Excellent Draft.....but

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by jimmy40

Thornton was lucky to make the team last year. He's gone.

No way. He is a terrific project for outside lber. He is still an incomplete, but he should beat out Ryan Fowler or someone else. He has potential still. Great motor on this guy, very intense.

[dallas2002]

"Correct me if I am wrong, each team keeps about 15 LBs & DL, each season"



That sounds about right so, so i'd be willing to bet these are the opening 25 players on the defense next year

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN

SPEARS
GLOVER
FERGUSON
ELLIS
COLEMAN
CARSON
RATLIFF
OBAGOYU

LINEBACKERS

WARE
NYGUEN
BURNETT
JAMES
SINGLETON
SHANLE
FOWLER
THORNTON

SECONDARY

NEWMAN
HENRY
ROY
HUNTER
K.DAVIS
BERAULT
N.JONES
B.THORTON
FRAZIER

You add a punter and kicker and that leaves 26 guys for the offense. 3 QB's, 5 RB's, 5 WRs, 3 TE's, 10 OL.

[InmanRoshi]

Originally Posted by SilverStarCowboy

Correct me if I am wrong, each team keeps about 15 LBs & DL, each season.

Yep. Its not so much that we drafted those players for a total rehaul. We needed that many players just to fill a team, we were so short heading into the draft. We've lost Coakley, Willey and Claybrooks already this offseason, and only added Fergie. Ware, Spears, Burnett and Canty are surefire roster spots. Ratliff is a fringe roster spot, who would probably have to play his way onto the roster in training camp (likely at Coleman's expense).

So we have two roster spots to pare down to get to same allotment as last year.

There's some redundancy with Obogu and Thornton, so they're likely competing for a roster spot. Shanle, O'Neil and Fowler are both strictly MLB's, there is some redundancy there. So those three are likely competing for two roster spots. The loser of those two battles probably are the oddmen out, unless Parcells decides the expendable player in question is a too good of a ST player and decides to go long at that position and short on another.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by InmanRoshi

Yep. Its not so much that we drafted those players for a total rehaul. We needed that many players just to fill a team, we were so short heading into the draft. We've lost Coakley, Willey and Claybrooks already this offseason, and only added Fergie. Ware, Spears, Burnett and Canty are surefire roster spots. Ratliff is a fringe roster spot, who would probably have to play his way onto the roster in training camp (likely at Coleman's expense).

So we have two roster spots to pare down to get to same allotment as last year.

[View Full Quote]There's some redundancy with Obogu and Thornton, so they're likely competing for a roster spot. Shanle, O'Neil and Fowler are both strictly MLB's, there is some redundancy there. So those three are likely competing for two roster spots. The loser of those two battles probably are the oddmen out, unless Parcells decides the expendable player in question is a too good of a ST player and decides to go long at that position and short on another.

I think everyone is happy that we now have a semblance of a future core of players. That makes it easier to a)retain depth, b) have true competition in TC.

It makes us not have to rely on guys such as coleman or ogbogu as much. It will REALLY help in future drafts if they truly are successful. WE won't have to reach like we did in the past.

[Dale]

Does Singleton fit in as a linebacker here anymore? He was fairly mediocre in the 4-3 and would appear a certain liability in the 3-4, but it would be nice if he was able to do it and at the very least stick around as depth.

There's something about Thornton as a 3-4 guy that I like. As long as we're not depending on him (ie. as a starter), I could see him making the team.

And I agree with Eskimo about Bradie James. This guy stinks of Tony Dixon syndrome. He got some significant playing time last season, but in his two years here has never made a play of any significance. He's got the size and potential based on what he showed in college, but the early results are far from encouraging.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by Dale

Does Singleton fit in as a linebacker here anymore? He was fairly mediocre in the 4-3 and would appear a certain liability in the 3-4, but it would be nice if he was able to do it and at the very least stick around as depth.

There's something about Thornton as a 3-4 guy that I like. As long as we're not depending on him (ie. as a starter), I could see him making the team.

And I agree with Eskimo about Bradie James. This guy stinks of Tony Dixon syndrome. He got some significant playing time last season, but in his two years here has never made a play of any significance. He's got the size and potential based on what he showed in college, but the early results are far from encouraging.

I don't think Singleton gets enough credit - he has no glaring deficiency and plays well. He isn't knock out, but he tackles well and doesn't get run over. That being said, I question his place here now. The good thing is, if he isn't set here, we aren't REQUIRED to keep him for lack of alternatives.

And I agree on Thornton, but I think he needs another season to develop. He is still learning to stand (figuratively and literally).

Bradie James - he has to improve by leaps and bounds. Right now, I think that Parcells is higher on Shanle and Fowler than James. Sad - not a bad guy, but he just hasn't gotten it yet.....and 3 years is a long time to babysit a guy (is it me, or is Parcells uncharacteristically soft on him?).

[VirusX]

Originally Posted by jimmy40

Thornton was lucky to make the team last year. He's gone.

I disagree I think he gets increased playing time this year as a 3-4 OLB pass rusher.

[SilverStarCowboy]

Originally Posted by Crown Royal

I don't think Singleton gets enough credit -
Bradie James - he has to improve by leaps and bounds.

Neither player is getting the respect he will get, when they line-up next to Burnett and Ware.

Add the wieght and ancor of a Furgason and Spears, the rest of the defense should benefit and have a better opportunity to prove themselves.

[Billy Bullocks]

With this build of talent, and Jerry Jones possibly realizing that someone else is better of calling the shots, we may look good for some years. We may not even ahve to cut some of these guys, we can probably add draft picks by trading them. I hope to be able to come of a winning season, and have 10+ draft picks, and just be able to add depth all over.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by Billy Bullocks

With this build of talent, and Jerry Jones possibly realizing that someone else is better of calling the shots, we may look good for some years. We may not even ahve to cut some of these guys, we can probably add draft picks by trading them. I hope to be able to come of a winning season, and have 10+ draft picks, and just be able to add depth all over.

You touched on something very important here. If these guys pan out, it allows us flexibility in future drafts. NE and Philly don't draft for need or reach because they have the luxury not to. They have drafted so well in the past that they can draft BPA, therefore making lost players palatable.

For instance, lets say that these picks set up our defense. That allows us to finally focus on offense next offseason, something we have not done since the early nineties.