Cowboys Off-season Talk: Defensive line
By Zach Wolchuk
With the NFL Draft fast approaching coming up on May 8th from radio city musical hall, It's about that time too get some draft talk out to you lovely listeners! However, before diving right in I would like too start off my first blog article taking a look at the current state of the Dallas Cowboys defensive line. Free agency is now roughly two weeks in, and the Dallas Cowboys have been quietly budget shopping. The team made a very difficult emotional choice in releasing long time defensive stall-worth Demarcus Ware. The Cowboys saved $7.4 million by making the move. Financially it was a fairly easy decision, however as a life long fan of this franchise, and a person who has had the privilege of watching every snap of the cowboys all time sack leaders career, I must say it still hurts too see him leave. Especially considering this is a Dallas defense who allowed a historically bad 388 first downs, and a whopping 6,645 yards too opposing offenses. Ware was injured during last seasons campaign, as was the majority of the cowboys starting defense. Although lets be honest here, this is the NFL and excuses are just like butt holes, everybody has one and they all stink. This defensive line is now being completely re built from a season ago. Heading into 2013 the Dallas Cowboys starting defensive line looked too be former pro bowlers Ware and Anthony Spencer at defensive end. Paired with former pro bowl defensive tackle Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher who was hoping too excel in Rod Marinelli's new defensive system. As it played out Anthony Spencer played a total of one game and is currently still an unrestricted free agent with the possibility of re signing with Dallas. Demarcus Ware played in 13 games but totaled a career worst 6 sacks and just recently signed a three year $30 million dollar with the Denver Broncos. Jay Ratliff didn't play a regular season snap for the cowboys and was released mid season and played six games for the Chicago Bears. The cowboys today filed a complaint against Ratliff too retrieve a portion of his signing bonus from last season. This is due in large part too suspicion in how Ratliff was apparently too “injured” too play for Dallas, yet upon his release signs with the Bears and is on the field maybe a week later. The only player who performed well above expectation of the four pre season starters was Jason Hatcher. Hatch had a career best 11 sacks and ended up in his first career pro bowl. This break out season resulted in Hatcher signing a four year $27.5 million deal with the division rival Washington Redskins this free agency. That makes the potential for this teams starting four defensive lineman too be completely different from what was predicted a season ago.
With all the movement the Cowboys have signed three new defensive lineman too help re assemble the front of the defense. The first being defensive tackle Terrel McClain who has spent three seasons in the league and played for three different teams. Next up is defensive end Jeremy Mincey who was originally drafted by Jacksonville and was released mid last season too sign in Denver and play out the rest of the season for the AFC champs. Both of these players add depth too a team that had none and both men hope too make a home in Dallas and stabilize their careers. The biggest signing the cowboys have made this off season came last week. The team brought in former Chicago Bear and ex Texas Longhorn Henry Melton. The deal is fairly contract friendly too Dallas in year one. The team has the flexibility too terminate the contract if Melton under performs, is not completely healed from his knee injury, or has his off the field problems carry on. Henry Melton made the pro bowl under current cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli in 2012, and common sense would indicate reuniting with his former coach and the opportunity too play for the team he grew up watching are main factors in his decision too Sign in Dallas.
The Cowboys are still hoping too potentially bring back Anthony Spencer as stated before, and have also visited with Jared Allen. Although reports indicate Allen signing with the cowboys is unlikely. Stephen Jones who appantly has taken on more of the “General Manager” role from daddy Jerry, has been very cautious and selective in shelling out what little cap money this team has left too spend. All this does is make the upcoming Draft in may more vital too any success the cowboys want too have this upcoming football season. The team still does have surprise star George Selvie from last season on the roster, Nick Hayden who spent the majority of last season as a starting defensive tackle for this team, Ben Bass who will be returning from an injury that caused him too miss all of last season, Tyrone Crawford who needs too emerge and show that a third round draft pick was not wasted on him just three seasons ago, and Frank Kearse who is a defensive tackle no one has really heard of. This team still has a lot of work too be done between now and the start of training camp too fill out this defensive line. My next article will showcase a few players in this current draft class that I think could greatly help the Dallas Cowboys defensive front for the 2014 season. Get your popcorn ready, cause its going too be tasty.
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