Remember Eberflus is a former LB Coach, his linebackers are the key to his system!

Cowboyny

Cowboyny

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Eberflus 1st fa signings as the Bears HC were two linebackers, Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards. In his first year as Colts DC he drafted Darius Leonard who was the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

With the injury of Overshown and no timetable if and when he comes back, along with the pending fa of Kendricks, expect a overhaul for the positional group. All they have is a young prospect in Marist. There is little to no chance they don't sign a veteran fa starter, if not two and also use a high pick at the position as well.

We have mentioned Bolton, Spilliane from the Raiders recently, EJ Speed as possible fa targets.

As for the draft, won't rule out Campbell from Alabama, Schwesinger from UCLA, Stutsman from Okla.
 
I wouldn’t rule out Campbell as a trade down target in the 1st.

After him it’s kind of hard to sort through the next tier. Going to see what kind of athletes a lot of the guys I like are before I can stack them. Higgins, Paul Jr, Stuttsman, Schwes etc.
 
cnuball21 said:
I wouldn’t rule out Campbell as a trade down target in the 1st.

After him it’s kind of hard to sort through the next tier. Going to see what kind of athletes a lot of the guys I like are before I can stack them. Higgins, Paul Jr, Stuttsman, Schwes etc.
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Quality linebackers usually can be found on day 2, if not later. Marist at this same time was viewed as a late day 3 prospect, many thought he was overdrafted, but has looked good thus far early in his career. Fred Warner whom many think is the best off the ball linebacker in the league went in the 3rd rd as well.
 
Cowboyny said:
Eberflus 1st fa signings as the Bears HC were two linebackers, Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards. In his first year as Colts DC he drafted Darius Leonard who was the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

With the injury of Overshown and no timetable if and when he comes back, along with the pending fa of Kendricks, expect a overhaul for the positional group. All they have is a young prospect in Marist. There is little to no chance they don't sign a veteran fa starter, if not two and also use a high pick at the position as well.

We have mentioned Bolton, Spilliane from the Raiders recently, EJ Speed as possible fa targets.

As for the draft, won't rule out Campbell from Alabama, Schwesinger from UCLA, Stutsman from Okla.
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Eburflus Defense rests on DL, MLB and safety but everything is negated without a great DL

Yes we need LBs but DL needs serious talent infusion first

Cannot spend major $ or top 1-2 picks at LB
 
CalPolyTechnique said:
Losing Overshown to possibly a career ending or career altering injury still stings, smh.

Dude was the real deal.
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I will say Liaufau grew alot as a player this year, and supposedly he is a film junky. He could improve alot year 2. However he isn't a Mike
 
morasp said:
I like what Lance said about his instincts. Linebackers usually take a while to adjust to NFL but Eberflus could help speed that up.
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High level instincts is the #1 trait you look for in LB's. One false step or too slow to react, play goes right past you. Remember many were down on Bolton's timed speed at the combine, but he is good in this league due to his high level instincts.
 
CalPolyTechnique said:
Losing Overshown to possibly a career ending or career altering injury still stings, smh.

Dude was the real deal.
Click to expand...
I will say Liaufau grew alot as a player this year, and supposedly he is a film junky. He could improve alot year 2. However he isn't
 
Cowboyny said:
High level instincts is the #1 trait you look for in LB's. One false step or too slow to react, play goes right past you. Remember many were down on Bolton's timed speed at the combine, but he is good in this league due to his high level instincts.
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That's the first trait I look for, being fast doesn't help if you fill the wrong hole or overrun the play. Here's the write up on Schwesinger, he sounds like an Eberflus guy

Overview​

Schwesinger went from walk-on to All-American at UCLA. He’s a human bloodhound, pairing elite instincts with an understanding of blocking schemes and run tracks. The pursuit speed is average but his play recognition helps him play fast. He’s undersized and takes the worst of it when blockers get on top of him, but he’s a good athlete in coverage. He’s also a sound technician as an open-field tackler and bona fide standout on special teams. Schwesinger was a starter for only one season, but his instincts, athleticism and competitiveness help him project as a future starter either inside or as a 4-3 Will linebacker.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/carson-schwesinger/32005343-4882-6491-3eeb-f66a3ca23ab1​

  • Rare instincts for maneuvering inside and avoiding blocks.
  • Body control and agility in short spaces is first class.
  • Plays fast and sees run-lane development like a running back.
  • Deciphers play-action and mesh-point shenanigans quickly.
  • Able to drop his weight and explode laterally as a tackler.
  • Has hips, feet and eyes to cover ground in zone.
  • Special-teams star who is resolute on kick coverage.

