What are the team's DL needs for next season

[Cowboyny]

We looked at Quinn's base defensive alignment, what needs do we have to fill?

LE-Lawrence/Armstrong (Will DLaw play the 4T in the base defense?)
NT-Future Starter, Woods (Don't think Woods fits any longer)
3T-Hill, Gallimore (Team may bring in a veteran, so young prospects aren't forced to start)
RE-Gregory, Anae (Will Gregory just be a nickel player?)

Biggest question I have, does DLaw start at the 4T LE or as the RE (Leo)? The 4T is basically a 3-4 DE in this scheme. However, Michael Bennett played the role in Seattle's Base Defense.

NT-is more of that traditional 3-4 massive type that two gaps, anchors and occupies multiple blockers. The need is just a base run defender and he will come off the field against the pass.

3T-are either Hill or Gallimore ready to become impact starters? If the team doesn't believe so, they would bring in a veteran, bridge type of starter, can of what they hoped for in McCoy.

DE-no matter what they decide to do with DLaw in the base, they need to upgrade the depth at the position. Armstrong hasn't shown much of anything since he was drafted, Anae has yet to see much of any type of on the field experience, Gregory has never been a base starter, he also is playing on 1 yr left on his contract.

Free Agency

-I think the team signs a mid-tier NT Starter
-Short-term bridge starter at 3T
-Bargain experienced former starting DE

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

I'll make it simple for you....THEY NEED UPGRADES.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Dominant 1T.

Solves almost all the problems.

 

[Carson]

Resign McCoy. Sign Poona Ford

Lawrence - McCoy - Ford - Gregory

Armstrong, Anae, Gallimore and Hill as depth. Gallimore and McCoy in a heavy rotation.

I just don’t see Smith coming back.

 

[Future]

Linebackers and a healthy offense.

 

[Cowboyny]

Linebackers and a healthy offense.

This is just the DL, we have serious issues on all three levels of this defense. Don't envision team using their top pick for the DL, but day 2 is looking likely.

 

[Cowboyny]

Resign McCoy. Sign Poona Ford

Lawrence - McCoy - Ford - Gregory

Armstrong, Anae, Gallimore and Hill as depth. Gallimore and McCoy in a heavy rotation.

I just don’t see Smith coming back.

-I think McCoy best days could be behind him, but they can find a similar player who can hold down the spot in the short-term
-Ford could certainly fit that DT1 role, pair him with a rookie, the position can be filled
-Depth along the DL isn't good, especially at DE behind the starters, they are going to need another quality option at the position

 

[JoeKing]

There is no one on the DL that is not replaceable, so I say job security is absent there. The need goes across the board.

 

[CouchCoach]

He is a lot closer to his DL in SEA than he is that back 7.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Dominant 1T.

Solves almost all the problems.

You know I hear people say this....and I do agree but in comparison to the rest of the league.....how many dominant 1 T's are there?

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Resign McCoy. Sign Poona Ford

Lawrence - McCoy - Ford - Gregory

Armstrong, Anae, Gallimore and Hill as depth. Gallimore and McCoy in a heavy rotation.

I just don’t see Smith coming back.

Don't want Smith back, he basically disappeared after the first few games, which a lot of us worried about due to his long layoff. Maybe he'd do better with Quinn, but to me if he was that good he'd been more successful, even given all the other problems.

McCoy couldn't even make it out of camp, and had an injury his last year at Carolina. Don't want him back either. Age a factor also.

Would agree on starting Gregory, he's put on some pounds, doesn't have to be great at run defense, just serviceable so you'd have him on the field if the quarterback escapes the pocket, e.g.

As far as the rest of the DL goes, I'd want to see how the young guys like Gallimore do in camp and pre-season, if there is one, before I'd set a starting lineup.

If you do get a Barmore or such, who has shown, at least in college, that he can handle run defense and pressure the quarterback, stick him in from day 1...

 

[Majic]

-I don't believe Aldon Smith will be brought back. He is more of a fit in the 3-4 and 1 of the reasons he signed was due to his DL Coach who was just fired.

-Gregory is actually a very underrated player against the run, but he has never played that role with the Cowboys. I could see a veteran, two down DE being signed, perhaps a player like Crawford was, base run DE and kicks inside in the nickel. Wouldn't be surprised that the team uses a pick on this spot.

-Front office did sign Poe for the position last year, will they be gun shy this time around due to Poe being such a flop?

-The likes of Barmore, Tufele, are more 3 Tech's, but they could also play that 4T role. I wouldn't rule anyone out, but clearly the bigger need is at the 1 Tech

I thought the same about Smith until I read this quote from Jerry Jones at the conclusion of the season '....It's inspirational to see a man like Aldon Smith have the comeback here that he had," Jones said. "He played some outstanding football for us. He certainly was more positive than not, and I think he can take this year and build on it, and we want him to build on it to the benefit of the Cowboys."

