MMQB: Cowboys got a very good player in Cedric Thornton

[RS12]

The former Eagle has only four sacks in four NFL seasons, so there's a perception that he's a lower-tier signing. Not true. On first and second down, Thornton is as good as almost any NFL D-lineman. He has brute strength, lateral mobility and a knack for locating the ball. He can also penetrate against the run. The only hesitation with him in Dallas is, Where does he play along the 4-3 front? As a 3-4 end with the Eagles, Thornton was great because he could two-gap or one-gap, dependingon the formation. The only position that calls for two-gapping in a 4-3 scheme such as Rod Marinelli's is the nose shade. Thornton has never played there full-time, and at 6-3, he might be a tad tall for the role. The other option: playing him at 3-technique, where he'd rotate with Tyrone Crawford on base downs and maybe get a few more nickel pass-rushing opportunities than he did in Philadelphia. However Thornton winds up being used, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture: The Cowboys got a very good player.

http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d.../mmqb-cowboys-got-good-player-cedric-thornton

 

[DandyDon1722]

I have yet to read or hear a single negative about this signing. It's pretty obvious we are a better defense today with him.

Now if we could just get Weddle.

I hear he is making a decision tomorrow on one of four teams - Dallas is one of those teams.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I have yet to read or hear a single negative about this signing. It's pretty obvious we are a better defense today with him.

Now if we could just get Weddle.

I hear he is making a decision tomorrow on one of four teams - Dallas is one of those teams.

I went to the Eagirls site to see what their fans thought about him...usually you'd hear the "He's not that good anyway and will get exposed" type of posts but they were very favorable. Its that rare occurrence of EVERYONE liking a player.

 

[DandyDon1722]

I went to the Eagirls site to see what their fans thought about him...usually you'd hear the "He's not that good anyway and will get exposed" type of posts but they were very favorable. Its that rare occurrence of EVERYONE liking a player.

Funny you say that because Howard Erskine from Philly was on 105.3 in Dallas and while ripping the Cowboys about everything - he loved Thornton.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Funny you say that because Howard Erskine from Philly was on 105.3 in Dallas and while ripping the Cowboys about everything - he loved Thornton.

It truly is weird. I wonder if the Eagirls were in a better cap situation would he be retained.

 

[phildadon86]

I have yet to read or hear a single negative about this signing. It's pretty obvious we are a better defense today with him.

Now if we could just get Weddle.

I hear he is making a decision tomorrow on one of four teams - Dallas is one of those teams.

Yeah, I wonder if our names are there to generate clicks or if we are actually one of the teams though.

 

[DandyDon1722]

Yeah, I wonder if our names are there to generate clicks or if we are actually one of the teams though.

Good point - if I'm his agent I'm linking him to Dallas.

 

[speedkilz88]

It truly is weird. I wonder if the Eagirls were in a better cap situation would he be retained.

They are moving to a 4-3 also so his starting position would have been likely lost since Bennie Logan is also a 1 tech type.

 

[Ken]

It truly is weird. I wonder if the Eagirls were in a better cap situation would he be retained.

It really boiled down to Cox and Logan being their starting DTs in the 4-3 and not paying a 3rd guy the type of money Dallas did. 70 million in safeties and a ton wasted in RBs and Qbs will force that type of decision.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

They are moving to a 4-3 also so his starting position would have been likely lost since Bennie Logan is also a 1 tech type.

Yeah but for depth? A bit pricey for a depth guy but if he's a starter in this league i'd pay it to shore up my defensive line.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

It really boilded down to Cox and Logan being their starting DTs in the 4-3 and not pying a 3rd guy the type of money Dallas did. 70 million in safeties and a ton wasted in RBs and Qbs will force that type of decision.

Well that's what I was saying. If they didn't spend so casually and have to get rid of those contracts I wonder would they have retained him. Seems like they would've.

 

[speedkilz88]

Yeah but for depth? A bit pricey for a depth guy but if he's a starter in this league i'd pay it to shore up my defensive line.

I doubt they would want to give him starting money even if it was available.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Good point - if I'm his agent I'm linking him to Dallas.

