I think a lot of people are sleeping on this Cowboys pass rush. I’m not going to be crazy and say they will lead the league, but the low-40s in sacks feels like selling them short.
If I had to put a number on this group it would be 52 sacks. Yes, that may be a little bit optimistic. OK, that’s a lot of optimism, but I think this number is not only about the guys rushing the quarterback. It’s about all the coaches that have been assembled around them.
Let me explain before you try to put me out to pasture in the comments.
I bet you thought this would be all about the players. I told you earlier it’s not only about the guys getting after the quarterback.
Christian Parker is installing structure, Marcus Dixon is getting the defensive line room in order, and BT Jordan gives the rushers another set of eyes on handwork, counters, and all the little things that finish plays.
I’m all about a quarterback pressure, but sacks get you off the field. Before BT Jordan arrived in Denver, that defense had 42 team sacks. His first season there, they jumped to 63. I can’t say that’s all on him, but a 21-sack jump is a 21-sack jump.
Dallas has enough combined youth and veterans to make an interesting dynamic and, with the coaching in place, it could be a game changer.
All these guys bring something different to the pass rush table. I haven’t even got to the big boys yet in Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, who will be big defensive ends and inside, rotating from one side to the other.
This cannot be another season of “I hope the edge guys win” football. We’ve seen that movie and it doesn’t sell tickets.
This isn’t going to just be four defensive ends putting their hands in the dirt and running up field hoping speed can overcome a lack of strength.
In Parker’s 3-4 looks, several of these guys are going to be outside linebackers where their speed matters more, and that changes the picture.
When you have stand-up pass rushers, they can come from wider angles, walk around before the snap, switch sides, and drop just enough to make the quarterback hesitate. I will take that half-second because that’s where sacks show up.
Rashan Gary has the veteran know how to be the closer. Ezeiruaku can rush from space. Sam Williams can use his burst to get around the edge with a head start. Lawrence can get package snaps until he gets up to speed.
I like the waves of pass rushers the Cowboys are about to deploy next year.
Rashan Gary...
