Tag: Dante Fowler

9 Cowboys who could follow Dan Quinn to Washington in next 2 years

It’s common practice for players to follow a coach to a new venue. Which defenders could trail Quinn to the east coast? | From @KDDrummondNFL

One would imagine that a ton of Cowboys defenders enjoyed their time under Dan Quinn’s leadership. His ability to motivate and lead is often cited as his best quality, and that’s for a defensive coordinator who has had three straight top-five defenses in Dallas on top of back-to-back No. 1 defenses in Seattle. In between was a stint as head coach of Atlanta that included a trip to the Super Bowl without having a top defense.

So it stands to reason, with a new franchise QB incoming and a ton of cap space, Washington is going to be an intriguing destination for Quinn’s disciples. Some will be able to join him this year, others will have to wait a year until their contracts expire. Here’s a look at two years worth of Cowboys free agents who could end up following Quinn to the nation’s capital.

 

3 Cowboys defenders likely to follow Dan Quinn if he leaves Dallas

If Dan Quinn leaves the Cowboys in the offseason here are three defenders who are likely to follow him out of Dallas. | From @ReidDHanson

Over the past three seasons Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has enjoyed celebrity status in Dallas. The former Super Bowl head coach transformed a fledging defense under Mike Nolan into a one of the NFL’s best, almost overnight.

Leading the NFL in turnovers for two consecutive seasons was said to be impossible, yet Quinn achieved it in 2021 and 2022. He was able to lure veteran players into rotational roles. Dallas retained up-and-comers on affordable deals. Quinn moved players to new roles and positions with shocking success. His proficiency in Dallas has earned him top status around the NFL. He’s been an annual name on head coaching interview lists each offseason and each season the Cowboys have felt generally blessed to somehow retain him.

That might change in 2024.

Upheaval is expected following the Cowboys’ 48-32 loss to the Packers in the wild card round of the playoffs. Dallas was humiliated at home and Quinn’s defense played a significant role in that loss. He’s already been linked to vacancies around the NFL and given his tenuous status in Dallas, may see 2024 as the perfect time to jump ship.

But Quinn is a player’s coach. His guys love him and based on the players who’ve come to Dallas to work with him over the years, his players also follow him. So, if/when Quinn leaves the Cowboys, who can be expected to follow him out of town?

This Cowboys’ 4-man combo is tops among 86 NFL pass-rush groups

The Cowboys have a handful of winning combinations rushing the passer in 2023, but one foursome stands out from the rest in the NFL, finds @ReidDHanson.

When it comes to pass rushers, the Cowboys have an embarrassment of riches on their hands. Not only does Dallas field one of the best rushers in the game in Micah Parsons, but they also have Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler, Dorance Armstrong and Sam Williams.

And that’s just outside players.

Inside, the Cowboys have Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore and Chauncey Golston applying pressure. The last two may not be well-regarded pass rushers, but Odighizuwa is currently second in the NFL in DT pass rush win rate, despite being double-teamed 66 percent of the time this season.

With so many talented pass rushers across the defensive line, it’s difficult to tell which is the best combination in Dallas. When the passing situation is obvious and the Cowboys are pinning their ears back and hunting for quarterbacks, who makes up the best NASCAR package?

Arjun Menon, formerly of PFF, ran the numbers across the league and found out. Not only did he determine who the Cowboys’ top four-man passing rushing combination is, but also how that group stacks up across the NFL.

Filtering for plays in which there were only four pass-rushers with a minimum of 10 snaps together, it was determined Fowler, Lawrence, Armstrong and Parsons are the best foursome in Dallas.

In a field of 86 qualified groups, the Cowboys’ top grouping finished tops in the league. Their 90.91% pressure rate isn’t just astonishingly high, but it’s over 20 percent higher than the second most efficient foursome.

It’s immediately apparent to anyone looking at these four players, the Cowboys top foursome is comprised solely of EDGE players.

