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Cowboys' defensive line is thinning out even more
11:08 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas – Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli is choosing to take a positive view on the state of the defensive line.
On Tuesday, defensive end Benson Mayowa had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The Cowboys are optimistic he will be back for the start of training camp or not long thereafter. Three weeks ago rookie defensive tackle Maliek Collins suffered a broken foot in the first organized team activity; he could be out until the start of the season.
“Get them out of the way now,” Marinelli said of the injuries, “and get ready to go.”
But in addition to the injuries, he will have to contend with the four-game absence of Randy Gregory because of a suspension. Last year’s leader in sacks, DeMarcus Lawrence, is also facing a four-game suspension.
Marinelli hopes this is not a precursor to another 2013. In his first year with the Cowboys, he rolled through 19 different defensive linemen because of injury, ineffectiveness or both. It would be an even 20 if you count linebacker Kyle Wilber as a defensive end because he saw some time as a pass-rusher.
When the Cowboys lined up defensively Tuesday the defensive line consisted of Jack Crawford, Tyrone Crawford, Cedric Thornton and Ryan Russell.
Marinelli isn’t taking a what-me-worry approach to the defensive line. He’s just waiting for training camp to start before making any real judgments.
“It's just better in pads,” Marinelli said. “When I see it in pads, then it's just a different game. I try not to over-evaluate and teach. And then evaluation comes in camp.”
The Cowboys signed Mayowa as a restricted free agent on a three-year deal worth $8.25 million. He has just two career sacks, but they saw in him the potential to be a contributor and perhaps even start the first week. Depending on his recovery he could still start Week 1 against the New York Giants.
Despite the injuries and suspensions, the Cowboys aren’t ready to explore the free-agent market just yet.
"I think we've created competitive situations on our defensive line,” coach Jason Garrett said. “Now a couple of these guys have been injured over the course of OTAs and have not been available to us, but we're confident these guys will be back. We have a couple of situations where we're dealing with suspensions at the outset of the season. But we like the guys we put together and we like the competition that's going on out there, guys competing for playing time.”
Somehow Marinelli made it work with multiple pieces in 2013. With the way 2016 has started, he might have to make it work again.
11:08 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas – Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli is choosing to take a positive view on the state of the defensive line.
On Tuesday, defensive end Benson Mayowa had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The Cowboys are optimistic he will be back for the start of training camp or not long thereafter. Three weeks ago rookie defensive tackle Maliek Collins suffered a broken foot in the first organized team activity; he could be out until the start of the season.
“Get them out of the way now,” Marinelli said of the injuries, “and get ready to go.”
But in addition to the injuries, he will have to contend with the four-game absence of Randy Gregory because of a suspension. Last year’s leader in sacks, DeMarcus Lawrence, is also facing a four-game suspension.
Marinelli hopes this is not a precursor to another 2013. In his first year with the Cowboys, he rolled through 19 different defensive linemen because of injury, ineffectiveness or both. It would be an even 20 if you count linebacker Kyle Wilber as a defensive end because he saw some time as a pass-rusher.
When the Cowboys lined up defensively Tuesday the defensive line consisted of Jack Crawford, Tyrone Crawford, Cedric Thornton and Ryan Russell.
Marinelli isn’t taking a what-me-worry approach to the defensive line. He’s just waiting for training camp to start before making any real judgments.
“It's just better in pads,” Marinelli said. “When I see it in pads, then it's just a different game. I try not to over-evaluate and teach. And then evaluation comes in camp.”
The Cowboys signed Mayowa as a restricted free agent on a three-year deal worth $8.25 million. He has just two career sacks, but they saw in him the potential to be a contributor and perhaps even start the first week. Depending on his recovery he could still start Week 1 against the New York Giants.
Despite the injuries and suspensions, the Cowboys aren’t ready to explore the free-agent market just yet.
"I think we've created competitive situations on our defensive line,” coach Jason Garrett said. “Now a couple of these guys have been injured over the course of OTAs and have not been available to us, but we're confident these guys will be back. We have a couple of situations where we're dealing with suspensions at the outset of the season. But we like the guys we put together and we like the competition that's going on out there, guys competing for playing time.”
Somehow Marinelli made it work with multiple pieces in 2013. With the way 2016 has started, he might have to make it work again.