Need a DT -- Pass rushing DE's are overrated

[NorthwestDallas40]

In today's NFL, I think the role of an elite pass-rushing DE is diminishing. Dont get me wrong, they are a great luxury to have. But I think a stud, athletic DT is more important, and should be the priority on draft day. With QBs like RGIII, Kaep, Russell Wilson, even Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, there are very few "statues" standing in the pocket at QB. Most QBs today are effective at feeling outside pressure and steping up in the pocket. What they typically cannot do is handle quick pressure in their face. We've seen this often from Romo. When he takes sacks, it's because someone has busted thru the interior line, not usually from a speed rush around the end.

Thus, if I was GM, I'd get Ware to take a paycut. If not, cut him. Re-sign Anthony Spencer to a reasonable 1-year "prove-it" contract. And then draft a stud, penetrating 3-technique DT. Someone who can create an inside push and demand a double-team.

I would be happy with a DL of Spencer (or Ware), Tyronne Crawford, 1st round DT, Selvie (Spencer). With a guys like Ben Bass, Nick Hayden, Kyle Wilbur as rotational guys.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

In today's NFL, I think the role of an elite pass-rushing DE is diminishing. Dont get me wrong, they are a great luxury to have. But I think a stud, athletic DT is more important, and should be the priority on draft day. With QBs like RGIII, Kaep, Russell Wilson, even Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, there are very few "statues" standing in the pocket at QB. Most QBs today are effective at feeling outside pressure and steping up in the pocket. What they typically cannot do is handle quick pressure in their face. We've seen this often from Romo. When he takes sacks, it's because someone has busted thru the interior line, not usually from a speed rush around the end.

Thus, if I was GM, I'd get Ware to take a paycut. If not, cut him. Re-sign Anthony Spencer to a reasonable 1-year "prove-it" contract. And then draft a stud, penetrating 3-technique DT. Someone who can create an inside push and demand a double-team.

I would be happy with a DL of Spencer (or Ware), Tyronne Crawford, 1st round DT, Selvie (Spencer). With a guys like Ben Bass, Nick Hayden, Kyle Wilbur as rotational guys.

If what you say is true....then we should DEFINITLEY not bring DeMarcus Ware back at the salary he is scheduled to make next year.

 

[Nirvana]

We need help at all 4 spots on the line. Spencer is a question mark with that knee and not under contract. Ware is simply not the same anymore and is overpaid. Selvie is good but not great. After that it's guys who were on the street not too long ago, and who have not produced. Wynn is ok for rotation but not a starter. Wilber will be a Sam LB again. As for DT, I agree we need more help there. Not sure Nix is the answer but I like what I've heard. We need more help at 3 tech too.

 

[Nova]

We need help at all 4 spots on the line. Spencer is a question mark with that knee and not under contract. Ware is simply not the same anymore and is overpaid. Selvie is good but not great. After that it's guys who were on the street not too long ago, and who have not produced. Wynn is ok for rotation but not a starter. Wilber will be a Sam LB again. As for DT, I agree we need more help there. Not sure Nix is the answer but I like what I've heard. We need more help at 3 tech too.

Can't afford to pay Spencer. He's just not worth it, especially considering the way Selvie stepped up and that Crawford should return. Oddly enough, I'm most comfortable with the strong side DE than all other positions on the line.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Can't afford to pay Spencer. He's just not worth it, especially considering the way Selvie stepped up and that Crawford should return. Oddly enough, I'm most comfortable with the strong side DE than all other positions on the line.

I thik that Crawford will be a DT next year.

 

[Crown Royal]

There are so many philosophies on generating pressure on the offense and passer, all of which have had effectiveness from time to time. Defense is one of the more intricate areas of football.

 

[Nova]

I thik that Crawford will be a DT next year.

What makes you think that?

6'4" 280ish is a tad on the small side. I mean, obviously he could bulk up, but he's always been an End.

 

[casmith07]

What makes you think that?

6'4" 280ish is a tad on the small side. I mean, obviously he could bulk up, but he's always been an End.

Speed. Look at Seattle and SF. Speed speed speed. Everyone in the NFL is strong.

 

[Galian Beast]

That's basically the same crappy line we had this year...

 

[LatinMind]

What makes you think that?

6'4" 280ish is a tad on the small side. I mean, obviously he could bulk up, but he's always been an End.

Crawford went up to like 298 when they were in a 3-4. this yr they asked him to go back down and he was 285 to play SDE. They will probably have him play the 1tech this yr. He can add weight easily it seems. I can see Crawford 292-295 next yr. marinelli likes his DTs in that range.

