Dan Quinn experimenting with key defender in new role will get Cowboys fans excited

[CCBoy]

It's been regurgitated countless tiems, but the Dallas Cowboys nailed free agency by re-signing Donovan Wilson and Leighton Vander Esch. For a while, it looked as though both players would sign elsewhere, but the Cowboys swooped in at the eleventh hour and made sure neither defender got away.

While Wilson has missed most of camp with a calf strain, Vander Esch has been present for every practice. Mike McCarthy praised Vander Esch for showing up to training camp in excellent shape and his command of the defensive huddle. His play has been indicative of that, as he's blown up running plays and held strong in coverage.

Of course, it's never too late for an old dog to learn new tricks. That's exactly what Quinn has done with Vander Esch at camp, as the former Pro Bowler has spent a great deal of time working with the DEs as a pass rusher...
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Vander Esch as a pass rusher at Cowboys training camp​

It's well understood that Quinn likes to get creative with his defenders. The Cowboys' safety trio of Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker wear many hats in Quinn's scheme, while multiple defensive linemen -- DeMarcus Lawrence chief among them -- are capable of playing across the line of scrimmage.

Still, we're not sure anyone saw this coming.

In a recent article, Albert Breer of MMQB said Vander Esch has "flashed a bunch as a pass rusher," and that he'd look for Quinn to "use him a little more as a chess piece this year."

https://thelandryhat.com/posts/dan-quinn-leighton-vander-esch-new-role-cowboys-training-camp

 

[CCBoy]

Preseason games do not matter for wins but they can have an impact on a team. Unfortunately, one can be key injuries. The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night, but they lost more than the game. According to multiple reports, rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown suffered a torn ACL, bringing his season to an end.

Overshown flashed in both preseason games, racking up six tackles against the Jaguars and three more against the Seahawks. While the projected starter at weakside linebacker is Damone Clark, Overshown was expected to contribute in a major way this season in Dan Quinn's scheme. Now down a key depth piece on defense, it is "next man up" mentality for the rest of the linebackers on this roster.

The linebacking corp. of this defense is one of its biggest strengths. Leighton Vander Esch and Micah Parsons are household names, but the third spot was up for grabs heading into training camp and now it is more open.

Even though Clark showed flashes last year after coming off an injury, most expected Overshown to see the field a lot or even supplant him as the starter late in the season. For these three backers, the time is now to challenge Clark for the job or step up as the fourth linebacker in Overshown's absence.

https://thelandryhat.com/posts/rank...s-demarvion-overshown-cox-harper-01h8amhf0qag

1. Jabril Cox
2. Devin Harper
3. Malik Jefferson

 

[CCBoy]

Defensive tackle​

Outside of Jonathan Hankins, Osa Odighzuwa, and Mazi Smith, who the Dallas Cowboys decide to keep around for depth purposes is very much up in the air. Chauncey Golston and Viliami Fehoko both have DE/DT versatility that could give them an edge over others. It could even come down to one of the two to round out the position.

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Defensive end​

The Cowboys have an embarrassing amount of riches at DE right now. In Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, and Sam Williams they are a strong four deep. This might be the deepest group of pass rushers in the entire league. That's not even mentioning Dante Fowler, and the before mentioned Chauncey Golston and Viliami Fehoko.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...i-smith-jabril-cox-dante-fowler-kelvin-joseph

 

[CCBoy]

Isaiah Land makes our cut because he’s been so good, he’ll get poached if Dallas tries to send him to the practice squad. Quinton Bohanna may be bound for the PS, though, along with Juanyeh Thomas.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/li...3-preseason-finale-brandin-cooks-att-stadium/

The Michigan man was an athletic freak in college, but that doesn’t always translate immediately to Sunday play. Then again, defensive tackles rarely get to go all-out in a camp setting, so it could be that we haven’t really seen what Smith can do. Plus, playing the position at this level takes time to learn- more so than at many other spots on the field. Smith was meant to be a long-term investment; he’ll have good and bad moments as a rookie.

 

[CowboyRoy]

It's been regurgitated countless tiems, but the Dallas Cowboys nailed free agency by re-signing Donovan Wilson and Leighton Vander Esch. For a while, it looked as though both players would sign elsewhere, but the Cowboys swooped in at the eleventh hour and made sure neither defender got away.

While Wilson has missed most of camp with a calf strain, Vander Esch has been present for every practice. Mike McCarthy praised Vander Esch for showing up to training camp in excellent shape and his command of the defensive huddle. His play has been indicative of that, as he's blown up running plays and held strong in coverage.

