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Moore: What the Cowboys are getting in defensive lineman Cedric Thornton?
http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...getting-defensive-lineman-cedric-thornton?f=r
What the Cowboys did Thursday is a ripple in the wake of what took place to open free agency.
But it's the sort of prudent move that fits the club's approach and one that should pay immediate dividends.
Cedric Thornton signed a four-year deal that can escalate up to $18 million. A third of that total -- $6 million -- is fully guaranteed.
Acquiring a little-known defensive lineman doesn't move the needle compared with the New York Giants, a division rival that added defensive end Olivier Vernon, cornerback Janoris Jenkins and defensive tackle Damon Harrison since the start of free agency. But it upgrades the interior of the Cowboys' defensive line and gives them some flexibility heading into next month's draft.
Nick Hayden has been a functional defensive tackle for the Cowboys the last three seasons. Playing the underappreciated one-technique, his primary responsibility has been to stop the run in Rod Marinelli's 4-3 scheme. He's made 75 tackles with no sacks in those three seasons.
Thornton has started at defensive end in Philadelphia's 3-4 scheme in that same span. Outstanding against the run, Thornton has nearly twice as many tackles (144) as Hayden over the last three seasons.
Hayden is a free agent. Thornton is expected to take his place in the starting lineup with veteran Terrell McClain in reserve.
At 6-4, 309 pounds, Thornton is more athletic and versatile than Hayden. He has the quickness to push the pocket and generate some pass rush, something Hayden doesn't possess. Thornton had four sacks for the Eagles over the last four seasons.
The Cowboys will ask Thornton to shed a few pounds to emphasize his quickness even more. The staff envisions giving Thornton some work behind Tyrone Crawford at the other defensive tackle position and believes he can provide spot duty at end.
Another plus is that Thornton is two years younger than Hayden. He turns 28 before the start of training camp.
The addition of Thornton has draft implications as well.
This is regarded as a strong draft for defensive tackles. There should be some quality players available at the top of the second and third rounds.
Thornton's presence frees the Cowboys from the need to take a player at that position in the first two days of the draft and allows them to concentrate on other positions. It allows them to draft a player who holds more positional value in their system at a lesser cost than would happen in free agency...
http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...getting-defensive-lineman-cedric-thornton?f=r
What the Cowboys did Thursday is a ripple in the wake of what took place to open free agency.
But it's the sort of prudent move that fits the club's approach and one that should pay immediate dividends.
Cedric Thornton signed a four-year deal that can escalate up to $18 million. A third of that total -- $6 million -- is fully guaranteed.
Acquiring a little-known defensive lineman doesn't move the needle compared with the New York Giants, a division rival that added defensive end Olivier Vernon, cornerback Janoris Jenkins and defensive tackle Damon Harrison since the start of free agency. But it upgrades the interior of the Cowboys' defensive line and gives them some flexibility heading into next month's draft.
Nick Hayden has been a functional defensive tackle for the Cowboys the last three seasons. Playing the underappreciated one-technique, his primary responsibility has been to stop the run in Rod Marinelli's 4-3 scheme. He's made 75 tackles with no sacks in those three seasons.
Thornton has started at defensive end in Philadelphia's 3-4 scheme in that same span. Outstanding against the run, Thornton has nearly twice as many tackles (144) as Hayden over the last three seasons.
Hayden is a free agent. Thornton is expected to take his place in the starting lineup with veteran Terrell McClain in reserve.
At 6-4, 309 pounds, Thornton is more athletic and versatile than Hayden. He has the quickness to push the pocket and generate some pass rush, something Hayden doesn't possess. Thornton had four sacks for the Eagles over the last four seasons.
The Cowboys will ask Thornton to shed a few pounds to emphasize his quickness even more. The staff envisions giving Thornton some work behind Tyrone Crawford at the other defensive tackle position and believes he can provide spot duty at end.
Another plus is that Thornton is two years younger than Hayden. He turns 28 before the start of training camp.
The addition of Thornton has draft implications as well.
This is regarded as a strong draft for defensive tackles. There should be some quality players available at the top of the second and third rounds.
Thornton's presence frees the Cowboys from the need to take a player at that position in the first two days of the draft and allows them to concentrate on other positions. It allows them to draft a player who holds more positional value in their system at a lesser cost than would happen in free agency...
