ESPN: Barry Church should chip in at ILB

[CCBoy]

Barry Church should chip in at ILB
November, 4, 2011
By Tim MacMahon

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4686188/barry-church-should-chip-in-at-ilb



IRVING, Texas – All due respect to Bradie James and Keith Brooking, but the Eagles exposed the dangers of giving the veteran inside linebackers too much responsibility in pass coverage.

James and Brooking will play most of the snaps at inside linebacker with Sean Lee expected to miss at least one game, but the Cowboys need to get some young legs involved, especially in obvious passing situations.

Rookie linebacker Bruce Carter, a second-round pick who didn’t play a defensive snap in his NFL debut last week, will play in certain packages. Second-year safety Barry Church could also see playing time at linebacker in certain nickel and dime packages....

[big dog cowboy]

Church couldn't do much worse than Brooking or James did last week in coverage.

[Stautner]

Church couldn't do much worse than Brooking or James did last week in coverage.

This is true, and in fact he should be better in coverage, but the big key is we have to have safety help instead of playing our safeties 20 yards deep. No ILB can cover that much field.

[visionary]

the key is where we are by the time we need to play the beagles again

if lee is healthy and carter and church are playing some, it might be a different game

[BARRYRAY]

You guys do not understand the Ryan plan last week.It was to have Brooking "shadow" the person with the ball.To properly" shadow" him he was not to initiate any contact but to stay close behind in the event he were to drop the ball on his way down the field.Brooking and the others were in perfect alignment to avoid contact while "shadowing " the opposing runner or receiver.Now this is in sharp contrast to last years broken defense with Phillips were we were 'attacking" the opposing offense.You guys really don't get the complexities of the Cowboy defense.It was clear we were playing it close to the vest so that we could avoid further contact or injury to our insider linebackers.But yet we are not to panic here it was just "one" of those games.I have noticed how many folks on her are selling their tickets and abandoning the ship.I think we are headed for another non playoff season.

And as a long time suffering Cowboy fan I am also going to point out that Troy Aikman looks better every year and that the last Cowboy coach to win the Superbowl was that "dummy" from Oklahoma Barry Switzer.And yet out Ivy League guy the red haired wonder is looking a whole lot more like the last four or five coaches.Sorry we aren't going anywhere this year.Same old Cowboys, same old Romo.

[realtick]

On obvious passing downs, I think that would be a great idea.

[MichaelWinicki]

Church couldn't do much worse than Brooking or James did last week in coverage.

My god, you and Yeags couldn't do worse in coverage. :D

[Frozen700]

Some of us on CZ called this right after the game..yup were smart :)

[big dog cowboy]

My god, you and Yeags couldn't do worse in coverage. :D

AFTER a bunch of BBQ and drinks.

[jblaze2004]

This is true, and in fact he should be better in coverage, but the big key is we have to have safety help instead of playing our safeties 20 yards deep. No ILB can cover that much field.

this.....rob ryan was outcoached vs the eagles. He didn't put the players in position to succeed. I hope he never ever use that game plan ever again. We was basically playing 9 on 11 with our safeties in the stands.:bang2:

[JonJon]

After today's game, I am convinced that Church couldn't be any worse out there. Give him a go and let Brooking and James reminisce about the good ol' days on the sidelines.

[Cowboysfan570]

I'm certainly not opposed, Church strikes me as a very sound tackler for a safety.

[lwehlers]

a few plays in the second half i thought i saw church and carter on the field at the same time. i know i did on seahawks last drive.

[ThreeSportStar80]

I like Church, he might be able to convert to LBer, I know he can hit!

[Seven]

a few plays in the second half i thought i saw church and carter on the field at the same time. i know i did on seahawks last drive.

He did play some ILB.