Tyrone Crawford: DE or DT?

[tm1119]

Has this been discussed at all by anyone within the organization yet?

He is listed at 6'4 285 and certainly has the frame to pack on a few more pounds. I know hes got some real athletic ability and may be able to play strong side DE, but does he have the strength to play inside at DT?

The reason I ask is because if he is viewed as a DT in the future I think it will really affect our draft. With Rat, Hatcher, Brian Price, Lissemore, and possibly Crawford on the roster at DT is there really a reason to add a high draft pick at the position? Everyone is calling for a 1st round pick there, but I think we could be surprised and not see a DT go anywhere near the top of this draft at all for us.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Has this been discussed at all by anyone within the organization yet?

He is listed at 6'4 285 and certainly has the frame to pack on a few more pounds. I know hes got some real athletic ability and may be able to play strong side DE, but does he have the strength to play inside at DT?

The reason I ask is because if he is viewed as a DT in the future I think it will really affect our draft. With Rat, Hatcher, Brian Price, Lissemore, and possibly Crawford on the roster at DT is there really a reason to add a high draft pick at the position? Everyone is calling for a 1st round pick there, but I think we could be surprised and not see a DT go anywhere near the top of this draft at all for us.

DT per Jerry - http://cowboyszone.com/forums/dallascowboys.php?t=251882&highlight=tyrone+crawford

 

[speedkilz88]

I think everyone expects him to get some work first backing up at SDE and possibly moving/getting work at the 3 technique DT depending how he does at SDE and if he's needed for depth at the 3 tech.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Has this been discussed at all by anyone within the organization yet?

He is listed at 6'4 285 and certainly has the frame to pack on a few more pounds. I know hes got some real athletic ability and may be able to play strong side DE, but does he have the strength to play inside at DT?

The reason I ask is because if he is viewed as a DT in the future I think it will really affect our draft. With Rat, Hatcher, Brian Price, Lissemore, and possibly Crawford on the roster at DT is there really a reason to add a high draft pick at the position? Everyone is calling for a 1st round pick there, but I think we could be surprised and not see a DT go anywhere near the top of this draft at all for us.

I think that he can play DT but his natural position is DE. He played it in college and he's played it here in Dallas. I think we might see him playing DE this year.

 

[MonsterD]

Rather see him as a DE, I actually thought he was more of a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 DE when we drafted him.

 

[Future]

There's no reason he can't see time at both imo.

 

[Typhus]

His current weight is his natural weight, so why would it make sense to try and pack the pounds on a player to change his natural position from DE to DT?

This team has more depth at tackle then at end, so just seems the obvious role for Crawford this year is at DE.

Why change a players natural playing weight and abilities when you dont have to?

Ellis and Ekuban would have both loved to be at Crawfords current weight at his age.

 

[AbeBeta]

The reason I ask is because if he is viewed as a DT in the future I think it will really affect our draft. With Rat, Hatcher, Brian Price, Lissemore, and possibly Crawford on the roster at DT is there really a reason to add a high draft pick at the position? Everyone is calling for a 1st round pick there, but I think we could be surprised and not see a DT go anywhere near the top of this draft at all for us.

Doubt that we are drafting in the way you think. Take the best DL on the board if he's the best player available. We aren't really "set" at any position aside from Ware's

 

[Marktui]

I think he would be a DT. Maybe even the 1 technique DT. I know that size is important because the 1 has two gap responsibility. But saying that, RM wants his guys to get up field and attacking. I believe Crawford has the ability to do that.

 

[Typhus]

I think he would be a DT. Maybe even the 1 technique DT. I know that size is important because the 1 has two gap responsibility. But saying that, RM wants his guys to get up field and attacking. I believe Crawford has the ability to do that.

Big Bodied and agility at the point of attack is Hatchers primary skill set, ability to "get up the field".. umm.. not in the top 2 of primary skill set.

my bad.. misread,, thought we were talking Hatch..lol

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Has this been discussed at all by anyone within the organization yet?

He is listed at 6'4 285 and certainly has the frame to pack on a few more pounds. I know hes got some real athletic ability and may be able to play strong side DE, but does he have the strength to play inside at DT?

The reason I ask is because if he is viewed as a DT in the future I think it will really affect our draft. With Rat, Hatcher, Brian Price, Lissemore, and possibly Crawford on the roster at DT is there really a reason to add a high draft pick at the position? Everyone is calling for a 1st round pick there, but I think we could be surprised and not see a DT go anywhere near the top of this draft at all for us.

didn't he play LDE in a 4-3 in college?

