There are several factors which can cause a team to miss the playoffs; for the Dallas Cowboys one of the biggest reasons in 2019 was their defense. The unit couldn’t get stops when they needed them and appeared to lack effort at times.
One of the finer details of Dallas’ defenses demise may have gone unnoticed, the absence of veteran defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford. The versatile Crawford was limited to just four games in 2019 because of injuries and when he did suit up, he wasn’t effective playing at less than 100%. The hip problems he fought off for weeks eventually forced Crawford to get double hip surgeries last October and miss the remainder of the season.
Crawford had finally started living up to his contract over the previous two seasons, too. Prior to the offseason, there was talk of a possible pay reduction which Crawford seemed amenable to. That hasn’t come to fruition, yet, and his $8 million base salary and $9.1 million cap hit still stand among the highest totals on the Dallas roster.
The team is currently working with around $11 million in cap space, but were they to look to sign another player, Crawford’s deal could be rearranged to convert base salary into playing incentive that would allow them to refocus his cap hit into 2021.
He’s currently in the final season of a contract signed prior to the 2015 that at the time paid him among the best defensive tackles in the league. That’s been an issue as he’s never been considered to play at that level. Crawford is often cited as the leader of the defensive unit, however, and that and his versatility enamored the coaching staff enough to keep him even though he was overpaid.
He’s a glue guy who plays well enough and does the dirty work that makes others better.
The #Cowboys missed Tyrone Crawford big-time in 2019, especially on stunts and line games. He creates opportunities for his teammates. pic.twitter.com/Fvbm6Pcxob
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) June 2, 2020
It shouldn’t be overlooked that once Crawford was lost for the season in 2019, the defense felt as if it lacked toughness.
That’s not an issue with Crawford, who leads by example. Crawford has played despite having torn rotator cuffs in each shoulder in prior seasons (2015 and 2016).
As the 2020 season approaches for the Cowboys, Crawford’s return will be an important addition to the defense. Currently, the eight-year veteran out of Boise St. is penciled in as the starter at right defensive end. Now, with the addition of defensive tackles Dontari Poe and Gerald McCoy, along with DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys have a highly experienced front which should be able to rely on veteran moxie and canny to thwart offensive line blocking schemes.
As the defense is expected to be more multiple in their alignments under new coordinator Mike Nolan, Crawford brings the ability to play any position along the defensive line. Drafted as a 30-front defensive end, Crawford began his career as a rotational piece at different spots on the line before Rod Marinelli saw the potential in Crawford as a 3-tech stud in the middle.
Necessity forced the Cowboys’ hand in 2016 and the team moved him to defensive end, where he developed into a solid player. He’s collected at least three sacks each season while playing inside as a 3-tech, as well as both sides as a defensive end.
Crawford is also the only defensive end opposite of Lawrence who has played significant game action the last few years. Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory will be his primary competition for snaps, but neither have been on the field enough in the past five years to know what to expect.
The hope is the dynamic duo of Smith and Gregory will return to football shape and once again show their skills, but it might be asking too much from either to play significant snaps, at least through the early portions of the season.
The Cowboys will have designated pass rush snaps up for grabs as well, adding to the need for Crawford to be flexible.
Crawford also brings relentless hustle and plays the run well enough to excel on early downs before giving way to better pass rushing options. Using Crawford on first and second downs before subbing in Smith, Gregory or another DE on third downs may be an optimal use of the Cowboys’ personnel.
There is no one else, currently, who is in better position to start at RDE for the Cowboys. Dorance Armstrong, Joe Jackson and Jalen Jelks did not appear ready to unseat Crawford based on 2019 performances. Time will tell what rookie DE Bradlee Anae brings to the table, but it’s going to be difficult for him to replace Crawford as a fifth-round pick.
The Cowboys still can bring someone in to compete with Crawford but it looks like he will be holding down a starting position at defensive end.
He’s long been one of the most consistent defensive players for the Cowboys but Crawford’s contract has always been a sore subject for fans. The five-year, $45 million deal that included close to $25 million in guarantees signed in 2015 was elite money for a good player, which some Cowboys fans have never gotten over. Even though he has never lived up to money in statistics, his leadership and versatility provided the value of the deal.
It’s become a ritual of the Cowboys’ off-season, there’s a group of fans trying to cut Crawford to add cap room. However, as we saw last year, his presence is missed when he’s not in the lineup.
Tyrone Crawford is one of the unsung heroes for the Cowboys. He’s a respected voice in the locker room and a good football player on the field. He’s the type of glue guy that helps win games, so despite those fans who want him, Crawford remains a valued member of Dallas’ defense.
You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi
This is part of our Countdown to the Regular Season player profile countdown. With 97 days remaining until the NFL’s first game, up next is defensive tackle Trysten Hill.
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