Schottenheimer OTA press conference notes

[gimmesix]

Great defenses are few and far between in today’s game anyways, but both the Patriots and Eagles had top 5 defenses last year and neither had a guy who had 9 or more sacks.

Upon research:

“Among the 14 actual NFL playoff teams, 6 teams featured at least one defensive player who reached the double-digit mark of 10+ sacks during the 2025 regular season.

The remaining 8 playoff rosters (Seahawks, Bills, Patriots, 49ers, Eagles, Panthers, Jaguars, and Steelers) navigated their path to the postseason tournament using more balanced, committee-driven pass rushes without an individual player hitting the 10-sack milestone.”

So yeah, I’d say it’s not a “prop a bad roster up” philosophy. It’s one that’s worked for not only the two Super Bowl teams, but the majority of teams that made the playoffs. Football is the ultimate team sport, it’s always better to have a lot of good than one great.

Wouldn’t be as cynical in thinking a roster philosophy you don’t agree with is one that doesn’t work or is only used as an excuse. There are multiple ways to build a champion and having a group effort in the pass rush department has proven to be one of them.

Yes you can be the Texans with two All-Pros, but that’s unlikely.

If you are going to do that, though, you've got to have multiple guys who can win one-on-ones and consistently get pressure. The Seahawks got six or more sacks from four players, and eight or more QB hits from five players, including 20-plus from two players.

We had one player with six or more sacks (Clowney, who is no longer here), but did have six players with eight or more QB hits ... only one with 20-plus, though (the one we traded, Odighizuwa).

 

[America's Cowboy]

I'm just all tingly about acquiring Tyrus Wheat and Derrion Kendrick. And they tell me on top of that we got Curtis Robinson. Whoa!

 

[817Gill]

If you are going to do that, though, you've got to have multiple guys who can win one-on-ones and consistently get pressure. The Seahawks got six or more sacks from four players, and eight or more QB hits from five players, including 20-plus from two players.

We had one player with six or more sacks (Clowney, who is no longer here), but did have six players with eight or more QB hits ... only one with 20-plus, though (the one we traded, Odighizuwa).

100%. I’m not saying we have that, just that it’s a viable plan if you can do what those teams did and have a stable of guys who can win 1-on-1.

 

[conner01]

Wow, there is competition for starting LT, nice.

I think this says Dallas will keep four tackles, Guyton, Steele, Thomas, and Shelton.

When Shelton was drafted I felt like Dallas was moving on from Thomas. That they view Thomas as a starting caliber LT, I believe this is not an option anymore.

Even if he doesn’t start he’s likely the swing

 

[gimmesix]

100%. I’m not saying we have that, just that it’s a viable plan if you can do what those teams did and have a stable of guys who can win 1-on-1.

Ideally, the offense has to pick its poison. If, for instance, Quinnen is our only threat to consistently beat one-on-one blocking, then they are going to double him and take their chances. That was part of the problem with just having one elite one (Micah Parsons). Offenses made him go through multiple blockers and stayed away from him, daring the other players to beat them. When we had Quinn, he took advantage of that by creating pressure to counter the attention shown to Parsons. Of course, stunting, looping, etc., hurts your run defense because it opens lanes that you can't close before a back shoots through them.

 

[lwehlers]

if its a fair competition i think that thomas wins the starting job. guyton is a bust. maybe this is the year that at guyton shows something.

 

[Coogiguy03]

if its a fair competition i think that thomas wins the starting job. guyton is a bust. maybe this is the year that at guyton shows something.

You know how we do we give the edge to the player who was drafted higher

 

[lwehlers]

You know how we do we give the edge to the player who was drafted higher

that has been part of the problem with the jones family of running this team.

 

[zrinkill]

Things are going well so far.

7-9-1

Well

 

[zrinkill]

Guyton vs. Thomas at LT.

Sad state of affairs.

 

[Jarntt]

Does Clark look a little thinner or just the angle?