Marinelli Will Continue “Mixing And Matching” To Find The Right D-Line Combo

[ElGatoGrande]

I don't think anyone is saying that there was "no plan." These free agents didn't show up to practice uninvited. Rather, most people would look at this defense and agree that there was a plan, but it was complete garbage.

It's too early to pass judgement on Tapper/Mayowa and even Gregory. They're drafting of Jaylon Smith and their inactivity in free agency should have been a clue that they're playing the long game.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

And yet that's exactly what the Cowboys did. They ignored every other option and decided that this was the way they wanted to go. He was their guy. A hidden gem. And now they're seeing the exact results that many of us feared.

Two games in, let's see how it plays out.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

And yet that's exactly what the Cowboys did. They ignored every other option and decided that this was the way they wanted to go. He was their guy. A hidden gem. And now they're seeing the exact results that many of us feared.

I was hoping for Mario Williams personally but given that he quit on his team I can see why that could be a nonstarter as much as redball discusses passion for the game.

Outside of that the picking were slim with spares and retreads galore.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Just for grins...

Some PFF grades for edge rushers (4-3 DE's/3-4 OLBers)

Top of the heap:

Von Miller 86.7
Jerry Hughs 86.0
Brandon Graham 85.0

Some others of note:

Oliver Vernon 73.6
Robert Ayers 70.1
Mario Williams 63.6
Mayowa 44.1
Dwight Freeney 42.3

The highest rated DE for the Cowboys is David Irving at 72.4

 

[Idgit]

It's a result based business and I get what you are saying to an extent but I have to disagree on some of the characterizations.

Hardy came out like gangbusters and it seemed to me that he melted down after the pics of Holder went viral. Reports were he started drinking and that just isn't on Marinelli. When he wasn't melting down he was a force for us.

Gregory got hurt his rookie season but did light up the preseason. Similarly it's not on RM that he smoked it up when he knew he had a test imminent.

DLaw I have actually liked his progression. He bit as a puppy and improved steadily last year. 2 more games and he will continue that progression.

Then of course you have him taking guys like Selvie and Mincey and making chicken salad out of that crap. This year McClain is playing his best ball and early returns on Collins are positive.

Frankly the only real disappointment I have in the defense beyond the suspensions at this point is Hitchens. He is playing dumb. Jones and Church are giving the best S play we've seen since Woody left and the revival of Mo is just fun to watch.

Crawford and Hitchens have been early disappointments for me this season. Because I think both can actually play.

 

[Idgit]

Just for grins...

Some PFF grades for edge rushers (4-3 DE's/3-4 OLBers)

Top of the heap:

Von Miller 86.7
Jerry Hughs 86.0
Brandon Graham 85.0

Some others of note:

Oliver Vernon 73.6
Robert Ayers 70.1
Mario Williams 63.6
Mayowa 44.1
Dwight Freeney 42.3

The highest rated DE for the Cowboys is David Irving at 72.4

You did that just to sneak a Freeney reference in, didn't you?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Crawford and Hitchens have been early disappointments for me this season. Because I think both can actually play.

Yeah, more so Crawford than Hitchens... At least at the MLB spot. I just think Hitchens has a tough time taking on blockers.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

You did that just to sneak a Freeney reference in, didn't you?

PFF grades are ****.

Mayowa's isn't, but of course Freeney's is.

 

[Stash]

So you're saying they had no plan because Tapper got hurt? Because Russell didn't pan out? Because Mayowa hasn't played to your expectations in the first two games? Because Gregory isn't here now to satisfy your need for immediate gratification? They've had a plan, they've got people in the queue who are either developing or waiting to play, contrary to your statement that they put all their eggs in the Mayowa basket.

Personally I would have preferred they signed a pass-rusher like they did last year with Hardy, but it appears that their plan is to slow-build this thing with young players and without the use of high dollar FAs... I'm guessing that once they feel the defense is close to being playoff quality they will be willing to spend on a high dollar FA again.

I'm saying they had a bad plan, however you want to describe it.

And you have yet to answer the question of who is in this "queue" that you keep referencing, as if there have quality pass rushers saved for a rainy day.

And this "slow-build" plan that you allude to doesn't add up either. Not when they're sniffing around Olivier Vernon at the beginning of free agency. If you're even talking to that guy, you're spending a bundle.

 

[Stash]

Two games in, let's see how it plays out.

I'm fine with that, but it shouldn't prevent us from discussing what we've seen either. If that's the case, shut the place down until we have enough data to adequately express an opinion, right?

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I'm saying they had a bad plan, however you want to describe it.

And you have yet to answer the question of who is in this "queue" that you keep referencing, as if there have quality pass rushers saved for a rainy day.

And this "slow-build" plan that you allude to doesn't add up either. Not when they're sniffing around Olivier Vernon at the beginning of free agency. If you're even talking to that guy, you're spending a bundle.

