Defensive line shakeup when some players return

[Galian Beast]

How do you guys see the defensive line shaking up with returning players?

This is how I see at least the initial depth chart by week 11 (or so)

First Team
LDE - Crawford (1)
NT - Hayden (2)(unless McClain shows up in the next couple weeks)
DT - Melton (3)
RDE - Spencer (4)

Second Team
LDE - Selvie (5)
NT - Brent (6)
DT - Crawford
RDE - Lawrence (7)

Third Team (active/inactives)
McClain (inactive)
Mincey (8)
Okoye (inactive)

Odd Men Out
Jack Crawford
Lavar Edwards
Davon Coleman (ps)

I think we'll start seeing Mincey inside more as Spencer takes over as starter. I think we might see a nickel line that looks like

Lawrence - Crawford - Melton - Spencer (with Mincey inside somewhere occasionally).

I think Melton is going to have to start bringing it up a notch or Crawford will play him out of a job next year. I think Okoye is going to have to fight for that backup spot.

It'll also be interesting to see whether Mincey, Spencer, or Selvie is still on this team next year.

I think McClain has made himself completely expendable. He might even be cut before Davon Coleman is.

It'll also be interesting what we do in the draft to replace our current edge rushers and if we do anything to improve the inside. I've been saying it for a while, but we might already have 90% of our defensive line for next year already on the roster. I think if we can retain our linebackers, we'll have one of the best linebacker corps in football next year. That really could give us a lot of wiggle room in the secondary. I could see us drafting a corner in the first and releasing Carr. He is due 8 million next year, and if we make him a June 1st cut, we can save 8 million next year, and 6 million the year after that. In 2017, we would save 12.7 million dollars. If Crawford and Okoye can make Melton expendable, that will also help us keep these linebackers.

That would certainly help us pay for some of these linebackers.

On the other side of the ball, we obviously move on from Doug Free, so if this defensive line evolves into something else, it'll really help us with putting more draft resources towards the line and replace Free on the cheap.

1st 2nd and 3rd round should be CB, DE, RT, obviously depending on how things shape up this year.

Anyways, as it stands these players I don't see here next year.

1. Doug Free
2. Brandon Carr
3. Henry Melton

The fact that two of them are free agents, really makes me not want to complain about not being more active in free agency. These big signings almost never are worth the money. I hope Melton proves otherwise though, because we could use that pro bowl presence on the line.

 

[AbeBeta]

Mincey inactive? He's played very well.

 

[VACowboy]

I think Crawford has found a home at DT.

Our most disruptive lineup?

LDE: Spencer
DT: Crawford
DT: Melton
RDE: Mincey

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I think Mincey sees the field more than you seem to.

fwiw, I can definitely see Free, Carr and Melton here next year.

I don't see there being a huge market Free and I can see us resigning him for 2-3.5 mil over 2-3 years. I don't think Dallas needs to upgrade at RT, and they would prefer to keep him while grooming someone else to take over. Unless they plan to move Martin to tackle, which I hope they don't plan to do.

Carr is way over paid, but with Claiborne being who he is, I see us being reluctant to part ways. I hope a pay cut can be worked out, but that's iffy.

Just way too early to judge Melton. He doesn't get the majority of snaps, but I can see him coming on strong at the end of the season. I do think it's a lock that we void his contract due to the way it's set up, but I still don't see a huge market for him and can see him returning.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

If you think Crawford at DE, then you haven't been paying attention to his play (and the various remarks) at DT.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Crawford will be starting at DT the rest of the season, barring injury. Same for Mincey at DE.

 

[Galian Beast]

Mincey inactive? He's played very well.

Please re-read that.

 

[guag]

Crawford should start in front of Melton at this point at 3 tech. On passing downs, put them both out there.

 

[AsthmaField]

If you think Crawford at DE, then you haven't been paying attention to his play (and the various remarks) at DT.

Yep. I think Marinelli wants 8 starters on the DL. Melton and Crawford are his two 3-techs at this point, IMO.

Then you'll have Mincey and Lawrence at weak side End.

Hayden and McClain at 1-tech.

Then Spencer and Selvie at strong side End.

IMO, that is the main 8 we'll have rotating through games.

Of course there will be some switching and swapping around... like Crawford may play some 1-tech in some passing situations or Spencer might play a little on the weak side... but overall I think that's where they'll end up for the most part.

 

[guag]

Instead of 1st team, 2nd team, etc. I think we should consider who's going to be out there in which situation. In our current setup, I don't think it really matters who's starting. If you're active and you play DL, you'll get time.

 

[Galian Beast]

I think Mincey sees the field more than you seem to.

fwiw, I can definitely see Free, Carr and Melton here next year.

I don't see there being a huge market Free and I can see us resigning him for 2-3.5 mil over 2-3 years. I don't think Dallas needs to upgrade at RT, and they would prefer to keep him while grooming someone else to take over. Unless they plan to move Martin to tackle, which I hope they don't plan to do.

Carr is way over paid, but with Claiborne being who he is, I see us being reluctant to part ways. I hope a pay cut can be worked out, but that's iffy.

Just way too early to judge Melton. He doesn't get the majority of snaps, but I can see him coming on strong at the end of the season. I do think it's a lock that we void his contract due to the way it's set up, but I still don't see a huge market for him and can see him returning.

I hope I didn't give the impression that Mincey wouldn't see playing time. Though, I think his playing time will be reduced. I think ultimately he will compete for playing time against Selvie and I think he will find some time playing inside. I do however think that either he or Selvie is going to be on the outside looking in on the rotation.

 

[LatinMind]

How do you guys see the defensive line shaking up with returning players?

