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Cowboys DL has pieces but needs more
3:13 PM ET
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
NFL Nation reporter Todd Archer breaks down the Dallas Cowboys, position by position, analyzing what the players did in 2015, what they can do in the future and what the team can do to improve the position in 2016.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Under contract: Tyrone Crawford, DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, David Irving, Terrell McClain, Ryan Russell, Casey Walker
Free agents: Greg Hardy, Jeremy Mincey, Nick Hayden, Jack Crawford
A look back: The Cowboys entered the season with high expectations for this group, even with Greg Hardy missing the first four games because of a suspension. While the group was solid, it was not what the Cowboys were expecting.
Except for DeMarcus Lawrence. He led the Cowboys with eight sacks and had a stretch of seven sacks in seven games down the stretch. He found the groove the Cowboys hoped he would find at the start of the season after recording two sacks in the 2014 playoffs. He got more comfortable at left defensive end as time went on.
Hardy came out of the gate with two sacks in his first half of football but would have just four more the rest of the season. He did not provide the consistent pass-rush the Cowboys had hoped for when signing him to the one-year deal last March that ultimately paid him a little more than $8.8 million. He was also a handful off the field.
Tyrone Crawford signed a $45 million extension at the start of the season but suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2 that needed surgery when the season ended. He posted career highs in tackles and sacks but it's fair to say the Cowboys expected more than five sacks from their three-technique. The injury slowed him as did the extra attention he received. But to be clear, the Cowboys have no buyer's remorse. They view Crawford as a building block piece.
Hayden will never get the appreciation he deserves but he is a solid nose tackle who has ended up playing too many snaps over the years because of injuries elsewhere. Mincey went from leading the Cowboys with six sacks in 2014 to not recording one in 2015. He was slowed by an elbow injury that will require surgery.
The Cowboys had high hopes for Gregory coming out of training camp but he suffered a high ankle sprain that knocked him out of five games. As a result, the momentum he built in the preseason was lost in the regular season and he did not record a sack.
Jack Crawford was the biggest surprise of the linemen with four sacks. He played end and tackle. The Cowboys signed David Irving off the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad and he showed potential that will be worth developing. Terrell McClain's season ended after two games because of toe surgery and his absence was felt the more the year went on.
A look ahead: One of the biggest questions of the offseason will be Hardy's future. The feeling now is that he won't be back and if he is it will be on another one-year contract in which he will get paid as he plays.
The Cowboys could look to move Lawrence back to right defensive end but they have hope Gregory will harness his potential and be a difference maker in his second year.
A healthier Tyrone Crawford will make the pass-rush better as well. That is the playmaking positon of the defense and Crawford has the potential to be a double-digit sacks guy. But he will also be helped by the attention those around him receive.
McClain's return would give the Cowboys help at both interior spots but he has not been able to stay healthy in his two years with the club. Ryan Russell ended his rookie season on injured reserve but he played in just one game as a rookie. The fifth-round pick has to make a jump in 2016 to secure his roster spot.
A look out: In order to land the top prizes in free agency, teams have to overpay or accept some of the baggage that comes along with the player, like Hardy.
The draft remains the best bet. The Cowboys found a keeper in Lawrence and still have big-time hopes for Gregory. The draft might not have the top-end pass-rushers with the fourth overall pick but there will be options in other rounds for players that can come in and contribute.
The Cowboys have taken a quantity over quality approach the last two years in building their defensive line because Rod Marinelli wants to throw numbers at the opposing offensive line.
3:13 PM ET
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
NFL Nation reporter Todd Archer breaks down the Dallas Cowboys, position by position, analyzing what the players did in 2015, what they can do in the future and what the team can do to improve the position in 2016.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Under contract: Tyrone Crawford, DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, David Irving, Terrell McClain, Ryan Russell, Casey Walker
Free agents: Greg Hardy, Jeremy Mincey, Nick Hayden, Jack Crawford
A look back: The Cowboys entered the season with high expectations for this group, even with Greg Hardy missing the first four games because of a suspension. While the group was solid, it was not what the Cowboys were expecting.
Except for DeMarcus Lawrence. He led the Cowboys with eight sacks and had a stretch of seven sacks in seven games down the stretch. He found the groove the Cowboys hoped he would find at the start of the season after recording two sacks in the 2014 playoffs. He got more comfortable at left defensive end as time went on.
Hardy came out of the gate with two sacks in his first half of football but would have just four more the rest of the season. He did not provide the consistent pass-rush the Cowboys had hoped for when signing him to the one-year deal last March that ultimately paid him a little more than $8.8 million. He was also a handful off the field.
Tyrone Crawford signed a $45 million extension at the start of the season but suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2 that needed surgery when the season ended. He posted career highs in tackles and sacks but it's fair to say the Cowboys expected more than five sacks from their three-technique. The injury slowed him as did the extra attention he received. But to be clear, the Cowboys have no buyer's remorse. They view Crawford as a building block piece.
Hayden will never get the appreciation he deserves but he is a solid nose tackle who has ended up playing too many snaps over the years because of injuries elsewhere. Mincey went from leading the Cowboys with six sacks in 2014 to not recording one in 2015. He was slowed by an elbow injury that will require surgery.
The Cowboys had high hopes for Gregory coming out of training camp but he suffered a high ankle sprain that knocked him out of five games. As a result, the momentum he built in the preseason was lost in the regular season and he did not record a sack.
Jack Crawford was the biggest surprise of the linemen with four sacks. He played end and tackle. The Cowboys signed David Irving off the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad and he showed potential that will be worth developing. Terrell McClain's season ended after two games because of toe surgery and his absence was felt the more the year went on.
A look ahead: One of the biggest questions of the offseason will be Hardy's future. The feeling now is that he won't be back and if he is it will be on another one-year contract in which he will get paid as he plays.
The Cowboys could look to move Lawrence back to right defensive end but they have hope Gregory will harness his potential and be a difference maker in his second year.
A healthier Tyrone Crawford will make the pass-rush better as well. That is the playmaking positon of the defense and Crawford has the potential to be a double-digit sacks guy. But he will also be helped by the attention those around him receive.
McClain's return would give the Cowboys help at both interior spots but he has not been able to stay healthy in his two years with the club. Ryan Russell ended his rookie season on injured reserve but he played in just one game as a rookie. The fifth-round pick has to make a jump in 2016 to secure his roster spot.
A look out: In order to land the top prizes in free agency, teams have to overpay or accept some of the baggage that comes along with the player, like Hardy.
The draft remains the best bet. The Cowboys found a keeper in Lawrence and still have big-time hopes for Gregory. The draft might not have the top-end pass-rushers with the fourth overall pick but there will be options in other rounds for players that can come in and contribute.
The Cowboys have taken a quantity over quality approach the last two years in building their defensive line because Rod Marinelli wants to throw numbers at the opposing offensive line.
