With his ability to rush the passer, from both defensive end and tackle, Jack Crawford is a great signing for 2016.
But the Crawford signing does not mean the Cowboys are set on the defensive line. According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have continued to pursue free agent defensive end Jason Jones.
DE Jason Jones still in play for Cowboys, source says. Would need to be comparable to 1-year, $1.1 million deal that Jack Crawford signed.
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) April 4, 2016
In 2015, Jones recorded 4.5 sacks, 31 tackles, 13 QB hurries, and a forced fumble with the Lions. He has posted 28 total sacks since being drafted by Tennessee in 2008 and, like Crawford, can play inside as well as outside.
The Cowboys may be pursuing Jason Jones, but is it in their best interest to sign him?
Yes, because…
Despite the additions of DE Benson Mayowa and DT Cedric Thornton, as well as the re-signing of Jack Crawford, the Cowboys still need to improve their pass rush. Their defensive line was underwhelming in 2015 and served to be the tragic flaw in the season-ending playoff loss to the Packers in 2014.
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli wants to attack in “waves” of fresh-legged linemen especially at the end of games and seasons. For this to happen, the Cowboys will have to do more to build a dominant D-line, and continue to add legitimate, elite, game-changing talents. Not to mention, Randy Gregory will be suspended for the first four games and DeMarcus Lawrence is coming off of back surgery, a discectomy.
Bottom line is, the defensive front needs depth, which makes the addition of another DE, like Jones, quite attractive to the Cowboys.
No, because…
The Cowboys have made a conscious effort to keep and obtain young players. Although they could use all the help they could get, Jones does not fit that mold seeing as he will turn 30 next month. The oldest players currently on the defensive line are Terrell McClain, Jack Crawford, and Cedric Thornton at age 27. Jason Jones would be the oldest pass rusher on the line.
Not to mention, he just made $3.1 million over the last two seasons with the Lions and may be looking for a similar paycheck from the Cowboys. Paying a player like Jones anything near $3.1 million may not be something the Cowboys want to do.
If Jones does wear the star in 2016, it’d likely be for one year, in a deal similar to that of Jack Crawford’s. Ideally, I’d like to see the ‘Boys acquire defensive linemen through the draft; That’s young cheap talent compared to Jones’ aging and pricey talent.
But on the other hand, Jones could still add some life to the lackluster pass rush and serve as a mentor to the younger defensive linemen.
Would it be in the their best interest to sign Jason Jones? Maybe at the right price.
"The right price" is the key here. Jeremy Mincey got a 2-year, $3M deal when he signed here in 2014. I think Jones and he are on about the same level and that kind of money, with some incentives, is fair.
Jess– I agree i think we should sign Jason Jones…a one year deal at right price…put him in Marinelli Majic for a few months…Marinelli loves to bring them in waves…
fresh , fast, and hungry…another reason not to take Bosa…a #4 pick that is only rotational?…makes no sense…Jess..I dont know if you have been asked this question
yet….maybe you have…but…with all that has transpired in the last year and with the state of our pass rush…what is your honest opinion on the possibility of bring back
Hardy?…i have an opinion on this but i would first like to hear yours…thanks for your consideration in this matter…Robert
Reports are that Hardy was openly disrespectful of Garrett in the locker room and being a bad influence on some of the young DEs. Even if he'd had double-digit sacks last year, I don't think Jason would put up with that and bring him back. Given that his production trailed off during the second half of the season, there's not a chance.
Jess– Here is a question that i am sure Rod Marinelli is scratching his head over…back in 2014 the cowboys were 2nd in the league in take aways…with 31 i think?
then last year 2015 essentially the same cast of players we slip all the way down to 10 or 11…now we have heard it was the lack of offense in comparison from
2014 and 2015..which opponents were not having to come from behind and take more chances…in your opinion is that the reason the cowboys lacked in taking the ball
away?…thanks again for your input..Robert
It was certainly the biggest reason. In 2014, opponents ran the ball against the Cowboys 392 times (6th fewest in the league). In 2015 they ran it 461 times (7th most in the league). That's not just fewer attempts to intercept passes but also means time is running off the clock faster. Here's a silver lining, though. Despite few passing attempts against the defense in 2015, they increased the number of pass deflections from 48 in 2014 to 65 last year. While they weren't converting as many opportunities to interceptions, they were attacking the ball better. That could be the foundation for a turnover-heavy season in 2016.
Jess— cowboys 4-12 last year…and with some help and fortune the cowboys may very well be in the mix for a deep run into the playoffs this year….do you rememeber an NFL
team going from the bottom one year to the top the very next year?…thanks for your time..Robert
Robert, you ask a lot of great questions. How about you come join our forum community at http://www.pigskinhub.com/ and start up some conversations?
Loved his film coming out of EMU. Not sure what he has left in the tank.