Why Terrell McClain Will Start For The Dallas Cowboys In 2014

[Nirvana]

Like I said, he should be a 1-tech; however, comparing stats of a 3-4 NT is probably not a good indicator of his ability to play the 3-tech. He played the run 1st on a lot of snaps. Also, the idea of the 3-tech in Marinelli's scheme is that it's difficult to double team that player; whereas, a 3-4 NT is always double-teamed.

You said he also played DT in the nickel also though - I'm assuming that's a decent amount of the 182 snaps he got. I have a hard time believing this guy is a good pass rusher.

 

[DFWJC]

I would bet a #1 technique DT will be drafted in the latter part of the draft.

Me too...

 

[Nirvana]

Going back to 2011 (2012 he had a trivial 21 snaps with zero pressure) McClain had 481 snaps, 1 QB sack, 2 QB hits and 9 QB hurries. That was at the 3 tech.

 

[speedkilz88]

I pulled up the coaches film to review McClain.

In Houston he played NT and DT in the nickel.
He is exactly what you would expect for a Marinelli type 1-tech DT. He's quicker than the average 1-tech but not as big. He looked quicker than Houston's starting NT but not quite as strong.

Looking at the Houston film, I would expect many 4-3 teams to try him at the 3-tech but he would definitely be a 1-tech for Marinelli.

I went back to 2011 and reviewed some Panthers games. He was the starter there primarily at the 3-tech. He looked much different than he did in the 2013 film. He didn't look as quick or as strong and his technique/awareness was not as good either. He appeared to be heavier which combined with maybe playing too many snaps seemed to take away a lot of his quickness.

Summary: There's no doubt that he a better player than Nick Hayden. The 4-3 1-tech position, especially in Marinelli's scheme, appears to be a better position for him than being a 3-4 NT or 4-3 3-tech; although, I could see him playing some snaps at 3-tech for Marinelli.

Broaddus has said that he's very active in both the run and the pass. Would that fit with what you saw or is that overstating what he can do in the pass rush?

 

[xwalker]

You said he also played DT in the nickel also though - I'm assuming that's a decent amount of the 182 snaps he got. I have a hard time believing this guy is a good pass rusher.

Maybe 10% as a nickel DT. The significance of him playing some snaps in the nickel is that NTs usually go out of the game in the nickel.

I'm not sure how anybody judges a player without watching the game footage.

Marinelli prefers a 1-tech that has better pass rush ability than what some other teams look for in a 1-tech; however, the 3-tech is still the primary pass rushing position. The 1-tech is not going to rack up much in pass rush stats even in Marinelli's defense.

 

[dboyz]

I pulled up the coaches film to review McClain.

In Houston he played NT and DT in the nickel.
He is exactly what you would expect for a Marinelli type 1-tech DT. He's quicker than the average 1-tech but not as big. He looked quicker than Houston's starting NT but not quite as strong.

Looking at the Houston film, I would expect many 4-3 teams to try him at the 3-tech but he would definitely be a 1-tech for Marinelli.

I went back to 2011 and reviewed some Panthers games. He was the starter there primarily at the 3-tech. He looked much different than he did in the 2013 film. He didn't look as quick or as strong and his technique/awareness was not as good either. He appeared to be heavier which combined with maybe playing too many snaps seemed to take away a lot of his quickness.

Summary: There's no doubt that he a better player than Nick Hayden. The 4-3 1-tech position, especially in Marinelli's scheme, appears to be a better position for him than being a 3-4 NT or 4-3 3-tech; although, I could see him playing some snaps at 3-tech for Marinelli.

xwalker: I watched some film of him in Houston and agree with your analysis. Looks like he has some ability to get upfield. I think he could probably be ok as a rotation guy who doesn't play more than 50% of the time.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Going back to 2011 (2012 he had a trivial 21 snaps with zero pressure) McClain had 481 snaps, 1 QB sack, 2 QB hits and 9 QB hurries. That was at the 3 tech.

And that's a comfortable lead in sacks over Hayden who had 800+ snaps last year.

No, McClain isn't going to be a #3 technique on this club.

I do think a #3 will be drafted early in the draft... Or maybe a guy who can play the #3 and the #1.

Maybe someone like William Sutton.

 

[xwalker]

Broaddus has said that he's very active in both the run and the pass. Would that fit with what you saw or is that being overstating what he can do in the pass rush?

