Question for our X's and O's guys

[ilykdrama]

For whatever reason I keep forgetting we have Thornton now on the inside. Today this lead me to....

What if we're not in horrible shape when it comes to the DL?

What if our rush just doesn't come from the edge, but a pocket push from the middle during the first 4 games?

Thornton and Crawford are both VERY athletic interior guys. Add in Collins and Tapper (who was in the wrong position/scheme I've heard most of college,) and I think we're not in that bad of shape. Especially with a guy like Mayowa wanting to prove himself, Ryan Russell in a 2nd year and David Irving having some flashes? How odd is it (if at all?) for our pass rush to just survive on what happens in the middle instead of the edges? Am I crazy? Discuss...

 

[JBS]

We dont have many pass rushers that are good from the inside

Most of the guys you mentioned are ends...not tackles

Collins will miss darn near all preseason...he won't make an impact early...Thornton isn't a pass rusher

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

We dont have many pass rushers that are good from the inside

Most of the guys you mentioned are ends...not tackles

Collins will miss darn near all preseason...he won't make an impact early...Thornton isn't a pass rusher

Jack Crawford, David Irving, and Tyrone Crawford can all get inside pressure. If collins can contribute that would be great.

 

[JBS]

Jack Crawford, David Irving, and Tyrone Crawford can all get inside pressure. If collins can contribute that would be great.

Yeah..can get pressure...long story short..those 3 guys aren't carrying the defensive line and causing havoc

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Yeah..can get pressure...long story short..those 3 guys aren't carrying the defensive line and causing havoc

Crawford and Irving both have breakout potential.

 

[JBS]

Crawford and Irving both have breakout potential.

Our defensive line isn't good...its not very hard to understand

 

[AbeBeta]

I better question here is, with us better in the middle (Crawford having two functioning arms, Thornton being really good against the run), are we thinking that we can move Lee back to MLB?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Our defensive line isn't good...its not very hard to understand

I don't think in terms of certainties based on qualitative generalizations. I think in terms of a spectrum of possible outcomes.

Both have the ability to consistently beat single blocks. I am willing to evaluate after the fact.

 

[JBS]

I don't think in terms of certainties based on qualitative generalizations. I think in terms of a spectrum of possible outcomes.

Both have the ability to consistently beat single blocks. I am willing to evaluate after the fact.

Oh, if you are asking me if we can get lucky? Sure...I suppose anything is possible..KG said so

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Oh, if you are asking me if we can get lucky? Sure...I suppose anything is possible..KG said so

Luck is an illusion. Again both players have the physical ability to beat single blocks. How consistent they are remains to be seen. You can hedge expectation if it makes you feel better.

 

[CF74]

A healthy Crawford and Thorton pushing the middle does sound promising...

 

[jday]

For whatever reason I keep forgetting we have Thornton now on the inside. Today this lead me to....

What if we're not in horrible shape when it comes to the DL?

What if our rush just doesn't come from the edge, but a pocket push from the middle during the first 4 games?

Thornton and Crawford are both VERY athletic interior guys. Add in Collins and Tapper (who was in the wrong position/scheme I've heard most of college,) and I think we're not in that bad of shape. Especially with a guy like Mayowa wanting to prove himself, Ryan Russell in a 2nd year and David Irving having some flashes? How odd is it (if at all?) for our pass rush to just survive on what happens in the middle instead of the edges? Am I crazy? Discuss...

Not at all. The first four games our winnable with or without a pass rush, so honestly 5 games in I think will look back on these conversations with a smile that says "if only we knew."

 

[jday]

Our defensive line isn't good...its not very hard to understand

Period or for just four games? With the return of Lawrence and Gregory I think the pass rush will be more than adequate, if not better. Elite and/or great might be wishful thinking. But with the Cowboys offense you really don't have to have great or elite.

 

[JBS]

Period or for just four games? With the return of Lawrence and Gregory I think the pass rush will be more than adequate, if not better. Elite and/or great might be wishful thinking. But with the Cowboys offense you really don't have to have great or elite.

More than likely , period...I do think if things go well and we hit on a couple of guys our line can be serviceable...but that's best case scenario

 

[jday]

More than likely , period...I do think if things go well and we hit on a couple of guys our line can be serviceable...but that's best case scenario

Define "serviceable.". Is that less, more or the same as "adequate?"

 

[JBS]

Define "serviceable.". Is that less, more or the same as "adequate?"

The same as its been the last few years

 

[speedkilz88]

We dont have many pass rushers that are good from the inside

Most of the guys you mentioned are ends...not tackles

Collins will miss darn near all preseason...he won't make an impact early...Thornton isn't a pass rusher

You have a poor understanding on the value of the 1 tech, but it's understandable after watching Nick Hayden get the vast majority of snaps there these last couple of years. Thornton is a huge upgrade because he actually will have to be doubled which will free up Crawford. If they don't, that "isn't a pass rusher" will knock the center back into the qb.

 

[DogFace]

Hedging is key around here among some. Good call Fuzzy. It makes them feel better. It's a weak way to "root" for a team Imo.

 

[JBS]

You have a poor understanding on the value of the 1 tech, but it's understandable after watching Nick Hayden get the vast majority of snaps there these last couple of years. Thornton is a huge upgrade because he actually will have to be doubled which will free up Crawford. If they don't, that "isn't a pass rusher" will knock the center back into the qb.

I understand the position just fine...I also fully understand we aren't getting a push from the middle from Thornton or anyone else outside of Crawford on a consistent basis...seems to me that the one w a poor understanding here is you

 

[Bullflop]

Rodney Coe seems to be a guy that is slipping under the radar with respect to our young DTs with possibilities. The staff is said to be extremely excited about his chances to become a factor in the lineup for the DL in the future. He'll surely be afforded a generous number of reps in which to prove himself during the absence of Maliek Collins in training camp. I'm thinking we can expect him to pleasantly surprise many of us around here whenever this comes about. Stephen Jones is known to be stoked about his chances to stick around. He's said to be ideal for Marinelli's system.