DLawrence review

[xwalker]

I just use DLaw because it's easier to type then DeMarcus Lawrence, not because he has been anointed with the nickname.

I reviewed D. Law from the Eagles game.

The Cowboys were obviously playing with a run contain first mentality. In the 1st Eagles game they got gashed by the run and were intent to not let that happen again.

DLaw played well against the run. In pass rushing he was often reading and reacting (i.e. looking for the run before pass rushing). This included being aware of Sanchez keeping the ball on the read option. DLaw also had responsibility on some plays for the initial coverage of the RB coming out of the backfield.

When he did rush the passer, he was not trying to bend the corner and rush up-field. Mincey rarely does it either. Marinelli apparently, wants the DEs to rush in more a direct line towards the QB which keeps them in the play if it is a run instead of rushing up-field and trying to bend the corner which takes them out of the play if it is a run and also can give the QB room to step up.

DLaw didn't get pushed around by the big LT (Peters) and even caused Peters to step back on a couple of bull rush moves.

He was late off the snap at times, but when you haven't been playing you need to error on the side of not being off-sides. His timing will improve with more playing time.

Some people said he looks small, but he looks bigger than I expected when the drafted him. He's bigger than Spencer. Peters is a huge LT and Mincey is a big DE that is bigger than the starting 3-tech DT (Crawford). Maybe people are expecting DLaw to be as big as Mincey.

Summary: DLaw looked fine against the Eagles. His pass rush was limited because the Cowboys were playing with a contain the run 1st mentality. Even if DLaw turns out to be a great player in the future, his pass rushing style, especially with Marinelli as the DC, will never look like the pass rushing style of DWare.

IMO, he can play LDE if they find an elite RDE in free agency or the draft.

 

[CowboyChris]

incomplete

 

[pugilist]

interesting take and thanks for the analysis

in regards to comparing Ware's pass rush style to DLaw's, one thing that always irked me about Ware's style was constantly getting too far upfield and taking himself out of plays entirely. I much prefer the straight line approach

 

[xwalker]

interesting take and thanks for the analysis

in regards to comparing Ware's pass rush style to DLaw's, one thing that always irked me about Ware's style was constantly getting too far upfield and taking himself out of plays entirely. I much prefer the straight line approach

I think the Straight Line approach will result in more pressures but less sacks. The QB can see them coming; whereas, they couldn't see Ware coming from the backside.

 

[TheCount]

interesting take and thanks for the analysis

in regards to comparing Ware's pass rush style to DLaw's, one thing that always irked me about Ware's style was constantly getting too far upfield and taking himself out of plays entirely. I much prefer the straight line approach

Yeah, that started to bug me too at some point. In Denver, though, he gets to play with a lead pretty often so all he has to do is pass rush.

I still remember teams specifically targeting Ware on read options because of his tendency to remove himself from the play.

 

[Bullflop]

He'll gain more experience after a full TC in 2015 and he'll also get the benefit of an offseason to get even stronger than he already is. They guy is a workout warrior and the prospects of his further development are oustandingly promising. His quickness should improve as well with his foot getting the benefit of time and rest.

 

[Picksix]

Yeah, that started to bug me too at some point. In Denver, though, he gets to play with a lead pretty often so all he has to do is pass rush.

I still remember teams specifically targeting Ware on read options because of his tendency to remove himself from the play.

He also has Von Miller on the other side and Terrance Knighton in the middle. In Dallas, he'd be the focus of the opposing OL and blocking schemes. Not so in Denver.

 

[CF74]

They need to mix it up based on down and distance. In obvious 3rd and long passing situations we need that Ware style pass rush but I hear what you're saying. Your analysis has given me some hope for the kid because I wasn't a fan of this pick..

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Thanks for the review!

 

[RS12]

Summary: DLaw looked fine against the Eagles. His pass rush was limited because the Cowboys were playing with a contain the run 1st mentality. Even if DLaw turns out to be a great player in the future, his pass rushing style, especially with Marinelli as the DC, will never look like the pass rushing style of DWare.

IMO, he can play LDE if they find an elite RDE in free agency or the draft.

Do you think he has Tony Tolbert upside (one of the most underated Cowboys ever) on the strong side? I could live with that.

 

[CCBoy]

I just use DLaw because it's easier to type then DeMarcus Lawrence, not because he has been anointed with the nickname.

I reviewed D. Law from the Eagles game.

The Cowboys were obviously playing with a run contain first mentality. In the 1st Eagles game they got gashed by the run and were intent to not let that happen again.

DLaw played well against the run. In pass rushing he was often reading and reacting (i.e. looking for the run before pass rushing). This included being aware of Sanchez keeping the ball on the read option. DLaw also had responsibility on some plays for the initial coverage of the RB coming out of the backfield.

When he did rush the passer, he was not trying to bend the corner and rush up-field. Mincey rarely does it either. Marinelli apparently, wants the DEs to rush in more a direct line towards the QB which keeps them in the play if it is a run instead of rushing up-field and trying to bend the corner which takes them out of the play if it is a run and also can give the QB room to step up.

