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          Dallas Cowboys

          Tyrone Crawford fits nicely at DT

          • Jean-Jacques Taylor, ESPN Staff WriterSep 30, 2014, 11:30 AM ET
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              Jean-Jacques Taylor joined ESPNDallas.com in August 2011. A native of Dallas, Taylor spent the past 20 years writing for The Dallas Morning News, where he covered high schools sports, the Texas Rangers and spent 11 seasons covering the Dallas Cowboys before becoming a general columnist in 2006.
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          IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys drafted Tyrone Crawford to be a defensive end in the 3-4 defense.

          When Jerry Jones made defensive coordinator Rob Ryan the scapegoat for the 8-8 record in 2012 and fired him, Crawford became a 4-3 defensive end in the new scheme.

          Well, injuries this season forced him to move inside to defensive tackle and provide depth.

          It might be his best position.

          Crawford, using a combination of speed and power, played well against the Saints, finishing with two tackles, a quarterback hit and a pass deflection.

          “We feel like he can play both and be a versatile guy for us,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He really responded well during the week of practice to that spot and carried that to the game, so it’s certainly a very viable option for us.

          “He really affected the game. He was around the ball a lot, he was pushing the pocket. He was around the quarterback. He’s played inside in nickel situations, but that was the first extended time in the base defense playing there.”