By reducing Lawrence and Armstrong inside, the Cowboys can load up on speed and explosiveness. Since this package is reserved for obvious passing situations, there is a greatly reduced fear of the run so stoutness can safely be sacrificed for speed.

Since Dan Quinn is a defensive coordinator who’s naturally adverse to blitzing, the Cowboys also stunt at a high rate. By twisting his ends and tackles he can create confusion with blocking assignments. It changes angles and can expose inexperienced offensive linemen.

Obviously in base or even standard nickel personnel, the Cowboys would have one or two DTs inside who can hold up against the run. But even that has elite pass rush potential. As alluded to earlier, Odighizuwa is amongst the best in the league in creating pressure. Double-teams don’t even stop him.

But even Golston has some potential bubbling beneath the surface. His one sack this season isn’t going to get his picture on a Wheaties box, but according to PFF, Golston’s 21.2 win percentage ranks him fifth amongst DTs, slotting him right between Aaron Donald and Chris Jones this season.

At the end of the day, the Cowboys have a handful of good players capable of rushing the passer with high-end efficiency. But on obvious passing downs, the top combination is clear because they’re not just the best on the team, they’re the best in the NFL.

Watch the Chargers and Cowboys get into pregame scuffle ahead of Week 6

Tensions are already high at SoFi Stadium.

Tensions are already high at SoFi Stadium between the Chargers and Cowboys as the two teams got into a scuffle before the game.

It looks like it initially involved the Chargers secondary. Then others became involved, including running back Austin Ekeler, who appeared to have taken a punch to the head by edge defender Dante Fowler.

Kickoff is set for 5:15 pm PT.

7 Cowboys veterans who could be on the trade block

A look at several veterans who could command a quality return in trade talks after this weekend’s exhibition finales. | From @KDDrummondNFL

Are the Dallas Cowboys a top-heavy team, or do they have the necessary depth to survive the regular-season gauntlet? It appears on paper the club has several positions where the talent is overflowing, but there are a handful where injuries could cause a major downgrade in performance. The loss of rookies DeMarvion Overshown and John Stephens in Saturday’s exhibition against Seattle proved that point.

Linebacker and tight end are two of the club’s unproven spots and thus losses there seem to be catastrophic to the club’s talent level. Still, other positions seem well prepared for the 17-week grind as long as calamity stays at bay. It feels like Dallas has the ability to move some pieces at certain positions and potentially get plug-and-play returns at other spots of need.

Dallas needs veteran depth on the offensive line, so maybe there’s a chance to flip an asset for a team looking to save cap space there and allow younger, cheaper options to ascend. Maybe there’s some veteran help for Dallas to have as a backup to the youngsters at tight end and linebacker as well. Dallas can use future draft capital to acquire said help, but player-for-player swaps can be more enticing when feasible.

Here’s a look at several players who could be on the trade block following this weekend’s preseason finale against the Raiders.

Here’s why this veteran edge rusher is now on the Cowboys’ roster bubble

The Cowboys have an embarrassment of riches at the defensive end position which could lead to the departure of Dante Fowler. | From @ReidDHanson

When the Cowboys lost Randy Gregory in the offseason of 2022, they had to scramble. They were banking on their former second-round pick to start in their EDGE rotation so losing him at the 11th hour required quick thinking to rebound.

Dallas pivoted, inking Dorance Armstrong to a two-year contract immediately. To complete the triage, they then turned their attention to a free agent veteran with strong ties to Dan Quinn, Dante Fowler Jr.

Fowler, a former third-overall pick from Atlanta, was with Quinn when he was head coach of the Falcons. While Fowler never quite lived up to his billing as a top-five pick, he was a talented and proven entity who represented a big win for the Cowboys as a Plan B option.

As luck would have it, everything fell into place in 2022. Micah Parsons would go on to have an All-Pro season. DeMarcus Lawrence would have yet another brilliant campaign. Armstrong posted career numbers and rookie Sam Williams looked like a bona fide steal as a second rounder. And Fowler was every bit as advertised as the veteran pass-rushing specialist.

