Dallas Cowboys: Terrell McClain is worth considering for the 1-Tech
By Reid Hanson
The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a 1-tech defensive tackle and Terrell McClain just became available. A match made in heaven?
The Dallas Cowboys primarily operate out of a Rod Marinelli 4-3 defense. Made famous in Tampa, Marinelli now employs a scheme that has evolved from Super Bowls past – yet it still relies on many of the same principles and roles.
Traditionally, the playmaker is the 3-technique, the sack artist is the RDE, the well-rounded asset is the LDE, and the blue collar dock worker is the 1-tech. Since the 1-tech requires its man to play some 2-gap, eat some grass, and generally plug the middle, it’s a pretty important part of this defense.
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Yet, the 1-tech is often inexpensively filled since these guys lack tangible stats and subsequently garner low salaries. The Dallas Cowboys like to surf the scrap heap when filling this unappreciated role. They’ve historically found players capable of doing the job for little to nothing against the salary cap. The only problem is those players haven’t been particularly good at it.
While the promising Maliek Collins has spent time there recently, he’s not a natural 1-tech. I’ve contested playing the 1-tech is a waste of his size and explosion and he’s better served playing in a rotation with David Irvin at the 3-tech (aka under tackle).
The primary concern when discussing Terrell McClain is his ability to stay healthy. The dude spends more time hurt than a millennial on a UC campus.
Brian Price is an underappreciated defensive tackle who’s done well but hasn’t proven himself beyond 15 or so snaps per game.
The sad truth is, no one has played the 1-tech well since Terrell McClain left to greener (as in cash) pastures. The good news is, he’s available again.
Cast in an inappropriate role, Terrell McClain struggled with the Washington Redskins last season.
As such, his play never approached his financial expectations and he was cut one year into his deal. While the oft-injured prodigal child has some concerns, he also has a track record for success in Dallas and could come at an affordable price.
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Concerns
The primary concern when discussing Terrell McClain is his ability to stay healthy. The dude spends more time hurt than a millennial on a UC campus. But when he’s on, he’s on and he’s usually on when he’s playing for a contract.
At 29-years old, Terrell McClain is far from done in this league. Provided, of course, he bounces back from the dumpster fire that was last season. If he could sign with the Dallas Cowboys, in a system he knows he can thrive in, he could parley that into a bigger contract down the road. If that’s not incentive, I’m not sure what is.
The Dallas Cowboys like a 1-tech that can play both 1-gap and 2-gap. They like a guy who can stay at home, occupy blockers, and eat space.
They also like their 1-tech to be able to explode through the gap and create havoc in the backfield when asked to do so.
Terrell McClain can do both.
I’m not sure how much McClain has to offer. I’m also not sure what his contract demands are. But I know the Cowboys are dangerously thin in the middle and if they want to keep Jaylon Smith’s jersey and LVE’s jersey clean this season, they better do something about it.
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Once upon a time, Terrell McClain was an excellent 1-tech for Rod Marinelli’s defense here in Dallas. If McClain still has it in him, the option of re-signing him is worth exploring.