CCBoy
04-19-2011, 12:20 PM
Line of Sight
Draft Series: Numbers Make D-Line A Need
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=6AAE18E9-D1ED-C074-4B13697314AA7DA6
Position Outlook: It's well-documented by now - defensive line is a primary need based on numbers.
Three of the Cowboys' top four defensive ends are scheduled for free agency: starter Marcus Spears and key backups Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher. The terms of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement have not been reached, but all three would be unrestricted free agents under the previous system that required only four accrued seasons. The Cowboys were able to sign all three to one-year contracts last offseason due to the 2010 uncapped rules (six accrued seasons for eligibility) that kept them restricted free agents.
Without Spears, the Cowboys would need a new full-time starter. Without Bowen and Hatcher, they'd have to replace their top two rotation players in the base 3-4 scheme. And Bowen was also a regular in the nickel package's four-man line.
Pro Bowler Jay Ratliff does provide some versatility. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has said Ratliff will remain at nose tackle, but he started his career at defensive end and could always play there in a pinch. Ryan is known for shuffling around players in different situations, so drafting a nose tackle is also conceivable.
On the surface, though, the Cowboys have more stability in the middle with Ratliff and second-year backup Josh Brent, a 2010 supplemental seventh-round pick.
Draft Prospects: Like offensive line, D-line is loaded at the top of this year's class. Alabama's Marcell Dareus is a possible No. 1 pick and shouldn't last past Buffalo at No. 3. Auburn's Nick Fairley might be slipping slightly due to weight and 'one-year wonder' concerns but he's still a likely top-eight selection.
That's OK. The Cowboys will have other options if they want an end or nose tackle at No. 9 (or a trade-down scenario)....
Draft Series: Numbers Make D-Line A Need
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=6AAE18E9-D1ED-C074-4B13697314AA7DA6
Position Outlook: It's well-documented by now - defensive line is a primary need based on numbers.
Three of the Cowboys' top four defensive ends are scheduled for free agency: starter Marcus Spears and key backups Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher. The terms of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement have not been reached, but all three would be unrestricted free agents under the previous system that required only four accrued seasons. The Cowboys were able to sign all three to one-year contracts last offseason due to the 2010 uncapped rules (six accrued seasons for eligibility) that kept them restricted free agents.
Without Spears, the Cowboys would need a new full-time starter. Without Bowen and Hatcher, they'd have to replace their top two rotation players in the base 3-4 scheme. And Bowen was also a regular in the nickel package's four-man line.
Pro Bowler Jay Ratliff does provide some versatility. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has said Ratliff will remain at nose tackle, but he started his career at defensive end and could always play there in a pinch. Ryan is known for shuffling around players in different situations, so drafting a nose tackle is also conceivable.
On the surface, though, the Cowboys have more stability in the middle with Ratliff and second-year backup Josh Brent, a 2010 supplemental seventh-round pick.
Draft Prospects: Like offensive line, D-line is loaded at the top of this year's class. Alabama's Marcell Dareus is a possible No. 1 pick and shouldn't last past Buffalo at No. 3. Auburn's Nick Fairley might be slipping slightly due to weight and 'one-year wonder' concerns but he's still a likely top-eight selection.
That's OK. The Cowboys will have other options if they want an end or nose tackle at No. 9 (or a trade-down scenario)....