The best part is, all five return in 2023.

The Cowboys have what is called “an embarrassment of riches” at the defensive end position. They have enough good EDGE players to field two NFL teams.

If everyone stays healthy through training camp they may have a real champaign problem on their hands – more players than snaps available. It’s only natural to look for the odd man out in their circumstance and the way things look today it may be Fowler.

It’s safe to say Parsons is going to get as many snaps as he can handle in 2023. Lawrence will also surely get his and as discussed previously, Williams needs to see a major uptick in his bid to cross the 10-sack threshold. And Armstrong finished second on the team in sacks in 2022, so he’s sure to get plenty of opportunities in the rotation as well.

This doesn’t leave many snaps left over for players like Fowler. Based on age, contract and controllability, Fowler already finds himself on the bubble. If any of the young, less-heralded options like Tyrus Wheat, Durrell Johnson or Isaiah Land flash in training camp, it could be game over for the soon-to-be 29-year-old Fowler in Dallas.

The Cowboys signed Fowler to a 1-year, $3 million deal in March that guarantees $1 million and could pay out as much as $4 million per Todd Archer. If they don’t think they will use him enough to justify his $1,500,000 base salary and per-game roster bonus’ they could deem him expendable.

It’s going to be difficult to justify Fowler getting more snaps than Williams again this season so his workload is likely to suffer. And though Fowler produced well as a pass-rusher (36 pressures and 6 sacks per PFF) he was a liability against the run.

Fowler is still an excellent EDGE player in the NFL and the Cowboys have plenty of cap space to pay him if he’s going to be a contributor like last season. But if Dallas filters more snaps to their younger developing players, it may be tough to justify Fowler’s place on the roster.

This is all just something to keep in mind when Cowboys Camp opens up on July 27 in Oxnard.

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Cowboys pass rusher Dante Fowler fined $10,609 for penalty vs. Broncos

Dante Fowler was fined $10,609 for one of the Cowboys’ 17 penalties against the Broncos in Week 1 of preseason.

The Dallas Cowboys showed a lack of discipline if their preseason opener against the Denver Broncos on Aug. 13, and the resulting penalties from that lack of discipline cost the team 129 yards.

The penalties cost one of the Cowboys’ players in the wallet, too.

Dallas pass rusher Dante Fowler was fined $10,609 by the NFL after he was penalized for unnecessary roughness against Denver, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Fowler drew a flag after pushing a Broncos player off a pile in the second quarter. After the game, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Fowler was benched for the penalty.

Dallas drew an NFL-high 17 penalties against Denver in Week 1 of preseason. The Cowboys weren’t able to overcome those penalties as Denver controlled the game and cruised to a 17-7 victory.

In his career, Fowler has had 30 penalties accepted against him in the regular season, costing his teams 237 yards since he entered the league in 2016.

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Cowboys DE Dante Fowler fined for penalty vs Broncos

The Cowboys DE was benched for the infraction, and now will have to give the league some of his coins.

The Cowboys’ intention when they were signing Dante Fowler was that they were getting a defensive end with pass-rush ability and history. In looking to replace Randy Gregory, who spurned their offer in free agency over a clause that would void guarantees in the deal, Dallas wanted to get a player who could provide Gregory’s floor of production for a fraction of the cost.

The hope was also that they’d be able to move away from the mental errors that led to penalties at inopportune times. In his first chance to prove himself, Fowler did come with some pass-rush prowess, but he also flashed the lapses Gregory did, getting an unnecessary roughness penalty in the defensive red zone against Denver. That penalty ended his night, as head coach Mike McCarthy benched him. It also earned him a fine from the league.