Yes, I would agree with that. I think the key will be not playing him too many snaps per game.

The primary thing that I got from the game footage is that he is much quicker than Hayden and he has the ability to shed blocks which was a problem for some of the DT in 2013.

 

[Nirvana]

Maybe 10% as a nickel DT. The significance of him playing some snaps in the nickel is that NTs usually go out of the game in the nickel.

I'm not sure how anybody judges a player without watching the game footage.

Marinelli prefers a 1-tech that has better pass rush ability than what some other teams look for in a 1-tech; however, the 3-tech is still the primary pass rushing position. The 1-tech is not going to rack up much in pass rush stats even in Marinelli's defense.

I would think he would have some better pass rush numbers if he has some ability in the area. My conclusion thus far is I'm not convinced we have the 1 tech position starter we are looking for. I'd like to see the draft address this position early or SDE addressed so that Crawford could be moved over there.

 

[xwalker]

I would think he would have some better pass rush numbers if he has some ability in the area. My conclusion thus far is I'm not convinced we have the 1 tech position starter we are looking for. I'd like to see the draft address this position early or SDE addressed so that Crawford could be moved over there.

Hayden needs to be replaced regardless of how good McClain turns out to be.

They really need to decide on Crawford's primary position. He will likely want to keep his weight on the lower end if he's going to be a DE and on the higher side if he's going to be a DT. He's still a young player and they could slow his progress if they have him bouncing around positions.

 

[speedkilz88]

Last season they planned on putting him at SDE with Spencer healthy at the time. So I think he still goes there first.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Hayden needs to be replaced regardless of how good McClain turns out to be.

They really need to decide on Crawford's primary position. He will likely want to keep his weight on the lower end if he's going to be a DE and on the higher side if he's going to be a DT. He's still a young player and they could slow his progress if they have him bouncing around positions.

Agreed.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I won't say much about the article but I will say that there was a time when people thought Scandrick and Jason Hatcher were "JAG's".

 

[yentl911]

Let's tap the brakes a bit WRT TM starting. We haven't even had the draft yet and I see Dallas going D-Line heavy in this draft. He might be a decent rotational player but a starter he is not.

 

[xwalker]

I still have hopes Crawford could be our Dontari Poe at the 1 tech. If Spencer comes back or someone like Crichton is drafted I could see a role for Crawford there. At 285 and little body fat he has the room to grow into that position. I'm not sold on McClain, and Hayden should be cut if possible.

Are you sure Dontari Poe is the guy that you're think about? He's not remotely similar to Crawford or anybody on the Cowboys roster. Poe is a freak that had a faster 10 yard time at 346 lbs than Crawford did at 275 lbs.

 

[speedkilz88]

Are you sure Dontari Poe is the guy that you're think about? He's not remotely similar to Crawford or anybody on the Cowboys roster. Poe is a freak that had a faster 10 yard time at 346 lbs than Crawford did at 275 lbs.

I'd settle for Reggie White.

 

[Alexander]

I still have hopes Crawford could be our Dontari Poe at the 1 tech.

Are you joking?

They are not the same kind of player.

 

[Kaiser]

I'm not that concerned either way. 1 Tech isn't a premier position in this defense and Dallas will very likely draft a player at the position. That pick, McClain and Hayden will all get snaps so its not a big deal to me who they refer to as the starter. Its going to be a wave of guys plugging gaps, its not like its a CB out on an island facing Megatron.

 

[ThreeandOut]

And that's a comfortable lead in sacks over Hayden who had 800+ snaps last year.

No, McClain isn't going to be a #3 technique on this club.

I do think a #3 will be drafted early in the draft... Or maybe a guy who can play the #3 and the #1.

Maybe someone like William Sutton.

If they don't get Donald, then I think they'll pick up a guy like Sutton who could challenge to start at the 1 and could back up Melton at the 3.

 

[speedkilz88]

I'm not that concerned either way. 1 Tech isn't a premier position in this defense and Dallas will very likely draft a player at the position. That pick, McClain and Hayden will all get snaps so its not a big deal to me who they refer to as the starter. Its going to be a wave of guys plugging gaps, its not like its a CB out on an island facing Megatron.

Agreed but if they find another 1 tech, Hayden is likely on the outside looking in.