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Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 2015: Defensive Backs Could Be Sneaky Good In 2015
By Michael Sisemore
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...lando-scandrick-morris-claiborne-tyler-patmon
The Cowboys' secondary has been in flux for some time now and it was pretty obvious why they have seen their share of struggles. Though we've heard so many times about the chicken-or-egg theory, there aren't too many teams that can argue against a better pass rush helping the secondary. The Seattle Seahawks are the only current team that can say their secondary carries their defense. However, Seattle still has some good pass rushers on their defensive line.
Dallas spent just about every resource they could think of to improve their pass rushing abilities this offseason. Anytime your sack leader from the year before is now a backup tackle and end, you've done something right. The Cowboys will rely on Pro Bowl pass rusher Greg Hardy to lead the way with second-year stud DeMarcus Lawrence and rookie Randy Gregory also in the mix. When you add breakout defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford to the lineup and finish the solid rotation with guys like Jeremy Mincey, Nick Hayden, Jack Crawford, Ryan Russell and Ben Gardner; it leaves a lot of room for the guys in the secondary to make plays.
The offseason opened up with questions all over the defense but one of the more unsettled parts was that of the secondary. Let's run through all the items on the corkboard for a stroll down memory lane.
Orlando Scandrick
Scandrick was a top 10 cornerback by PFF standards with a +10.9 overall rating. What he lacks in size, he certainly makes up for in ability. He's comfortable in both man and zone coverage with the amazing awareness and vision to read the quarterback. He's quite possibly the very best slot corner in the game but has upgraded his game immensely over the past few season. The coaches have played him at the left, right and slot position and have the comfort level to play him anywhere. He's even covered big tight ends like Jimmy Graham and has had success as a blitzer. In the offseason, Scandrick wanted his pay to reflect his ability. After a brief holdout, Stephen Jones and Scandrick came to terms with a one-year extension that would up his base salary and he was back and ready to roll. Orlando has been slowed early in camp with some knee soreness and the Cowboys will continue to monitor him in that regard. However, Scandrick's feisty demeanor and grouchy persona make him an interesting character, but the guy can play ball. Every year he's improved parts to his game and he's absolutely determined to make the Pro Bowl. He's one of the best cover corners in the league and he's coming on strong at a time where he's needed most...
By Michael Sisemore
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...lando-scandrick-morris-claiborne-tyler-patmon
The Cowboys' secondary has been in flux for some time now and it was pretty obvious why they have seen their share of struggles. Though we've heard so many times about the chicken-or-egg theory, there aren't too many teams that can argue against a better pass rush helping the secondary. The Seattle Seahawks are the only current team that can say their secondary carries their defense. However, Seattle still has some good pass rushers on their defensive line.
Dallas spent just about every resource they could think of to improve their pass rushing abilities this offseason. Anytime your sack leader from the year before is now a backup tackle and end, you've done something right. The Cowboys will rely on Pro Bowl pass rusher Greg Hardy to lead the way with second-year stud DeMarcus Lawrence and rookie Randy Gregory also in the mix. When you add breakout defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford to the lineup and finish the solid rotation with guys like Jeremy Mincey, Nick Hayden, Jack Crawford, Ryan Russell and Ben Gardner; it leaves a lot of room for the guys in the secondary to make plays.
The offseason opened up with questions all over the defense but one of the more unsettled parts was that of the secondary. Let's run through all the items on the corkboard for a stroll down memory lane.
Orlando Scandrick
Scandrick was a top 10 cornerback by PFF standards with a +10.9 overall rating. What he lacks in size, he certainly makes up for in ability. He's comfortable in both man and zone coverage with the amazing awareness and vision to read the quarterback. He's quite possibly the very best slot corner in the game but has upgraded his game immensely over the past few season. The coaches have played him at the left, right and slot position and have the comfort level to play him anywhere. He's even covered big tight ends like Jimmy Graham and has had success as a blitzer. In the offseason, Scandrick wanted his pay to reflect his ability. After a brief holdout, Stephen Jones and Scandrick came to terms with a one-year extension that would up his base salary and he was back and ready to roll. Orlando has been slowed early in camp with some knee soreness and the Cowboys will continue to monitor him in that regard. However, Scandrick's feisty demeanor and grouchy persona make him an interesting character, but the guy can play ball. Every year he's improved parts to his game and he's absolutely determined to make the Pro Bowl. He's one of the best cover corners in the league and he's coming on strong at a time where he's needed most...