Tyrone Crawford likes 'butterfly' effect in move to defensive end
Todd Archer
FRISCO, Texas -- Tyrone Crawford took exactly the same amount of snaps you did before playing left defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys last week.
Sometimes special circumstances require special actions. The Cowboys were not pleased with right defensive end Benson Mayowa in the first half against the Washington Redskins and decided to make a three-for-one change.
Crawford went from under tackle to left defensive end. Jack Crawford went from left end to right end. Rookie Maliek Collins took over at under tackle.
“The first couple of reps were a little slow,” Tyrone Crawford said, “but the only thing that slowed me down really was just really trying to remember the assignment.”
The Cowboys signed Crawford to a five-year extension last year because of his work at defensive tackle, but his versatility allows the Cowboys to move him around. When the Cowboys drafted Collins in the third round in the spring, they did so knowing Crawford could play end while DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory were suspended.
Tyrone Crawford is moving around the Cowboys' defensive line as they look for the most effective combination. Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire
Collins broke his foot during organized team activities and that plan was shelved until last week.
Tyrone Crawford said he will work some at left and right defensive end as well as tackle this week in practice as they look to mix and match their way to a better pass rush.
He came up with his first sack of the season from the left defensive end spot on the final drive, dropping Kirk Cousins for an 8-yard loss.
“I was bull-rushing and giving [the right tackle] him a long arm and going inside a lot and I knew he was kind of thinking about his inside,” Tyrone Crawford said. “Me and Maliek talked about it and we did something I just worked and showed him inside and went back outside.”
Crawford actually enjoyed playing on the outside again.
“I think we had this conversation when I moved down to three-technique, to the under tackle, and you asked me how I feel and I said, 'I feel like I got hit by a bus,'” Tyrone Crawford said. “This time after the game, I feel like a friggin’ butterfly.”
Is that a good thing?
“It’s a great thing,” he said. “My body’s starting to get this time to heal up.”
_____________________________________________________
Sounds like it may just be best to leave Crawford at end. Sounds like maybe his body just doesn't take the beating as a three technique well anymore.