Despite Tomsula leaving, perhaps he does come back after all

 

[calicowboy54]

We looked at Quinn's base defensive alignment, what needs do we have to fill?

LE-Lawrence/Armstrong (Will DLaw play the 4T in the base defense?)
NT-Future Starter, Woods (Don't think Woods fits any longer)
3T-Hill, Gallimore (Team may bring in a veteran, so young prospects aren't forced to start)
RE-Gregory, Anae (Will Gregory just be a nickel player?)

Biggest question I have, does DLaw start at the 4T LE or as the RE (Leo)? The 4T is basically a 3-4 DE in this scheme. However, Michael Bennett played the role in Seattle's Base Defense.

NT-is more of that traditional 3-4 massive type that two gaps, anchors and occupies multiple blockers. The need is just a base run defender and he will come off the field against the pass.

3T-are either Hill or Gallimore ready to become impact starters? If the team doesn't believe so, they would bring in a veteran, bridge type of starter, can of what they hoped for in McCoy.

DE-no matter what they decide to do with DLaw in the base, they need to upgrade the depth at the position. Armstrong hasn't shown much of anything since he was drafted, Anae has yet to see much of any type of on the field experience, Gregory has never been a base starter, he also is playing on 1 yr left on his contract.

Free Agency

-I think the team signs a mid-tier NT Starter
-Short-term bridge starter at 3T
-Bargain experienced former starting DE

i've echoed this other places since his hiring. IMO i would bring back McCoy and have him man the 4T on the Strong side and move Dlaw to LEO rushing from a wide 9, Rotate Gregory/Smith (If Signed) with DLaw. then you need to sign or Draft a backup to McCoy, Crawford could have been in this 4T position but he might be retiring or CUT. we have been asking for a 1T/NT for years and now its not a WANT its a NEED so they need to get 1 new via FA OR Draft, preferably both. we have woods and some other SFA but they are not the 1T we need.

3T i think we are set with HILL and Galli on run and some passing downs. Then bring in Smith/Gregory/McCoy/??? on passing downs.

SLB is another thing we need to to Sign or Draft, Jaylon cannot run with RB and TE (cutting laterally due to his foot is not something he needs to be doing). LVE is your MLB. i think you let Jaylon play the WLB. Bernard or Gilford might be able to do the SLB, but i don't know their Pass rushing ability.

 

[noshame]

It all begins with pressure up the gut
Period

 

[LACowboysFan1]

What DT was 350 for Quinn at Seattle? Brandon Mebane was 6-1 311 & Tony McDaniel was 6-7 305

And a 1T player is more suited for a 3-4 defense, which Dallas doesn't have the personnel for, at this point. Of course teams don't exclusively play a 4-3 or 3-4, etc. but we're talking about your primary defensive alignment...

 

[speedkilz88]

And a 1T player is more suited for a 3-4 defense, which Dallas doesn't have the personnel for, at this point. Of course teams don't exclusively play a 4-3 or 3-4, etc. but we're talking about your primary defensive alignment...

Mebane played 1T for them in their 4-3.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Mebane played 1T for them in their 4-3.

1T is a position, not a player, he lines up just to one side of the center. Really not much different that a 3T, who lines up on the outside shoulder of the guard, only a foot or two farther away. But I bet you know that.

When some here want a "big, fat 1T" they are really thinking NT, but he lines up directly over the center most times, you need the weight there because it's easy for the guard to move over and double the NT, with the center...

 

[BourbonBalz]

Only if he's rated high, he has to do more than just stand there and take on blockers. Size alone isn't helping this team that much...

Yeah, I’m talking about one of the highest rated ones. I’m just disagreeing with those who say 10 is too high for a DT. That’s bull****! It’s been killing us year after year. It’s past time to do something about it.

 

[speedkilz88]

1T is a position, not a player, he lines up just to one side of the center. Really not much different that a 3T, who lines up on the outside shoulder of the guard, only a foot or two farther away. But I bet you know that.

When some here want a "big, fat 1T" they are really thinking NT, but he lines up directly over the center most times, you need the weight there because it's easy for the guard to move over and double the NT, with the center...

I just disagreed with your assertion that 1T was more suited for 3-4. It's used in the tampa tree (over/under) of defenses in a 4-3.

 

[Risen Star]

Can we stop using the term "needs" for this team? That implies we lack something to compete. We don't. We have "wants" or "how ridiculous would we be if we had more of this too".