Rod Marinelli 'elated' about Ezekiel Elliott pick; explains how he'll use DT Maliek Collins

[waving monkey]

Had the Cowboys traded their second and third round picks to Seattle and drafted Paxton Lynch, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to draft Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith and Nebraska defensive tackle Maliek Collins.

You probably have some knowledge of Smith, considering he was one of the top college football players in the country.

But what about Collins?

The 6-2, 311-pound tackle had eight sacks, 19 quarterback hurries and 23 tackles for loss over the previous three seasons.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah called Collins a "nice piece of clay" and a "fun project" for Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli

link/http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...l-elliott-pick-explains-use-dt-maliek-collins

 

[Jarv]

Great article, thank you for sharing!

 

[gimmesix]

Had the Cowboys traded their second and third round picks to Seattle and drafted Paxton Lynch, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to draft Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith and Nebraska defensive tackle Maliek Collins.

You probably have some knowledge of Smith, considering he was one of the top college football players in the country.

But what about Collins?

The 6-2, 311-pound tackle had eight sacks, 19 quarterback hurries and 23 tackles for loss over the previous three seasons.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah called Collins a "nice piece of clay" and a "fun project" for Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli

link/http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...l-elliott-pick-explains-use-dt-maliek-collins

Two things of interest.

I assume Marinelli is referring primarily to 2014, when Maliek had 45 tackles, 13 for loss and 4.5 sacks in 13 games. Those are good interior numbers.

Second, we probably should not expect Lawrence to put up the numbers he did last year. Marinelli was clear that Lawrence got an abnormal amount of 1-on-1 opportunities because of double-teams on Hardy. Without Hardy, I think we can expect more doubles on Lawrence unless someone really steps up at the other end spot.

 

[speedkilz88]

Two things of interest.

I assume Marinelli is referring primarily to 2014, when Maliek had 45 tackles, 13 for loss and 4.5 sacks in 13 games. Those are good interior numbers.

Second, we probably should not expect Lawrence to put up the numbers he did last year. Marinelli was clear that Lawrence got an abnormal amount of 1-on-1 opportunities because of double-teams on Hardy. Without Hardy, I think we can expect more doubles on Lawrence unless someone really steps up at the other end spot.

He could also continue to improve since last year was basically his first season of playing in the nfl.

 

[gimmesix]

He could also continue to improve since last year was basically his first season of playing in the nfl.

Yes, but it still is likely to be tougher on him because he'll always face a chip or double unless someone else can draw some of that attention. Look at Hardy last year.

Hopefully, Tyrone Crawford is healthy and ready to make a nuisance of himself like he did a couple of years ago. We need others to step up as well, though, to have an effective pass rush.

 

[Sydla]

Had the Cowboys traded their second and third round picks to Seattle and drafted Paxton Lynch, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to draft Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith and Nebraska defensive tackle Maliek Collins.

You probably have some knowledge of Smith, considering he was one of the top college football players in the country.

But what about Collins?

The 6-2, 311-pound tackle had eight sacks, 19 quarterback hurries and 23 tackles for loss over the previous three seasons.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah called Collins a "nice piece of clay" and a "fun project" for Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli

link/http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...l-elliott-pick-explains-use-dt-maliek-collins

They really have two high ceiling guys in Collins and Tapper that could really end up being studs for us. All comes down to whether Marinelli still has the DL development tough. The tools on Tapper along are drool worthy.

 

[bsheeern]

Had the Cowboys traded their second and third round picks to Seattle and drafted Paxton Lynch, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to draft Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith and Nebraska defensive tackle Maliek Collins.

You probably have some knowledge of Smith, considering he was one of the top college football players in the country.

But what about Collins?

The 6-2, 311-pound tackle had eight sacks, 19 quarterback hurries and 23 tackles for loss over the previous three seasons.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah called Collins a "nice piece of clay" and a "fun project" for Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli

link/http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...l-elliott-pick-explains-use-dt-maliek-collins

Very good Article! thank you for sharing

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Looks like a Thornton Clone to me.

 

[hendog]

Good read! Thanks for sharing! That man's old school right there! I like it! I really like Irving (pet cat)! If he continues to develop watch out!

 

[speedkilz88]

Looks like a Thornton Clone to me.

He's projected to be more 3T (pass rush) than Thornton.

 

[Stash]

Two things of interest.

I assume Marinelli is referring primarily to 2014, when Maliek had 45 tackles, 13 for loss and 4.5 sacks in 13 games. Those are good interior numbers.

Second, we probably should not expect Lawrence to put up the numbers he did last year. Marinelli was clear that Lawrence got an abnormal amount of 1-on-1 opportunities because of double-teams on Hardy. Without Hardy, I think we can expect more doubles on Lawrence unless someone really steps up at the other end spot.

The second part really jumped out at me. It was something I always knew and mentioned in that's wanting to retain Hardy, but I could never track down the actual numbers to show it. These quotes do just that, and they show how his on-field oresence will definitely be missed.

I'm fine with giving Irving first crack at LDE, but please spare me any mention of playing Crawford out there. He never did anything at defensive end in terms of pass rush, and he won't now. He's being well-paid to be this defense's Warren Sapp, and he should stay there.

