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Dallas Cowboys indecision hurting Tyrone Crawford’s effectiveness

By Steven Mullenax

Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford (98) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford (98) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Is the Dallas Cowboys inability to find defensive end Tyrone Crawford one single place to play along their defensive line ultimately hurting his effectiveness?

The Dallas Cowboys pride themselves in finding players who have positional flex. Individuals who excel regardless of where the Cowboys place them on the field at a moment’s notice.

But that constant shuffling also comes at a price. Ever-changing assignments, playstyles and responsibilities can quickly make even the best of players a jack of all trades, but a master of none. And this team needs more masters and less jacks, especially on defense.

Cowboy fans saw this philosophy firsthand when Dallas elected to shuffle 2015 first round selection Byron Jones between the cornerback and safety positions during his rookie season. That constant shifting of roles had the rookie’s head spinning. A year later, and Jones has now been cemented at safety.

The one player the Cowboys have elected to continue swapping around on a whim is defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford. The 27-year old has taken the brunt of fan anger after signing a six-year, $45.6 contract in September of 2015 and seemingly underperforming ever since.

Admittedly, injuries have played their part in Crawford’s ineffectiveness. He has posted a total of 63 tackles and 9.5 sacks in his last two seasons. But the former third round selection out of Boise State in 2012 is being paid as a Top 20 defensive lineman in the NFL according to OverTheCap.com.

Crawford’s relative ineffectiveness can in part be blamed on the Cowboys coaching staff, as they continue to shuffle the young defender inside and out, along the defensive line. It’s a fact Crawford has now resigned himself to.

"“I’m still going to be the bounce-around guy,” Crawford told ESPN.com. “If they need me at the nose, I’ll be at the nose. If they need me at tackle, I’ll be at tackle. If it’s end, I’ll be the end. That’s just how it’s been throughout my career here and that’s why I’m going to learn everything. And that’s what I want to be out there, to get my keys at everything so when it’s time, if something happens here or there, I’m ready to go.”"

Crawford has the size, strength and quickness to play multiple positions along the defensive line. That doesn’t mean he should. The Cowboys signed Crawford to a massive contract two years ago because they believed he could be the three-technique defensive tackle that is the linchpin in coordinator Rod Marinelli’s 4-3 defensive scheme.

Instead, the Cowboys have elected to continually shift Crawford out to defensive end at times in lieu of having a pass rushing war daddy. It’s a position which Dallas still hasn’t found an established answer for but now seemingly hopes to develop.

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If Tyrone Crawford’s most effective position along the defensive line is at tackle, the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff should cement him there. Just like they did Byron Jones at safety. By continually moving Crawford along the defensive line, they are just doing the player, the defense and the team as a whole a disservice.

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