DLaw didn't get pushed around by the big LT (Peters) and even caused Peters to step back on a couple of bull rush moves.

He was late off the snap at times, but when you haven't been playing you need to error on the side of not being off-sides. His timing will improve with more playing time.

Some people said he looks small, but he looks bigger than I expected when the drafted him. He's bigger than Spencer. Peters is a huge LT and Mincey is a big DE that is bigger than the starting 3-tech DT (Crawford). Maybe people are expecting DLaw to be as big as Mincey.

Summary: DLaw looked fine against the Eagles. His pass rush was limited because the Cowboys were playing with a contain the run 1st mentality. Even if DLaw turns out to be a great player in the future, his pass rushing style, especially with Marinelli as the DC, will never look like the pass rushing style of DWare.

IMO, he can play LDE if they find an elite RDE in free agency or the draft.

This might indicate a greater need for defensive tackle improvements to a degree as well. That would better free up the outside rushers to just do that, and in effect, crunch down upon runs in the process...with the linebacker tacking up the slack that would occur with changes in blocking up front.

 

[Eskimo]

The problem with this whole team and also Ware for the longest time is that we were far too soft. Ware was a finesse DE who could hold up at the point of attack and set the edge but he was just a softie out there.

The team Garrett is trying to build is a physical and aggressive team that plays hard. Lawrence fits the mold of what we are going for better than Ware did even though Ware was and is still the better player. But Ware is going to be 33 next year and is in steep decline hence the release the search for new DEs.

I think Lawrence starts at DE for us for the next several years but I doubt he will ever be a great pass rusher. Maybe he will be more of a 5-8 sacks per year guy who plays the run tough and gets a fair number of pressures. It is near pointless to judge him this year after missing all of TC and preseason.

I do think we will need to address DE in FA. I doubt a prime pass rusher who is ready to dominate will fall to us at the bottom of the first where we will most likely be drafting. I do like the option of Brandon Graham as some have been suggesting. I think he will fit well in the Marinelli scheme and will not break the bank.

 

[burmafrd]

The problem with this whole team and also Ware for the longest time is that we were far too soft. Ware was a finesse DE who could hold up at the point of attack and set the edge but he was just a softie out there.

The team Garrett is trying to build is a physical and aggressive team that plays hard. Lawrence fits the mold of what we are going for better than Ware did even though Ware was and is still the better player. But Ware is going to be 33 next year and is in steep decline hence the release the search for new DEs.

I think Lawrence starts at DE for us for the next several years but I doubt he will ever be a great pass rusher. Maybe he will be more of a 5-8 sacks per year guy who plays the run tough and gets a fair number of pressures. It is near pointless to judge him this year after missing all of TC and preseason.

I do think we will need to address DE in FA. I doubt a prime pass rusher who is ready to dominate will fall to us at the bottom of the first where we will most likely be drafting. I do like the option of Brandon Graham as some have been suggesting. I think he will fit well in the Marinelli scheme and will not break the bank.

what a load of drivel as regards Ware.

 

[TonyRomo17]

Has anyone watched Bears film when Marinelli was the DC? did they use the same type of pass rushing?

 

[romothesavior]

I just want to say how much I appreciate your contributions to this site. You understand the game on a technical level that even most die-hard fans don't reach, and you take the time to share these insights with the community. Please keep it up!

 

[theogt]

Yeah, that started to bug me too at some point. In Denver, though, he gets to play with a lead pretty often so all he has to do is pass rush.

I still remember teams specifically targeting Ware on read options because of his tendency to remove himself from the play.

For most of Ware's career, his sheer strength and athletic ability allowed him to recover after pushing too far upfield, resulting in a lot of "OMG did he just do that" type plays against the run. Very late in his career, he was doing everything he could to rush the passer because he was limited due to injuries. In his prime, it's hard to imagine a better combination pass rusher/run defender than Ware.

 

[Eskimo]

what a load of drivel as regards Ware.

Ware was a great player but he rarely tried to intimidate anyone out there with his physicality. That is just his nature and he could not change it. This whole defense would routinely wilt under pressure and he was a part of that.

 

[speedkilz88]

I think the Straight Line approach will result in more pressures but less sacks. The QB can see them coming; whereas, they couldn't see Ware coming from the backside.

I wonder if they would be more apt to circle rush facing a drop back passer who isn't a run threat. And maybe if they do a lot of 7 step drops.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

Ive said it from the beginning, he looks like a strong side end to me.

It also seems like your saying they are two gapping now.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Ware was a great player but he rarely tried to intimidate anyone out there with his physicality. That is just his nature and he could not change it. This whole defense would routinely wilt under pressure and he was a part of that.

I don't agree with this at all. He didn't bark and chirp but he would hit the snot out of QBs and ball carriers given the chance.