DLine Projection

[baltcowboy]

If Gregory is eligible, he's on the team. After all this, Jerry is not going to give up in a summer. Gregory won't be a free agent until he gets 3 more league years with us. If this year is just getting in shape, we'll take it.

He appears to have been serious about playing again, so I assume he's put the time to good use and has bulked up in a good way.

He had a sack, 6 tackles, and an assist in his last game. That would have been half a season for some of our dline.

I might sound crazy but Gregory might have cost us the Superbowl in 2016. All we needed was one play against the Packers. I can't forgive him for that.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Gregory counts against the 53 roster?

 

[Falco78]

Crawford is a guy that doesn’t show up on the stats sheet much but does a lot of dirty work that helps the other DL & LBs make plays. Maybe overpaid a bit but valuable to that Defense

vs WAS, he essentially took on 2 guys and let David Irving loop around and put a big hit on Kirk Cousins.

Exactly, he is a work horse that isn't flashy but gets the job done

 

[JBS]

Randy Gregory is making this team.

I'll make any sort of bet on it.

My exact thoughts

 

[Whyjerry]

???

Crawford played the majority of his snaps at RDE last season, and was very effective.

Very effective? Were you watching the Cowboys? He provides zero pass rush.

 

[Zekeats]

Randy Gregory is making this team.

I'll make any sort of bet on it.

I wouldn't make ANY sort of bet on that one.

 

[Zekeats]

Crawford is a guy that doesn’t show up on the stats sheet much but does a lot of dirty work that helps the other DL & LBs make plays. Maybe overpaid a bit but valuable to that Defense

vs WAS, he essentially took on 2 guys and let David Irving loop around and put a big hit on Kirk Cousins.

Irving is a beast. Would love to extend him.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

What are you expecting out of gregory? I'm not talking about stats. I'm talking about what kind of player you expect him to be this year. I'm just really curious about the optimism on this guy. How disruptive to you guys expect him to be 2 years out of football. DWare wouldn't be DWare after that long of a layoff, would he?

I'll just say this. Gregory was suspended 14 games in 2016, and in this case he's been suspended 16 games since then.

In Gregory's second game back, against the Eagles, I charted him and he had 17 pass rush snaps. Of those he had 4 pressures and 1 sack. That'd be a pass rush productivity of almost 33% which would have topped the league last year. That was against future hall of famer Jason Peters too.

I'm not convinced he's a lock to make it considering accountability is very important, but I'd hate to see a player like Ealy on a one year-$1.25M deal be the reason he doesnt make the 53 man. There's limited upside to the Ealy move, while there's a vast amount with Gregory.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Oh and for those not aware, Gregory has been participating in Jui Jitsu(spelling?) Lessons for about 7 months now. Defensive lineman often do this to work on their hand fighting techniques.

 

[Stash]

Irving is a beast. Would love to extend him.

I wouldn't get your hopes up.

 

[Stash]

I'm going to use 11 as the number they keep for purpose of this thread.

I'm not going to list UDFAs for now.

DT options
Collins
Irving
Price
Datone Jones
Jihad Ward
Ash
Daniel Ross
Joe Vellano
Crawford

D-End Options
DLaw
Crawford
Taco
Armstrong
Ealy
Tapper
Gregory
Jihad Ward - Played some DE when Marinelli coached the Senior Bowl.

Weights are estimates based on player statements or reports. The roster is rarely correct.

Guess on the 8 active for game 1:
Collins 6-2, 310
Irving 6-7 290
Price 6-3, 310
Datone Jones 6-5, 300

DLaw 6-3, 270
Taco 6-6, 275
Crawford 6-4, 290
Ealy 6-4, 275

Keep 3 from this group:
Armstrong 6-4, 257 (Likely makes the team)
Gregory 6-5, 250 (Likely makes the team if available)
Tapper 6-2, 270 (Unknown ability, injury risk)
Jihad Ward 6-3, 295 (DT or possibly DE)
Ash 6-3, 333
Daniel Ross 6-2, 300
Joe Vellano 6-4, 325

If Taco wins the starting RDE spot do they keep Crawford at 6M? Crawford was solid last year, is above average against the run at DE and has been a captain. What is the delta (difference) in ability between for Ealy vs Crawford?

Ealy's total total pay is 1.25M (250K is incentives) with 200K guaranteed.

Datone Jones salary is 790K with nothing guaranteed.

Jihad Ward - 950K, nothing guaranteed.

Proven ability but limited upsides:
Crawford
Datone Jones
Ealy
Price

Unproven but possible High upsides:
Armstrong
Gregory
Tapper
Jihad Ward

In my scenario it seems like a final spot could be between Ward or Tapper unless a big guy like Ash plays really well in the preseason.

