Cowboys' offensive/defensive snaps at Seattle

[Cotton]

Cowboys' defensive snaps at Seattle
October, 13, 2014

By Jean-Jacques Taylor | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain didn't practice until Friday, but it didn't seem to affect him in the 30-23 win against the Seattle Seahawks.

He played 43 plays and finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass deflection and the game-clinching interception 20 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Anthony Spencer played a season-high 29 plays and easily had his best game of the season. He had three tackles, but he applied consistent pressure to quarterback Russell Wilson and made him move in the pocket several times.

Kyle Wilber had two pass deflections -- one was a dropped interception that he might've scored on -- in 13 plays, the most he's played in a couple of weeks.

Tyrone Crawford and Henry Melton seem to be splitting the three-technique position with Crawford doing the heavy lifting and Melton providing the change of pace.

There's still plenty of time, but you wonder if Crawford's development means the Cowboys will pass on Melton's three-year team option at the end of the season.

Cowboys' defensive snaps:
Brandon Carr 49
Orlando Scandrick 49
Justin Durant 49
J.J. Wilcox 46
Rolando McClain 43
Jeremy Mincey 42
Barry Church 41
Tyrone Crawford 37
Sterling Moore 34
Anthony Spencer 29
Nick Hayden 27
Henry Melton 24
George Selvie 22
Jack Crawford 21
Kyle Wilber 13
Jeff Heath 12
Terrell McClain 10
Lavar Edwards 5
Anthony Hitchens 4
Tyler Patmon 3

 

[Cotton]

Dallas Cowboys' offensive snaps
October, 13, 2014

By Jean-Jacques Taylor | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- Coach Jason Garrett talked about getting running backs Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar more involved to ease DeMarco Murray’s workload.

Well, they combined for 22 plays, their most since Week 2, when they had 24 plays. Randle had four carries for 52 yards, including a 38-yard run in the second quarter that was among the game’s biggest plays. Dunbar carried once for a 4-yard loss, but caught four passes for 48 yards, including a 21-yard completion. He also converted a third-and-8 and a third-and-14.

Gavin Escobar played a season-high 24 plays and caught a 2-yard touchdown pass. He was also on the field on the Cowboys’ pivotal drive and turned in what had to be one of his best blocking performances of his career.

On Murray’s 25-yard run, he delivered a clearing block on linebacker K.J. Wright. On the next play, he pancaked Wright on Murray’s six-yard run. Then he made a nice block on Michael Bennett as Murray sprinted past him for a 15-yard touchdown run.

That’s the kind of performance that will move him past James Hanna and get him on the field considerably more.

When Doug Free sprained the middle of his right foot, Jermey Parnell replaced him. The Cowboys ran right behind him and he delivered a pancake block on a the 6-yard run preceding Murray’s fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Zack Martin 75
Travis Frederick 75
Ron Leary 75
Tyron Smith 75
Tony Romo 75
Jason Witten 75
Doug Free 70
Dez Bryant 66
DeMarco Murray 53
Terrance Williams 51
Cole Beasley 30
Gavin Escobar 24
James Hanna 15
Tyler Clutts 14
Lance Dunbar 13
Dwayne Harris 12
Devin Street 12
Joseph Randle 9
Jermey Parnell 5

 

[Cotton]

So, Dunbar saw the field more than Randle. Interesting.

 

[Simpleton]

It's interesting to Hitchens and Wilber only played a combined 17 snaps, meaning we played basically the entire game out of the nickel/dime.

 

[boozeman]

In retrospect, it is remarkable how McClain did coming off the injury and barely practicing. That crazy eyed MFer is playing out of his mind right now.

 

[Jiggyfly]

As things stand now there is no way I am paying Melton 8 million a year, I use that money to upgrade DE and to resign McClain and Carter.

 

[Smitty]

As things stand now there is no way I am paying Melton 8 million a year, I use that money to upgrade DE and to resign McClain and Carter.

Yup. He's not getting enough snaps, and the position needs to be addressed with a young player early in the draft whether he's here or not.

Right now paying him that contract is not a consideration.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Yup. He's not getting enough snaps, and the position needs to be addressed with a young player early in the draft whether he's here or not.

Right now paying him that contract is not a consideration.

So you are still not on the Crawford train yet.

 

[Smitty]

So you are still not on the Crawford train yet.

Not in the way you are. I like the player at tackle right now, but I'm still looking for an Aaron Donald in Marinelli's scheme for that spot.

 

[boozeman]

So, Dunbar saw the field more than Randle. Interesting.

And Clutts saw the field more than the pair of them.

 

[boozeman]

Not in the way you are. I like the player at tackle right now, but I'm still looking for an Aaron Donald in Marinelli's scheme for that spot.

More worried about end honestly.

But I would take the best DL available if given the option.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

More worried about end honestly.

But I would take the best DL available if given the option.

This is where I'm at. I'd like to see us add a stud pass rushing end capable of getting the key sacks to clinch games.

It's funny though. LBer is starting to look like not so much of a need. Safety is actually starting to look solid. Corner is starting to look good. I'm not sure this defense has nearly as many holes as I would have thought a few weeks ago.

 

[Jiggyfly]

And Clutts saw the field more than the pair of them.

Clutts has become a decent lead blocker. he blew up Chancellor a couple of times.

The team is getting some confidence in him.

 

[Smitty]

More worried about end honestly.

But I would take the best DL available if given the option.

I'm more worried about end because we didn't get to see Lawrence play. If he hadn't gotten hurt, and was instead developing into a guy you want as your starting 4-3 end, I'd be more worried about tackle.

The truth is we need players at both spots still. There's a reason we only have seven sacks and we look like shit against the run every time Rolando McClain goes out.

Crawford is a nice player. I certainly hold him in higher esteem than I ever did a guy like Stephen Bowen.

Why it's so offensive to some people to say he shouldn't be penciled in as the long term starter is astonishing. My guess is that it stems from their misunderstanding that you need steak at DL and hamburger other places. They are ok with a "B" player in Crawford when we need to be looking for an "A" defensive tackle still.

 

[superpunk]

he's played for like two years

your grades are irrelevant

 

[Smitty]

This is where I'm at. I'd like to see us add a stud pass rushing end capable of getting the key sacks to clinch games.

It's funny though. LBer is starting to look like not so much of a need. Safety is actually starting to look solid. Corner is starting to look good. I'm not sure this defense has nearly as many holes as I would have thought a few weeks ago.

It has no glaring holes but you still need your Warren Sapps, Derrick Brookses, and Simeon Rices.

 

[Smitty]

he's played for like two years

If he turns into a much better player than he currently is, fine.

But I don't really see anyone projecting that. If you think he's a multiple time Pro Bowler, go on the record and say it now. I don't.

If he is.... great.

But you are in fantasy land if you think Crawford was ever in the same tier as a prospect as a guy like Demarcus Lawrence.

 

[superpunk]

what record

 

[superpunk]

you seem to be arguing against a position noone is taking

like duh we should draft simeon rice if we can get him.

 

[Jiggyfly]

If he turns into a much better player than he currently is, fine.

But I don't really see anyone projecting that. If you think he's a multiple time Pro Bowler, go on the record and say it now. I don't.

If he is.... great.

But you are in fantasy land if you think Crawford was ever in the same tier as a prospect as a guy like Demarcus Lawrence.

Uh yes they were in the same tier Lawrence was pushed up a bit because of the lack of pass rushers in this draft.

Lawrence was the better prospect but they were not that far apart.