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8:22 PM Sun, Jul 27, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
The Cowboys sent 13 players to the Pro Bowl last season. None of them were defensive linemen, the only position group not represented in Hawaii.
Don't be fooled by that, though. The average NFL fan might not be able to name a Cowboys' defensive linemen, but this unit is far from a weak link on this team.
That's obvious after four practices here in sunny Oxnard. Starting NT/occasional DE Jay Ratliff has been a monster. NT Tank Johnson and DEs Chris Canty, Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher have all had their disruptive moments.
A D-line that was pretty good last season appears to be progressing into an outstanding group. Remember, this is a young bunch, with Ratliff (27 on August 29) the oldest of the group.
But don't take my word about how good these guys are. Follow the jump and check out what the three Pro Bowl offensive linemen on the premises say about the guys they practice against on a daily basis.
C Andre Gurode: "We've got a lot of guys over there that weren't recognized last year, as far as going to the Pro Bowl. Jay Ratliff is a solid, good player. I think he's very underrated. He does a great job inside and makes a lot of plays. You've got guys like Chris Canty, who does a great job at the defensive end spot. You've got a great group of guys who come to work every day."
LT Flozell Adams: "A lot of 3-4 defensive linemen don't get the recognition that they should. Canty, Spears and Ratliff work their butts off out there. You don't hear their names all the time getting sacks or getting tackles, but if you keep your eye on them, you can see them busting offensive linemen around."
RG Leonard "Bigg" Davis: "Our defensive line is tough. You know what? The way those guys practice makes us better. Actually, the guys that we practice against day in and day out, they're better than the guys we play against. I can honestly say that. I'm not saying that to blow smoke or anything like that. Those guys don't get recognized, but in the end, when we're winning games and being successful, my hat's off to them."
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
The Cowboys sent 13 players to the Pro Bowl last season. None of them were defensive linemen, the only position group not represented in Hawaii.
Don't be fooled by that, though. The average NFL fan might not be able to name a Cowboys' defensive linemen, but this unit is far from a weak link on this team.
That's obvious after four practices here in sunny Oxnard. Starting NT/occasional DE Jay Ratliff has been a monster. NT Tank Johnson and DEs Chris Canty, Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher have all had their disruptive moments.
A D-line that was pretty good last season appears to be progressing into an outstanding group. Remember, this is a young bunch, with Ratliff (27 on August 29) the oldest of the group.
But don't take my word about how good these guys are. Follow the jump and check out what the three Pro Bowl offensive linemen on the premises say about the guys they practice against on a daily basis.
C Andre Gurode: "We've got a lot of guys over there that weren't recognized last year, as far as going to the Pro Bowl. Jay Ratliff is a solid, good player. I think he's very underrated. He does a great job inside and makes a lot of plays. You've got guys like Chris Canty, who does a great job at the defensive end spot. You've got a great group of guys who come to work every day."
LT Flozell Adams: "A lot of 3-4 defensive linemen don't get the recognition that they should. Canty, Spears and Ratliff work their butts off out there. You don't hear their names all the time getting sacks or getting tackles, but if you keep your eye on them, you can see them busting offensive linemen around."
RG Leonard "Bigg" Davis: "Our defensive line is tough. You know what? The way those guys practice makes us better. Actually, the guys that we practice against day in and day out, they're better than the guys we play against. I can honestly say that. I'm not saying that to blow smoke or anything like that. Those guys don't get recognized, but in the end, when we're winning games and being successful, my hat's off to them."
