Even after declaring the defensive line a position of strength prior to the draft--a statement that drew a lot of snickers around town, and for good reason--Cowboys owner Jerry Jones admits that at some point during camp, he was concerned about the depth of the defensive line.
What kept him calm during those moments was, simply enough, the presence of defensive line coach Rod Marinelli.
To say Jones’ faith in Marinelli was warranted is an understatement. Without the services of rising prospects Tyrone Crawford and Ben Bass and, as of this week, Pro Bowl defensive end Anthony Spencer, Marinelli has led his front four--a group he calls his “Rush Men”--to the NFC lead in sacks with 14.
“That would have been hard to do because when I looked at our depth during the offseason right before we went to training camp, there were a couple of holes there,” Jones said, per ESPN Dallas. “And all I did was picture in Rod Marinelli. I just put Rod Marinelli on my depth chart as we saw what other teams, how they made decisions, what players might be available that potentially we could find with the profile and characteristics that would fit our scheme under Rod. "
“That's what I think of him” said Jerry.
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