How's that Dline treating you?

[garyo1954]

Our annual series examining the NFC East from a positional perspective with the help of league personnel sources continues with the defensive line, inarguably the strength of what is considered a weak division overall.

In 2020 you could argue that Washington, the New York Giants, and Philadelphia - despite only four wins - had top 10-level units.

While Dallas remains the runt of the litter, there is still DeMarcus Lawrence and some young talent.

Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys seem to be hoping that Randy Gregory will put it together as the second pass-rushing piece to Lawrence, whose reputation has outpaced his production in recent seasons.

Gregory's admitted addiction to marijuana that derailed his career early is now no longer the stigma it once was so perhaps a talented player can finally put things together at 28.

As Howie Roseman says hope isn't a strategy, though.

There's at least potential outside, but the interior isn't very good and the group was the worst in the NFL last season against the run, allowing 2.3 rushing yards before contact per attempt in 2020 per ProFootballFocus.com, a half-yard more than any other defense. (Hint: that's awful).

Rookie third-round pick Osa Odighizuwa and free-agent pickup Carlos Watkins will try to help Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore establish some kind of interior presence.

"Unless they figure out a way to stop the run it's going to be tough again," a former AFC scout said. "I would have liked to see them get a two-down run stopper just to sure that up."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/examining-the-nfc-east-the-defensive-line/ar-AALmBJx?li=BBnbfcL

 

[jazzcat22]

New year, new DL basically, new scheme, new DC.
Being the underdog in the DL's will be good for us this season. they will not know what him them. Literally.

That's all.

 

[Jake]

The DL was the biggest liability last year, worst in the NFL in yards gained by RBs before anyone even made contact with them.

How much they can improve will go a long way toward how much the Cowboys can improve overall.

 

[John813]

"Unless they figure out a way to stop the run it's going to be tough again," a former AFC scout said. "I would have liked to see them get a two-down run stopper just to sure that up."

I mean I would of liked to gotten McNeill it's not like the Cowboys ignored run defenders this offseason.
They got Urban in FA and then Big Bo in day 3, which is the usual day to get 2 down DTs

 

[TwoCentPlain]

3-4 Weeks from now you will start to get some answers. Until then, no one has any idea.

 

[jazzcat22]

3-4 Weeks from now you will start to get some answers. Until then, no one has any idea.

27 days to go for the report date, 29 for 1st practice. It will be here soon.

 

[Ranched]

It will show improvement. Far from 100%. Take a year or two.

 

[Sydla]

Our annual series examining the NFC East from a positional perspective with the help of league personnel sources continues with the defensive line, inarguably the strength of what is considered a weak division overall.

In 2020 you could argue that Washington, the New York Giants, and Philadelphia - despite only four wins - had top 10-level units.

While Dallas remains the runt of the litter, there is still DeMarcus Lawrence and some young talent.

Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys seem to be hoping that Randy Gregory will put it together as the second pass-rushing piece to Lawrence, whose reputation has outpaced his production in recent seasons.

Gregory's admitted addiction to marijuana that derailed his career early is now no longer the stigma it once was so perhaps a talented player can finally put things together at 28.

As Howie Roseman says hope isn't a strategy, though.

There's at least potential outside, but the interior isn't very good and the group was the worst in the NFL last season against the run, allowing 2.3 rushing yards before contact per attempt in 2020 per ProFootballFocus.com, a half-yard more than any other defense. (Hint: that's awful).

Rookie third-round pick Osa Odighizuwa and free-agent pickup Carlos Watkins will try to help Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore establish some kind of interior presence.

"Unless they figure out a way to stop the run it's going to be tough again," a former AFC scout said. "I would have liked to see them get a two-down run stopper just to sure that up."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/examining-the-nfc-east-the-defensive-line/ar-AALmBJx?li=BBnbfcL

So would many of us on this board.

 

[JoeKing]

Reading the article it seems it's written from the perspective of the 2020 season just ending. 6 months of progress has happened since then. A sparse mention of that progress does not do what the Cowboys have been up to, justice. Improving the run defense has been their priority.

 

[817Gill]

I mean I would of liked to gotten McNeill it's not like the Cowboys ignored run defenders this offseason.
They got Urban in FA and then Big Bo in day 3, which is the usual day to get 2 down DTs

Exactly

 

[817Gill]

Reading the article it seems it's written from the perspective of the 2020 season just ending. 6 months of progress has happened since then. A sparse mention of that progress does not do what the Cowboys have been up to, justice. Improving the run defense has been their priority.

Seemed like it in the blurb as well. When the AFC scout was quoted saying he wished we got a 2-gapper it felt a bit off. As the poster above mentioned Urban and Bohanna are those pure run D additions.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

"Unless they figure out a way to stop the run it's going to be tough again," a former AFC scout said. "I would have liked to see them get a two-down run stopper just to sure that up."

