Not as bad as we think?

[Diehardblues]

Don't forget Mayowa. Easy to sleep on him but he was our best pass rusher when Marinelli woke him up by deactivating him.

He falls more into my Jag category but you never know how they could emerge if surrounded by more talent. Especially talent that might need double teaming.

 

[tyke1doe]

Taco Charlton
David Irving
Jake Tapper
Demarcus Lawrence
Benson Mayowa
Maliek Collins
Cedric Thornton
Tyrone Crawford
Stephen Paea
Damontre Moore

That could be a respectable defensive line
group if healthy.

Respectable, shmectable. I just want more pressure on the quarterback and more sacks. We do that, we're in the Super Bowl.

 

[BourbonBalz]

With Gregory, that's 11 right there, before we add anybody else. If we do add another player, he'd have to be somebody decidedly better than what we've got there already or he won't make it out of camp.

Exactly. If we draft another DL, someone currently on the roster has to go (assuming the draftee makes it).

 

[Risen Star]

You have an 8 man rotation when your starting 4 isn't good enough.

It's like how they talked about RB by committee the year in between Murray and Zeke.

 

[Doomsday101]

There's definitely an opportunity to do it. But on that list, who you going to cut at DT, then? You've got Paea, Thornton, Crawford, Collins, and Irving who play or rotate in a fair amount. If we go up to 12 DLs, not counting CFAs, you're probably not carrying more than 10 on the roster. So you cut who? Gregory or Moore are the most likely candidates. I have a tough time seeing a significant enough upgrade there to justify another pick. Not when you've got a hole at CB and a hole at S still to fill.

You have players compete, who do I cut? weakest link.
I'm not opposed to going CB in 2nd Rd as I pointed out in another thread I like Fabian Moreau as well as some others. I also know that a big part of Marinelli defense is being able to work zone coverage which I feel you can get some solid prospect to play in his scheme in the middle section of the draft.

 

[Doomsday101]

Exactly. If we draft another DL, someone currently on the roster has to go (assuming the draftee makes it).

and that is bad how? I can't say I was thrilled with Thornton play so should it be a given that his job is locked up?

 

[BourbonBalz]

and that is bad how? I can't say I was thrilled with Thornton play so should it be a given that his job is locked up?

I didn't say it was or wasn't bad. I simply pointed out the obvious. If we see someone that would be an upgrade over a player on the roster and that player is at the top of our board, pick him. Otherwise, it will be a wasted pick.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

The interior of the line is pretty set with with Crawford, Collins, Thornton, and Paea. The des is where there are problems with a bunch of part time players and those injured. Taco helps fill those gaps for sure, but he probably is more of an lde, that can play some snaps at rde on early downs. It will be interesting how the Cowboys rotate Taco, Lawrence, and Irving. The other guys Mayowa and Irving are the only true rdes on the team.

I could see us starting Lawrence or Irving at lde with each of them rotating in and out on 3rd downs. Taco starts at rde on 1st and 2nd at first with Mayowa and Tapper replacing him on 3rd down..... I am very curious how playing time will be split...

 

[The Quest for Six]

With Gregory, that's 11 right there, before we add anybody else. If we do add another player, he'd have to be somebody decidedly better than what we've got there already or he won't make it out of camp.

Don't expect to see Gregory ever suit up again in the NFL..

 

[kiheikiwi]

Yeah, I would be very surprised if Gregory is ever on the field again.
This will actually be very interesting going forward. Does Crawford slide back inside to backup Collins ? Does Irving now become the Strong-side DE ? I think that's where he played best so far, but we hear them say his best position might be 3-tech. But that's Collins position now. Tapper has the speed to be the weak-side backup behind Taco, but has he really fully recovered - which leaves Lawrence either as backup on the strong-side or starting on the strong-side. Mayowa seems like a solid backup. I see Thornton and Paea as our 1-techs, Paea is hugely strong and Thornton has a year under his belt now he has made the transition from 3/4 to 4/3. He needs to play better or he will not be here next year.
I really look forward to following the ebb and flow of the Dline this season !

 

[Idgit]

Don't expect to see Gregory ever suit up again in the NFL..

I don't. But that doesn't mean the team expects to cut him before he ends up taking a roster spot again. I wouldn't have a problem if they did, but I don't expect they will. Do you?

 

[Idgit]

You have players compete, who do I cut? weakest link.
I'm not opposed to going CB in 2nd Rd as I pointed out in another thread I like Fabian Moreau as well as some others. I also know that a big part of Marinelli defense is being able to work zone coverage which I feel you can get some solid prospect to play in his scheme in the middle section of the draft.

Problem is, the DB almost certainly makes the roster. The DL, he makes the roster and you cut a comparable guy and get minimal marginal improvement overall. At DB, you're looking at replacing the likes of Leon McFadden or Sammy Seamster.

 

[TheHerd]

This DL is what it is. They're ok. Solid is what we call it around here. No one on that list strikes fear. And no one needs to be accounted for by an offense.

They are mostly young, so sometime might emerge as better then solid, but it's not a guarantee.

 

[stilltheguru88]

So where does Crawford play next year and does he start?

 

[Doomsday101]

Problem is, the DB almost certainly makes the roster. The DL, he makes the roster and you cut a comparable guy and get minimal marginal improvement overall. At DB, you're looking at replacing the likes of Leon McFadden or Sammy Seamster.

I'm not opposed to getting CB however I think settling at DT when guys like Thornton played below par is foolish. I think there are guys in the 2nd at DT that have a chance at being much better than him. So in my eyes it is not getting equal it is improving the DL which in my opinion could still use a DT.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

You have an 8 man rotation when your starting 4 isn't good enough.

It's like how they talked about RB by committee the year in between Murray and Zeke.

Except that year they signed a retread in DMC and drafted nobody but great comparison. The situations are exactly the same. . . .

 

[DallasBlockersClub]

Taco Charlton
David Irving
Jake Tapper
Demarcus Lawrence
Benson Mayowa
Maliek Collins
Cedric Thornton
Tyrone Crawford
Stephen Paea
Damontre Moore

That could be a respectable defensive line
group if healthy.

Would be an even better group if clean.

 

[RS12]

Sheldon Richardson for a 3rd next year would make it even better. Might as well go all in next season.

Cowboys supposedly one of three teams in the mix. Atlanta and KC the others.

 

[dreghorn2]

You have an 8 man rotation when your starting 4 isn't good enough.

It's like how they talked about RB by committee the year in between Murray and Zeke.

It's really the only alternative they have though.

A premier pass rusher was not a possibility this offseason so they went the rotation, numbers, keep them fresh just like we did in the 90s thing.

Problem of course is they are not as talented as the 90s group, so there is that.

As mentioned though they really didn't have any choice, Charlton was a reasonable pick given the circumstances. They will just have to hope someone gets crazy good out of nowhere.

I also have to mention the obligatory Marinelli will nickname one or two of them to stardom possibility.

 

[Risen Star]

It's really the only alternative they have though.

A premier pass rusher was not a possibility this offseason so they went the rotation, numbers, keep them fresh just like we did in the 90s thing.

Problem of course is they are not as talented as the 90s group, so there is that.

As mentioned though they really didn't have any choice, Charlton was a reasonable pick given the circumstances. They will just have to hope someone gets crazy good out of nowhere.

I also have to mention the obligatory Marinelli will nickname one or two of them to stardom possibility.

Oh, I agree. I'm just saying it's a get by exercise. It's not something you want to feature when you have a talented starting 4 along the line. Unless you're the 90's Cowboys with ridiculous depth everywhere.