Chris Long is the Cowboys last shot at potent pass rush
By Brad Austin
Free agent defensive end Chris Long is the last remaining shot at salvaging what otherwise will become a punchless Dallas Cowboys sack unit.
The first day of free agency came and went, and predictably the thrifty Dallas Cowboys made zero new additions or improvements over their 2015 roster.
The lone bright spot was re-signing starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain to a one year deal. While it was an important move, improvement over the previous roster decides winners and losers.
The most troubling aspect of Wednesday’s spending bonanza was none of the impact players at two key positions (running back, defensive end) made their way to Dallas.
That’s digestible when a roster only needs a high quality addition to a few open positions. The draft can adequately fill a limited number of starting holes.
Dallas has multiple draft needs for an impact pass rusher, running back, and defensive back. Not to mention desires for a 1-technique defensive tackle and rookie passer.
Counting on re-signs, knock-off veterans, and rookies can work with more complete starting rosters, but Dallas has several holes requiring capable, immediate starters.
POACHING PASS RUSHERS
My biggest concerns after the first day of free agent signings came from losing out on all top level pass rushers.
With sackless Randy Gregory suspended four games, Dallas desperately needs instant impact edge rush to pair with Demarcus Lawrence‘s eight returning sacks.
It’s imperative the Cowboys add this new high caliber rush piece in free agency. They simply cannot expect the advanced level of instant production needed from the draft.
In a recent article I documented the rookie year inadequacies of first round pass rushers. Only one of 18 pass rushers selected in the first round of the last three drafts recorded more than five sacks in his rookie season.
Any team returning only one productive pass rusher is foolish to wager their pressure demands on a rookie. The instant pop needed will only be found on the veteran market.
2016 free agency offered five instant impact ends capable of 8+ sacks next year. Charles Johnson, Jason Pierre-Paul, Malik Jackson, Mario Williams, and Olivier Vernon were all gone in a flash.
There are two wild cards still available who (with the right luck) could outperform a few of the high priority ends above. Dallas must land one of them to soldify their rush.
Greg Hardy is the ugly option, as few fans or decision makers in the clubhouse want any part of his return. The second choice, Chris Long, is scheduled to visit Dallas soon.
TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME
If the Cowboys want any shot at forcefully pushing the pocket with regularity, Long needs to be locked down before he leaves town.
Long’s pricetag will be manageable as he’s both an age (30) and injury risk. The last two seasons he missed 14 of 32 games with knee and ankle injuries.
While a risk, Long is still younger than DeMarcus Ware (33) and recently signed free agent Mario Williams (31).
What he offers Dallas is something no remaining free agent (besides Hardy) or rookie pass rusher can…a realistic shot at 8+ sacks next season.
The New York Giants set a record by signing pass rusher Olivier Vernon yesterday. His 5 years / $82 million contract was the richest for a defensive end in NFL history.
Between 2013-15, Vernon accumulated 25.5 total sacks. Before Long had injury issues the last two seasons, his production was even better than the new highest paid end.
From 2011-13, Long racked up 33 sacks, 7.5 more than Vernon’s recent 3-year run. Long claims he’s 100% healthy and actively seeking to redeem his stature.
With Gregory returning in Week 5 and Dallas still likely to draft an end, they’ll have the rotation numbers to help Long stay fresh and thrive again.
Forget mid-level, questionable talents like free agents Robert Ayers and Adrian Clayborn. Stop the naive wishful thinking that a rookie end will arrive and save the day.
Long is the last remaining shot at salvaging what otherwise will become as punchless of a Cowboys sack unit as the 28th ranked bunch in 2014.
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