Everybody Predicted The Cowboys Defensive Line Would Be Terrible, Everybody Was Wrong

[xwalker]

The best laid plans often go awry, but sometimes they go exactly to plan, and that was certainly the case on Sunday when the Cowboys had their most impressive overall team performance since 2014. Coming into the season everybody knew the Cowboys defense was not the most talented, especially along the defensive line. Despite suspensions to Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory the team did not do much to address the defensive end position aside from signing little known free agent Benson Mayowa, a player with only two career sacks over three seasons, and drafting Charles Tapper at the top of the fourth round. The defensive tackle position was more stable with veterans Tyrone Crawford, Terrell McClain, and Cedric Thornton, although McClain was coming off a 2015 season where he only played two games while rookie Maliek Collins had missed almost the entire offseason with a foot injury. Orlando Scandrick was the team leader in career sacks coming into the season and it wouldn’t have been a stretch to say that the Cowboys had one of the five worst defensive lines in the league.

With that said, the Cowboys were confident in their defensive line for two reasons: Rod Marinelli’s ability to get the most out of his players and develop an effective rotation where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and the potentially dominant offense and running game on the other side of the ball, which would hopefully build leads and shield the defense. The faces weren’t all the same on Sunday with Tony Romo and Dez Bryant out but that plan worked to perfection, and with the return of Lawrence it certainly looked like the decisions made by the Cowboys front office and coaching staff during the offseason were at least somewhat validated.

link/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...marcus-lawrence-cedric-thornton-benson-mayowa

I didn't. I was enthused about the physical talent that they had assembled on the DL. I didn't know if it would come together, but it definitely seemed possible.

My general thoughts prior to training camp:
McClain: Has been a very good player when healthy.
Thorton: Obvious upgrade from Hayden.
Irving: Freak athlete. Impressive in limited opportunities as a rookie in 2015.
Collins: My 2nd ranked DT in the draft.
TCrawford: Has been good in the past when healthy.
DLaw: Very good in 2015.
JCrawford: Decent guy to have as your 7th or 8th rotational DLineman.
Mayowa: Excellent burst. Otherwise, unknown.
Gregory: Bonus if he ever returns.
Tapper: I had him rated higher than the 4th round; although, I obviously didn't know about he back issue then.
#75: Was not here, but I expected them to find another guy based on their recent history.

On the downside, I was disappointed that Garrett couldn't handle Greg Hardy.

 

[Garrettop]

12th against the rush is pretty respectable. It's certainly not the dumpster fire that was getting projected.

 

[Stash]

The quality standards at Blogging the Boys continue to plummet. Apparently, they'll let anybody write for them now.

 

[CWR]

I didn't think they would be terrible until after week 1. I actually thought we may benefit from our DT and Hayden being gone possibly giving up an opportunity to create pressure from the middle for once. However, I really really did want Freeney and I did lose all faith after week 1. Always thought the strength of the defense was in the secondary but like most, I think LB and DE depth are our week points.

 

[SlammedZero]

I think they have played admirably but I in no way think they are a defense that should be feared. They did look very good against Cincy. Who knows? Maybe they are starting to click and they will surprise us more down the stretch. We can all only hope.

 

[conner01]

It's been pretty bad until last week.

That's what I was thinking too
They played well against the bengals and I hope that's the trend here on out but nothing impressive till that game at all

 

[Zimmy Lives]

defensive line. I thought the linebackers were slow and not very good either..sans lee.

I still don't think this is a very good front 7 and lacks an elite player of any kind for the first time in as long as i can remember.

They are a very average front seven with a very good secondary. Now how did that happen?

 

[ConceptCoop]

They've been awful with the exception of one game.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

The DT's are starting to come around. Thornton in particular. T. Crawford isn't DE material. Although it's a bit unfair to him as he built his offseason around being in DT physical shape and they move him to DE and he's coming off injury. Unfortunately, I think we're going to have to find a way to ditch that contract because he's not going to play up to it. Lawrence was a nice edition.

I'd like to get stronger at DT though. If we had an Aaron Donald type I think that would have a larger impact than a very good DE. I would also like to see us get a good MIKE. Hitchens struggles to play the zone at the MIKE and isn't big enough to take it on.




YR

 

[reddyuta]

they are not very good.Tank had a nice debut but he is still one step too late like almost Anthony.they cant stop teams on short yardage.

 

[Kareemovweet]

I don't think they are as bad as some folks do but I still think they need another real good DE/DT or two to really improve. I think the rotation now is helping, and lack of injury. But if they have a couple players start to go down, and the guys that are left have to stay in and play longer minutes its not going to be pretty. I want to see how they do against Rogers this week also. IF they can put his arse on the ground a couple times that will be a very good thing...

 

[VACowboy]

Not everybody. Some of us didn't predict anything, deciding to wait and see instead of burying the defense before a game was played. Besides that, I never understood the logic behind the idea that Dallas couldn't contend because of the defense. Other than edge rusher, unless you wanna quibble about Rolando McLain, the defensive personnel was better and healthier across the board than it was in '14.

 

[Sydla]

12th against the rush is pretty respectable. It's certainly not the dumpster fire that was getting projected.

Actually I don't think that's what people thought.

I think most expected the run D to be decent if McClain could stay healthy and adding Thornton.

It's the pass rush and pressuring QBs that was always the concern.

 

[ragman]

If I remember correctly, a number of so-called "experts" thought our whole defense was suspect.

 

[MRV52]

When they start getting steady pass rush ...... I will believe it ....... QB's still have way to much time.

Last game Dalton did not have time, as he was under pressure all game long. I hope that they can keep it up for this week.

 

[Diehardblues]

Most said DL would be suspect the first 4 games until D Law return . I think it was.

 

[Diehardblues]

There were also those that said secondary would be the strength of defense and they were right too so far.

 

[Diehardblues]

Our defense has over achieved thus far but we're a Cousins horrible game away from another loss and let's see how we do in these next couple of games.

Our defense is still our weakness and could cost us. So far so good,

 

[Diehardblues]

The D line has had one really good game vs the Bengals. Let's not go crazy.

We are 18th in total yards given up.
21st against the pass
12th against the rush
9th in points

WHAT has helped more than anything, IMO, is our offenses time of possession keeping the D off the field. One of the main reasons for taking Zeke in the first place.

I'd echo this thought!!

 

[LocimusPrime]

The quality standards at Blogging the Boys continue to plummet. Apparently, they'll let anybody write for them now.

Ooooh I think I can meet that criteria.