News: Is Cowboys pass rush set to surprise in 2016?

[CCBoy]

Is Cowboys pass rush set to surprise in 2016?

http://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2016/04/05/is-cowboys-pass-rush-set-to-surprise-in-2016/





After gathering momentum at the tail end of 2015, the Cowboys pass rush was a source of optimism heading into the 2016 season. DeMarcus Lawrence recorded 8 sacks in the final eight games of the season. Highly touted second-round pick Randy Gregory had shown flashes of potential prior to his high ankle sprain and players like David Irving and Jack Crawford proved to be hidden gems. With a plethora of pass rushers set to hit free agency – the Cowboys were a nice bet to add one to their stable.

As the offseason progressed, optimism gradually turned to pessimism as Gregory was suspended for the first four games of the season and the Cowboys had failed to resign any of their own free agents. The pessimism reached its peak during free agency as the pass rush supply rapidly dwindled down without the Cowboys making a move on an edge rusher.

Fortunately, the Cowboys plan of bargain shopping may have worked out and in a matter of month, Dallas’ pass rush has once again become eudemonic.

Capped off today by the resigning of Crawford, the signings of Cedric Thornton, Benson Mayowa, and Kyle Wilber are central to what can be categorized as one of the most underrated off-seasons for the Cowboys in recent memory.

Cedric Thornton, one of the best run-stopping defenders over the past couple of seasons, should elevate Tyrone Crawford’s play during the 2016 season, and give the Cowboys a viable option for filling gaps. His ability to command and fight through double-teams should help the interior rush much more than Nick Hayden has in recent years...

 

[Q_the_man]

Is Cowboys pass rush set to surprise in 2016?

http://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2016/04/05/is-cowboys-pass-rush-set-to-surprise-in-2016/





After gathering momentum at the tail end of 2015, the Cowboys pass rush was a source of optimism heading into the 2016 season. DeMarcus Lawrence recorded 8 sacks in the final eight games of the season. Highly touted second-round pick Randy Gregory had shown flashes of potential prior to his high ankle sprain and players like David Irving and Jack Crawford proved to be hidden gems. With a plethora of pass rushers set to hit free agency – the Cowboys were a nice bet to add one to their stable.

As the offseason progressed, optimism gradually turned to pessimism as Gregory was suspended for the first four games of the season and the Cowboys had failed to resign any of their own free agents. The pessimism reached its peak during free agency as the pass rush supply rapidly dwindled down without the Cowboys making a move on an edge rusher.

Fortunately, the Cowboys plan of bargain shopping may have worked out and in a matter of month, Dallas’ pass rush has once again become eudemonic.

Capped off today by the resigning of Crawford, the signings of Cedric Thornton, Benson Mayowa, and Kyle Wilber are central to what can be categorized as one of the most underrated off-seasons for the Cowboys in recent memory.

Cedric Thornton, one of the best run-stopping defenders over the past couple of seasons, should elevate Tyrone Crawford’s play during the 2016 season, and give the Cowboys a viable option for filling gaps. His ability to command and fight through double-teams should help the interior rush much more than Nick Hayden has in recent years...

Pass rush is as good as the running game. we keep a lead, control the clock and we can run and blitz.

Look at JJ Watt and Mack both put up great numbers yet when u play from behind it means nothing...

If the Cowboys go into halftime with any kind of lead against NE, Hardy kills Brady, but playing from behind they can run and pass all day long. Little dump offs and screen any time you want...

 

[CCBoy]

Pass rush is as good as the running game. we keep a lead, control the clock and we can run and blitz.

Look at JJ Watt and Mack both put up great numbers yet when u play from behind it means nothing...

If the Cowboys go into halftime with any kind of lead against NE, Hardy kills Brady, but playing from behind they can run and pass all day long. Little dump offs and screen any time you want...

I think that the OP is pointing towards a more aggressive rather than reactive group being brought to the field this season, in the box area.

 

[Q_the_man]

I think that the OP is pointing towards a more aggressive rather than reactive group being brought to the field this season, in the box area.

I know football and I also know if you are behind early and often, you cannot run the defense the way you want to.

Our team was behind every single game last season. How can you blitz and you're losing 21-3 or 17-7 at halftime? Honestly we had about 15 leads all season long and I'm not talking 3-0 leads, Pitiful. ***** all the passing in this league. We are the Cowboys, we go as far as our running game takes us, Hint 2014....

McFadden was #4 in the league last year with what 1000 quiet yards. He might have been the 4th best rusher but

I DID NOT SEE ONE GAME FROM MCFADDEN THAT MADE ME THINK HE CAN TAKE US TO THE PROMISE LAND.

For Christ sake McFadden avg what about 70 yards a game, lol.

 

[SHAMSzy]

I know football and I also know if you are behind early and often, you cannot run the defense the way you want to.

