Our front seven...

[Portland Fanatic]

Think about the players/rotation/depth we now have in the front seven:

DE
Ellis
Spears
Canty
Ratliff
Hatcher
Coleman (if he stays)

NT
Fergy
Stanley

LB
Ware
James
Ayodele
Carpenter
Burnett
Shanle
Fowler
"Rocky"
Parham
Singleton
Thornton

[DragonCowboy]

Don't forget Pepper Johnson NT

[hendog]

Sweet!

[NorTex]

If only we could get Willie Blade and Marcelius Wiley back....

[ABQCOWBOY]

Personally, I think Ellis will be gone before it's all said and done with.

[Cbz40]

Originally Posted by calcbfan1

If only we could get Willie Blade and Marcelius Wiley back....

That is funny......

[Portland Fanatic]

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

Personally, I think Ellis will be gone before it's all said and done with.

If Hatcher shows some promise in the pre-season it's very possible. If we trade him it better be for a top olineman!

[Dale]

I'll tell you what, we're not going to have to worry about linemen getting tired. We may finally have the depth along the line that Parcells desires.

And young, seemingly talented, depth at that.

[zrinkill]

Our Defense is gonna really be cooking ..... I bet Cambell is looking at the roster and thinking ......WOW

[Chocolate Lab]

I think that for the very first time since he got here, Parcells can look over his practice field and finally see a defense he really likes. No more uncomfortable undersized speed-based 43, no more completely new 34 scheme with too many rookies, no more 43 players shoehorned into spots they really don't fit (e.g. Al Singleton), no more praying for good health because we have zero depth in the front seven.

Pretty cool.

[Kangaroo]

Sorry but Ellis is safe this year Coleman is going to be out of here.

Pepper and Ratliff will be on the bubble unless a trade comes along for Ellis

[sago1]

Notice you include Parham. Cowboys are probably hoping he can play against the run and cover the pass but I saw an evaluation of him which said he lacked the speed to cover in the passing game but was great against the run. We've already got 2 players (Fowler & Shanle) who half players; meaning Fowler's good against the run & Shanle's good in the passing game. So unless Parham has more to offer then Fowler, then Parham probably won't make the team although he could make the PS.

[sago1]

I don't see Stanley's signing as any threat to Johnson at all; last year we carried 3 NTs (Ferguson/Glover/Johnson) and, since it a very physically demanding job, I expect us to carry 3 guys players again. In fact wouldn't be surprised if Johnson is primary backukp behind Ferguson at least part of this year cause Stanley will take time to learn how to play the position and become familiar enough with the 3-4 to play NT in this system.

Also don't see Hatcher's signing as a threat to Ratliff because I'm thinking Hatcher is Ellis' replacement/successor; I expect this to be Ellis last year with the Cowboys if Hatcher begins to develop. Also don't expect Coleman to make the team this year. He started out in 05 as the starter but as Spears came on we saw less and less until he essentially disappeared. In fact Ratliff even beat Coleman out as Spear's backup until he got hurt.

[blindzebra]

Originally Posted by Portland Fanatic

Think about the players/rotation/depth we now have in the front seven:

DE
Ellis
Spears
Canty
Ratliff
Hatcher
Coleman (if he stays)

NT
Fergy
Stanley

LB
Ware
James
Ayodele
Carpenter
Burnett
Shanle
Fowler
"Rocky"
Parham
Singleton
Thornton

Our line will likely be:

Spears, Ferguson, Canty starting.

Ratliff/Hatcher, Johnson/Stanley, Ellis in reserve.

I think we'll keep those 8, because we will play a lot of nickel.

LB will likely be:

Carpenter, James, Ayodele, Ware starting.

Singleton, Boiman, Fowler, Burnett...with Burnett as Ware's main back up, and getting looks inside.

Parham, Shanle and Thornton will be competing for the 9th LB spot, if we keep 9, Boiman and Burnett's versatility may allow us to go with 8.

Nickel will likely be:

Ellis, Ratliff, Canty, Ware

Carpenter and Burnett

[NorTex]

Don't be surprised if Burnett spends the first half of the season on PUP (physically unable to perform).

So either Parham, Shanle or Thornton will start the season on the 53 man roster.