Dallas Cowboys: Where Does Tyrone Crawford Fit?
By Reid Hanson
In a quest to solve the Dallas Cowboys pass-rush problems Tyrone Crawford remains on the move. Where does he fit best?
Let’s start by addressing the question, “Where does Tyrone Crawford fit best?” If you know the answer to that you’re a better man than anyone on the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff and personnel department.
Ever since being drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, that’s a question the Dallas Cowboys have been asking themselves. Crawford, a former defensive end at Boise State, has bounced from end to tackle before seemingly finding a home as the under tackle in Rod Marinelli’s 4-3 defense.
The under tackle (or 3-technique DT) is a prime pass rush spot on this defense. Along with the right defensive end, the 3-tech is responsible for generating the majority of the pressure in this blitz-barren scheme.
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The Dallas Cowboys believed in his abilities at this role so much that they ponied up significant cash to keep him there for the near future. His five-year $42 million extension roughly translates to what former Dallas Cowboy DeMarcus Ware is making annually in Denver.
The only difference is Ware is getting sacks and Crawford…well…not so much.
Tyrone Crawford has been hampered by injury throughout his career.
Last season was supposed to be his breakout season but a torn rotator cuff crippled his arsenal of pass-rush moves and resulted in a very disappointing outcome for the Cowboys’ highest-paid D-lineman.
This season hasn’t started much better as Crawford has only one sack through three games and frankly, he’s lucky to have that. Instead of stepping up in DeMarcus Lawrence’s absence, Crawford has disappeared.
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Now the Dallas Cowboys are experimenting with Tyrone Crawford at DE once again. It’s something I was admittedly opposed to before the season. See also: Why Tyrone Crawford Should Remain at DT. Largely because I trusted the Dallas Cowboys’ evaluation of Crawford. I mean, they had to be sure he was a future Pro Bowl 3-tech or they wouldn’t have paid him all that cash, right? Wrong.
In all fairness, DE is where the Dallas Cowboys are most desperate. DTs they have but it’s slim pickings at end – even when DeMarcus Lawrence returns. That’s why this experiment may actually be permanent.
"“It’s a numbers thing,” Crawford said. “Coach Marinelli asked me if I could do it and I said, ‘Yeah, put me out there…it’s a lot less stress on your body. You can feel the difference – big time – on Mondays.”"
Pro Football Focus has never been kind to Crawford’s game and this season is certainly no exception. Crawford is abysmal against the run earning a 32.2 rating (Almost the worst in the NFL) and his pass rush isn’t much better at 49.4. Not exactly what the Dallas Cowboys were expecting when they guaranteed all of that money.
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“Need” says Tyrone Crawford is best served at LDE. And since he wasn’t doing much at 3-tech, there’s really no reason to move him back. Perhaps versatility is his best trait. At nearly $10M per season you’d expect more production. But the season isn’t over and Tyrone Crawford figures to get plenty of opportunity on this talent-starved defensive line.