Our team was behind every single game last season. How can you blitz and you're losing 21-3 or 17-7 at halftime? Honestly we had about 15 leads all season long and I'm not talking 3-0 leads, Pitiful. ***** all the passing in this league. We are the Cowboys, we go as far as our running game takes us, Hint 2014....

McFadden was #4 in the league last year with what 1000 quiet yards. He might have been the 4th best rusher but

I DID NOT SEE ONE GAME FROM MCFADDEN THAT MADE ME THINK HE CAN TAKE US TO THE PROMISE LAND.

For Christ sake McFadden avg what about 70 yards a game, lol.

His production would look a lot better with a healthy Romo and Dez to balance the attack (which also makes Witten, Williams, and Beasley relevant).

 

[waving monkey]

I think that the OP is pointing towards a more aggressive rather than reactive group being brought to the field this season, in the box area.

I do think Thornton makes a big difference and Crawford is the beneficiary.
Lawrence will continue his development i have confidence.
Honestly the rest are hopefuls and intrigues.Whaley,Walker,McClain,Russell,Mayowa,McAdoo,Irving?

This draft should pull DL heavy. I could justify in my mind three DL picks.
At least one DT I wouldn't mind two. A 1Dt and a 2DT. Of course DE

That article recently about following the 2005 draft model sounds good to me.

Marinelli hasn't had squat to put there.And he gets criticized.

There needs to be need considered this draft its a DT draft.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Only 5 teams in the NFL had fewer sacks than we did last year (31)

That was with Hardy and Gregory........this year's group looks to be even worse.......I will be very surprised if we are not in the bottom 10 again this year.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I do think Thornton makes a big difference and Crawford is the beneficiary.
Lawrence will continue his development i have confidence.
Honestly the rest are hopefuls and intrigues.Whaley,Walker,McClain,Russell,Mayowa,McAdoo,Irving?

This draft should pull DL heavy. I could justify in my mind three DL picks.
At least one DT I wouldn't mind two. A 1Dt and a 2DT. Of course DE

That article recently about following the 2005 draft model sounds good to me.

Marinelli hasn't had squat to put there.And he gets criticized.

There needs to be need considered this draft its a DT draft.

I don't know about Maranelli never having nothing. He had Hatcher, Spencer and Ware. He had Greg Hardy last year. He seems to get more out of young players than he does vets.

 

[waving monkey]

I don't know about Maranelli never having nothing. He had Hatcher, Spencer and Ware. He had Greg Hardy last year. He seems to get more out of young players than he does vets.

Correct if I'm wrong but Hatch and Ware were suffering periodic injuries that first year of Marinelli's.
Spencer had injuries but came on strong toward the end of the year.

Younger players are generally more open to motivation and hard coaching and particularly players
off the street, like that 14 year. Hard coaching might be tough for the older guys.

 

[therock1982]

regardless of what we did in free agency this draft is extremely strong on the dline especially dt,we should grab at least 1 in the 1st 2 days and add a de aswell.i wudnt mind hargrave or ridegeway in the 3rd maybe both if we can engineer a trade Dow from 4th overall

 

[YosemiteSam]

No, it is not.

 

[jnday]

I know football and I also know if you are behind early and often, you cannot run the defense the way you want to.

Our team was behind every single game last season. How can you blitz and you're losing 21-3 or 17-7 at halftime? Honestly we had about 15 leads all season long and I'm not talking 3-0 leads, Pitiful. ***** all the passing in this league. We are the Cowboys, we go as far as our running game takes us, Hint 2014....

McFadden was #4 in the league last year with what 1000 quiet yards. He might have been the 4th best rusher but

I DID NOT SEE ONE GAME FROM MCFADDEN THAT MADE ME THINK HE CAN TAKE US TO THE PROMISE LAND.

For Christ sake McFadden avg what about 70 yards a game, lol.

You make a great point about DMac. I have never seen a RB have such good stats and have no impact on the games. Many posters looks at the stats and think the RB problem is fixed, but it is in need of severe upgrades. Morris has declined every year, but fans think he was a great pick up. I think he is used up. The RB position consists of two retreads and a cripple, undersized back. Yep, they are set at the position.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Upgrades to the secondary (Jones 2nd year, getting Scandrick back, hopeful upgrade somewhere, etc) will help with the passrush--allowing us to Blitz with more confidence. Add an upgraded interior--Thorton & a healthy Crawford--with some balance on the other side of the ball, and I'm feeling better than last year.

 

[Stash]

Only 5 teams in the NFL had fewer sacks than we did last year (31)

That was with Hardy and Gregory........this year's group looks to be even worse.......I will be very surprised if we are not in the bottom 10 again this year.

It's amazing what some fans will try to sell to the masses. This 'article' is trash. A poor attempt at polishing a turd.

