The Hot Boyz Poll: Who will lead the Cowboys in sacks in 2018

It’s taken a while Youth La'el Collins Jersey , but the Dallas Cowboys have themselves an imposing group of pass rushers. For years, this has been a unit that has been holding the team back and the front office has tried to upgrade the position with several premium draft resources. Unfortunately, extenuating circumstances have limited the effectiveness of the team’s pass rushing investments. Whether it’s from drug suspensions or injuries, the young talent the Cowboys have acquired over the years haven’t been able to put it all together on the football field.But that’s all about to change now.Everything seems to be coming together at once for the Cowboys as they have all their top draft resources available and ready to go. Last season, the team finished in the middle of the pack with 38 sacks, and a big reason for that was the breakout season from DeMarcus Lawrence. The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Lawrence this year as they try to sort out their long-term plans on the defensive line. Joining Lawrence will be last year’s first-round draft pick, Taco Charlton, who will be looking to build on an unimpressive rookie season. But one of the biggest reasons for excitement is the return of Randy Gregory. He’s back and he’s ready.So, with all the team’s pass rushing assets this year, which one of them will lead the team in sacks?DeMarcus LawrenceDraft: 34th overall (2014)Career high in sacks: 14.5 (2017)Why wouldn’t last year’s team leader in sacks be at the top of this list? Lawrence is going to have a good season as long as he can stay healthy. Injuries have held him back in two of his four years in the league and hopefully he can put those things behind him and show the league that he belongs with the games elite pass rushers. Last year, Lawrence was in a contract year and he balled out. Well, this year is no different. Sure, he has a fat wallet from the $17 million in franchise cash, but he’ll be looking to earn a bigger payday in the offseason of 2019.Nobody in the league had more yards lost from sacks than Lawrence did last season. He was an impact player for this defense and there is no reason to believe that impact won’t still be felt. And who knows, maybe with a strong supporting cast, it might make things a little easier to win his match-ups. Tank is aware that he’ll have help this year on the defensive line, but he has a message for his teammates when it comes to getting to the quarterback:Prediction: 12.5 sacks. It won’t be the step forward many are hoping for, but he’ll prove that he’s a valuable asset on the defensive line and sack totals won’t be the only measure of that.Taco CharltonDraft: 28th overall (2017)Career high in sacks: 3 (2017)With all the other new pass rushing toys added to the mix, it’s easy to forget about Taco. With Gregory back and the nice camp of rookie Dorance Armstrong, some aren’t giving much thought to the Cowboys first-round draft pick from a year ago. But I would advise against that as Charlton could show some sizable growth during year two.Taco looked great in camp and during preseason action. Not only was he using those long arms to bat away blockers on the line, but he was playing with a lot of energy and could always be found around the ball. His snaps may be fewer at first as he gradually shows that he belongs on the football field, but look for him to be one of the team’s top pass rushers by the end of the season.Prediction: 9 sacks. One a sack per snap basis, nobody will be more effective than Charlton this season.Randy GregoryDraft: 60th overall (2015)Career high in sacks: 1 (2016)People are tempering their excitement for the return of Randy Gregory, but sometimes that’s hard to do when we get a glimpse of his raw ability. The coaching staff had planned on easing him back into action slowly, but he’s been able to pass every field test thrown his way. Gregory now could see regular time as the teams right defensive end opposite Lawrence.While I am just as excited about Gregory as the next guy, I’m going to go on the conservative time and account for some hiccups during his return season. He’s missed a lot of football and he there could be some adverse effects from his time away. Maybe he gets nicked up a bit? Maybe his other responsibilities complying with the drug program pulls him away from the team some? I would welcome a full season with open arms, but I’m cautious about it.Prediction: 7 sacks. He’ll flash at times, but then disappear others. He’ll get better with time, but we have to remember that he’s still very inexperienced in the NFL.David IrvingDraft: undraftedCareer high in sacks: 7 (2017)How bad does he want it? That is really the only question when it comes to David Irving. We all know how talented this kid is when he’s on the football field. Despite playing in just half the games last season Youth Antwaun Woods Jersey , he was an absolute beast and recorded a season-high seven sacks. If you extrapolate that out over a full season, he’s right there with Tank in sack totals and we’d be talking about his breakout season too.Unfortunately, that’s a big “if” the Cowboys can’t rely on, which is why he only received a second-round tender during the offseason. Irving was suspended the first four games last season and he’ll be suspended the first four games this season. He wasn’t around during camp as he is dealing with personal problems. He’s still a part of the team and the best we know - he’ll be back in action in week 5. What should we expect when he returns?Prediction: 3 sacks. I’ve lost all faith in Irving. I wouldn’t be surprised if more drama surfaces and he doesn’t play in all of the 12 remaining games. It could be time to move on from this wild-card pass rusher.Cowboys vs. Panthers Week 1: Lackluster offense leads to a 16-8 Dallas loss The Dallas Cowboys lost their season-opener 16-8 to the Carolina Panthers. An offense that was awful for three quarters had one nice moment, but fell apart again when they needed to