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The Cowboys’ under defensive tackle is their 3-technique spot, and it’s considered one of the three most important positions on the defense.
In their 4-3 Tampa 2 scheme, the 3-technique defensive tackle is responsible for attacking the offensive guard’s outside shoulder and pushing up field to be as disruptive as possible.
The Cowboys want their 3-technique tackle to always rush the quarterback.
Depth chart: Henry Melton, Terrell McClain, Amobi Okoye, Ben Bass, Tyrone Crawford, Davon Coleman, Dartwan Bush.
2013 review: Last offseason, the Cowboys’ plan was to start Jay Ratliff at their key 3-technique spot. Ratliff never played in a game for the Cowboyslast season.
Instead, the Cowboys used vetearn defensive tackle Jason Hatcher at the 3-technique spot and he had a career year. Hatcher earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl with a career-high 11 sacks.
Hatcher finished second on the Cowboys with 33 quarterback pressures (just two behind DeMarcus Ware) and added seven tackles for loss.
2014 outlook: Hatcher signed in the offseason with Washington, leaving the Cowboys looking for another pass-rushing defensive tackle would could play their key 3-technique spot.
The Cowboys signed free agent defensive tackle Henry Melton from Chicago to fill Hatcher’s void. Melton played the same spot for the Bears under Rod Marinelli, the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. The Cowboys hope Melton can return to his 2012 Pro Bowl form, but he won’t be able to practice until training camp while still recovering from surgery to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament that limited him to only three games last year.
With Melton not practicing this offseason, the Cowboys used free agent signee Terrell McClain at their 3-technique spot. McClain can play both defensive tackle spots and he’ll give the Cowboys some depth inside.
In their 4-3 Tampa 2 scheme, the 3-technique defensive tackle is responsible for attacking the offensive guard’s outside shoulder and pushing up field to be as disruptive as possible.
The Cowboys want their 3-technique tackle to always rush the quarterback.
Depth chart: Henry Melton, Terrell McClain, Amobi Okoye, Ben Bass, Tyrone Crawford, Davon Coleman, Dartwan Bush.
2013 review: Last offseason, the Cowboys’ plan was to start Jay Ratliff at their key 3-technique spot. Ratliff never played in a game for the Cowboyslast season.
Instead, the Cowboys used vetearn defensive tackle Jason Hatcher at the 3-technique spot and he had a career year. Hatcher earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl with a career-high 11 sacks.
Hatcher finished second on the Cowboys with 33 quarterback pressures (just two behind DeMarcus Ware) and added seven tackles for loss.
2014 outlook: Hatcher signed in the offseason with Washington, leaving the Cowboys looking for another pass-rushing defensive tackle would could play their key 3-technique spot.
The Cowboys signed free agent defensive tackle Henry Melton from Chicago to fill Hatcher’s void. Melton played the same spot for the Bears under Rod Marinelli, the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. The Cowboys hope Melton can return to his 2012 Pro Bowl form, but he won’t be able to practice until training camp while still recovering from surgery to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament that limited him to only three games last year.
With Melton not practicing this offseason, the Cowboys used free agent signee Terrell McClain at their 3-technique spot. McClain can play both defensive tackle spots and he’ll give the Cowboys some depth inside.
