence, there’s little doubt within Cowboys circles he’s the most developed pass rusher after Lawrence and will start at right end.
I agree with the team’s assessment and even believe he’s an overall position upgrade over pass rush specialist Gregory.
That being said, potential cannot be validated without results on the field.
The good news is Mayowa will soon have the opportunity to prove his worth. His awaited return is scheduled for next week and will include preseason action.
TAPPER DEFYING THE ODDS
One of the surprises of camp has been flashes shown by rookie Charles Tapper.
Blessed with ideal size (6’2, 271) and raw talent (4.6 40-yards), Tapper faced an uphill battle to make significant noise while first adjusting.
His college responsibilities were vastly different from the Cowboys 4-3 defense.
Also, a rookie end receiving only middle round draft consideration should struggle to defeat elevated blocking tactics of pro tackles.
Despite disadvantages, Tapper has shown a knack to quickly capture the edge and pressure the pocket.
Though lacking consistency (typical of rookies) and having most success against back-ups, the youngster is winning his share of battles against pro linemen.
If the position is manned by Mayowa and Tapper, Dallas should exceed underwhelming pressure provided from the right side in 2014.
LEFT END POSITION
While often not the most dominant end rusher on a 4-3 defense, the Cowboys left end has led the position in sacks two of the last three seasons.
George Selvie held the honor with 7 sacks in 2013 and DeMarcus Lawrence topped his left end prowess with 8 sacks in 2015.
Lawrence won’t be on hand the first four games of 2016, yet calls to hit the panic button are now appearing premature.
LAWRENCE MAKING AMENDS
With each practice defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli grinds his teeth while Lawrence displays his transformation into a pass rushing force.
In several practices the suspended end is giving All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith fits.
There are days when Lawrence alternates wins and losses with the elite tackle who rarely is pushed to a draw, even by Hardy last year.
Lawrence has advanced his rush skills to the point Marinelli is now rotating him on the right side in preparation to threaten an opponent’s best pass blocker.
While his 4-game hiatus will sting, knowing an improved, double-digit caliber sack master will bolster the ranks in Week 5 is great news.
It’s unclear which spot Lawrence will return to, but reassuring he’ll be ready for either.
IRVING’S PLAY LIVING UP TO SIZE
Ryan Russell was the favorite to claim the vacated left end when camp began.
Over the last two weeks, big man David Irving (6’7, 273) is wrecking the order.
While flipping between tackle and end over the last year to find his ideal fit, Irving is showing outside disruption to earn the starting nod at left end.
From day one in Dallas, Marinelli gushed over his traits. The defensive line guru highly values rangy, athletic DE’s.
“I like him. You know the key measurable with him? His ability to bend is off the charts. I usually don’t like tall guys because they can’t bend. This guy bends. He bends like Big Cat [Leon Lett]. Big Cat is tall, but he bends. Watch a guy get in his stance, that tells you everything. I’m going to look at [Irving] at left end also.” — Rod Marinelli on Irving
Irving reminds me of a 2013 Selvie-caliber rusher (7 sacks), yet with more size and wingspan to set the edge and defend the run.