score. The offensive line was a huge problem in Week 1 and will need massive improvement going forward. Check out our full recap. Fourth QuarterThe Cowboys risked a 4th-and-10 at midfield, and didn’t get it. Now they are going to get the ball back with two minutes left after a punt.The Panthers are backed up with a 2nd-and-26, if the Cowboys can stop them, there is a chance. On 3rd and 14, who is it? It’s your El Capitan of the Hot Boyz, DeMarcus Lawrence for the SACK.The Cowboys cap off the drive with a Zeke TD on an option pitch play, and then Prescott converts the two-point conversion on a QB draw. Carolina 16 - Dallas 8.The Cowboys offense is finally putting together a crisp drive. Some Zeke runs mixed with the passing game has them deep in Carolina territory. The Cowboys defense was unable to hold Carolina as they drive right down the field and put it into the endzone. The only good thing is Carolina botched the extra-point. Carolina is up 16-0 at the start of the fourth quarter.Third QuarterThe Cowboys finally drive into scoring position and try a 47-yard FG... guess what happened? Miss! Still 10-0.After three plays, the Cowboys defense gets off the field and the offense goes back on the field with decent field position.The Cowboys finally got some things going with Allen Hurns and Ezekiel Elliott but it was all for naught as they couldn’t pick up the 3rd and 3. Panthers pinned inside their 20 on the punt but the Cowboys should have considered going for it..Panthers were driving but then Maliek Collins decided that he was tired of dealing with Cam Newton and sacked him on 3rd and 13.HALFTIMESecond QuarterCowboys hold Panthers to three points. We’re heading to halftime, Panther 10, Cowboys 0.As we near halftime, the Cowboys defense is wearing down, the Panthers are in the red zone. Cowboys offense is stalling. After they moved the ball a little bit, Prescott had a wide-open Blake Jarwin for a huge gain and he underthrows him badly. Could have been a possible TD, or Prescott could have run for the first down. Neither happened. Another Cowboys’ offensive possession, Dak takes another sack, this time by Kawaan Short. The Cowboys offense stalls again and Chris Jones is back out punting the ball.The Panthers will be without Greg Olsen for the rest of the game:A couple of good runs by McCaffery to get the Panthers in the red zone. Cam Newton does the rest. 7-0 PanthersDak gets sacked on first down by a blitzing Shaq Thompson. Then a dangerous throw thankfully doesn’t get picked, Chris Jones punts 51-yards, the Panthers get 30 yards on the return.On first down, Sean Lee hits McCaffery for no gain. On second and 10, Cam to McCaffery incomplete. 3rd and 10, the “Hot Boyz” get help from blitzing linebackers, Carolina will punt.First QuarterAs the first quarter winds down, Kavon Frazier beat on second and long by the veteran Greg Olsen. On the next play, Damien Wilson gets caught up and Cam Newton gets the first down.On the Cowboys ensuing drive, they get the passing game going a little with Cole Beasley but the offensive line picks up a holding call. Not the best start for Tyron Smith with two of the Cowboys four penalties. The Cowboys punt it back to the Panthers.Cam Newton has used his feet a couple of times and has the Panthers in the red zone. Panthers face a third and two Womens Demarcus Lawrence Jersey , Christian McCaffery FUMBLES & it’s Cowboys ball.Cowboys defensive line stuffs Panthers on first two plays, incomplete pass on third would have lead to a punt, but they called a sketchy roughing the passer on DeMarcus Lawrence.Cowboys had a nice screen to Tavon Austin called back by a penalty on Tyron Smith. Then a delay of game on the offense backs it up to a 3rd and 25. Sloppy start for the Cowboys. Punt.PregameSunday is here. It’s time, Cowboys fans. The 2018 season kicks off this Sunday with a game on the road against the Carolina Panthers. We can put 2017, and the offseason, behind us as things begin for real.This is a new-look Cowboys team with Tony Romo retiring two offseasons ago, and now Jason Witten (retired), Dez Bryant (released) and Dan Bailey (released) are also gone. The Cowboys are Dak Prescott’s and Ezekiel Elliott’s team, with DeMarcus Lawrence and Sean Lee the faces of the defense. The Cowboys also shuffled their coaching staff with a ton of new assistants, including secondary coach/passing game coordinator on defense, Kris Richard. He’s famous for building the Legion of Boom, can he do something similar with the Cowboys secondary?It’s going to be a fascinating start to the season as we watch a re-tooled Dallas team start its quest for a playoff spot.Here are a few interesting nuggets from the NFL Communications office about the Cowboys:COWBOYS have a 38-19-1 (.667) record on Kickoff Weekend, tied for highest winning pct. in NFL history. Since entering NFL in 2016, Dak Prescott leads all QBs with 12 rush TDs.Prescott is 6-1 in past 7 starts on road with 9 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 101.4 passer rating. Since 2016, Ezekiel Elliott is tied for league lead in total TDs (25) & ranks 3rd in NFL in scrimmage yards (3,246).DE DEMARCUS LAWRENCE tied for 2nd in NFL with career-high 14.5 sacks in 2017. Had 1.5 sacks on Kickoff Weekend last year. Has 8 sacks, 2 FRs & 2 FFs in his past 8 on road. Since 2015, Sean Lee ranks 3rd in NFL with 374 tackles. Here’s your info for the game.What You Need To KnowImportant links: Cowboys depth chart | RosterDate: September 9th, 2018Game time: 4:25 PM ESTLocation: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NCTV channel: FOXCoverage Map: 506 SportsAnnouncers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews (Field reporter)Radio: 105.3 The Fan | Full listings | SIRIUS: 127 (Dal), 82 (Car) | XM: 391 (Dal), 227 (Car)Streaming: NFL.com GamePass (audio only during game), Fox Sports GO (local markets)Cowboys record: (0-0)Panthers record: (0-0)Odds: Dallas +2.5Prediction: Dallas 23 - Carolina 21Enemy blog: Cat Scratch ReaderTwitter: @BloggingTheBoysFacebook: Please Like us!