You're sounding a bit irrational,,, I have high hopes for Mayowa and Tapper that extend beyond 2 games into the season, just having Tapper and Lawrence available for rotation will help when it happens. Will these new players pan out? Will Gregory? Nobody knows yet, but the Cowboys have them in the "queue" and the only way to find out is to let them play and develop,,, and you can only commit so many roster spots to DE.

 

[Stash]

You're sounding a bit irrational,,, I have high hopes for Mayowa and Tapper that extend beyond 2 games into the season, just having Tapper and Lawrence available for rotation will help when it happens. Will these new players pan out? Will Gregory? Nobody knows yet, but the Cowboys have them in the "queue" and the only way to find out is to let them play and develop,,, and you can only commit so many roster spots to DE.

You have much higher hopes for unknowns and known disappointments than I do.

Not sure if that's the "rational" approach...

 

[Alexander]

This just means he knows they are all pretty much mediocre so hopefully something clicks.

 

[Alexander]

Wish he would mix in some more blitzes from different areas.

The only bad thing is our linebackers are not cut out for it either. He has already used up his Scandrick corner blitz for the year.

 

[Alexander]

Yep. Marinelli is deep in this mess too. Let's note that it's Marinelli who decided Crawford had to go to the 3 Tech because he believed that was his best position. If Crawford plays better at DE than DT, Marinelli has some responsibility for that. Irving is another guy they have at DE when others think he's really an interior player.

So Marinelli isn't some powerless schmuck here.

He also has had enough respect in the organization to demand better talent. Instead he seems content in his "guru" role, which is based on hope. That is right down the Joneses' alley and is good job security if you play your cards right.

 

[jobberone]

Maybe I am missing an obvious answer but what's the last very successful team that had a defense that just allowed massive yardage totals, didn't really force turnovers or get to the QB, but still held teams to FGs?

He is talking execution in the RZ and keeping Sc% in the 30s better low to mid 30s.

TOs help that but it is doable

 

[haleyrules]

No problem with that. I think the truth lies somewhere in between extremes anyway.



I don't think anyone involved handled the Hardy Situation well. Not him obviously, not the Joneses, not Garrett, and to some extent, not Marinelli. I think everyone played a hand in that failure, and it's a damn shame for everyone that he's not here playing football and helping this team be better.



Gregory's off-field issues are obviously his own, but for such a highly-touted pass rusher to accomplish 0 sacks for his rookie year? I think some of that had to go towards Marinelli too. He was given the best pass rusher in the draft and managed 0 sacks.



I think he's trending upwards, but I'm not sure how much. Even Marinelli said that he gawky benefitted from the attention Hardy received on the other side, so you have to wonder what he'll now be able to do being the center of attention himself?



A nice surprise single season from each guy, but no sustained success. And despite their individual good seasons, it speaks loudly to me that a coach emphasizing pass rush above all else can't do better than 25th in the league in sacks. You don't sacrifice everywhere else to end up 25th in the league in sacks.



Yes, two early bright spots among the disappointments.



I think Hitchens is in the process of being phased out. I expect a rotation this week with Furant getting the majority of snaps, and Hitchens' plays being further reduced, especially when Nzeocha returns.

But it scares me that the players playing the best in all 3 levels right now - Claiborne, Lee, and Terrell McClain - are all guys who have the worst injury histories on the team.

Regarding Hardy. I liked this guy. He has,what the club has missed defensively for years, a mean streak. Like him or not...the Cowboys will miss his toughness. I would take one Hardy before l would suffer three fairies like Garrett.

 

[Alexander]

It's too early to pass judgement on Tapper/Mayowa and even Gregory. They're drafting of Jaylon Smith and their inactivity in free agency should have been a clue that they're playing the long game.

The NFL has a long game? Well, how about that. We might be the first team to pioneer an NFL team like college to stockpile injury and suspension talent for down the road.

I am so excited to see how that turns out!

 

[dallasdave]

Regarding Hardy. I liked this guy. He has,what the club has missed defensively for years, a mean streak. Like him or not...the Cowboys will miss his toughness. I would take one Hardy before l would suffer three fairies like Garrett.

When Dallas won 3 in the 90's they had Haley !!! You need a guy with a mean streak !!!

 

[haleyrules]

Yep. Marinelli is deep in this mess too. Let's note that it's Marinelli who decided Crawford had to go to the 3 Tech because he believed that was his best position. If Crawford plays better at DE than DT, Marinelli has some responsibility for that. Irving is another guy they have at DE when others think he's really an interior player.

So Marinelli isn't some powerless schmuck here.

Tell you what. Both Crawford and Irving are too light in the arse to play DT. Marinelli may have run his course as DC... but he is doing what he can with the cards he has been dealt. I feel sorry for him. In Dallas jerry treats the defense like a stepson..ignore it...whenever posible.