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What will Cedric Thornton bring to the Cowboys?
10:29 PM ET
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas – To date, Cedric Thornton is the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest free-agent signing with a four-year, $17 million deal.
So what will he bring to the Cowboys?
We went to ESPN's Philadelphia Eagles reporter, Phil Sheridan, for answers.
Todd Archer: The plan is for the Cowboys to play him at defensive tackle. Is that a good fit?
Phil Sheridan: That’s hard to answer. When Thornton was a rookie, the Eagles played in a 4-3 scheme. But he didn’t play all that much that year. He was a depth guy (although he did begin his one-sack-a-year run as a rookie).
Thornton emerged as a starter in 2013, when Chip Kelly and coordinator Bill Davis brought a 3-4 defense to town. As a 3-4 end, Thornton was effective at two-gapping, tying up blockers and still getting his share of tackles in the run game. He moves pretty well for a big guy and was good at pursuing backs from behind.
So here’s my theory, if you’re ready for it: Moving back to tackle in a 4-3, freed from his two-gap responsibilities, Thornton could very well have a breakout year. I’m not talking about 12 sacks here. But Thornton isn’t the shy rookie who went undrafted out of Southern Arkansas in 2011. He is a solid pro with a range of experience.
Archer: He has four career sacks – and two against the Cowboys – so is it safe to assume he is a run-stopper?
Sheridan: Primarily, yes. Thornton is 6-foot-6 and right around 300 pounds. He is not a fat guy who clogs up a gap and tackles anyone who runs within two feet of him. He’s strong and able to move. Like I said, he should find some extra space to work with now that he’s not just tying up two blockers as a 3-4 end. Thornton can hold his ground, but he’s also able to pursue runners who get past the first level.
Archer: What will the Eagles miss most about him?
Sheridan: The Eagles basically decided that he wouldn’t fit in Jim Schwartz’s 4-3 scheme. If Thornton was still under contract and had a chance to prove otherwise, he might have impressed Schwartz with his versatility. But Thornton hit free agency just as the Eagles were switching schemes, so they decided to use their salary cap space elsewhere.
Thornton’s teammates will miss him more. He was well respected in the locker room as a guy who made the team and became a starter after not being drafted. Thornton never lost that humility and determination to work hard. He’s a solid guy, and you can never have too many of them.
10:29 PM ET
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas – To date, Cedric Thornton is the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest free-agent signing with a four-year, $17 million deal.
So what will he bring to the Cowboys?
We went to ESPN's Philadelphia Eagles reporter, Phil Sheridan, for answers.
Todd Archer: The plan is for the Cowboys to play him at defensive tackle. Is that a good fit?
Phil Sheridan: That’s hard to answer. When Thornton was a rookie, the Eagles played in a 4-3 scheme. But he didn’t play all that much that year. He was a depth guy (although he did begin his one-sack-a-year run as a rookie).
Thornton emerged as a starter in 2013, when Chip Kelly and coordinator Bill Davis brought a 3-4 defense to town. As a 3-4 end, Thornton was effective at two-gapping, tying up blockers and still getting his share of tackles in the run game. He moves pretty well for a big guy and was good at pursuing backs from behind.
So here’s my theory, if you’re ready for it: Moving back to tackle in a 4-3, freed from his two-gap responsibilities, Thornton could very well have a breakout year. I’m not talking about 12 sacks here. But Thornton isn’t the shy rookie who went undrafted out of Southern Arkansas in 2011. He is a solid pro with a range of experience.
Archer: He has four career sacks – and two against the Cowboys – so is it safe to assume he is a run-stopper?
Sheridan: Primarily, yes. Thornton is 6-foot-6 and right around 300 pounds. He is not a fat guy who clogs up a gap and tackles anyone who runs within two feet of him. He’s strong and able to move. Like I said, he should find some extra space to work with now that he’s not just tying up two blockers as a 3-4 end. Thornton can hold his ground, but he’s also able to pursue runners who get past the first level.
Archer: What will the Eagles miss most about him?
Sheridan: The Eagles basically decided that he wouldn’t fit in Jim Schwartz’s 4-3 scheme. If Thornton was still under contract and had a chance to prove otherwise, he might have impressed Schwartz with his versatility. But Thornton hit free agency just as the Eagles were switching schemes, so they decided to use their salary cap space elsewhere.
Thornton’s teammates will miss him more. He was well respected in the locker room as a guy who made the team and became a starter after not being drafted. Thornton never lost that humility and determination to work hard. He’s a solid guy, and you can never have too many of them.