Is Maliek Collins the answer at 3T?

[TrailBlazer]

Until we get some decent defensive ends, Collins is the starter at 3T with Crawford at DE. He's impressed me so far. I think he will do just fine.

 

[visionary]

He has that quick of a first step. Collins has the talent to be a catalytic pass rusher on the interior. It comes down to if he is used properly. His size is somewhat misleading in that he plays like a 290 pound DT at 310ish. This probably lead Nebraska to think he could play as a 2 gap player. He really can't. 1 Tech here is possible but he really has to remake his body. He could be a player similar to what Booger McFarland was in TB or Tank Johnson was in Chicago where the 1 Tech position was a gap pentration position. All in all I think slimming him down to about 295 and keeping him at 3 Tech would be there best option. Dont know if a better 3 Tech prospect would ve available this year

If he is near that level that could have a transformative effect on this defense

 

[boysfanindc]

I think we may have something with him, he looks to have traits you want in the position, it would be huge to get consistent pressure up the middle.

 

[fishspill]

Who knows? I was hoping we'd draft him. Has what you need in a good DT. I thought he was a lot like Fredbeard in college, wore out as the game went on. That's one of the easier things to fix in the pros with a motivated player.

 

[CCBoy]

Ill go with true. Reason being he has the skill to be a highly disruptive 3 Tech in this scheme ( comparable to a larger Geno Atkins IMO) and the fact that he was able to get himself on the field and making meaningfull contributions after missing so much time means he probably has it together upstairs more then we are used to.

But like YR said, I wouldnt turn my nose up to a high end 3 tech prospect either. Collins has the mass to be a disruptive 1 Tech. That type of play didn't work out for him as a SR, but he also came into the NFL with a lot of work to be done in the strength and conditioning department. A well cut 310 pound Collins would be much more effective at 1 Tech then he showed at Nebraska. However I think 3 Tech is his best position

Size isn't the measureable that dominates, but speed and power. Here, he answers the call, well.

 

[darthseinfeld]

If he is near that level that could have a transformative effect on this defense

I wouldnt count on it this year. Defensive players rarely have that effect so young. Watching him before he looked like a guy who would be able penetrate the pocket, but not yet finish sacks. I think that will come once he settles into his role here and works on his body some more. Within 2 seasons he could be a double diget sack guy at DT. But for right now, he is a guy that will make QBs uncomfortable but not finish the play

 

[darthseinfeld]

Size isn't the measureable that dominates, but speed and power. Here, he answers the call, well.

This is true. His size is almost irrelevant really, unless they look to make him more of a 1 Tech. And thats not where I would go with him unless I got my hands on another game changing 3 Tech

As a 3 Tech, I think Collins has double diget sack potential

 

[Aven8]

Been calling for it since the draft. And might I remind everyone he's coming off the same injury that sidelined Dez and Dlaw for the season. Pretty impressive he's looking this good this soon really!

 

[erod]

He looks more suited than Crawford, who prefers to be outside.

Both could play inside on third-and-long.

 

[superonyx]

Hard to say. Crawford got move because we had two legit players at 3-tech and one of them had the position flex to bolster the DE position.

If we had a legit DE, Collins is still rotating in.

This may be true about Crawford. But it's also troubling to hear your highest paid injury pronged DT celebrating at the opportunity to move outside and stop taking the weekly beating he took inside. I'm glad he has enough flexibility to move outside and if nothing else, seal the edge.... I'm just not thrilled with my high paid DT wanting to convert to a DE for all the wrong reasons.

 

[dallasdave]

It is starting to look true. Despite missing time after breaking his foot, he's flashed enough to seemingly earn Marinelli's trust. We all know what the 3T means to Rod's defense and to see a $45M player get moved to DE is telling to me. Thoughts?

Collins looks good for what he has played, just wait and see a bigger bit of work till judging the talent.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm slowly warming to the DT situation on this club.

By the mid-point of the season the DE situation could become a little better also.

 

[dallasdave]

I'm slowly warming to the DT situation on this club.

By the mid-point of the season the DE situation could become a little better also.

I'm waiting on the Real GM of the Cowboys to make a statement----- Do you know when Risen will make the statement ???

 

[BAT]

Much too early to be comparing Collins to Atkins or even an above average NFL starter right now. The best 3 Techs on team are still McClain, then Irving. But both guys starting at other positions due to either injuries or underachievement by other players.

 

[chris1995]

As a rookie, I think Maliek is still "weighing in" on the scales of public opinion to establish himself as an exceptional DT. So far, he's doing great in the early stages of his development. Be assured, I'm really encouraged to see him doing so well. Further proof of his abilities will be required before he's ready to assume higher status but he's evidently on the right track. We've been needing a run plugging and penetrating DT like Maliek for some time now. I'll be pulling for him to keep it up.

Collins is off to a good start,

 

[Redball Express]

With Gregory out basically for the season, I could see Crawford playing significant time at DE going forward. This opens the door for Maliek.

I thought he played well at times against the Skins.

That one play where the RB zoomed by him and he turned and gave chase and tackled him was impressive.

He was pretty fast for such a big guy.

I hope he listens and improves.

 

[Nightman]

So it will be

TCrawford.......MCollins.......Thornton........DLawrence
JCrawford.......DIrving.........TMcClain........RDavis/Mayowa

Could be worse

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I think him moving to 3T has more to do with Lawrence being out than it does Collins.

 

[Common Sense]

So it will be

TCrawford.......MCollins.......Thornton........DLawrence
JCrawford.......DIrving.........TMcClain........RDavis/Mayowa

Could be worse

McClain is the best tackle on this team right now. Why would he be backing up Thornton?

 

[RandyOh]

He looks like the future already. They will hesitate because they gave a incredibly dumb contract to a player based on some potential.

Make him our 3tech, get D law a speed rusher to play opposite of him, and for lord sake get him a true fat boy to stuff the run and collapse the pocket at the 1. U want more pressure? Get some linebackers and a safety who know how to blitz.