Players to target at #14

[This is Our Year]

As badly as we need a guard and we do, I have a hard time seeing us take one so high at #14. I'd go CB or DE/ OLB with the 1st pick.

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by This is Our Year

As badly as we need a guard and we do, I have a hard time seeing us take one so high at #14. I'd go CB or DE/ OLB with the 1st pick.

The trouble is the guys at DE/OLB aren't any better than Spencer IMO. And if that's the case, then you resign Spencer and look at another position at the 14th spot.

[TheSport78]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

The trouble is the guys at DE/OLB aren't any better than Spencer IMO. And if that's the case, then you resign Spencer and look at another position at the 14th spot.

This is just an opinion. We have no idea whether or not Melvin Ingram or Courtney Upshaw will be better than Spencer. Spencer isn't that good at all so basically you're saying Ingram and Upshaw are JAG's that won't be successful in the NFL. How can we tell this before they even step on an NFL field?

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by TheSport78

This is just an opinion. We have no idea whether or not Melvin Ingram or Courtney Upshaw will be better than Spencer. Spencer isn't that good at all so basically you're saying Ingram and Upshaw are JAG's that won't be successful in the NFL. How can we tell this before they even step on an NFL field?

As much as folks love to hate on Spencer he's not quite a JAG.

While I'd like to see more than the 6 sacks a season, he does a good job vs the run.

To gain a couple sacks a season with another guy, but lose traction vs the run doesn't knock my socks off.

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by TheSport78

This is just an opinion. We have no idea whether or not Melvin Ingram or Courtney Upshaw will be better than Spencer. Spencer isn't that good at all so basically you're saying Ingram and Upshaw are JAG's that won't be successful in the NFL. How can we tell this before they even step on an NFL field?

The other thing is that DeCastro is a better prospect than Upshaw or Ingram IMO, so if DeCastro is there...

He must be taken.

[Dash28]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

The other thing is that DeCastro is a better prospect than Upshaw or Ingram IMO, so if DeCastro is there...

He must be taken.

Agreed.

[TheSport78]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

As much as folks love to hate on Spencer he's not quite a JAG.

While I'd like to see more than the 6 sacks a season, he does a good job vs the run.

To gain a couple sacks a season with another guy, but lose traction vs the run doesn't knock my socks off.

I think Spencer is a prime example of "dumb" players that we have on defense. It's not a coincidence that these players cannot grasp Wade's or Rob's defensive scheme. Dumb players do dumb players (Spencer going offsides at a crucial point or getting an unnecessary roughness penalty against Philly are examples). We need to weed out the dumb and get smarter football players IMO.

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

The other thing is that DeCastro is a better prospect than Upshaw or Ingram IMO, so if DeCastro is there...

He must be taken.

I think this depends on what we do in free agency. If we grab Ben Grubbs or Carl Nicks in FA, I wouldn't draft an interior lineman in the first round. That's just me though.

[Bigtommyb]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

I think the OP's list is far to wide... Several players there I don't think merit the consideration of the 14th pick like Still & Glenn.

DeCastro & Kirkpatrick. Those are it for me.

I don't see any of the OLBers being a big improvement over Spencer quite frankly when you look at both pass rush and run defense.

Check out Whitney Mercilus from Illinois, 6'4 265 very long projrcted as olb in pro's . 8ff and 16 sacks nose for taking that ball away. Besides Upshaw who is a lil shorter who actually won't be there at 14. This guy is projected a lil lower teens,but i'd take a serious look, check him out and get back to me. I like him.

[Gaede]

Right now, I really like Kirkpatrick, DeCastro and Ingram at our pick.

DeCastro for obvious reasons, but the other two because they're football players, would bring some much needed physicality to this team.

I also like Dennard but not at 14, likewise for Upshaw

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by Bigtommyb

Check out Whitney Mercilus from Illinois, 6'4 265 very long projrcted as olb in pro's . 8ff and 16 sacks nose for taking that ball away. Besides Upshaw who is a lil shorter who actually won't be there at 14. This guy is projected a lil lower teens,but i'd take a serious look, check him out and get back to me. I like him.