Um, hello?

 

[garyo1954]

Um, hello?

Looks like a hand full of jersey there.

 

[dwmyers]

I like it when articles quote moronic ex scouts who evidently never bothered to look at Urban, Odiggy, Bohanna, etc.

 

[Typhus]

Looks like a hand full of jersey there.

Isnt it leagal inside the shoulder pads?

 

[CowboyRoy]

Our annual series examining the NFC East from a positional perspective with the help of league personnel sources continues with the defensive line, inarguably the strength of what is considered a weak division overall.

In 2020 you could argue that Washington, the New York Giants, and Philadelphia - despite only four wins - had top 10-level units.

While Dallas remains the runt of the litter, there is still DeMarcus Lawrence and some young talent.

Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys seem to be hoping that Randy Gregory will put it together as the second pass-rushing piece to Lawrence, whose reputation has outpaced his production in recent seasons.

Gregory's admitted addiction to marijuana that derailed his career early is now no longer the stigma it once was so perhaps a talented player can finally put things together at 28.

As Howie Roseman says hope isn't a strategy, though.

There's at least potential outside, but the interior isn't very good and the group was the worst in the NFL last season against the run, allowing 2.3 rushing yards before contact per attempt in 2020 per ProFootballFocus.com, a half-yard more than any other defense. (Hint: that's awful).

Rookie third-round pick Osa Odighizuwa and free-agent pickup Carlos Watkins will try to help Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore establish some kind of interior presence.

"Unless they figure out a way to stop the run it's going to be tough again," a former AFC scout said. "I would have liked to see them get a two-down run stopper just to sure that up."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/examining-the-nfc-east-the-defensive-line/ar-AALmBJx?li=BBnbfcL

I feel the same way. Would have loved to have seen them trade up in the 2nd round and given up one of those 3rd rounders for Christian Barmore. What made it even worse for me was Bellicheck traded up to get him at the top of the 2nd.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I mean I would of liked to gotten McNeill it's not like the Cowboys ignored run defenders this offseason.
They got Urban in FA and then Big Bo in day 3, which is the usual day to get 2 down DTs

Another huge disappointment for me as someone trade up two spots in front of us to get McNeil. Would have liked to see the Cowboys be more aggressive with all those 3rd round picks.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Um, hello?

Bohanna has a lot of work to do on technique and refining his game. I would be surprised if he made much of an impact this season.

 

[garyo1954]

Isnt it leagal inside the shoulder pads?

Good question. Don't get me lying. I'm not a zebra and the rules probably need someone in NY to determine it.....

“Use his hands or arms to materially restrict an opponent or alter the defender’s path or angle of pursuit. It is a foul regardless of whether the blocker’s hands are inside or outside the frame of the defender’s body.”

There’s that language again. Before we get to the NFL’s definition of what it looks like to materially restrict an opponent, let’s discuss what this section is really saying. Until you reach the point of material restriction (or another forbidden act), contact with hands and arms to block an opponent is fine. Now then, it’s not strictly defined but the examples of a material restriction include:

1. grabbing or tackling an opponent;

2. hooking, jerking, twisting, or turning him; or

3. pulling him to the ground.

Basically, you gotta maul a guy for it to be considered holding. The first bullet includes the term “grabbing or” which suggests that grabbing in and of itself should be considered holding. The video rule book explaining this penalty changes the word “or” to “and.” In practice the officials call it as if it’s the latter. Grabbing in and of itself is not holding.

Right there alone is an excellent rationale for why holding isn’t called very often. Grabbing, shoving and generally getting in the defender’s way is cool beans unless you’re pretty dramatic about it. To make things harder though, there are numerous exceptions where offensive players are allowed to hold and it’s perfectly legal.

Best guess is one zebra would call it, while another wouldn't and the broadcast team would ask the rules analyst for his 10minute interpretation and we'd all still be wondering!

edit: due to kitten wanting to add his 2 cents

 

[buybuydandavis]

There's at least potential outside, but the interior isn't very good and the group was the worst in the NFL last season against the run, allowing 2.3 rushing yards before contact per attempt in 2020 per ProFootballFocus.com, a half-yard more than any other defense. (Hint: that's awful).

Rookie third-round pick Osa Odighizuwa and free-agent pickup Carlos Watkins will try to help Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore establish some kind of interior presence.

"Unless they figure out a way to stop the run it's going to be tough again," a former AFC scout said. "I would have liked to see them get a two-down run stopper just to sure that up."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/examining-the-nfc-east-the-defensive-line/ar-AALmBJx?li=BBnbfcL

In terms of resources, we spent next to nothing to improve at DT. Our only hope there is that Quinn's scheme makes steak out of hamburger.