Why exactly? The rest of the league knows what some fans are finally coming to terms with...the Cowboys are very unlikely to dish out a big free agent contract and if we do it will be for a young player.

 

[DandyDon1722]

Why exactly? The rest of the league knows what some fans are finally coming to terms with...the Cowboys are very unlikely to dish out a big free agent contract and if we do it will be for a young player.

I think it's because it's a position of need on the team and Jerry's reputation - deserved or not. Very unlikely does not mean they won't. Also, because of the attention the Cowboys get with any move or potential move they make. Saying the Ravens are interested is a yawn - saying the Cowboys are interested get's clicks.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I think it's because it's a position of need on the team and Jerry's reputation - deserved or not. Very unlikely does not mean they won't. Also, because of the attention the Cowboys get with any move or potential move they make. Saying the Ravens are interested is a yawn - saying the Cowboys are interested get's clicks.

But why would his agent care if you as a fan clicked on a news story?

Hint: He wouldn't.

 

[Maxmadden]

Why exactly? The rest of the league knows what some fans are finally coming to terms with...the Cowboys are very unlikely to dish out a big free agent contract and if we do it will be for a young player.

Simply, tradition. We are Americas team, and everyone knows tradition or not if Jerry wants somebody he usually gets them. I agree with you that if you look back the last couple of years we aren't shelling out the big bucks. But, I think teams know they don't want to go to the mat with Jerry if he wants something.

 

[Sportsbabe]

The former Eagle has only four sacks in four NFL seasons, so there's a perception that he's a lower-tier signing. Not true. On first and second down, Thornton is as good as almost any NFL D-lineman. He has brute strength, lateral mobility and a knack for locating the ball. He can also penetrate against the run. The only hesitation with him in Dallas is, Where does he play along the 4-3 front? As a 3-4 end with the Eagles, Thornton was great because he could two-gap or one-gap, dependingon the formation. The only position that calls for two-gapping in a 4-3 scheme such as Rod Marinelli's is the nose shade. Thornton has never played there full-time, and at 6-3, he might be a tad tall for the role. The other option: playing him at 3-technique, where he'd rotate with Tyrone Crawford on base downs and maybe get a few more nickel pass-rushing opportunities than he did in Philadelphia. However Thornton winds up being used, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture: The Cowboys got a very good player.
http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d.../mmqb-cowboys-got-good-player-cedric-thornton

In Nelli I trust.

 

[casmith07]

I have yet to read or hear a single negative about this signing. It's pretty obvious we are a better defense today with him.

Now if we could just get Weddle.

I hear he is making a decision tomorrow on one of four teams - Dallas is one of those teams.

Weddle is likely to be too expensive. I would prefer a younger option via the draft but if we somehow land him for a good deal, we'll be a lot better defense.

Line of Gregory, Thornton, T. Crawford and Lawrence

Spelled by J. Crawford, T. McClain, Irving

Linebackers of Lee, R. McClain, and Hitchens spelled by Keith Smith and Damien Wilson

CBs: Scandrick, Carr, Claiborne as the top three with Olatoye & Mitchell in relief.

Safeties: Jones and Weddle, with Wilcox and Church in reserve.

Good defense. And that's without draftees.

 

[speedkilz88]

Weddle is likely to be too expensive. I would prefer a younger option via the draft but if we somehow land him for a good deal, we'll be a lot better defense.

Line of Gregory, Thornton, T. Crawford and Lawrence

Spelled by J. Crawford, T. McClain, Irving

Linebackers of Lee, R. McClain, and Hitchens spelled by Keith Smith and Damien Wilson

CBs: Scandrick, Carr, Claiborne as the top three with Olatoye & Mitchell in relief.

Safeties: Jones and Weddle, with Wilcox and Church in reserve.

Good defense. And that's without draftees.

Church's salary ballooned to 4.25 million this year. Makes sense to move him out and bring Weddle in at 5 million avg on a short deal.

 

[FaSho]

Church's salary ballooned to 4.25 million this year. Makes sense to move him out and bring Weddle in at 5 million avg on a short deal.

You are right. It would make sense, but I doubt the staff will get rid of Church.