Weaknesses​

 
Cowboyny said:
Eberflus 1st fa signings as the Bears HC were two linebackers, Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards. In his first year as Colts DC he drafted Darius Leonard who was the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

With the injury of Overshown and no timetable if and when he comes back, along with the pending fa of Kendricks, expect a overhaul for the positional group. All they have is a young prospect in Marist. There is little to no chance they don't sign a veteran fa starter, if not two and also use a high pick at the position as well.

We have mentioned Bolton, Spilliane from the Raiders recently, EJ Speed as possible fa targets.

As for the draft, won't rule out Campbell from Alabama, Schwesinger from UCLA, Stutsman from Okla.
Click to expand...

IMo, Not up to Eberflus per free agency and drafting ... it's up to McClay and Cap Boy Stephen,.. Schotty and Eber will flay to the way and path of Cap Boy crew,.. gone are the days of marinelli influence - we paid heavy toll land price for that.

- Cap Boy is gonna give the word to seek out"
- " cheap" FA bargain gem per McClay ...a Money Ball approach.
- or it could be a late round trade bargain deal ...ala Gimore, Cooks, Griffin
- or Cap Boy will once again put the burden on McClay in the NFL draft

Per Draft ,Methink it " should " go the way of McClay draft board , in accordance ot value ... Best graded player on the board .. per WR CeeDee Lamb over DE K'Lavon Chaisson (Jax Jaguars)

- Don't get me wrong, I do think we will be drafting LBs , - especially with the tragic Overshown issue I'm just not sure in what rounds in according to McClay's board.
 
Cowboyny said:
High level instincts is the #1 trait you look for in LB's. One false step or too slow to react, play goes right past you. Remember many were down on Bolton's timed speed at the combine, but he is good in this league due to his high level instincts.
Click to expand...
Cody Lindenberg from Minnesota (6'3" 240, 4.62). Keep an eye on this kid through the tests...He is going to surprise with his numbers, but his mental awareness and instincts are off the chart. Has a natural feeling while in zone and is a dog against the run.
 
IMO, in a perfect world, Dallas would draft a Hybrid LB/DE like JWalker, as well as add a 3T (Nolen or DWalker) and a 1T/NT like Grant, and then go get a Mike (Knight or Barton or even JCampbell)

1 -- trade down pick up a extra lower 3rd and then still get JWalker
2 - Nolen won't drop but it would be nice here -- there are several 3T options.
3a - DWalker (maybe a 3T if he doesn't learn to anchor and shed) or Grant ----would either of these fall to 76?
3b - DKnight or LBarton or if by some crazy happening JCampbell fell this far.....really needs instincts (smarts), strength, attitude, size and speed here.

You would have defense with JRogers, DWalker, Nolen, Mazi that would be a good inside DL
If you resigned Gholston and CLawson, you would have Gholston, Kneeland, SWilliams, and CLawson to play the DE/5T
JWalker and Parsons are Hybrids and could go DE or Mike/Sam for that matter and play massive roles.

As long as you still have Overshown/Liufau/Clark to play the Will and some Sam. Knight or Barton at Mike.

If Overshown were healthy, he could easily go to a hybrid LB/SS with Wilson playing SS/LB, on passes one would be short outside zone, and the other usually strong side seam.
Mlb would need to stop the run by stacking and shedding, and be able to drop into middle zone on passes.

The base most people try to play till playoff time is a nickel. Weakness of the nickel is rushing. OC will run all day on a nickel D, forcing you to bring up to the box one or more defenders.

With what I am suggesting, you could run a 3-4 with JRogers at NT, Mazi and DWalker at T, and use Parsons/JWalker as the OLB.
Maybe they would rather have a 4-3 with Kneeland, Nolen, Mazi, and Gholston, and use Parsons/JWalker as the Mike and Sam.
Maybe if Overshown was healthy, JWalker/Parsonsas the Mike/Sam, Overshown as Will/SS, Wilson at SS/Will, SWilliams at one DE, CLawson at the other, Nolen and DWalker in the middle. Cover 3 with Bland and Diggs deep, and a deep FS. Speed and strength.

I could see lots of fun designing and building defenses, depending on the offense strengths, for the DC. Need more pressure or gone to nickel.....maybe Parsons and JWalker at DE , and Nolen and DWalker inside. Knight/Barton dropping to middle zone. Liafau, Overshown cleaning up at LB or even with Liafau blitzing.

If Dallas is smart enough to trade down and pick up an extra 3 (and the draft actually fall in their favor), and use FA to get a #2 legit WR like Diggs, Cooper, Kupp, etc.......and can figure out this RB issue........they could be very good next year.
The entire rest of the draft could easily go to picking high ceiling developmental guys (boom or bust) like OL, QB, RB, more DBs.

Summary: Sign a big name FA WR, figure out your RB situation (whether FA or 5th or can you get a higher pick for the one you want), and then draft a hybrid, mike, 3T, and 1T in the top 4 rounds. Rest of draft is for developmental guys.
 
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