DLine Projection

[Verdict]

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

If Taco starts at the first of a year I think it's going to be a long year.

 

[northerncowboynation]

DT

Collins
Irving
Crawford (he's way underestimated by many IMO)
Ward
McClain if we sign him (if not Price)

DE

Tank
Taco
Ealy
Crawford (subbing at DE and DT)
Armstrong will get a shot

No expectations on Gregory or Tapper whatsoever

 

[rpntex]

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

He only had four sacks, but was second on the team (behind DLaw) in QB pressures with 26, as well as QB "hits" with 12. That's hardly what anyone would call "zero" pass rush.

Sacks are important, but most defensive coordinators will tell you that pressures and hits are even more important. Sacks are a loss of yardage, but pressures and hits lead to QBs having to hurry throws, leading to incomplete passes, and even more critical, turnovers.

 

[GORICO]

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.

mr xwalker--- early reports are 9 D-line and 8 O-line...in the past they have kept 10 at times but i dont know if i have ever heard of 11

if they kept 11 they would have to go short on TE's and linebackers and or receivers....not sure they would do that...but who knows?

 

[GORICO]

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

yeah dont think Crawford will be cut

 

[rpntex]

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.

Oh, his place on the team is safe for this year, especially considering how this coaching staff values leadership as much as production. He's the recognized leader of the DL, and his versatility and ability to effectively play the RDE and 3T positions (and on rare occasions, the 1T) guarantees his presence in 2018.

 

[GORICO]

i have no idea why you think Price is limited upside. He is going into year 3, had no playing time until last year, and flashed in both the run and pass defense when given a shot. He is still raw in technique. Let us see if he can develop more before capping him.

Jones has done nothing much in hes 7 years in the league. I don't see him making the squad much less active on game days.

Locks:
DLaw, Irving, Taco, Collins

Inside track to a spot:
Crawford, Price, Ward, Armstrong, Ash

Bubble: Tapper, Gregory, Ealy, Jones

My guess is we keep the first 9 listed. Last four are competing for maybe one spot.

Fuzzy -- i know i am in the minority but have always been rooting for Gregory...i had a drug problem at one time...but i got delivered from it...if somehow Gregory gets reinstated and walks straight and narrow ...the guys is a force to be reckoned with..so fast and strong considering
he usually plays light...i am really rooting for him and..imagine Gregory on right side and Lawrence on left with Irving and Collins in middle...we would be elite in my book..potentially anyways?

 

[Whyjerry]

Oh, his place on the team is safe for this year, especially considering how this coaching staff values leadership as much as production. He's the recognized leader of the DL, and his versatility and ability to effectively play the RDE and 3T positions (and on rare occasions, the 1T) guarantees his presence in 2018.

You are right. He is probably going to break the sack record this year.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

DE- Taco/Lawrence/Ealy/Crawford/Armstrong. DT-Irving/McClain/Collins/Price/Ward? Gregory could be a wild card.

 

[GORICO]

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.

balt---it was the refs that cost us the Packer game...they did a full nelson on Irving right in front of ref and he did not call it and #12 winged it to their tight end and then the last second field goal...it was outrageous the no-call...

 

[GORICO]

i wanted Carl Lawson so bad last year...he is a beast..did not go until 3rd round

 

[GORICO]

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.

we would have won the Ram game had he just picked up the fumble he could not see right in front of his eyes...that was after he sacked Goff and dislodged the ball

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

we would have won the Ram game had he just picked up the fumble he could not see right in front of his eyes...that was after he sacked Goff and dislodged the ball

I can't see what your comment has to do with mine

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

It's very weird to say, but some team/teams are going to get solid rotational pieces on the DL after our cuts.

Rather have this problem than not enough talent, but still sucks we will be cutting contributors.

 

[Sydla]

So we traded Switzer, a 4th round pick last year for a DT that might not make the team?

That smells like a dumb trade.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

So we traded Switzer, a 4th round pick last year for a DT that might not make the team?

That smells like a dumb trade.

Switzer likely wouldn't have made the team either.

I'd say it was more so a dumb pick(I've always hated the pick), than a dumb trade. It was a desperation pick after the Eagles traded one pick ahead of us to grab Pumphrey.

 

[Stash]

So we traded Switzer, a 4th round pick last year for a DT that might not make the team?

That smells like a dumb trade.

Unwanted for unwanted. After the Tavon Austin deal, the Raiders knew we had little use for Switzer and Bisaccia wanted him. Conversely, they didn't want Ward after drafting two new defensive tackles.

A second round pick for a fourth round pick and two guys without roles on their current teams.

But I'm certainly not assuming that Jihad Ward has a spot on this team the way some people are.

 

[Stash]

It's very weird to say, but some team/teams are going to get solid rotational pieces on the DL after our cuts.

Rather have this problem than not enough talent, but still sucks we will be cutting contributors.

There looks to be an awful lot of potential turnover on this defensive line over the next year.

 

[Sydla]

Switzer likely wouldn't have made the team either.

I'd say it was more so a dumb pick(I've always hated the pick), than a dumb trade. It was a desperation pick after the Eagles traded one pick ahead of us to grab Pumphrey.

Pumphrey stinks too by the way. He was 4th on their depth chart before he tore his hamstring.

We didn't miss out on anything special there.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Pumphrey stinks too by the way. He was 4th on their depth chart before he tore his hamstring.

We didn't miss out on anything special there.

I agree, didnt want him either. We should have gone a different route entirely than a ST ace in the 4th.