Dallas Cowboys

With key position tweaks, Dallas Cowboys defense gaining strength

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:40 p.m. ET

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After recent key personnel tweaks the quickly adapting Dallas Cowboys defense is growing stronger with each passing week.

Sep 18, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys strong safety Barry Church (42) is congratulated by teammates after intercepting a pass against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedEx Field. The Dallas Cowboys won 27 – 23. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Winning in football is a complicated task reduced to the simplicity of scoring more points than your opponent. The Dallas Cowboys are now 1-1 in achieving that goal.

The why’s and how’s are always important, but at the end of the day all that matters is who comes out on top on the scoreboard.

On the same note when judging the effectiveness of a defense, the stat that determines outcomes most accurately is points allowed per game.

A bending defense can allow 400 yards per game, but if they only surrender 17 points on average it’s considered highly successful.

After opposing two of the most potent passing offenses in the NFC, the blue collar Cowboys defense ranks 18th in yards per game (374).

Though below average in yards allowed, the resilient Dallas bunch ranks 13th in the category that decides winners and losers…points per game (21.5).

For a unit lacking star power and littered with question marks, they’ve put their own offense in position to outscore both high octane opponents.

After recent key personnel tweaks this quickly adapting group is only growing stronger with each passing week.

Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) eludes Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford (98) during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

CRAWFORD SETTING THE COWBOYS EDGE

Sliding Tyrone Crawford (6’4, 285) outside from defensive tackle to left defensive end is an excellent move that will pay multiple dividends.

With DeMarcus Lawrence suspended a few more weeks and the left end position needing more presence, Crawford is the right man to elevate the position.

Crawford began his career in Dallas at end and is no stranger to outside play.

One thing that stands out from those days as a 3-4 defensive end was his rock solid play against the run.

Since moving to tackle his slightly undersized frame has been battered and limited after absorbing heavy interior pounding and many double teams.

“When I moved down to three-technique tackle, you asked me how I feel, and I said I felt like I got hit by a bus,” Crawford told the Dallas Morning News. “This time after the game I feel like a freaking butterfly.”

It’s no coincidence once Crawford became adjusted to the second half position switch he was able to record a huge sack on Washington’s final drive.

Not only will the left end position see better run defense and increased pocket pressure, but Crawford’s switch will help bolster the interior line.

Cedric Thornton (6’4, 309) will assume his 3-technique tackle position and pair with nose tackle Terrell McClain (6’2, 302) to form a hefty interior presence.

The inner size upgrade will create a stiffer resistance against inside rushing. Which in turn will help protect the Cowboys new crucial tweak at middle linebacker.

Oct 12, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Justin Durant (52) celebrates after a failed fourth down play by the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of a 26-20 Dallas victory at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

DURANT BACK PATROLLING THE MIDDLE

The news of Rolando McClain’s 10-game suspension in late June was accompanied by major concern from Cowboys faithful.

Replaced by Anthony Hitchens (6’0, 235), most fans realized the undersized linebacker lacks overpowering physicality and struggles to shed clean interior blocks.

It’s no knock on Hitchens as the talented youngster does have competent skills, he’s just better suited to play in space at weak side linebacker.

The signing of veteran Justin Durant (6’1, 230) added a competent middle option to fall back on, though also carried worthwhile concerns.

Durant is not imposingly built like McClain (6’4, 259) yet has more length and attacking physicality than Hitchens.

He played the position fairly well for the Cowboys in 2013 and 2014, though injuries ended both seasons prematurely.

Last season Durant performed well for Atlanta adding 57 tackles in 13 games.

This time around in Dallas he was slow to display his ability to handle the job.

While fans became nervous, few took into account he had been without a team and organized off-season training since last February.

Now that the battle-tested veteran is back acclimated to NFL combat, Durant’s solid relief play has proven he’s the best man for the job.

The size increase to the starting defensive tackles will help keep blockers off the middle linebacker, thus allowing Durant a clearer path to pound ball carriers.