T. Crawford hurt in practice***Merged***

[Risen Star]

I agree...he's the kind of player you want as depth and nothing more.

Hope Taco takes his spot now and never gives it back.

If you want to improve on defense you have to replace these players that aren't good enough. Guys like Carr, Claiborne and Church had to go. Crawford is another one. Mediocre player at best.

 

[CWR]

Well the JAG was 13th in the league creating pressures and 3rd in sacks amongst LDE with a bum arm playing a new position.

Reality is that he is much better than replacement level.

Also not his fault we move him around. All of these guys that play multiple positions get the shaft. One would think its much easier to concentrate at ONE position. Crawford is a solid but not spectacular player. I think people become blinded by his contract. Make no mistake losing him is a significant hit to this already thinned d line.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

If you want to improve on defense you have to replace these players that aren't good enough. Guys like Carr, Claiborne and Church had to go. Crawford is another one. Mediocre player at best.

But the point is, right now he is the best LDE we've got. Especially as a Run defender. I just don't understand the reaction that his extended absence is no big deal. We literally would have to start a rookie who has been beaten more often than he has won against Dan Skippsr. Let that sink in.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

At his worst, Crawford is average. He isn't a JAG. Right now I would say he is our second best DL behind Collins and he is valuable because he can play inside or out. His versatility actually hinders him slightly because he is better inside when he is bigger and better outside when he trims down but he always has to bounce due to the fact there are so many other true JAGS next to him.

 

[Sydla]

Excellent.

Hate him all you want, he's a solid DE and for a team that is going to have DE issues to start the year with suspensions, losing him for a long stretch would have been a real blow to the team.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

If you want to improve on defense you have to replace these players that aren't good enough. Guys like Carr, Claiborne and Church had to go. Crawford is another one. Mediocre player at best.

Ah, yes, why don't you remind us all again about your thoughts on that 'waste of a 4th round pick' on Dak Prescott? The QB you never thought would amount to anything.

 

[Stash]

Sad fact is that Crawford is probably nearly our best DL. Irving, Collins, they are about the same. Solid players that are good for rotational purposes. If you had like 8 of them so that you could constantly keep a set on the field that were rested they would be good enough to get the job done. Sadly right now we only have about half as many as we need. Some of the young ones MIGHT be as good but we do not know yet. And any injury/suspension hurts all the more.

I am guessing that this is pretty much what Marinelli has sold to Jerry and Red Ball; "Give me enough solid guys and I will give you a top 10 or better D. We do not need pro bowlers just real good solid players and enough of them."

The upside of this kind of D (something like the No Name D that the dolphins had in the early 70's) is that the pieces are not that hard to replace. SO you do not end up paying big salaries to keep them since you can replace them. We know the Boys are oriented on spending more of the cap on Offense then defense; that has been the big change over trying to spend the same on both sides of the ball. This would explain why we do not spend any real FA money on defensive players in the last few years.

Another upside of this kind of D is that one single injury or even a couple of them do not cripple it. Though I would submit losing Lee qualifies. BUT outside of Lee there really is no indispensable player on D now.

I think you're selling Maliek Collins way short. Barring injury, I think the appreciation of this player league-wide is going to rise significantly.

 

[Ranching]

Excellent.

Hate him all you want, he's a solid DE and for a team that is going to have DE issues to start the year with suspensions, losing him for a long stretch would have been a real blow to the team.

Is that from Dr. Jerry? I hope it's true. He's not a stud, but he's better than most any other on the team. Steady and versatile.

 

[Stash]

Excellent.

Hate him all you want, he's a solid DE and for a team that is going to have DE issues to start the year with suspensions, losing him for a long stretch would have been a real blow to the team.

I've never been his biggest fan and I absolutely hate his contract, but this is true, especially considering all of the suspensions.

He's not an ideal defensive end, and I think he lacks good change of direction ability, which is why I feel his pressures don't turn into sacks more often, but he's a solid contributor who was having a very good start to camp.

