Two seasons ago, Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn arrived in Dallas intending to construct an elite defense.
Mike Nolan spent the better part of 2020 praying to sweet baby Jesus that the defense would wake up.
Suffice it to say – it did not.
That debacle forced the team to hire someone with a winning pedigree and a legit defensive formula.
Quinn beefed up the defense’s interior with the selection of Michigan nose tackle Mazi Smith.
Now, they have a chance to be remarkable.
They have a variety across the defensive line, which may be why they make a deep run in the playoffs.
Dallas has an abundance of pass rushers
I have refrained from including Micah Parsons in this group. This article is about the men up front.
Granted, Micah lives on the defensive line but I’m lumping him into the linebacker group to show others some love today.
The 26.5 sacks and the 157 total pressures makes it very difficult not to focus on his talent and abilities.
Thus far in training camp, Tyron Smith has been on skates trying to get one hand on Parsons.
Micah was nasty today. Never seen Tyron Smith abused like he was by Parsons on multiple occasions today https://t.co/mqYh9Mf2UH
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) August 1, 2023
However, I digress.
This defensive edge group beyond Parsons can hold their own.
The combination of DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Sam Williams, and Dante Fowler, Jr. got to the quarterback pretty often with 24.5 sacks combined.
Dan Quinn has been masterful in his rotation and allowing each guy to play and make an impact.
I believe that this group will remain an asset and that its positive impact will continue into 2023.
If I were to make a prediction, I would put my money on it.
Dallas has a legit 3-technique
Since Jay Ratliff exited stage right for the windy city years ago, it seemed as if Dallas has been searching near and far for a pass-rushing defensive tackle.
They finally landed on one in the third round in 2021 draft with Mr. Osa Odighizuwa.
He will burst on the scene and maybe even make a pro bowl selection this season.
The point is, against this defense, quarterbacks won’t be able to sit comfortably in the middle of the pocket with pressure up the middle.
He provides that piece.
According to PFF, 68 total pressures in 2 seasons is music to my ears.
Heading into year three, I expect pressures to increase north of his 34 average.
May have been an Osa Odighizuwa sack in a non-practice setting. Instead, it’s a KaVontae Turpin reception. pic.twitter.com/9vIDXisKVy
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 31, 2023
The depth behind him isn’t great.
Neville Gallimore has an outside shot of making this roster but there’s no guarantee he would be impactful if he does.
Nevertheless, I feel good about the position flexibility of Viliami Fehoko, Jr. and Chauncey Golston.
It’s a win if they can give Dallas minutes on the interior.
Golston proved that to be the case by lining up over the guard on the interior in 74 snaps in 2022.
Not too shabby.
The three headed nose tackle group
The combination of Mazi Smith, Johnathan Hankins, and Quinton Bohanna accounts for a substantial piece of the defensive pie.
And by that, I mean, these are some big men.
The nose tackle position has been underfunded more than most fans would have liked over the last few years.
That is no longer the case.
When Hankins arrived last year after week 7, the front four came with a different type of energy.
Gone were the days of defensive tackles losing at the point of attack, and now the team had a stout run defender.
This is gonna sound weird and trust me it’s weird seeing it, but Johnathan Hankins has looked very quick for his size. His lateral speed is different than I’ve seen it in the past.
Full offseason in this scheme and with this staff has taken years off of him.
I am kinda floored.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 3, 2023
Here’s where Dallas stepped up their game.
They didn’t rest on their laurels. They drafted an upgraded version of Hankins in Mazi.
With his athleticism, don’t be surprised if he lined up at both defensive tackle positions.
The rookie from Ann Arbor gave the media a sound bite that may ruffle some feathers but not mine.
Dallas Cowboys first round pick Mazi Smith: "I don't even like football. I like hitting people." pic.twitter.com/HwDaahYT8O
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) August 1, 2023
Let’s be real – I don’t want my defensive tackles being timid. We need them to play to the whistle and be disruptors.
Hankins and Smith have no intention of playing nice when they’re on the field and I love it.
Again, what we need to take from this is Dallas’ defensive line is far from one dimensional.
It has the speed rush capabilities, interior pass-rushing, and run stuffing.
Granted, it takes all the defensive units to be unique, but now America’s Team has the caboose up front to pull the wagon.