My own best guess goes along the same lines as yours does. I think that based on recent moves (and future instability), that they will be keeping quite a few of these players on this year's roster. I can also see them keeping 10 or 11.

For the record, I think some fans are highly overrating Jihad Ward, who I don't think is a lock to even make the team, much less be the force that some seem to think.

I think another factor to consider with this defensive line is the amount of potential turnover after this season.

Guys like Lawrence, Irving, Datone Jones, and Kony Ealy are under one-year deals. And guys like Tapper and Crawford aren't guaranteed to stay under their current contracts. When you look at those factors, very few of these guys are certain to be here after 2018.

 

[Whyjerry]

???

Crawford played the majority of his snaps at RDE last season, and was very effective.

He is good against the run - I will give you that. Too stiff, no pass rushing technique, straight line rusher, below average balance, get off is so-so for a DE, just not athletic enough for DE, and he often gets stood up in one-on-one battles. I will say this - if Gregory and/or Tapper show up to play there is a chance Crawford does not make the team. I have always thought his best position is 3Tech because of the way he rushes and his quickness relative to other DTs. Not a starter but a decent rotational DT. He would still have a chance to do well there but he is a trash DE.

 

[sdfidaho]

We have to eat 7 mill and only save 1.8 if hes released. Next year we can get out of it and save 5.9 mill while eating only 4.2, not optimal but small in the big scheme of things. Hes definitely not a lock next year.

This year, I dont think anyone vying for one of the last spots is going to beat him out so not much to worry about

I think Marinelli values the job Crawford does and his ability to play multiple positions.
I agree that he will be on the roster at least one more year.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

He is good against the run - I will give you that. Too stiff, no pass rushing technique, straight line rusher, below average balance, get off is so-so for a DE, just not athletic enough for DE, and he often gets stood up in one-on-one battles. I will say this - if Gregory and/or Tapper show up to play there is a chance Crawford does not make the team. I have always thought his best position is 3Tech because of the way he rushes and his quickness relative to other DTs. Not a starter but a decent rotational DT. He would still have a chance to do well there but he is a trash DE.

How is he able to produce as a pass rusher then at the edge?

And how is a trash DE if he was above average at the position last year? I'm just curious.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

Right or wrong, the way the team views Crawford and the way this place views Crawford are miles apart. He's a lock to make the team.

 

[Whyjerry]

How is he able to produce as a pass rusher then at the edge?

And how is a trash DE if he was above average at the position last year? I'm just curious.

Guy had 4 sacks so not sure about all this production. I go by what I see and I see him with limited ability at DE and often being carried out of the play. One man's opinion...

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Guy had 4 sacks so not sure about all this production. I go by what I see and I see him with limited ability at DE and often being carried out of the play. One man's opinion...

He had 33 pressures and 4 sacks. That's producing.

Ohhh he doesnt get carried out of any play, that's what makes him such a great run defender. He may not get home to the QB, but he will rarely, if ever, get taken out of a play.

I wouldn't mind upgrading the spot, and I prefer him at 3T also, but it's nice to have an above average RDE especially when you have a plethora of options at 3T already. I think he'll be back again next but at a reduced contract.

 

[Pantone282C]

Price was working out OK before the injury, but he is probably not the long term answer.

 

[cowboysooner]

The Cowboys have two left ends that are a blossoming superstar and last year’s first round pick. At right end they have a versatile player that was drafted to play 5 technique and might be a better 3 technique in Crawford. They have a potential star that has addiction problems. They have a raw elite athlete who ripped up the combine at 280 and is now faster at 255, but has been hurt his first two years. They also have a current 4th rounder with very good length and agility.

What I do with Lawrence and Irving is going to effect how I determine what to with the younger guys.

Personally, I would resign Lawrence (and Martin) to long term deals this summer. It is not going to get cheaper and letting 15 sacks walk is just not going to happen.

I would plan on franchising Irving assuming he produces. He is a remarkable talent. Probably one of the top 5 talents at the position in the league but he is a character risk. Giving him guaranteed money is bad business if you can avoid it.

Lawrence’s production was far greater when he and Irving played together. If you happen to hit good to elite pass rush skills at right end between Gregory, Taco, Tapper or Armstrong, you suddenly have a top 5 definsive line.

Unless there are more injuries or drug rehabs, I’m keeping Gregory, Tapper, and Armstrong. Those guys have bend and burst. They are also really cheap in 2019. I’m not terribly worried if Ealy walks. An Ealy is usually available.

Collins
Irving
McClain
Ward
Jones

Lawrence
Crawford
Taco
Armstrong
Gregory
Tapper

I’m probably going light at db and lb because honestly there are less talented numbers that might be a part of future plans. Young Wr better enjoy special teams.

 

[speedkilz88]