No matter how you slice it, he and the Cowboys dodged a bullet that his injury wasn't more severe, and hopefully, he's ready for week one against the Giants.

 

[CWR]

I've never been his biggest fan and I absolutely hate his contract, but this is true, especially considering all of the suspensions.

He's not an ideal defensive end, and I think he lacks good change of direction ability, which is why I feel his pressures don't turn into sacks more often, but he's a solid contributor who was having a very good start to camp.

No matter how you slice it, he and the Cowboys dodged a bullet that his injury wasn't more severe, and hopefully, he's ready for week one against the Giants.

Ive had similar sprains a dozen times. Whole ankle is black and blue and swollen. Two or three weeks later Im back to playing pick up ball, with an ankle brace. If the reports are accurate I think he will be good to go prior to gameday. People can hate all they want but there is a drop off in talent after Crawford. We need him.

 

[BlindFaith]

The Cowboys missed on this player.

He's always hurt and gives average production and is paid nicely.

It's been reported that he is having a great camp. He's quicker and showing growth regarding pass rush moves.

What has hurt him is the team treating him as a play any position player. He's a DE and not a DT. I've said that for a couple years now. Now it looks like he's getting a shot to focus and get his body ready for a full time DE role. Expect to see a much improved player this year.

 

[aria]

Good news is if he isn't ready for game 1, we're going against one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. I expect we'll have success even with the back ups on the d line.

 

[Ranching]

Ive had similar sprains a dozen times. Whole ankle is black and blue and swollen. Two or three weeks later Im back to playing pick up ball, with an ankle brace. If the reports are accurate I think he will be good to go prior to gameday. People can hate all they want but there is a drop off in talent after Crawford. We need him.

I had the same issue, came back to early and rolled it again. Had to have a total reconstruction of the ankle done, 3 wholes drilled through the ankle and three grafts with three pins. I was on crutches or a cane for 16 weeks. I hope this is more like your and not mine. LOL

 

[diefree666]

I think you're selling Maliek Collins way short. Barring injury, I think the appreciation of this player league-wide is going to rise significantly.

Until he shows it consistently its all opinion. I am tired of every year hearing about this new guy or that new guy that is going to set the league on fire and it never happening.

 

[CWR]

Until he shows it consistently its all opinion. I am tired of every year hearing about this new guy or that new guy that is going to set the league on fire and it never happening.

I feel ya, but when is the last time weve had a DLINE player that showed as much promise as Collins did in his rookie year?

 

[John813]

I feel ya, but when is the last time weve had a DLINE player that showed as much promise as Collins did in his rookie year?

Tyrone Crawford back in 2014 as the 3-tech.
For a DT anyways.

 

[diefree666]

I feel ya, but when is the last time weve had a DLINE player that showed as much promise as Collins did in his rookie year?

spencer I guess; and look how that turned out. To be blunt I really do not see what all the song and dance about Collins is. Some here are slobbering all over him but I just cannot see it.

 

[irishline]

Good news is if he isn't ready for game 1, we're going against one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. I expect we'll have success even with the back ups on the d line.

Same thing was said last year before our 2nd loss to the Giants. We succeeded in getting 2 sacks against that "horrible" offensive line. And one of those came from Crawford. So let's hope he is ready for game 1.

As others have said, he is average and his contract leaves a bad taste in many peoples mouths, but he is better than almost anything else we will be rolling out at DE against the Giants in week 1.

 

[Daillest88]

spencer I guess; and look how that turned out. To be blunt I really do not see what all the song and dance about Collins is. Some here are slobbering all over him but I just cannot see it.

... A rookie DT who missed an entire training camp last year, had 5 sacks and got much better toward the end of the year? Also was good playing both DT positions in his ROOKIE year? He was the one guy giving Zach Martin fits too before his injury.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

The great news about a lateral ankle sprain is that after swelling goes down, it is mostly about pain tolerance. Unlike a high ankle sprain which really affects the ability to push off. To anyone who's had a bad ankle sprain playing basketball by stepping on someone's foot, it sucks for two weeks or so, but then you can run with pain.