Kavner - Marinelli: Crawford To Begin Inside, Also Know Left End

boozeman

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Marinelli: Crawford To Begin Inside, Also Know Left End

Posted 2 hours ago



Rowan Kavner

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

IRVING, Texas – Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli provided more insight into where defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford might be lining up in 2014.

The Cowboys had visions of Crawford at a multitude of spots along the defensive line before he went down in 2013. This season, it sounds like he’ll begin as a three-technique defensive tackle, but he’s got to be prepared to move around.


“I could see him playing inside and some outside,” Marinelli said. “I like to probably start him inside at the under, and he’s always got to know the left end position also… I want these guys to compete for a job.”

Crawford’s bound to see a great deal of action along the line this season, if he can stay healthy.

Quarterback Tony Romo praised the abilities of the former third-round pick during an interview with 105.3 FM “The Fan,” saying If there’s one dark horse to watch for on the team this year, it’s Crawford.

“I think Tyrone Crawford’s going to be a guy that’ll be shocking to a lot of people, and I think if we’d had had him last year, it’d been a very different defensive unit that we would have had,” Romo said. “Without people knowing, I think we’re getting a couple of first or second round guys with him coming back from injury. He’s a guy that stands out for me.”

Even if Crawford begins his work inside, it’s possible he kicks outside at times as the Cowboys utilize a wave of defensive linemen to bother opposing offenses. Marinelli said it’s critical they have numbers at disposal on the defensive line.

“First of all, make sure they’re good ballplayers,” Marinelli said. “I think going down that road it’s pretty good. But that’s what I want, a bunch of guys who can really come out and play every down and unselfish guys.”

Marinelli also wants his left end to be mobile to create more mismatches, and it’s possible Crawford can help out in that area. If Crawford’s worthy of starting spot, it’s likely Marinelli will find one for him, and his versatility helps in that respect.

If he doesn’t start, Crawford’s still expected to be a vital part of the rotation. But he first needs to show in Organized Team Activities and at training camp that he’s fully healed from his Achilles injury.

“I’m excited about the guy,” Marinelli said. “I think he’s got unique talent, movement, size, all those things. But now we’ve got to do it, so I want to see it. When I see it, I’ll be able to answer that better.”
 

boozeman

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They've set the bar high for Crawford. They've repeated Hatcher's HoF prediction over and over again and Romo is now starting in with it.

Hope he's that damn good. If he can replace Hatcher's production, we might have the beginnings of a real NFL DL.
 

ravidubey

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We want feeding frenzies at times and no old, entitled sonsofbitches that take plays off.
 

Newt

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I don't want to homer out (you guys broke me of that years back) but can you imagine if the D-line actually became a strength of the team? Last year we had Hatcher, a broken Ware and crap all around them. Hatcher and Ware are gone but we have replaced them with Melton and Lawrence, if Spencer can get right we have the other end set with him and Selvie, Crawford is being talked up big time, and we have brought in Okoye, Mincey, and McClain. That's not an all star line up, but it could be a hell of a rotation.
 

GShock

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They've set the bar high for Crawford. They've repeated Hatcher's HoF prediction over and over again and Romo is now starting in with it.

Hope he's that damn good. If he can replace Hatcher's production, we might have the beginnings of a real NFL DL.

I don't want to homer out (you guys broke me of that years back) but can you imagine if the D-line actually became a strength of the team? Last year we had Hatcher, a broken Ware and crap all around them. Hatcher and Ware are gone but we have replaced them with Melton and Lawrence, if Spencer can get right we have the other end set with him and Selvie, Crawford is being talked up big time, and we have brought in Okoye, Mincey, and McClain. That's not an all star line up, but it could be a hell of a rotation.
Stop.
 

Newt

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mcnuttz

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“I think Tyrone Crawford’s going to be a guy that’ll be shocking to a lot of people, and I think if we’d had had him last year, it’d been a very different defensive unit that we would have had,” Romo said. “Without people knowing, I think we’re getting a couple of first or second round guys with him coming back from injury. He’s a guy that stands out for me.”
Where do you come up with these crazy notions, Romo?
 

jsmith6919

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Where do you come up with these crazy notions, Romo?
He also said Garrett is very good so it's hard to take anything he says seriously
 

Simpleton

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I don't think the DL will be a strength of the team unless something rather miraculous happens but if Melton and Crawford can bounce back from injury and Lawrence is what the team thinks he is, it will definitely be a league-average unit which is far better than what we had last year.
 

Cowboysrock55

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I don't think the DL will be a strength of the team unless something rather miraculous happens but if Melton and Crawford can bounce back from injury and Lawrence is what the team thinks he is, it will definitely be a league-average unit which is far better than what we had last year.
A lot of it depends on Lawrence. If he is an instant 10 sack a year guy and Melton returns to probowl form our D-line could be a strength. On the other hand if there is a learning curve for Lawrence and he puts in a similar season to what Ware had last year we are in trouble. That pass rushing RE is just such an important piece to any great 4-3 defense.
 

ravidubey

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I don't think the DL will be a strength of the team unless something rather miraculous happens but if Melton and Crawford can bounce back from injury and Lawrence is what the team thinks he is, it will definitely be a league-average unit which is far better than what we had last year.
Rotate in 15 guys on the front 7 FFS. Just be competent and competitive. None of this star-culture crap where 2-3 old guys in their 30's get all the snaps because their contracts dictate it.
 

Simpleton

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Rotate in 15 guys on the front 7 FFS. Just be competent and competitive. None of this star-culture crap where 2-3 old guys in their 30's get all the snaps because their contracts dictate it.
That certainly seems to be the plan.
 
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