By Jon Machota , Staff Writer Contact Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota
The Cowboys didn't spend an early-round draft pick on a defensive end. They didn't make any big-splash signings at the position during free agency, either.
Benson Mayowa, Dallas' most noteworthy offseason addition, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last week. Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence, the team's top two ends, are both looking at four-game suspensions to start the season.
A pass-rushing position already filled with question marks isn't exactly having the best offseason.
But Jerry Jones is here to explain why he still feels good about things.
"I feel good about our numbers," the Cowboys owner and general manager said last week. "We need to have as few disruptions or compromises in camp as we can get, we need all these guys out there taking reps just from the standpoint of not evaluating, but from the standpoint of getting their reps so they can come in and do a rotation when we open against the Giants."
If training camp started today, the depth at the position would largely consist of Ryan Russell, Charles Tapper and David Irving.
With the extra work they received last week, Jones said two of those three caught his eye.
"A couple guys the last couple of days [of minicamp] that have really shown some aptitude out there, wouldn't have been out there probably in [David] Irving, and possibly even [Ryan] Russell, that are getting some opportunity out there," Jones said. "In Irving's case, he looks really apt outside and looks like it might fit him a little bit naturally even as much or more as inside."
Irving has played defensive tackle, but his 6-foot-7, 285-pound frame does seem better suited rushing from the outside. In 12 games last season, the 22-year-old had a half sack and 13 tackles.
Russell, a fifth-round pick in 2015, didn't make an impact as a rookie. But throughout organized team activities and minicamp he worked with the first-team defensive line at both right and left end.
The Cowboys didn't spend an early-round draft pick on a defensive end. They didn't make any big-splash signings at the position during free agency, either.
Benson Mayowa, Dallas' most noteworthy offseason addition, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last week. Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence, the team's top two ends, are both looking at four-game suspensions to start the season.
A pass-rushing position already filled with question marks isn't exactly having the best offseason.
But Jerry Jones is here to explain why he still feels good about things.
"I feel good about our numbers," the Cowboys owner and general manager said last week. "We need to have as few disruptions or compromises in camp as we can get, we need all these guys out there taking reps just from the standpoint of not evaluating, but from the standpoint of getting their reps so they can come in and do a rotation when we open against the Giants."
If training camp started today, the depth at the position would largely consist of Ryan Russell, Charles Tapper and David Irving.
With the extra work they received last week, Jones said two of those three caught his eye.
"A couple guys the last couple of days [of minicamp] that have really shown some aptitude out there, wouldn't have been out there probably in [David] Irving, and possibly even [Ryan] Russell, that are getting some opportunity out there," Jones said. "In Irving's case, he looks really apt outside and looks like it might fit him a little bit naturally even as much or more as inside."
Irving has played defensive tackle, but his 6-foot-7, 285-pound frame does seem better suited rushing from the outside. In 12 games last season, the 22-year-old had a half sack and 13 tackles.
Russell, a fifth-round pick in 2015, didn't make an impact as a rookie. But throughout organized team activities and minicamp he worked with the first-team defensive line at both right and left end.
I forgot about that. Let's see, Joey Galloway, Antonio Bryant, Darnay Scott, Reggie Swinton, Kenyon Rambo.
