Jean-Jacques Taylor
FRISCO, Texas -- For the last several seasons, the Dallas Cowboys have shied away from spending big money on free agents.
That stance isn't likely to change based on the production of their two highest-priced free-agent additions this offseason.
Neither Cedric Thornton nor Benson Mayowa are in the starting lineup.
At least Thornton played Sunday against Pittsburgh. Mayowa, who signed a three-year deal worth $8.25 million in the offseason, was inactive.
Ryan Davis, signed last month, took Mayowa's spot.
Mayowa, who had two sacks in three seasons with Oakland, was supposed to be the kind of athlete who could help the Cowboys' pass rush.
It's not that Dallas viewed him as a 10-sack guy, but he was envisioned as a player who could put consistent pressure on the quarterback and be a quality member of a pass-rush rotation.
“We have nine guys and we wanted to have the eight most productive guys up there,” coach Jason Garrett said of the defensive line rotation. “We’re trying to create competitive situations in practice and competitive situations in the game to earn the right to be one of those eight guys in the game.”
It hasn't happened with Mayowa. He has two sacks and four quarterback knockdowns for a unit that could use all the help it can get.
The Cowboys entered the Pittsburgh game ranked 15th in sacks (18), 27th in pressures (41) and 29th in knockdowns (29). And they’ve drawn only four holding calls, tied for 31st in the league.
The Cowboys sacked Ben Roethlisberger only once Sunday.
“He’s working hard, but we want to see more production,” Garrett said of Mayowa. “He’s getting better and understanding the techniques we want him to play and at different times he’s done a good job of being productive, but we want him to continue showing up.
“What we do is similar to what he did in Oakland, it’s just a matter of continuing to work hard, showing up and being productive.”
Until he does, he’s going to have a hard time getting on the field.
FRISCO, Texas -- For the last several seasons, the Dallas Cowboys have shied away from spending big money on free agents.
That stance isn't likely to change based on the production of their two highest-priced free-agent additions this offseason.
Neither Cedric Thornton nor Benson Mayowa are in the starting lineup.
At least Thornton played Sunday against Pittsburgh. Mayowa, who signed a three-year deal worth $8.25 million in the offseason, was inactive.
Ryan Davis, signed last month, took Mayowa's spot.
Mayowa, who had two sacks in three seasons with Oakland, was supposed to be the kind of athlete who could help the Cowboys' pass rush.
It's not that Dallas viewed him as a 10-sack guy, but he was envisioned as a player who could put consistent pressure on the quarterback and be a quality member of a pass-rush rotation.
“We have nine guys and we wanted to have the eight most productive guys up there,” coach Jason Garrett said of the defensive line rotation. “We’re trying to create competitive situations in practice and competitive situations in the game to earn the right to be one of those eight guys in the game.”
It hasn't happened with Mayowa. He has two sacks and four quarterback knockdowns for a unit that could use all the help it can get.
The Cowboys entered the Pittsburgh game ranked 15th in sacks (18), 27th in pressures (41) and 29th in knockdowns (29). And they’ve drawn only four holding calls, tied for 31st in the league.
The Cowboys sacked Ben Roethlisberger only once Sunday.
“He’s working hard, but we want to see more production,” Garrett said of Mayowa. “He’s getting better and understanding the techniques we want him to play and at different times he’s done a good job of being productive, but we want him to continue showing up.
“What we do is similar to what he did in Oakland, it’s just a matter of continuing to work hard, showing up and being productive.”
Until he does, he’s going to have a hard time getting on the field.
