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Posted by jellis at 2/27/2011 11:45 AM CST on truebluefanclub.com
One of the reasons Chris Canty got so much money to leave in 2009, and (a prediction here), why Stephen Bowen will emerge as a higher priority for the Cowboys to re-sign than Marcus Spears, is that both have a level of versatility for 3-4 linemen.
Canty and Bowen both showed the ability to not only play end, but to slide inside and rush the passer on a four-man line in nickel situations. Those skills boost the value of an end in the Cowboys' alignment, making him more than just a run-stuffer.
Jerry Jones hinted on Friday that certain defensive linemen in the draft would be hard to pass up at the No. 9 pick, and he was almost certainly referring to Auburn's Nick Fairley, or perhaps Alabama's Marcel Darius or Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson. But one player projected to go later in the draft, who might even be on the board when the Cowboys pick at No. 40, is Cameron Heyward of Ohio State. Heyward slid all over the Buckeyes line.
"I wouldn't say I played more 5-technique because it depends what you qualify a technique," Heyward said. "A 3-4 end, yes, on third down. But we played 4-3 on certain teams because we were always adapting to our team as well ... Just moving all over the line helped me be versatile and it helped me go against tackles who don't go against guys who are more physical, and guards where I'm able to use my speed more."
Heyward's unofficial measurements here in Indianapolis are 6-5, 294 pounds, perfect for a 3-4 end in the Cowboys scheme. He brings an NFL pedigree as the son of the late running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.
And keep in mind, Jerry and Stephen Jones saw firsthand Heyward's dominance of their Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl.
One of the reasons Chris Canty got so much money to leave in 2009, and (a prediction here), why Stephen Bowen will emerge as a higher priority for the Cowboys to re-sign than Marcus Spears, is that both have a level of versatility for 3-4 linemen.
Canty and Bowen both showed the ability to not only play end, but to slide inside and rush the passer on a four-man line in nickel situations. Those skills boost the value of an end in the Cowboys' alignment, making him more than just a run-stuffer.
Jerry Jones hinted on Friday that certain defensive linemen in the draft would be hard to pass up at the No. 9 pick, and he was almost certainly referring to Auburn's Nick Fairley, or perhaps Alabama's Marcel Darius or Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson. But one player projected to go later in the draft, who might even be on the board when the Cowboys pick at No. 40, is Cameron Heyward of Ohio State. Heyward slid all over the Buckeyes line.
"I wouldn't say I played more 5-technique because it depends what you qualify a technique," Heyward said. "A 3-4 end, yes, on third down. But we played 4-3 on certain teams because we were always adapting to our team as well ... Just moving all over the line helped me be versatile and it helped me go against tackles who don't go against guys who are more physical, and guards where I'm able to use my speed more."
Heyward's unofficial measurements here in Indianapolis are 6-5, 294 pounds, perfect for a 3-4 end in the Cowboys scheme. He brings an NFL pedigree as the son of the late running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.
And keep in mind, Jerry and Stephen Jones saw firsthand Heyward's dominance of their Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl.