Malik Collins' improvement

[bark]

The kids no nick Hayden but golden nonetheless

 

[drawandstrike]

Been waiting for a chance to bring this up. I think Collins is having an impact because he's one of the few guys playing DL for us that isn't undersized.

Compare our OL to our DLine. Why is it that 75% of our DLinemen are under 285? We don't have a single offensive lineman under 300 pounds. 6 of 9 DLine players are at 285 or under. Is this simply Marinelli's preference at play here?

One reason we struggle to get pressure is likely that most of the guys we have rushing the passer are outweighed by 25 pounds or more.

Tyron Smith: 320
Zack Martin: 310
Travis Frederick: 318
Ronald Leary: 320
Doug Free: 318
La'el Collins: 321
Chaz Green: 300
Joe Looney: 315
Emmett Cleary : 324

Jack Crawford: 288
DeMarcus Lawrence: 270
Benson Mayowa: 240
Charles Tapper: 271
Tyrone Crawford: 285
David Irving: 273
Maliek Collins: 311
Terrell McClain: 302
Cedric Thornton: 309

That is not a typo. Mayowa is listed officially at 240.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Been waiting for a chance to bring this up. I think Collins is having an impact because he's one of the few guys playing DL for us that isn't undersized.

Compare our OL to our DLine. Why is it that 75% of our DLinemen are under 285? We don't have a single offensive lineman under 300 pounds. 6 of 9 DLine players are at 285 or under. Is this simply Marinelli's preference at play here?

One reason we struggle to get pressure is likely that most of the guys we have rushing the passer are outweighed by 25 pounds or more.

Tyron Smith: 320
Zack Martin: 310
Travis Frederick: 318
Ronald Leary: 320
Doug Free: 318
La'el Collins: 321
Chaz Green: 300
Joe Looney: 315
Emmett Cleary : 324

Jack Crawford: 288
DeMarcus Lawrence: 270
Benson Mayowa: 240
Charles Tapper: 271
Tyrone Crawford: 285
David Irving: 273
Maliek Collins: 311
Terrell McClain: 302
Cedric Thornton: 309

That is not a typo. Mayowa is listed officially at 240.

Thats actually probably big for a Marinelli DL. His DTs don't go much more then 300 and usually much less

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I'm not saying that Collins/Brown are first round caliber players BUT...as rookies, they've been playing on that level.

We have FOUR players playing to the level you expect a first round pick to play at or more.

I think people take Brown and Collins for granted. You are not suppose to get rookies that are starters for a contender. Not in those rounds. Some teams can't even get them in the first. This draft is remarkable. They are so ahead of the curve.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If current trends continue, look for DT Malik Collins to have a huge game vs the Giants. Being early retired, I have the time to go back over Cowboys games & slow-mo my DVR to watch individual players & their impact on the games. Collins has continued to up his play each game this season. Versus the Vikings, he was in the backfield at least 10 times. He either hurried or was part of sacking the QB 6 times. That is why he has been starting lately. The kid has honed several moves, including a spin, arm over, & club move to free himself from his blocker. When we can get pressure up the middle, the QB either has to hurry his throw, or eat the ball. He can't step up. Along with McClain, Irving, & Thorton, Collins & Co. have given our defense an interior presence it hasn't had in years. All we need now is more pressure from the edges, & this defense can be dangerous.

Nice job!

Just wait until next year.

 

[robbieruff]

If current trends continue, look for DT Malik Collins to have a huge game vs the Giants. Being early retired, I have the time to go back over Cowboys games & slow-mo my DVR to watch individual players & their impact on the games. Collins has continued to up his play each game this season. Versus the Vikings, he was in the backfield at least 10 times. He either hurried or was part of sacking the QB 6 times. That is why he has been starting lately. The kid has honed several moves, including a spin, arm over, & club move to free himself from his blocker. When we can get pressure up the middle, the QB either has to hurry his throw, or eat the ball. He can't step up. Along with McClain, Irving, & Thorton, Collins & Co. have given our defense an interior presence it hasn't had in years. All we need now is more pressure from the edges, & this defense can be dangerous.

Was having a similar discussion today and agree Collins along with our other interior linemen should be poised for a big day. The interior Oline of the Giants having a ton of issues and even if Pugh comes back he won't be 100%. I think we should get great push up the middle and have a chance to get some sacks from twists and stunts. Collins' quickness and explosion should give him a big opportunity to make some plays.

 

[robbieruff]

If the Cowboys got a DE version of Collins in the draft come April, I'd be thrilled.

I am hoping that Tapper can be that guy after this "redshirt" season. A la DLaw's essentially lost rookie year (tho he did make some noise come playoffs).

 

[MissionCoach]

Did you miss Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher? They were pretty good.

Ratliff was definitely dominant from 2008-2011...ancient history now!