I think both of those guys have talent, but neither is a better player at their positions than what DeCastro is at his.

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by TheSport78

I think Spencer is a prime example of "dumb" players that we have on defense. It's not a coincidence that these players cannot grasp Wade's or Rob's defensive scheme. Dumb players do dumb players (Spencer going offsides at a crucial point or getting an unnecessary roughness penalty against Philly are examples). We need to weed out the dumb and get smarter football players IMO.

Spencer may be a "dumb" player... But check out who lead the team in defensive penalties– do we get rid of him too?

Also Spencer was rated by one organization as the best... yeah the best, 3-4 OLB vs the run in 2011. He was in the top 5 in 2010.

Think about that... you may get another guy in Spencer's place who can get a couple more sacks a season but if the ability to stop the run isn't anywhere close to Spencer's what have you really gained?

[Joe Rod]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

The other thing is that DeCastro is a better prospect than Upshaw or Ingram IMO, so if DeCastro is there...

He must be taken.

DeCastro would be the only player on the board at #14 that you would say will come in and be an elite player from day 1 right now. Considering that Dallas could only realistically expect to upgrade two of the three inside OL positions this offseason, an elite level player would really help mask whatever weaknesses remain.

My big concern about Upshaw is that he would be fine against the run and would probably be at least as good as Spencer rushing the QB, but he might be a touch slower than you would want in an OLB that would have coverage responsibilities in the NFL. He is not a monster and I worry that Dallas would simply get the same production.

I really like Melvin Ingram. I suspect he will shoot up the draft boards after the combine. He is a very versatile player and lined up all over the place this last season. He actually shows good backpedal for his size and man did he just take over a few games at SC. If Dallas drafts to replace Spencer, this guy would be a good replacement.

[burmafrd]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

Spencer may be a "dumb" player... But check out who lead the team in defensive penalties– do we get rid of him too?

Also Spencer was rated by one organization as the best... yeah the best, 3-4 OLB vs the run in 2011. He was in the top 5 in 2010.

Think about that... you may get another guy in Spencer's place who can get a couple more sacks a season but if the ability to stop the run isn't anywhere close to Spencer's what have you really gained?

yeah that one organization wouldn't happen to be the bungles, now would it?
You seem to forget that the NFL is a passing league and getting pressure on the passer is now MORE important then stopping the run. So SPencers value is decreasing by the year

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by Gaede

Right now, I really like Kirkpatrick, DeCastro and Ingram at our pick.

DeCastro for obvious reasons, but the other two because they're football players, would bring some much needed physicality to this team.

I also like Dennard but not at 14, likewise for Upshaw

That is pretty much the camp I'm in. If by chance Kirkpatrick was still on the board at 14 I would take him. If he is gone then DeCastro would be my next pick. I will say I would not cry over Ingram should Dallas takes him. In the end I want Dallas taking the best players who also can help fill a need without reaching for that player. Kirkpatrick,DeCastro,Ingram I say yes to each one

[TheSport78]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

Spencer may be a "dumb" player... But check out who lead the team in defensive penalties– do we get rid of him too?

Also Spencer was rated by one organization as the best... yeah the best, 3-4 OLB vs the run in 2011. He was in the top 5 in 2010.

Think about that... you may get another guy in Spencer's place who can get a couple more sacks a season but if the ability to stop the run isn't anywhere close to Spencer's what have you really gained?

It's a passing league in today's NFL. Ware leading the team is penalties is concerning, and I'm not trying to make excuses for him, but I believe it's a case of Ware trying to do too much, due to the teammates around him NOT making plays. Spencer is one of those players. Dallas didn't draft Spencer to be solid against the run. Lack of pressure is the main reason why Dallas is sitting home right now. We couldn't stop anyone when it mattered, and we couldn't pressure the QB in big situations.

Just a gut feeling, but "Almost Anthony" will be the player who cashes in his contract, and regresses year after year. Heck, he was just in a contract year and had a very average season.