 

[Stash]

He could also continue to improve since last year was basically his first season of playing in the nfl.

You did see the actual numbers, right?

 

[xvendettax914]

Two things of interest.

I assume Marinelli is referring primarily to 2014, when Maliek had 45 tackles, 13 for loss and 4.5 sacks in 13 games. Those are good interior numbers.

Second, we probably should not expect Lawrence to put up the numbers he did last year. Marinelli was clear that Lawrence got an abnormal amount of 1-on-1 opportunities because of double-teams on Hardy. Without Hardy, I think we can expect more doubles on Lawrence unless someone really steps up at the other end spot.

This is the aspect of hardys game we will miss most. The fact he had to be circled by DCs and allowed others to take advantage.

 

[Common Sense]

I've gotten this impression before from other things Marinelli has said in the past, but I don't think he's a huge Demarcus Lawrence fan.

 

[gimmesix]

The second part really jumped out at me. It was something I always knew and mentioned in that's wanting to retain Hardy, but I could never track down the actual numbers to show it. These quotes do just that, and they show how his on-field oresence will definitely be missed.

I'm fine with giving Irving first crack at LDE, but please spare me any mention of playing Crawford out there. He never did anything at defensive end in terms of pass rush, and he won't now. He's being well-paid to be this defense's Warren Sapp, and he should stay there.

If Lawrence is suspended, I really don't care what combinations are tried as long as we find one that is effective. Right now, I don't hold out much hope that our pass rush will be any better than it was the past two years, and there's a chance it will be worse.

There are several young players I feel could change that, and hopefully one or more of them will step up.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

http://download.podcast.play.it/med...+Worth&awCollectionId=1020&awEpisodeId=628718

That is a direct link to the mp3 to the podcast.

 

[gimmesix]

I've gotten this impression before from other things Marinelli has said in the past, but I don't think he's a huge Demarcus Lawrence fan.

He's just not a big at-a-boy type. While others would praise Lawrence for his play last year, Marinelli sees the plays that he didn't make and points them out. The defenders all know Marinelli doesn't cut them any slack.

 

[CATCH17]

We may end up having a decent D Line come late October..

I'm worried about the secondary though. I just hope our D can be in the top half of the league statistically and get off the field on 3rd downs.

We need to get teams throwing downfield on us instead of just chip chip chipping away.

 

[kiheikiwi]

The second part really jumped out at me. It was something I always knew and mentioned in that's wanting to retain Hardy, but I could never track down the actual numbers to show it. These quotes do just that, and they show how his on-field oresence will definitely be missed.

I'm fine with giving Irving first crack at LDE, but please spare me any mention of playing Crawford out there. He never did anything at defensive end in terms of pass rush, and he won't now. He's being well-paid to be this defense's Warren Sapp, and he should stay there.

Stash, I agree with your Crawford comments - but for a different reason. Crawford was drafted as a 3-4 DE, played alright, not great. We changed schemes and he got hurt, changed positions which seem to suit him better. Now he will get to play next to a real 1-tech (Thornton, who also was playing 3-4) and will have Collins behind him in the rotation. I do agree we should not move him back out to end, those days are past. Leave him inside and hopefully this is the year he really blooms.
Irving, yes he will be in the running for SDE, and can also drop inside if needed.
Think we will all be holding our collective breath for the first few games to see how we handle the suspensions on the line. Side note, with a full off season, will be interesting to see if Randy Gregory has filled out his frame at all. We know Lawrence did his first off season. Will tell us a bit about him if he's still skinny. We don't really hear anything about Gregory at all, or, for instance, how or what punishment the two players face for their suspensions within the Cowboys. We hear the club is "Disappointed". But not much beyond that, I would like to hear about the consequences they face ..... and they should !

 

[Stash]

Stash, I agree with your Crawford comments - but for a different reason. Crawford was drafted as a 3-4 DE, played alright, not great. We changed schemes and he got hurt, changed positions which seem to suit him better. Now he will get to play next to a real 1-tech (Thornton, who also was playing 3-4) and will have Collins behind him in the rotation. I do agree we should not move him back out to end, those days are past. Leave him inside and hopefully this is the year he really blooms.

Yes, leave him at his best position and try to make the most of what you're paying him for. He got 0 sacks playing end for us, no matter the scheme. He's just not that kind of player.

Irving, yes he will be in the running for SDE, and can also drop inside if needed.
Think we will all be holding our collective breath for the first few games to see how we handle the suspensions on the line. Side note, with a full off season, will be interesting to see if Randy Gregory has filled out his frame at all. We know Lawrence did his first off season. Will tell us a bit about him if he's still skinny. We don't really hear anything about Gregory at all, or, for instance, how or what punishment the two players face for their suspensions within the Cowboys. We hear the club is "Disappointed". But not much beyond that, I would like to hear about the consequences they face ..... and they should !

In all honesty, I'm not counting on ever seeing Gregory on the field in a game again. I just don't trust him at all. Given his behavior, he's more likely to be suspended again than to have figured it out.