 

[Nova]

Speed. Look at Seattle and SF. Speed speed speed. Everyone in the NFL is strong.

As far as Seattle goes, they have big guys up front.

Red Bryant is at least in the 330s, Mebane is a wrecking ball, and Tony McDaniel is about like Hatch... tall but still in the 300s I'd bet. They're two gap players.

Their speed is created by their weakside outside linebacker who is sized about like Wilcox (can't think of his name) and their only every down one gapper, Chris Clemmons who is smaller than Ware.

 

[conner01]

i think inside pressure is very important but you need both to have an effective pass rush. the oputside guys are still going to get the the qb more than inside guys

 

[Future]

Speed. Look at Seattle and SF. Speed speed speed. Everyone in the NFL is strong.

Both are pretty slow on the defensive side of the football, they win by overpowering everybody.

 

[Nirvana]

Cowboys | Tryone Crawford working at DE


Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:10:29 -0700

Dallas Cowboys DT Tyrone Crawford has been working at defensive end during offseason workouts and feels comfortable playing the position because he played it during college. He has gotten down to 285 pounds this offseason, which is where the team wanted him to be at.

- See more at: http://www.kffl.com/player/26092/NFL/Tyrone-Crawford#sthash.oM3yM7Su.dpuf

That was 7 months ago. No reason to think Marinelli changed his mind on where to play Crawford since then.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Completely agree with the OP. Nothing bothers today's QB more than pressure up the middle. Brees and Wilson in particular have trouble with this.

I'm all for dumping Ware. Just doubt it happens.

 

[Alexander]

In this defense that we apparently will continue with, the inside pressure makes it hum.

 

[Kristen82]

Speed. Look at Seattle and SF. Speed speed speed. Everyone in the NFL is strong.

When IND was employing the 4-3 up to a couple of seasons ago, they went with small and athletic @ DT and MLB and got killed up the middle by teams with strong running games.

 

[Aven8]

When IND was employing the 4-3 up to a couple of seasons ago, they went with small and athletic @ DT and MLB and got killed up the middle by teams with strong running games.

Yes. They did. And yes we did. Zimmer, Campo, all of them liked fast smaller players.

Then they got crushed playing a decent run game.

 

[visionary]

In today's NFL, I think the role of an elite pass-rushing DE is diminishing. Dont get me wrong, they are a great luxury to have. But I think a stud, athletic DT is more important, and should be the priority on draft day. With QBs like RGIII, Kaep, Russell Wilson, even Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, there are very few "statues" standing in the pocket at QB. Most QBs today are effective at feeling outside pressure and steping up in the pocket. What they typically cannot do is handle quick pressure in their face. We've seen this often from Romo. When he takes sacks, it's because someone has busted thru the interior line, not usually from a speed rush around the end.

Thus, if I was GM, I'd get Ware to take a paycut. If not, cut him. Re-sign Anthony Spencer to a reasonable 1-year "prove-it" contract. And then draft a stud, penetrating 3-technique DT. Someone who can create an inside push and demand a double-team.

I would be happy with a DL of Spencer (or Ware), Tyronne Crawford, 1st round DT, Selvie (Spencer). With a guys like Ben Bass, Nick Hayden, Kyle Wilbur as rotational guys.

agree with you largely and have said basically the same previously

i think if ware takes a paycut and spencer can be had for a 1 year 'prove it' deal after surgery, then i would get joseph in FA who is a very good DT at the point and still very young
now you can pick up 2 DL in the first 3 rounds and you DL can be set with very good starters and more than adequate depth

 

[Clove]

i think inside pressure is very important but you need both to have an effective pass rush. the oputside guys are still going to get the the qb more than inside guys

Ware is still super fast and can get up field quickly, so if you have a monster in the middle, or two, pushing that interior back into the QBs face, the only place for the QB to go is backwards where Ware will be waiting. I know we all want to unload on Ware at the moment, it's the trending theme like we have every year, but if you watch closely, Ware is just doesn't have the back strength to push through linemen like he had before the back, but he still has speed and gets up field very fast. The problem is, when he gets up field, the QB steps up into a clean pocket. There should be no clean pocket to step up into.

I still do think that Ware needs to take a pay cut, but do NOT get rid of a player like Ware, if he's willing to take a cut, and can still get up field quickly. Find some monster who can push that pocket in the middle, and make things very uncomfortable for the QB.