Just say "NO" to converting a DE to OLB... - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**MichaelWinicki** · 04-15-2006

I've been looking at the list of defensive ends available for the draft that could be converted to a 3-4 backer...

Manny Lawson
Kamerion Wimbley
Mark Anderson
Darryl Tapp
Jeremy Mincey

And quite truthfully I don't see one of them that would make a good "strongside" OLB in the 3-4.

A see a lot of "good pass rusher" or "has pass rush potential" or "Shows good moves rushing the passer".

But I also see a lot of "Lacks anchor strength" or "Must get stronger" or "Needs to hold up better at the point of attack".

What I don't see is with any of them "Shows good coverage ability" or "Has the abililty to fight through blocks".

I think given the needs of what a strong-side OLB is suppose to do in the 3-4 I don't see how any of these pass-rush specialists are going to do what we need them to do--- even though many here seem to be in love with sacks and damn any other responsibilities.

Given that I think all these defensive ends are a poor fit for our defense I think we're looking at someone who has played OLB in college.

Hawk obviously won't be there at #18.
Bobby Carpenter is a great fit but not necessarily at #18.
Chad Greenway would be a great fit but I doubt he'll be there at #18.
Thomas Howard of UTEP is an intriguing prospect even though he may be better suited to the weakside.

I dunno. I'm not seeing a lot of OLB that have the potential to come on in 2006 and contribute (a lot) on the strong side.

I'm thinking that if we don't select an OLB in the first or second round the SOLB spot is Al Singletons this year. Is that terrible? No not necessarily. I think the defense was better with him out there. And maybe we do have too many holes to fill right now to fill them all out of this one draft.

TruBlueCowboy · 04-15-2006

I'd be willing to bet that a lot of people said the same things about DeMarcus Ware last year.

Bob Sacamano · 04-15-2006

sorry Winicki, but Dallas is looking at exactly the type of OLB you want us to say no too

**MichaelWinicki** · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruBlueCowboy

I'd be willing to bet that a lot of people said the same things about DeMarcus Ware last year.

Nope.

He was always considered a "Weak" OLB option in the 3-4... not on the strong-side which has totally different responsibilities.

**MichaelWinicki** · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by summerisfunner

sorry Winicki, but Dallas is looking at exactly the type of OLB you want us to say no too

They could.

But I'm thinking someone like Bobby Carpenter is more likely at this point.

cleverusername · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

I've been looking at the list of defensive ends available for the draft that could be converted to a 3-4 backer...

Manny Lawson
Kamerion Wimbley
Mark Anderson
Darryl Tapp
Jeremy Mincey

And quite truthfully I don't see one of them that would make a good "strongside" OLB in the 3-4.

A see a lot of "good pass rusher" or "has pass rush potential" or "Shows good moves rushing the passer".

But I also see a lot of "Lacks anchor strength" or "Must get stronger" or "Needs to hold up better at the point of attack".

What I don't see is with any of them "Shows good coverage ability" or "Has the abililty to fight through blocks".

[View Full Quote]

You have a valid point, and the same thing has crossed my mind. I think Carpenter might be the best fit but personally I like Lawson/Wimbley. What do yall think are the chances, if one of these guys is available (Law/Wimb) That we move Ware to the SOLB? Given, he just learned a new position last year.

Bob Sacamano · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

They could.

But I'm thinking someone like Bobby Carpenter is more likely at this point.

they are, and Carpenter may be more likely, but converted DEs are still very intriguing to Dallas

**MichaelWinicki** · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleverusername

You have a valid point, and the same thing has crossed my mind. I think Carpenter might be the best fit but personally I like Lawson/Wimbley. What do yall think are the chances, if one of these guys is available (Law/Wimb) That we move Ware to the SOLB? Given, he just learned a new position last year.

I honestly can't see them switching Ware to the strong-side.

**MichaelWinicki** · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by summerisfunner

they are, and Carpenter may be more likely, but converted DEs are still very intriguing to Dallas

If we didn't have Ware I would totally agree with you.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 04-15-2006

The reason I like Carpenter is that I think he is a finished product, a guy that knows the position and has been very good at it.

The reason I like Lawson is he is somewhat familiar with it and I think he has tremendous upside.

I honestly would be happy with either.

The reason most of these DEs are said to be weak at the point of attack is because they are undersized for their positions and would be a better fit in the pros at 34 LBs.

So it is kind of hard to bash them for being weak at the point of attack while they were playing a position where they were undersized compared to 34 LB in the pros.

Just something to think about.

The problem becomes do you want a little bit of growing pains learning a new position or do you want a guy that already knows the position.

I however think that if the guy has the ability to transition then there is nothing wrong due to the difference of being a 43 DE in college vs a 34 LB in the pros.

AdamJT13 · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

I honestly can't see them switching Ware to the strong-side.

Ware played more of a right outside linebacker last season than a strongside linebacker, since he rarely switched to the left side, regardless of which side was strong or weak. And the few times he did go to the left side, it always seemed to be to rush the passer. If we stick to that system, there wouldn't be anything wrong with having Ware-type players on both sides.

**MichaelWinicki** · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

The reason I like Carpenter is that I think he is a finished product, a guy that knows the position and has been very good at it.

The reason I like Lawson is he is somewhat familiar with it and I think he has tremendous upside.

I honestly would be happy with either.

The reason most of these DEs are said to be weak at the point of attack is because they are undersized for their positions and would be a better fit in the pros at 34 LBs.

So it is kind of hard to bash them for being weak at the point of attack while they were playing a position where they were undersized compared to 34 LB in the pros.

Just something to think about.

The problem becomes do you want a little bit of growing pains learning a new position or do you want a guy that already knows the position.

[View Full Quote]

Point take Brain...

But that little responsibility called "coverage" just scares the living bejesus out of me.

I want to see a guy at SOLB that has experience in coverage.

TruBlueCowboy · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

Nope.

He was always considered a "Weak" OLB option in the 3-4... not on the strong-side which has totally different responsibilities.

I would bet that Ware is going to end up like Joey Porter on Pittsburgh and once he's finished bulking up and the coaches feel he knows the defense, he'll be moved around so much, the strong and weak side designation will get blurred.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

Point take Brain...

But that little responsibility called "coverage" just scares the living bejesus out of me.

I want to see a guy at SOLB that has experience in coverage.

How about Lawson covering a pretty good TE at Virginia when their two teams played.

There is a difference in what some draft reports say, and what really happens.

You can read a bunch of reports on the same types of positions and you will always see the same few things listed as negatives.

If they have to list a positive and a negative, they will right anything even if it is minor.

**big dog cowboy** · 04-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

But I'm thinking someone like Bobby Carpenter is more likely at this point.