Of course, it's never too late for an old dog to learn new tricks. That's exactly what Quinn has done with Vander Esch at camp, as the former Pro Bowler has spent a great deal of time working with the DEs as a pass rusher...
·

Vander Esch as a pass rusher at Cowboys training camp​

It's well understood that Quinn likes to get creative with his defenders. The Cowboys' safety trio of Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker wear many hats in Quinn's scheme, while multiple defensive linemen -- DeMarcus Lawrence chief among them -- are capable of playing across the line of scrimmage.

Still, we're not sure anyone saw this coming.

In a recent article, Albert Breer of MMQB said Vander Esch has "flashed a bunch as a pass rusher," and that he'd look for Quinn to "use him a little more as a chess piece this year."

https://thelandryhat.com/posts/dan-quinn-leighton-vander-esch-new-role-cowboys-training-camp

I have a feeling part of this was an experiment to try and get Clark and Overshown more snaps at linebacker. But now that Overshown is out he may not use this as much. WE shall see.

 

[817Gill]

This piece about Hooker is what I thought was the reason he got that contract for. He may be back to vintage Hook:

“Two former first-round picks are having nice summers. And the first name I’ll offer up here is one every Cowboys person I spoke with raised—Malik Hooker. The former Colts safety is leaner, and playing faster and with more confidence. Quietly, Dallas believes he could be rolling toward a Pro Bowl year, and his new contract reflects that.”

 

[rambo2]

I'm excited about Thomas.

 

[noshame]

I almost feel sorry for opposing quarterbacks this year

NAAAAA!

 

[DuncanIso]

Defensive tackle​

Outside of Jonathan Hankins, Osa Odighzuwa, and Mazi Smith, who the Dallas Cowboys decide to keep around for depth purposes is very much up in the air. Chauncey Golston and Viliami Fehoko both have DE/DT versatility that could give them an edge over others. It could even come down to one of the two to round out the position.

---

Defensive end​

The Cowboys have an embarrassing amount of riches at DE right now. In Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, and Sam Williams they are a strong four deep. This might be the deepest group of pass rushers in the entire league. That's not even mentioning Dante Fowler, and the before mentioned Chauncey Golston and Viliami Fehoko.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...i-smith-jabril-cox-dante-fowler-kelvin-joseph

#Bohanna

 

[CCBoy]

Patrik: I can't speak for others but my eyes haven't seen Mazi Smith getting pushed back, though I have seen him doing the pushing. That said, his strength is incredible — like, seriously, it's other-worldly. The problem lies in the fact he won't be able to get by solely on his strength at this level, and therein lies the progression that needs to occur with his get-off on the snap, so I'll address that point. I don't think many people know what's happening here. Smith is being taught a different stance from the one he's accustomed to by Dan Quinn and the D-line coaches to get him thriving in this system. Ask yourself this: if you were to go to Japan and suddenly found the steering wheel on the right side of the car, would it take a little getting used to? That's what Mazi is doing. He knows how to drive the car, but he's being taught how to drive it differently — in a way that will also add a pass rush capability to the tools in his trunk.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-how-does-mazi-improve-at-the-snap

 

[CCBoy]

About Dallas defensive line depth:

Nick Eatman: Not concerned at all about this. I think this is the deepest area on the whole team. When I think about Sam Williams, Dante Fowler, Neville Gallimore and Mazi Smith all being on the second-team, that's scary. That's two first-round picks, a third-rounder and a second-round pick, all backups right now. That's a ton of depth to me. I did't even mention Chauncey Golston or Junior Fehoko. I don't know how they're going to keep everyone. Yeah, you saw a quarter against Jacksonville's starters and they still played pretty well. But let's see what happens when it's 1 vs. 1 and the Cowboys get to rush Micah all day long. Bring in a fresh Sam Williams or Fowler or Armstrong, and it's going to be vastly different. I think the defense is very deep.

Patrik: This is going to sound weird, but I think the defensive line played well on Saturday. I supposed I'm looking at it through the lens of an evaluator who knows you had rookies like Mazi Smith and Isaiah Land going up against NFL starters (Jaguars played their first team) for a chunk of their first-ever NFL action; and both were still able to impact the game (as were others). Example: Smith was double- (and triple-) teamed at times, and that's one part of his value because it frees up edge rushers, and he was also seen throwing someone out of the club when finally lined up in a one-on-one matchup. Land owned the fourth quarter and drew two holding penalties and, had the third not been missed, the highlight TD play from Nathan Rourke doesn't stand. I think these are signs of the depth we're all excited to see materialize but, keep in mind, a some of these young guys never played in an NFL game before and veterans are knocking off rust. I'd say award them some grace, because we've seen what this bunch can do.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-how-did-depth-of-defensive-line-play