Is Purcell really an upgrade over a Cam Thomas?
I actually expected them to re-sign Thomas who has prototype nose tackle size and looked ok to me when rotated in.
Thomas was just a 335 pounds space eater really.
The way i'm seeing it, every DT & DE now on the roster outside of Longacre & Fox is a prototypical Wade Phillips type penetrating Oline disrupter, including 4-3 DE Westbrooks, who I don't particularly care for going forward in Wades 3-4. All these guys can get after the QB and RB, giving chase at or behind the los. Even big Brockers creates chaos at and behind the Oline while intimidating QB's hoping for a clean pocket. Donald is the best in the league at it, and guys like Trinca-Pasat & Tanzil Smart have some of the physical & style characteristics of Donald, although obviously not quite in the same class, kinda like Aaron Donald lite in terms of projection. These guys are fire hydrants on wheels, high motors, small in stature, great at getting under pads, strong as an ox, very quick first step, excellent tacklers, and peeling off well from blockers to attack their target. Easley at 6'2" is an inch taller than Donald, Trinca-Pasat & Smart, maybe 5 or 10 lbs. lighter, and very, very good as a pass rusher and run defender, his abilities were pretty well known prior to arrival. These 4 are a bit of a departure from the traditional look of a 3-4 DE, ... and they'll roll you if you're a non-believer. Hell, they'll roll you if you are a believer. Tyrunn Walker also appears to fit the mold of a Phillips NT/DE, although perhaps a more traditional physique, at 6'3" and 310 lbs., he also specializes as a penetrating DT, and can rotate with Brockers or the DE's on passing downs when called upon. The only thing missing, if you could really assume something is missing at all, might be a rotational run defender if Brockers were to go down. We haven't seen enough of Smart to say how he'd perform, Walker's history would suggest he sucks as a rush defender, Trinca-Pasat performed quite well in his short stint during the 2015 pre-season camp, although few seem to have much information about his post injury IR status of 2016. Everyone of our guys can handle an under tackle role in a 4-3, but other than Brockers, a stand alone NT who can elevate the middle of the DLine against the rush, no one stands out just yet. The Rams aren't looking for a huge space-eater like Cam Thomas imo, that doesn't seem to fit Phillips' style, but someone who can at least consistently stop or disrupt the run at the los should be welcome, even if only as a practice squad player, as he's not likely otherwise necessary unless the worst happens. Pass rushers we have, so someone who might rotate in on rushing downs should be sufficient, ... and who knows, he may already be on the team. jmo.