Dallas Cowboys Should Targert Indianapolis Colts DE Robert Mathis in Free Agency
The Dallas Cowboys need help at defensive end. That’s no secret and it’s the root of a problem that affects the Cowboys’ entire defense in 2011. The first step in fixing this chain reaction of problems is signing free agent defensive end Robert Mathis from the Indianapolis Colts.
Dallas’ defensive ends didn’t get any pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season, thus allowing Cowboys outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer to be double-teamed often. This then led to open receivers downfield, which was even a bigger problem because the Cowboys’ secondary was so awful in 2011.
After signing a one-year tender with the Colts last season, Mathis once again hits the open market as a free agent this year. Sources close to the team say Mathis’ decision on whether to leave Indy partially hinges on what the team does regarding quarterback Peyton Manning.
Obviously, the Colts are going to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in April’s draft, but doesn’t mean Manning won’t still be in Indianapolis for the last three years of his contract.
If the Colts take their team option to opt out of Manning’s last three years, then he would become a free agent. Mathis would likely look for a new home in that case.
If that happens, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones needs to open his wallet and pay Mathis to come to Dallas. The three-time Pro Bowler would most likely jump at the chance to play under Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and his 3-4 scheme.
The 6’2″, 245-lbs. Mathis isn’t a perfect fit for Ryan’s complex 3-4 defense, but a player of his caliber can always be utilized. In his case, it would most likely be as an outside linebacker instead of a traditional defensive end. Mathis’ size and athleticism make him an ideal option opposite DeMarcus Ware for such a system. The most successful 3-4 defensive ends are big, strong and able to keep pressure off their outside linebackers. Mathis is an excellent pass rusher, but he’s a finesse player, so he’d make an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker, not a defensive end.
At 30 years old, this will likely be Mathis’ last big contract, but Dallas is in a position to win right now; the team isn’t rebuilding. That means a player in his prime, like Mathis, would be a perfect fit for the Cowboys. Now all we can do is sit back and hope Jerry makes it happen.
Follow Jeric Griffin on Twitter @JericGriffin
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[...] need to revert back to the 4-3 defense, where smaller defensive ends will suffice. For example, the Cowboys could sign Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis if the team switched to a 4-3. If not, the 6’2″, 245-lbs. Mathis would have to switch to [...]
Mathis won’t be going anywhere. I’ll be the house on that!