 

[Stash]

I do think Thornton makes a big difference and Crawford is the beneficiary.
Lawrence will continue his development i have confidence.
Honestly the rest are hopefuls and intrigues.Whaley,Walker,McClain,Russell,Mayowa,McAdoo,Irving?

This draft should pull DL heavy. I could justify in my mind three DL picks.
At least one DT I wouldn't mind two. A 1Dt and a 2DT. Of course DE

That article recently about following the 2005 draft model sounds good to me.

Marinelli hasn't had squat to put there.And he gets criticized.

There needs to be need considered this draft its a DT draft.

Marinelli got a huge investment in his defensive line last year with both a proven pass rusher in Hardy and the best pass rusher in the draft in Randy Gregory. That debunks any claims of "had squat".

The fact is that Rod's 'Rushmen' philosophy has failed and this team has finished no higher than 27th in the league in sacks under his watch over three years time. That's plenty of reason for people to start questioning him.

 

[dfense]

I know football and I also know if you are behind early and often, you cannot run the defense the way you want to.

Our team was behind every single game last season. How can you blitz and you're losing 21-3 or 17-7 at halftime? Honestly we had about 15 leads all season long and I'm not talking 3-0 leads, Pitiful. ***** all the passing in this league. We are the Cowboys, we go as far as our running game takes us, Hint 2014....

McFadden was #4 in the league last year with what 1000 quiet yards. He might have been the 4th best rusher but

I DID NOT SEE ONE GAME FROM MCFADDEN THAT MADE ME THINK HE CAN TAKE US TO THE PROMISE LAND.

For Christ sake McFadden avg what about 70 yards a game, lol.

I guess your own argument doesn't factor in that since they were always behind they probably couldn't really commit to the running game. McFadden did have two games of about 150 yards didn't he?

 

[waving monkey]

Marinelli got a huge investment in his defensive line last year with both a proven pass rusher in Hardy and the best pass rusher in the draft in Randy Gregory. That debunks any claims of "had squat".

The fact is that Rod's 'Rushmen' philosophy has failed and this team has finished no higher than 27th in the league in sacks under his watch over three years time. That's plenty of reason for people to start questioning him.

yea Randy was a real contributor sitting on the bench with high ankle strain. It was well report
through the rest of the season the ankle was bothering Gregory.If that is your rebuttal it's ankle lame.

Hardy was so good that the team has declined to resign him as of yet. Randy damn sure could be a
good to great player but if thats your argument I don't feel the debunk .

 

[Denim Chicken]

Marinelli got a huge investment in his defensive line last year with both a proven pass rusher in Hardy and the best pass rusher in the draft in Randy Gregory. That debunks any claims of "had squat".

The fact is that Rod's 'Rushmen' philosophy has failed and this team has finished no higher than 27th in the league in sacks under his watch over three years time. That's plenty of reason for people to start questioning him.

The fact is, when he actually blitzed we got pressure. With the backfield and the run defense looking like it did, we really limited the blitz. The four man rush was hampered by an injured Crawford, Gregory and an anemic Hayden. Lawrence did well, but even he was playing through a back issue.

With the addition of Thornton (and a snowballs chance of McClain) and a healthy Crawford the interior should be better with will not allow the QB to step up in the pocket. A healthy Lawrence and Gregory (when he returns from suspension) will not provide dominate edge pressure, but the entire situation should be an improvement over last year.

 

[Stash]

yea Randy was a real contributor sitting on the bench with high ankle strain. It was well report
through the rest of the season the ankle was bothering Gregory.If that is your rebuttal it's ankle lame.

If he couldn't play, he shouldn't play. But that would derail your whole lame excuse, wouldn't it? But once again, go with 'blame the player' rather than considering the alternative, right? The same lame excuse Garrett gets on the offensive side in failing to prepare his quarterbacks.

Hardy was so good that the team has declined to resign him as of yet. Randy damn sure could be a
good to great player but if thats your argument I don't feel the debunk .

And why is it that a proven elite pass rusher comes to Dallas and is suddenly not as productive? Yeah, the 'easy' answer that Cowboys fans would prefer, is to simply blame it on the player, never npbothering to dig deeper and look at the coaches' recent pattern of failure. Marinelli's pass rush has ranked 27th, 28th, and 27th since he's been here. And the components have been switched around and investments repeatedly made there. At this point, it's time to start questioning the man at the top and actually holding him accountable for doing his job.

That's fine, you continue to see what you want to see while the rest of us will see the truth. Marinelli has squandered the talent he's been given and it's high time he started being questioned. Maybe he, like his buddy Monte Kiffin are outdated coaches whom the game has passed by?

Marinelli had tools to work with, and he failed.

 

[Idgit]

"Surprise" is a pretty low bar. I'll be surprised if the rush doesn't suck, for example.

It may well be a case of addition by subtraction this season, but I have far less confidence in this group than I did in last year's group prior to the season. I'm still trying to figure out what happened last year, because it makes no sense to me.