The Cowboys’ depth chart at defensive end is still undecided. DeMarcus Lawrence is a sure-fire starter on the left side and it’s assumed Dorance Armstrong, Jr. will start on the right side. Behind them, Fowler, second-year player Chauncey Golston, rookie Sam Williams and veteran Tarell Basham are all fighting for roles. The two vets may be battling it out for a roster spot in general.

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6 Cowboys who could be shocking cuts before the 2022 regular season

Sometimes it’s about who’s better. But sometimes there are other factors at play when it comes to the initial 53-man roster. @KDDrummondNFL looks at a few names that would raise an eyebrow if let go.

The Dallas Cowboys may not be as deep as they have been in years past, but that doesn’t mean they will have an easier time when it comes to putting together their 53-man roster. There are still decisions to make for Stephen Jones, Will McClay and head coach Mike McCarthy that include talent, but go beyond who the best player is right now (or in three weeks).

In addition to who offers the best performance, the team will be looking to ensure they don’t say goodbye to potential they want to continue harnessing. Beyond that there is the injury factor for guys the club may look to bring back during the season, and the rules to which those maneuvers can happen. Mixed all together and there could be some interesting decisions made come August 30. Here’s a look at six players who could be on the outside looking in at the initial 53-man roster.

Inside Dante Fowler’s decision to join Cowboys

A chance to win a Super Bowl and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn were the main reasons why Dante Fowler signed with the Dallas Cowboys. From @BenGrimaldi

The Dallas Cowboys lost one of the key pieces to their defense this offseason when the negotiations with Randy Gregory went south. To combat that defection, the Cowboys sought out to find a veteran defensive end to replace Gregory.

That search led the Cowboys to DE Dante Fowler, whom the team signed to a one-year, $3 million deal. Drafted third overall in the 2015 NFL draft, Fowler has had an up and down career, but does have an 11.5 sack season to his name.

It’s a typical type of signing the Cowboys have been famous for in recent years. The team likes to add highly drafted veterans, who have had trouble being consistent through the course of their careers, to short deals in hopes of getting the most out of them.

As mush as the Cowboys needed a veteran pass rusher, Fowler also preferred Dallas as a destination. On the first day of voluntary workouts, Fowler spoke about why he chose the Cowboys, which included an opportunity to win a Super Bowl.

The appeal of the Cowboys is often a draw to free agents. The team is always on the big stage and a good season can lead to a bigger pay day.

There is also the allure of playing for one of the glamour franchises in the NFL, but the truth is the Cowboys haven’t come close to the Super Bowl in the last 25 years. Perhaps Fowler believes he can be part of the reason for finally getting over the hump.

And it isn’t farfetched to say the Cowboys can compete for a title. The team is coming off a 12-5 season in which they were considered strong contenders for the first half of the campaign before faltering late in the year.

Another reason Fowler signed with the Cowboys is because of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Fowler played under Quinn when he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons during the 2020 season. Despite having just three sacks that year, Quinn made enough of an impression on Fowler that the DE wanted to be reunited with his former coach.

The same can be said of Quinn, who had to have vouched for Fowler. It’s hard to believe the Cowboys would’ve signed Fowler if Quinn didn’t endorse the veteran. Their time together was short in 2020 (Quinn was fired md-season), but both appeared to like working with each other.

The Cowboys retained Quinn in hopes of attracting defensive players to come and play for one of the best defensive coaches in the league. Fowler might not be producing at the high level he was expected to when he was drafted, but if anyone can pull it out of him, the hope is that Quinn is the coach to do it.

If Fowler can settle in as a rotational piece for the Dallas defensive line, and not be counted on as focal point, he can pay dividends. Fowler has 35 career sacks, 18.5 more than Gregory, and will be just 28-years old during the 2022 season. The veteran DE has the ability to get to the quarterback and can play a valuable role with the Cowboys if he’s used as a designated pass rusher.

The Cowboys need to continue to find help at defensive end, but Fowler can be a strong piece in pressuring the QB. Dallas can thank Dan Quinn and the Cowboys’ brand for signing of Dante Fowler.

You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi.

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