News: Which Cowboys defensive linemen will make Rod Marinelli’s 8-man rotation?

[CCBoy]

Which Cowboys defensive linemen will make Rod Marinelli’s 8-man rotation?
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...If healthy, six appear to be locked in.

Hardy, Gregory, Tyrone Crawford, Jeremy Mincey, DeMarcus Lawrence and Nick Hayden are constantly rotating with the first-team unit. At the moment, the other two spots are up for grabs between Terrell McClain, Jack Crawford, Ben Gardner, Davon Coleman and Ken Bishop.

“The depth is really good,” Marinelli said. “You love rolling eight guys. That’s when you’re fresh and explosive, two-minute at the end of the game, you got some juice left. Those really good ones somehow find a way to still dig it out in the fourth quarter when they’re tired.”

If the season started today, the base defense would be Hardy at right defensive end, Tyrone Crawford at the three-technique defensive tackle, Hayden at the one-technique and Lawrence at left end. The sub package would move Hardy to the inside while Hayden exits to bring in Mincey or Gregory to play right end.

Gardner has mostly been playing left end, Jack Crawford has been at the three-technique and McClain, Coleman and Bishop are competing for the other one-tech spot.

An aspect of the game not on display during training camp practice is quarterback sacks. Defenders are not allowed to touch the QBs. If they get past the offensive line, the ends and tackles just run by with their hands up.

Once they start getting live reps against other teams, their true potential should start to show...

 

[BourbonBalz]

Don't forget about Russell.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I'd have to say McClain for sure makes the roster, assuming no injuries. Some very tough decisions are coming up. I would think we'd try to sneak at least a couple of these guys on the practice squad.

 

[Stash]

As of today, I think the last two spots go to Jack Crawford and Ben Gardner with the team trying to get either Coleman, Bishop, or both to the practice squad.

I expect this year's Cowboys practice squad to have a healthy amount of both offensive and defensive linemen on it.

 

[BourbonBalz]

We could go long on DL and keep 9. Who knows at this point.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

LDE
Lawrence
Gardener

RDE
Hardy
Gregory
Mincey

3T
Crawford
Crawford

1T
Hayden
Mcclain

I think Coleman ,Bishop,Russell are battling for that final spot. Russell looked lost at DE but he looked much better since being moved inside.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

We could go long on DL and keep 9. Who knows at this point.

Yea I'm even thinking 10.

 

[TheFinisher]

Gardner seems like a poor mans Mincey at this point, might be tough for him to crack the roster bc he doesn't give you anything you're not getting with Mincey.

 

[unionjack8]

i think we carry 9 or even 10 on the initial roster tbh.
It seems to have suddenly become an area of good depth for us, but in all honesty we are probably over rating at least 2/3 of these guys.
Nick hayden straight up is just taking up a roster spot imo but it seems he has some photos of Marinelli and some sheep

WE can go short at safety especially with Byron Jones and Corey White able to slide to that FS spot.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

It's going to be interesting to see what the team does with Whaley. He's already flashing but it's uphill for him. I wonder if the team will try and sneak him on to the PS?

 

[LandryFan]

As of today, I think the last two spots go to Jack Crawford and Ben Gardner with the team trying to get either Coleman, Bishop, or both to the practice squad.[/B]

I expect this year's Cowboys practice squad to have a healthy amount of both offensive and defensive linemen on it.

I agree with your take. Gardner and Crawford are both younger than McClain (26 and 24, respectively...McC is 27), and if I'm not mistaken, McClain only has one more year on his contract. I think McClain is the better player at this moment, but I don't think the difference in talent will outweigh the business benefits. JMO.

 

[kiheikiwi]

I'm liking what we are starting to hear about Coleman. Has the light come on for him ? Think we def. need to be keeping one of the backup 1-techs. That is where the battle lies I think.

 

[Stash]

I agree with your take. Gardner and Crawford are both younger than McClain (26 and 24, respectively...McC is 27), and if I'm not mistaken, McClain only has one more year on his contract. I think McClain is the better player at this moment, but I don't think the difference in talent will outweigh the business benefits. JMO.

And I also think that McClain's history of injury, and his most recent injury, put him on the roster bubble.

 

[LandryFan]

And I also think that McClain's history of injury, and his most recent injury, put him on the roster bubble.

I wasn't even thinking of that angle, but you're right. That's just another thing making his case more difficult.

 

[xwalker]

Don't forget about Russell.

He looks like he might be more talented than Gardner, but is raw technique wise.

 

[Teague31]

I'd be very surprised if we carry fewer than 10 on the 53

 

[CCBoy]

If the team keeps an extra or two in the defensive line, I wonder who remains next season and will a defensive tackle be taken high up in the next draft?

 

[reddyuta]

Terrell mcclain needs to go,he is not dependable at all.

 

[speedkilz88]

Hardy doesn't count until after game 4. Same for Ro.

 

[rockj7]

Gardner seems like a poor mans Mincey at this point, might be tough for him to crack the roster bc he doesn't give you anything you're not getting with Mincey.

I believe he gives us cheaper and youth