This is how I see at least the initial depth chart by week 11 (or so)

First Team
LDE - Crawford (1)
NT - Hayden (2)(unless McClain shows up in the next couple weeks)
DT - Melton (3)
RDE - Spencer (4)

Second Team
LDE - Selvie (5)
NT - Brent (6)
DT - Crawford
RDE - Lawrence (7)

Third Team (active/inactives)
McClain (inactive)
Mincey (8)
Okoye (inactive)

Odd Men Out
Jack Crawford
Lavar Edwards
Davon Coleman (ps)

I think we'll start seeing Mincey inside more as Spencer takes over as starter. I think we might see a nickel line that looks like

Lawrence - Crawford - Melton - Spencer (with Mincey inside somewhere occasionally).

I think Melton is going to have to start bringing it up a notch or Crawford will play him out of a job next year. I think Okoye is going to have to fight for that backup spot.

It'll also be interesting to see whether Mincey, Spencer, or Selvie is still on this team next year.

I think McClain has made himself completely expendable. He might even be cut before Davon Coleman is.

It'll also be interesting what we do in the draft to replace our current edge rushers and if we do anything to improve the inside. I've been saying it for a while, but we might already have 90% of our defensive line for next year already on the roster. I think if we can retain our linebackers, we'll have one of the best linebacker corps in football next year. That really could give us a lot of wiggle room in the secondary. I could see us drafting a corner in the first and releasing Carr. He is due 8 million next year, and if we make him a June 1st cut, we can save 8 million next year, and 6 million the year after that. In 2017, we would save 12.7 million dollars. If Crawford and Okoye can make Melton expendable, that will also help us keep these linebackers.

That would certainly help us pay for some of these linebackers.

On the other side of the ball, we obviously move on from Doug Free, so if this defensive line evolves into something else, it'll really help us with putting more draft resources towards the line and replace Free on the cheap.

1st 2nd and 3rd round should be CB, DE, RT, obviously depending on how things shape up this year.

Anyways, as it stands these players I don't see here next year.

1. Doug Free
2. Brandon Carr
3. Henry Melton

The fact that two of them are free agents, really makes me not want to complain about not being more active in free agency. These big signings almost never are worth the money. I hope Melton proves otherwise though, because we could use that pro bowl presence on the line.

Why would this team even consider moving Crawford back outside where he wasnt half as productive as he is inside?

 

[Galian Beast]

If you think Crawford at DE, then you haven't been paying attention to his play (and the various remarks) at DT.

If you read the whole post you would see, that I see him playing DT as well, but I think on the depth chart he will still be a starting defensive end as long as Melton is here.

 

[Galian Beast]

Instead of 1st team, 2nd team, etc. I think we should consider who's going to be out there in which situation. In our current setup, I don't think it really matters who's starting. If you're active and you play DL, you'll get time.

I think that's pretty valid, the biggest difference between a starter and a rotational guy is about 10-15 snaps a game. A lot of guys are hovering around 30 snaps.

 

[Galian Beast]

I think Crawford is going to see the lionshare of his time inside, especially as we get Lawrence back. I think Crawford will probably get the most snaps on the line, but I also think this depends on how well Okoye does and if he is an active game day player.

I am really excited about the potential for

Lawrence - Crawford - Melton - Spencer though. I think we'll get a great pass rush out of that group.

I think we still can't forget about the run though, and I think the best line against the run would be

Mincey - Melton - Brent - Selvie

So on paper that might be your "starting" lineup.

 

[jterrell]

Our DTs thus far have been in order of performance: Crawford>Hayden> big drop off>Melton>Bishop>McClain
DE has been Mincey>Selvie>Spencer(tho improving weekly)>big drop off>J.Crawford

Likely starting line up week 11 if all healthy and playing well this year?

Spencer, Crawford, Hayden, Mincey

backed up by
Selvie, Melton, Brent, Lawrence.

Crawford has been our best DL and is doing so playing inside.
In fact the more snaps he gets inside the better he is.
Outside he lacks pass rush technique or quickness to beat tackles.
Brent will be in his first week back, he isn't starting and I am his biggest fan(of his game not his person).
Lawrence will be a couple games back and not starting. He missed all camp and pre-season plus is a rookie. It took even Ware more than 3 games to figure this league out.
Selvie has been pretty non-existent and will be 2nd team soon enough.

Either Selvie or Jack Crawford likely go when Lawrence returns.
If they want to bring up a DT that puts Bishop at risk.
They are already carrying a lot of DL so that will not likely swell.
Health will probbaly have a lot to do with it.
Selvie isn't healthy and is playing poorly so could get the axe.
Same for McClain.

In short yardage you likely see Brent and Hayden with Crawford playing SDE. WDE is likely Spencer or Mincey in that set.
In long passing downs Spencer, Crawford, Melton, Mincey. (Lawrence may can work his way into that role).

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Yep. I think Marinelli wants 8 starters on the DL. Melton and Crawford are his two 3-techs at this point, IMO.

Then you'll have Mincey and Lawrence at weak side End.

Hayden and McClain at 1-tech.

Then Spencer and Selvie at strong side End.

IMO, that is the main 8 we'll have rotating through games.

Of course there will be some switching and swapping around... like Crawford may play some 1-tech in some passing situations or Spencer might play a little on the weak side... but overall I think that's where they'll end up for the most part.

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Mincey inactive? He's played very well.

Yeah Mincey isn't going anywhere, he's the emotional leader of the defense.

 

[dogunwo]

I think Brent is going to give this team something, and it will be hard for some fans to enjoy it because of his past.

 

[AbeBeta]

I hope I didn't give the impression that Mincey wouldn't see playing time. Though, I think his playing time will be reduced. I think ultimately he will compete for playing time against Selvie and I think he will find some time playing inside. I do however think that either he or Selvie is going to be on the outside looking in on the rotation.

You listed him as inactive. What other impression would reasonably be formed?