 

[Wood]

If current trends continue, look for DT Malik Collins to have a huge game vs the Giants. Being early retired, I have the time to go back over Cowboys games & slow-mo my DVR to watch individual players & their impact on the games. Collins has continued to up his play each game this season. Versus the Vikings, he was in the backfield at least 10 times. He either hurried or was part of sacking the QB 6 times. That is why he has been starting lately. The kid has honed several moves, including a spin, arm over, & club move to free himself from his blocker. When we can get pressure up the middle, the QB either has to hurry his throw, or eat the ball. He can't step up. Along with McClain, Irving, & Thorton, Collins & Co. have given our defense an interior presence it hasn't had in years. All we need now is more pressure from the edges, & this defense can be dangerous.

Nate was saying same thing. Just waiting for moment Collins realizes he can't be blocked on most plays.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Nate was saying same thing. Just waiting for moment Collins realizes he can't be blocked on most plays.

That's why Irving isn't getting more snaps. Several guys at DT doing a decent job.

 

[Crown Royal]

Pressure up the middle is what is needed to disrupt Eli. He doesn't move much, so putting pressure in his face works the best. The Steelers did a good job of it last week.

Sadly, we haven't pressured Eli his entire career. He's had some of his best games against the Cowboys and it's largely due to lack of pressure.

In fairness, one of the absolute best aspects of Eli's career is his pocket presence and footwork. He has only taken 30 or more sacks like twice in his career. He took only 27 last season and has taken 15 this year....behind one of the worst lines in football.

The guy is hard to get to and always has been - that's not just against the cowboys.

For reference, Tom Brady has taken 30+ 6 times in his career, with 2 of those being 40+.

 

[Trouty]

He seems like a really serious mean dude. He was on the postgame a few weeks ago with brad and babe and it was like the clubber lang interview in rocky 3. They couldn't get him to really say much. Looks like a mean guy.

Do you have a link to this, Theebs?!

 

[drawandstrike]

Thats actually probably big for a Marinelli DL. His DTs don't go much more then 300 and usually much less

Darth, do think it's his preference or it's what he's been given by the GM to work with?

I had a thought that maybe 280 or so is good for a run stopper, you have to be able to change direction and take down a RB who is trying to get by you.

The fact is, we seem to understand that having big 300 pound road graders on the OLine means they are facing much lighter DLine players and wear them down over the course of the game. Your big 315 OT outweighs the guy across from him at 275 by a good 40 pounds.

The only success I've seen in today's NFL with breaking through a 'Great Wall' type OLine made of big 300+ lb road graders is getting your OWN road graders for your DLine and using them to move the OLine out of the way so guys like Ware and Houston can come off the edge and get the sack.

We don't have enough 300 pound road hogs for the DLine rotation yet.

Remember when we took Marcus Spears in the 1st round along with Ware? Spear's whole job the entire time he was here was to occupy 1-2 blockers and free up Ware or Spencer to rush the passer. That is about the only time I think we took a big body for the DLine in the 1st round.

We are not going to have success rushing the passer until we win the war in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. We are going too light in our DLine rotation. Our DT's can't fight their way past the bigger OLinemen they are facing. If Jones or Marinelli think going 280 or so across the DLine and trying to use sheer speed will make up for the size/weight advantage, he's simply wrong about that and the results speak for themselves.

This next draft we need to start getting the big 300 pounders that can blast their way through the OLine and not only make holes for themselves into the backfield, they can clear the way for the blitzers behind them.

Right now it's painfully apparent that we don't have that.

 

[drawandstrike]

BTW, it blows my mind we have LBers that are bigger than Benson Mayowa at 240.

http://www.nfl.com/player/bensonmayowa/2542009/profile

Going small on the DLine is a BIG factor in why this team has little pass rush.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Darth, do think it's his preference or it's what he's been given by the GM to work with?

I had a thought that maybe 280 or so is good for a run stopper, you have to be able to change direction and take down a RB who is trying to get by you.

The fact is, we seem to understand that having big 300 pound road graders on the OLine means they are facing much lighter DLine players and wear them down over the course of the game. Your big 315 OT outweighs the guy across from him at 275 by a good 40 pounds.

The only success I've seen in today's NFL with breaking through a 'Great Wall' type OLine made of big 300+ lb road graders is getting your OWN road graders for your DLine and using them to move the OLine out of the way so guys like Ware and Houston can come off the edge and get the sack.

We don't have enough 300 pound road hogs for the DLine rotation yet.

Remember when we took Marcus Spears in the 1st round along with Ware? Spear's whole job the entire time he was here was to occupy 1-2 blockers and free up Ware or Spencer to rush the passer. That is about the only time I think we took a big body for the DLine in the 1st round.

We are not going to have success rushing the passer until we win the war in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. We are going too light in our DLine rotation. Our DT's can't fight their way past the bigger OLinemen they are facing. If Jones or Marinelli think going 280 or so across the DLine and trying to use sheer speed will make up for the size/weight advantage, he's simply wrong about that and the results speak for themselves.

