DLine Projection

[Pantone282C]

DLaw
Crawford
Taco
Armstrong

Collins
Irving - if he stays clean
Price
Jones

I like the looks of DeQuinton Osborne.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

We could have had Lawrence and Lawson

 

[xwalker]

Gregory counts against the 53 roster?

Not while suspended.

 

[xwalker]

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

Please stop.

They save 6M if Crawford is cut vs stays for 2018

Dead money is money that will hit the cap with or without the player on the roster. It's called prorated money when the player is on the roster and dead money when the player is cut but the total is the same. The exact time dead money hits the cap vs prorated money varies but the total is what the team cares about.

 

[xwalker]

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?

Depends on when he gets reinstated. He must go to training camp.

 

[Pantone282C]

You think they would put him on PSQ if necessary to keep him around?

 

[Kaiser]

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 agree in general but would add a couple of points. The sack wasn't Gregory beating Jason Peters outright, it was basically a missed assignment where Peters cut Gregory when he should have blocked him. Gregory jumped straight up and went to the QB.

The play in that game that really stood out to me wasn't even in the stat line. Gregory was at RDE and the Eagles ran to the opposite side. Gregory worked through traffic to get to the opposite side of the field with speed and atheleticism you only see if a rare few NFL DE's. He didn't get a tackle but came close, Nothing came of it but it was something the vast majority of NFL DE's can't do.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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.

you are keeping 11 linemen? I think 10 is a stretch. I am not opposed to your first 8, but I think Armstrong stays. choose one of Ward/Ash.

Tapper is a stiff, not much pass rush move and been injured two years in a row. I think we will trade Gregory for peanuts....maybe a 6th or 7th....two years out of football and people are still holding on to the Gregory from 3 years ago from Nebraska days. there is a chance, that ward makes first game roster and ash is PS bound.

 

[Pantone282C]

If he doesn't make TC, what becomes of his status?

 

[Kaiser]

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.

I think they have a great competion in Training Camp with the key being whether Gregory is on the team and who wins the last two DT spots.

If Gregory is reinstated I think they cut Kony Ealy lose. I do think Taco Carleton is the starter.

I think they resign Terrell McClain and he is the primary backup at 1T with Tyrone Crawford playing multiple spots but mostly backing up the 3T.

Then Jihad Ward, Brian Price and Datone Jones compete for the 5th DT spot.

RDE - DLaw, Armstrong, Gregory
3T - Irving, Crawford, Ward/Price/Jones
1T - Collins, McClain
LDE - Taco, Tapper

 

[Pantone282C]

Nice lineup. I hope they behave!

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

I agree in general but would add a couple of points. The sack wasn't Gregory beating Jason Peters outright, it was basically a missed assignment where Peters cut Gregory when he should have blocked him. Gregory jumped straight up and went to the QB.

The play in that game that really stood out to me wasn't even in the stat line. Gregory was at RDE and the Eagles ran to the opposite side. Gregory worked through traffic to get to the opposite side of the field with speed and atheleticism you only see if a rare few NFL DE's. He didn't get a tackle but came close, Nothing came of it but it was something the vast majority of NFL DE's can't do.

Check this thread out of you have access to twitter, it has the play you're describing

 

[xwalker]

you are keeping 11 linemen? I think 10 is a stretch. I am not opposed to your first 8, but I think Armstrong stays. choose one of Ward/Ash.

Tapper is a stiff, not much pass rush move and been injured two years in a row. I think we will trade Gregory for peanuts....maybe a 6th or 7th....two years out of football and people are still holding on to the Gregory from 3 years ago from Nebraska days. there is a chance, that ward makes first game roster and ash is PS bound.

The only times they've started the season with less than 10 since Marinelli has been the DC was when they had DL suspended to start the season but were returning within 4 games.

They have had 11 to start some seasons.