 

[speedkilz88]

His current weight is his natural weight, so why would it make sense to try and pack the pounds on a player to change his natural position from DE to DT?

This team has more depth at tackle then at end, so just seems the obvious role for Crawford this year is at DE.

Why change a players natural playing weight and abilities when you dont have to?

Ellis and Ekuban would have both loved to be at Crawfords current weight at his age.

How do you know that? Players tend to put on more muscle professionally because they have more time to weight train. Players also change their weight depending on their position and the scheme being asked to play. Ware and Spencer are most likely putting on weight to play end. All the LBs dropped weight when going from Parcells to Phillips scheme. Hatcher said just this offseason he wanted to know if he was playing end or tackle so he could drop weight to play end or stay the same to play DT. Hatcher came into the league at 275 and is now currently 305.

 

[Typhus]

How do you know that? Players tend to put on more muscle professionally because they have more time to weight train. Players also change their weight depending on their position and the scheme being asked to play. Ware and Spencer are most likely putting on weight to play end. All the LBs dropped weight when going from Parcells to Phillips scheme. Hatcher said just this offseason he wanted to know if he was playing end or tackle so he could drop weight to play end or stay the same to play DT. Hatcher came into the league at 275 and is now currently 305.

I was referring to Crawford in that post.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Reviewing games from last year, his most notable plays came when Ryan was playing him as a 3 tech off the guards outside shoulder. He had some really standout plays against Carl Nicks in the Tampa Bay and Evan Mathis in the first Philly game. I still think he's growing too, and will end up in the 290-305 range before it's all said and done.

 

[xwalker]

Both. At this minute, they have more options at DT than at DE.

IMO, where Crawford plays will be less about him and more about the other players at those positions. If they draft a DE, then it is more likely that Crawford plays DT (assuming the DE can play the Strong-Side). If DT is the BPA, then that would push Crawford to DE.

Team Positon Player Height Weight Forty Ten-Yard

Chicago SDE Corey Wootton 6'6 270 4.92 1.66
Seattle SDE Red Bryant 6'4 323 4.90 1.70

Tyrone Crawford 6'4 285 4.78 1.69

However, 3-tech DTs in Kiffin defenses are not that much bigger than Crawford.

Henry Melton 6-3, 295

 

[conner01]

no reason for him not to get reps at both, see how he does. the key to playing 60 minutes at 100% is rotating plaings in and out and keeping them fresh. all of them shouldsee alot of reps and see how they do. keeps them fresh and creates some competion

 

[speedkilz88]

I was referring to Crawford in that post.

I know that, I showed you how you can't possibly know that he's at his "natural" weight with examples.

 

[jobberone]

I think Crawford is a 5/3 player who will likely get snaps at both. He has a pretty good bull rush esp for a rookie. I haven't watched him closely enough to discuss his other pass rush moves if any. He played inside some last year and was 'ok'.

I don't see them putting him in a shoebox. Hatcher and some others either. They'll compete and rotate where they match up best each week.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Reviewing games from last year, his most notable plays came when Ryan was playing him as a 3 tech off the guards outside shoulder. He had some really standout plays against Carl Nicks in the Tampa Bay and Evan Mathis in the first Philly game. I still think he's growing too, and will end up in the 290-305 range before it's all said and done.

Yeah I also think he is more of a 3-tech, and has performed better there. Sure he played LDE in college, but this is the NFL and a college position might not be the position you play in the NFL.

I just haven't seen the edge quickness and bend that a player would need to play full time on the outside from Crawford, but he can play both as a backup which makes him a valued addition to the rotation. Since we have Spencer and Hatch for this coming season, really we don't have to decide this situation right now though and should be happy we got a guy who can play both positions.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Has this been discussed at all by anyone within the organization yet?

He is listed at 6'4 285 and certainly has the frame to pack on a few more pounds. I know hes got some real athletic ability and may be able to play strong side DE, but does he have the strength to play inside at DT?

The reason I ask is because if he is viewed as a DT in the future I think it will really affect our draft. With Rat, Hatcher, Brian Price, Lissemore, and possibly Crawford on the roster at DT is there really a reason to add a high draft pick at the position? Everyone is calling for a 1st round pick there, but I think we could be surprised and not see a DT go anywhere near the top of this draft at all for us.

If the best value at 18 is a DT then they need to take him. No one on the current Dallas d-line should be considered a lock except Ware.