Is DT really a top need?

[hra8700]

Originally Posted by xwalker

I don't think you can't count on Ratliff staying healthy. Hatcher has an injury history also and will be 31 when the season starts. As of this minute, Crawford may be the best candidate to play the Stong-Side DE. Who is Ware's backup at Weak-Side DE?

I'm not really worried about Ratliff staying healthy any more than I'm worried about Demarcus ware, sean lee, or dez bryant staying healthy. Having a bunch of injuries in one season with no prior history of injuries doesn't mean you're likely to get injured in the future. If anything those other guys have a. Much more extensive injury history.

However, when your two (likely) starting linemen are 31 and up, there is risk of injury, decline, etc for this year but more importantly down the road. By next season hatchers contracts up and Ratliff might have seriously regressed (unlike everyone else whove made him public enemy no 1 I don't think that time is now).

There's no given crawford or Lissemore will pan out into productive starters.

So I would say next year we are fine at tackle and don't need a free agent. But we need to draft one this year. And a 43 de. And a solb. And some safeties. And and all 3 offensive line positions. And a running back. And a tight end.

Oh boy.

[jobberone]

We need a big body and have for awhile.

It's too early to decide what we have on the DL but we will be looking for help.

The OL, S, and CB are bigger holes but they'll be looking.

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by jobberone

We need a big body and have for awhile.

It's too early to decide what we have on the DL but we will be looking for help.

The OL, S, and CB are bigger holes but they'll be looking.

Cornerback is absolutely, positively, not a bigger hole on this defense than defensive line.

The whole premise of Kiffin's defense relies on the pass rush, not the amazing ability for perimeter players to be able to "shut down" the passing game, which is laughable in of itself.

Take a real good look at the scheme, everywhere it has been, and tell me how many top choices were devoted to it versus the defensive line.

[SilverStarCowboy]

Originally Posted by jterrell

Please dont post goofy things.

Ratliff has had a Pro Bowl laden career as a 7th round pick. To claim he didn't fit the system is laughable.

Ratliff wants to be a 1 technique period. He likes that position.

lol save your personal insults...some do goofy things, that's why he is worn and injured, this organization playing him in the wrong position, 6.2 a 298lb 3/4 NT, pullleeeze.

You play Ratliff at the 3 tech all-day-long and twice on Sundays. One on one vs a Guard.

If you Draft a DT it better be a space eater, Ratliff was a DE, he will excel at the 3 Tech over the Guard/Tackle.

[Rack Bauer]

Originally Posted by LatinMind

Is DT really a top need?

Yes.

[jjktkk]

I guess to clarify if the Boys need a DT. The correct answer would be, we need a dominant DT. We got DT candidates, but unless Ratliff discovers the fountain of youth, we currently do not have this type of DT on our roster.

[Yuma Cactus]

Originally Posted by AsthmaField

Albright will get eaten alive playing OLB in a tampa 2. He can't cover nearly good enough.

I'm telling you, at 6-5, 260 lbs. Albright is a DE in this scheme.

In the Pitts game Albright did an outstanding job covering the RB's especially the speedy chick-beater Rainey.

[The Realist]

I don't make my decision to pass on DT based on presence of a DT with off field issues, injury issues, cap issues, production issues, and age issues.

[speedkilz88]

My crack of what jobberone did:

Marcus Spears-1 tech or out of here, doesn't have the explosion for 3
Tyrone Crawford-3 technique and possibly 5 tech (at least on early downs)
Jay Ratliff-3 technique is natural position but 1 tech may be a necessity
Sean Lissemore-1 technique
Ben Bass-3 technique and possibly 5 tech (at least on early downs) although most likely 3
Brian Schaefering- camp fodder probably given a chance at 1 tech
Jason Hatcher-3 technique and possibly 5 tech (at least on early downs)
Rob Callaway-1 technique
Anthony Spencer-5 technique if re-signed
Victor Butler-(if retained)pass rush specialist 5 tech
Kyle Wilber-SLB who could line up in 5 tech on nickel
Carter-Can play anywhere depeding on Lee WLB or MLB most likely
Dan Connor-Possible SLB and backup MLB/SLB if retained
Ernie Sims-Possible SLB and backup OLB if retained
Brady Poppinga- Possible SLB and backup if retained
DeMarcus Ware-5 technique Weak/RE
Alex Albright- 5 tech DE could possibly get shot at SLB
Brian Price-natural 3 technique might play 1 tech out of necessity
Josh Brent-1 technique if eligible to play
Ikponmwosa Igbinosun-3 tech, athletic and raw

[Prossman]

Yes we would do well to grab a game changing DT. Ratt is the only one we have but anything the guy does at this point should be considered gravy. I think we have solid guys at DT in hatcher lissenmore, ect but grabbing a guy who can bring constant pressure would make us ten times better

[jobberone]

Originally Posted by Alexander

Cornerback is absolutely, positively, not a bigger hole on this defense than defensive line.

The whole premise of Kiffin's defense relies on the pass rush, not the amazing ability for perimeter players to be able to "shut down" the passing game, which is laughable in of itself.

Take a real good look at the scheme, everywhere it has been, and tell me how many top choices were devoted to it versus the defensive line.

You always need pressure up front. It doesn't matter what schemes you're running. We will likely lose Jenkins so you need another CB. Now that may come internally but I can almost promise you we will attempt to acquire another starting quality CB. S is a bigger hole than CB. I don't know what the DL can do first of all because they haven't played in it yet. I suspect they will do ok to better but you want stellar. OL is a big hole.

So they have their work cut out for them.

[LatinMind]

Originally Posted by Prossman

Yes we would do well to grab a game changing DT. Ratt is the only one we have but anything the guy does at this point should be considered gravy. I think we have solid guys at DT in hatcher lissenmore, ect but grabbing a guy who can bring constant pressure would make us ten times better

and who would generate more pressure a de or a big space eater dt? that Dallas supposedly needs.


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[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by AsthmaField

Albright will get eaten alive playing OLB in a tampa 2. He can't cover nearly good enough.

I'm telling you, at 6-5, 260 lbs. Albright is a DE in this scheme.

This.

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by jobberone

You always need pressure up front. It doesn't matter what schemes you're running. We will likely lose Jenkins so you need another CB. Now that may come internally but I can almost promise you we will attempt to acquire another starting quality CB.

You're killing me.

[SilverStarCowboy]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

You're killing me.

If we have learned anything by watching this team with Rob Ryan and how the rest of the league excels in to days NFL, it's with scheme in the Defensive Backfield.

On Defense, Pressure up front wins in todays NFL....not coverage, especially not man to man.

The new pass coverage rules changed the game forever a few years ago. Some were ahead of the curve....but OBVIOUSLY not Dallas.