This next draft we need to start getting the big 300 pounders that can blast their way through the OLine and not only make holes for themselves into the backfield, they can clear the way for the blitzers behind them.

Right now it's painfully apparent that we don't have that.

You have to think back to Shariff Floyd. On the subject of Floyd, Marinelli said he loved him but he want the type of player he looks at. He is power player and to fit his scheme the player has to be "quick twitch". Throughout his career at at stops ( and true with any other D coach of the Tampa 2 tree) he has prefered a smaller, quicker front 4. All 4 players are 1 gap, shoot upshield off the snap, with LBs behind with enough range to swarm to the ball

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Ratliff was definitely dominant from 2008-2011...ancient history now!

I'm guessing Rat and Hatch would have had a hard time getting sacks with Crawford and Lawrence as their ends. Spencer and Ware were very helpful generating pressure from the edges.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

If current trends continue, look for DT Malik Collins to have a huge game vs the Giants. Being early retired, I have the time to go back over Cowboys games & slow-mo my DVR to watch individual players & their impact on the games. Collins has continued to up his play each game this season. Versus the Vikings, he was in the backfield at least 10 times. He either hurried or was part of sacking the QB 6 times. That is why he has been starting lately. The kid has honed several moves, including a spin, arm over, & club move to free himself from his blocker. When we can get pressure up the middle, the QB either has to hurry his throw, or eat the ball. He can't step up. Along with McClain, Irving, & Thorton, Collins & Co. have given our defense an interior presence it hasn't had in years. All we need now is more pressure from the edges, & this defense can be dangerous.

Congrats on your retirement! Now do an analysis on Wilson's play at LB.

 

[gmoney112]

Darth, do think it's his preference or it's what he's been given by the GM to work with?

I had a thought that maybe 280 or so is good for a run stopper, you have to be able to change direction and take down a RB who is trying to get by you.

The fact is, we seem to understand that having big 300 pound road graders on the OLine means they are facing much lighter DLine players and wear them down over the course of the game. Your big 315 OT outweighs the guy across from him at 275 by a good 40 pounds.

The only success I've seen in today's NFL with breaking through a 'Great Wall' type OLine made of big 300+ lb road graders is getting your OWN road graders for your DLine and using them to move the OLine out of the way so guys like Ware and Houston can come off the edge and get the sack.

We don't have enough 300 pound road hogs for the DLine rotation yet.

Remember when we took Marcus Spears in the 1st round along with Ware? Spear's whole job the entire time he was here was to occupy 1-2 blockers and free up Ware or Spencer to rush the passer. That is about the only time I think we took a big body for the DLine in the 1st round.

We are not going to have success rushing the passer until we win the war in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. We are going too light in our DLine rotation. Our DT's can't fight their way past the bigger OLinemen they are facing. If Jones or Marinelli think going 280 or so across the DLine and trying to use sheer speed will make up for the size/weight advantage, he's simply wrong about that and the results speak for themselves.

This next draft we need to start getting the big 300 pounders that can blast their way through the OLine and not only make holes for themselves into the backfield, they can clear the way for the blitzers behind them.

Right now it's painfully apparent that we don't have that.

Spears was drafted for a 3-4 defense, that's what a DE does in a 3-4.

The approach is fine, and is actually a very smart approach in the modern day NFL. The problem is there's not enough talent. The talent we have up front is easily one of the worst in the league.

Marinelli likes lighter, more athletic lineman that rely on their explosiveness and hand battling to win. That's why he likes a lot of twists/stunts. Why? Disruption in the backfield. But he also likes DEPTH for the reason you mentioned. He needs a couple of guys with some talent to rotate, so they can use their speed/athleticism keeping those big road graders off balance all game.

Why is it good for the modern day NFL? It's a game of inches. And Rod knows that disrupting the backfield to get pressure can lead to sacks and the biggest one of all, turnovers. He's always preached turnovers and that's a big reason for his approach, which made Chicago arguably the most feared defense in the league.

And with this offense, that's exactly the kind of approach that can make this team a dynasty type program. Get depth along the DL, generate more pressure and turnovers, and watch the offense grind down the clock and score points. Even just a top 10 defense in most stats would make this team a juggernaut.

And we're in a position to do exactly that.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

He seems like a really serious mean dude. He was on the postgame a few weeks ago with brad and babe and it was like the clubber lang interview in rocky 3. They couldn't get him to really say much. Looks like a mean guy.

I love mean guys. The more, the merrier.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Congrats on your retirement! Now do an analysis on Wilson's play at LB.

Thanks! I'll look into it. From what I've seen so far, he is another young stud who doesn't even resemble the rookie from last season. Quick as a cat, & arrives in a bad mood. More on him later...lol!