 

[Kaiser]

Check this thread out of you have access to twitter, it has the play you're describing

Its actually a different play, it was similar to the first clip but it was a sweep to the opposite side. Gregory showed the athleticism you see in this clips to get all the way across the field and almost get in on the tackle. Crazy speed and the instincts to weave in between traffic on top of it.

 

[gmoney112]

Please stop.

They save 6M if Crawford is cut vs stays for 2018

Dead money is money that will hit the cap with or without the player on the roster. It's called prorated money when the player is on the roster and dead money when the player is cut but the total is the same. The exact time dead money hits the cap vs prorated money varies but the total is what the team cares about.

Please stop being truthful you mean.

I'm well aware of dead vs prorated money. I'm also well aware of manipulating and half truths, by ignoring cap ramifications from post June 1 cuts, and resulting word salads trying to spin a narrative.

Regardless how you want to account, Crawford isn't going to get cut. Mainly because releasing him would be stupid, unless he totally falls off a cliff, which I highly doubt since hes in his prime. So no, the team isn't going to eat 7mill in cap, whether it's this year or next in totality.

I'll put any amount of money you want that Crawford is on the 53 Week 1, barring injury.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Its actually a different play, it was similar to the first clip but it was a sweep to the opposite side. Gregory showed the athleticism you see in this clips to get all the way across the field and almost get in on the tackle. Crazy speed and the instincts to weave in between traffic on top of it.

I love his game. He brings so many different elements. I wish Jaylon looked half as fluid in his movements as Gregory did.

If Gregory doesnt actually get reinstated or stay unsuspended it'll be a bummer for the league as a whole outside of the Eagles, Giants, and Skins. He's a crazy talent. That speed, that length, that bend, that power, with that motor you just don't see it everyday.

 

[Kaiser]

I love his game. He brings so many different elements. I wish Jaylon looked half as fluid in his movements as Gregory did.

If Gregory doesnt actually get reinstated or stay unsuspended it'll be a bummer for the league as a whole outside of the Eagles, Giants, and Skins. He's a crazy talent. That speed, that length, that bend, that power, with that motor you just don't see it everyday.

And the great thing is that the team isn't depending on him at all, so he doesn't have to start. He could be brought in for specific matchups and also late in the game when OL's are wearing down. He could be a terror in that role.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

And the great thing is that the team isn't depending on him at all, so he doesn't have to start. He could be brought in for specific matchups and also late in the game when OL's are wearing down. He could be a terror in that role.

Agreed. Most see him as a pass rush specialist, which was suspected of him during his draft cycle. But damn, he looked really good as a run stopper in those two games. What'd he have four TFLs in those limited snaps? Impressive dude.

It's a shame he hasnt worked out thusfar. I do believe he could have masked many problems we had defensively in '16.

 

[xwalker]

Please stop being truthful you mean.

I'm well aware of dead vs prorated money. I'm also well aware of manipulating and half truths, by ignoring cap ramifications from post June 1 cuts, and resulting word salads trying to spin a narrative.

Regardless how you want to account, Crawford isn't going to get cut. Mainly because releasing him would be stupid, unless he totally falls off a cliff, which I highly doubt since hes in his prime. So no, the team isn't going to eat 7mill in cap, whether it's this year or next in totality.

I'll put any amount of money you want that Crawford is on the 53 Week 1, barring injury.

I've defended Crawford. I've repeated "Crawford is better than fans believe" many times. I'vecalso said that he is still a good player even if he is not quite what people want for the contract he received.

My point is just specific to the cap, not the player.

Teams don't really "eat" money when a player is cut. That money was already paid and has to hit the cap at some point with or without the player on the team.


The decision criteria on Crawford in regards to money is as simple as the amount added to the cap if he stays vs if he is cut. That amount is 6M.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

Datone Jones has played 5 years. (28 in July) He went throught Detroit (1 week) and SF (1 month) last season before the Cowboys got him.

He was excellent in his 2 starts here at the end of last season. Jones > price and it’s not close.