ESPN: Cowboys DL has pieces but needs more

[jobberone]

Cowboys DL has pieces but needs more
3:13 PM ET

Todd Archer ESPN Staff Writer

NFL Nation reporter Todd Archer breaks down the Dallas Cowboys, position by position, analyzing what the players did in 2015, what they can do in the future and what the team can do to improve the position in 2016.

Greg Hardy had a strong debut for the Cowboys against the Patriots but overall did not provide the consistent pass-rush the team had expected. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE

Under contract: Tyrone Crawford, DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory,David Irving, Terrell McClain, Ryan Russell, Casey Walker

Free agents: Greg Hardy, Jeremy Mincey, Nick Hayden, Jack Crawford

A look back: The Cowboys entered the season with high expectations for this group, even with Greg Hardy missing the first four games because of a suspension. While the group was solid, it was not what the Cowboys were expecting.

Except for DeMarcus Lawrence. He led the Cowboys with eight sacks and had a stretch of seven sacks in seven games down the stretch. He found the groove the Cowboys hoped he would find at the start of the season after recording two sacks in the 2014 playoffs. He got more comfortable at left defensive end as time went on.

Hardy came out of the gate with two sacks in his first half of football but would have just four more the rest of the season. He did not provide the consistent pass-rush the Cowboys had hoped for when signing him to the one-year deal last March that ultimately paid him a little more than $8.8 million. He was also a handful off the field.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4748910/cowboys-dl-has-pieces-but-needs-more

 

[Floatyworm]

Alot more......

this position is so mis-managed by the team...IMO it's the heart of the problem for the entire team

 

[Junglist]

Yeah, I was kind of disappointed.

 

[Dwight]

I disagree with Todd about Hayden.

Hayden's production was slightly better this past season compared to the 2014 season but the position needs to be seriously upgraded.

If Hardy leaves (I feel he will) that's a blow to the defense in my opinion unless Gregory steps up. Lawerence benefited due to Hardy.

 

[sideon]

Alot more......

this position is so mis-managed by the team...IMO it's the heart of the problem for the entire team

It's 1 legit DT away from being a top 5 pass rushing DL, a lot more is a big reach.

 

[robjay04]

I disagree with Todd about Hayden.

Hayden's production was slightly better this past season compared to the 2014 season but the position needs to be seriously upgraded.

If Hardy leaves (I feel he will) that's a blow to the defense in my opinion unless Gregory steps up. Lawerence benefited due to Hardy.

While he does not possess the long term value that Hardy can based on his age, I feel Mario Williams can be as good for a year or two.

We also have a premier pick that we can spend on the position if we choose to. It will hurt to lose Hardy but we are still in a position to be better DL next season if we make the right moves and our young players continue to progress.

 

[cds99]

It's 1 legit DT away from being a top 5 pass rushing DL, a lot more is a big reach.

I just have to know how do we go from around near bottom of the league to one guy making them a top five? My opinion 1 guy away is an even bigger reach that the post you quoted.

 

[Kolemmitt]

While he does not possess the long term value that Hardy can based on his age, I feel Mario Williams can be as good for a year or two.

We also have a premier pick that we can spend on the position if we choose to. It will hurt to lose Hardy but we are still in a position to be better DL next season if we make the right moves and our young players continue to progress.

You know, I never really gave Williams much of a thought, but I think he could excel again returning to a 4-3 and right now his cost would likely be lower due to age and a down 2015 season.

I like the idea of a veteran RDE that would allow Gregory another year or two to beef up before taking over the RDE spot full time.

 

[sideon]

I just have to know how do we go from around near bottom of the league to one guy making them a top five? My opinion 1 guy away is an even bigger reach that the post you quoted.

The Cowboys have no problem getting pressure on the edges, the problem is the QB always steps up in the pocket since we don't have a true DT. That's why i say we only need 1 more player on the line, because if we pressure the middle then he can't just step up and avoid our DE.

 

[SportsGuru80]

How many times does it need to be said... The interior of this defense is the problem. Crawford was handed a lot of money and didn't product like expected whether be it because of injury or not... Hayden is a joke at the 1 technique, find me a plug that's about 310-320 lbs who can push the pocket at times.

 

[CCBoy]

I just have to know how do we go from around near bottom of the league to one guy making them a top five? My opinion 1 guy away is an even bigger reach that the post you quoted.

Consistent up the middle pressure makes a tremendous difference. A quarterback can't ignore the outside pressure by stepping up inside a secure pocket.

Crawford may be a lot more effective as a #3 tackle, without his shoulder injury...but, #1 pressure would make the 4 man rush a truly all game proposition.

There is enough for a rotation right now.

 

[FaSho]

How many times does it need to be said... The interior of this defense is the problem. Crawford was handed a lot of money and didn't product like expected whether be it because of injury or not... Hayden is a joke at the 1 technique, find me a plug that's about 310-320 lbs who can push the pocket at times.

+1

 

[robjay04]

Consistent up the middle pressure makes a tremendous difference. A quarterback can't ignore the outside pressure by stepping up inside a secure pocket.

Crawford may be a lot more effective as a #3 tackle, without his shoulder injury...but, #1 pressure would make the 4 man rush a truly all game proposition.

There is enough for a rotation right now.

Word is(according to fish) that team is starting to rethink the 1 tech position.

I really don't know enough but all of the prospects but I hope we make an investment within the first 3 rounds this season or free agency if the right fit is available.

 

[waving monkey]

I just have to know how do we go from around near bottom of the league to one guy making them a top five? My opinion 1 guy away is an even bigger reach that the post you quoted.

the motor was missing
that has been the issue but I also think we need a stout 1 Teck like most everybody else

 

[cds99]

the motor was missing
that has been the issue but I also think we need a stout 1 Teck like most everybody else

I agree we need more pressure up the middle guys but to say we are one guy away having a top pass rush is a lot out in left field. Although Hardy didn't do much, he was pretty good player to have and not get pushed around the line of scrimmage. Dlaw looked good the last numerous games. Gregory I just don't know about, with him not getting many reps. I think we need much help on the dl myself personally. Oh and bet money Hardy will not be back, so figure on replacing him.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Playoff teams get 42-51 sacks a year. We had 32 sacks including the 6 that Hardy provided. The guys that are currently on the team won't get you anywhere near 42 sacks impossible.

Placing our hopes that Gregory will make a quantum leap is dangerous. He still playing around 230 and needs time to bulk up. We need a veteran DE stud to come here as rookies seldom make a difference at DE

 

[Jstopper]

Word is(according to fish) that team is starting to rethink the 1 tech position.

I really don't know enough but all of the prospects but I hope we make an investment within the first 3 rounds this season or free agency if the right fit is available.

God I hope the dt from Ole miss ndemichek (sp) falls to the top of the 2nd

 

[Rogerthat12]

Word is(according to fish) that team is starting to rethink the 1 tech position.

I really don't know enough but all of the prospects but I hope we make an investment within the first 3 rounds this season or free agency if the right fit is available.

The good news is that the DL is really deep in this draft class, we must all hope that they will stop being stuck on stupid with regard to the 1 tech position.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

A look back: The Cowboys entered the season with high expectations for this group

I don't know about that, most of us were highly concerned about the DT position and being soft in the middle. We signed about a dozen DEs and supposedly some were going to be successfully converted, but that was a long-shot,,, surely Marinelli thought it was a long-shot too.