4 rookies starting on defense, plus two FAs?

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Gallimore yes, but not Bohanna.

To start on the defensive line, the flow chart is very simple. "Can you rush the passer?" If yes, compete to start. If no, go straight to sub packages, do not collect $200.

given how bad our run defense was last year, I think there maybe a focus on stopping the run. right now there are only two 1-tech DTs that I can think of. depending on how he does, he may start or be a major part of the rotation.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Bohanna, urban, osa I would say. OSA and urban can also play de in th 3-4.

I don't see Osa as 1 tech. not big enough and he was drafted to be 3-tech. now, in sub packages when we want to collapse the pocket he will probably play some.
can Urban line up at 1 tech? perhaps, he is just shy of 295. Bohanna for sure. that's why I mentioned Justin hamilton who is around 320....

 

[CowboyRoy]

I don't see Osa as 1 tech. not big enough and he was drafted to be 3-tech. now, in sub packages when we want to collapse the pocket he will probably play some.
can Urban line up at 1 tech? perhaps, he is just shy of 295. Bohanna for sure. that's why I mentioned Justin hamilton who is around 320....

This is what is so confusing about the Osa pick. We already had a 3T in Gallimore. So I see him playing DE in the 3-4 alignment or possibly rushing the passer from the 1T spot on 3rd downs. So then we have Urban and Bohanna for the 1T and or NT.

 

[Future]

given how bad our run defense was last year, I think there maybe a focus on stopping the run. right now there are only two 1-tech DTs that I can think of. depending on how he does, he may start or be a major part of the rotation.

I mean, define major part of the rotation.

He's never going to play in the nickel outside of weird subpackages, so if he's a rotational player in "base" defenses, that's probably not even 15 snaps a game.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

This is what is so confusing about the Osa pick. We already had a 3T in Gallimore. So I see him playing DE in the 3-4 alignment or possibly rushing the passer from the 1T spot on 3rd downs. So then we have Urban and Bohanna for the 1T and or NT.

we don't have that many DTs, ..with Osa, Hill, Gallimore, Urban and Hamilton. but seemingly a lot of DEs. like Gregory, Gholston, Anae, Lawrence, Armstrong, Besham, Carter, Watkins. probably a couple of them will be swing players at DT and DE. but that's a lot of players to throw at DE, hoping 4 or 5 come out. do we keep 9 or 10? it will be interesting camp battles.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I mean, define major part of the rotation.

He's never going to play in the nickel outside of weird subpackages, so if he's a rotational player in "base" defenses, that's probably not even 15 snaps a game.

yes, base defense, two down player, rotating with some of the 3-tech in passing downs. but that's fine with me. given how bad the rush defense was last year, with the likes of wood and poe who got stood up and made ZERO movement on the line.

 

[plymkr]

@gimmesix Even more important than starting is:
Odiggy is likely better than Crawford.
Bohanna is likely better than Poe and Woods.
Parsons is likely better than any LB on roster.
Bossman Fat is likely better than Awuzie.
Kazee is likely better than Woods.
Neal is better than Jaylon or Woods.

No matter what, likely improvement even if the draft picks beat out the FAs.

Well said. I completely agree. This is why our defense will show improvement this year.

 

[DeaconMoss]

This is what is so confusing about the Osa pick. We already had a 3T in Gallimore. So I see him playing DE in the 3-4 alignment or possibly rushing the passer from the 1T spot on 3rd downs. So then we have Urban and Bohanna for the 1T and or NT.

Maybe they think he can bump out some to the 5 tek in a 3-4 front and play at 3 on pass downs

 

[Future]

yes, base defense, two down player, rotating with some of the 3-tech in passing downs. but that's fine with me. given how bad the rush defense was last year, with the likes of wood and poe who got stood up and made ZERO movement on the line.

Base defense is nickel. Nickel packages are two-down players. 1Ts who can't rush the passer are 1-down players, and that's Bohannon.

Bohannon is not going to create movement. His job is literally going to be not to move lol.

Again, it just seems like what the role on any team does is being overstated...and then add to the mix that this guy is a 6th-round pick, he's not going to see significant snap counts.

 

[gimmesix]

You have 2 rookies and 1 FA starting all at the same position. Urban will probably start at the 1Tech with Gallimore starting at the 3Tech. Everyone else I agree with.

Odighizuwa at DE, Bohanna at NT, Urban at DE, Lawrence at LEO or whatever they want to call designated pass rusher in this scheme.

LVE, Parsons, Smith at linebacker.

Joseph, Diggs at corner. Wilson, Kazee at safety.

That would be four rookies and two free agents, none at the same position.

You could be right about Urban at 1-tech and I think he's the only other option besides Bohanna, but I don't think he's a good fit. NTs need a low center of gravity and mass so that they are hard to move and force double-teams. Urban is 6-7, 300 pounds. I think we would be doing him a disservice asking him to anchor against double-teams, but he'd be ideal as a 3-4 DE going against a tackle or guard.

I believe Gallimore will be a pass-rushing DT/3-tech. He's not known for his run-stopping ability, while Odighizuwa is, but maybe Gallimore has improved in that area since many of the write-ups on him said he's strong but needs technique work.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't see bohanna, urban and Osa starting alongside Lawrence. perhaps later in the year we will see Osa rotate regularly with Galimore. Boahanna may rotate with Hamilton (and maybe Hill).

I think initially we will see Gregory, Gallimore Hamilton, Lawrence to start the year and more and more of the rookies as year goes on. If Hill doesn't step up and grow up, he may fade to the background and become inactive during some games. this is a make or break year for him.

I don't see Hamilton making this roster.

 

[quickccc]

I’m taking more of a conservative approach as its’ just a big learning curve with rookies – and speed bumps in the roads early on,
but depending upon their skill set, learning speed,. how they are coached schemed, number of reps in games and durability
it’s the optimistic hope that they will be better by season’s end than beginning of the season.

the only rookies I can see starting right away if that would be
1) Parsons
2) Joseph
3) and maybe Osa

FAs starting ? we didn’t invest in a big name in FA spending; there’s converted S to LB Keanu Neal (whom I expect as a nickel LB) ..and Damonte Kazee whose coming off a serious achilles injury- and who knows
If he’s full ready for start season or if he even comes close to regaining his previous playing form. That’s a totally wait and see move, imo

Conservatively, i’m skeptical about Damonte, but if he’smaybe not PUP, could he be more so a rotation backup that will be ease gradually into starting lineup,
But who else takes his starting role until then, … surely not Dorian Thompson (should he make it per special teams value) and we haven’t heard about a Lewis to FS move, and it’s a lot to
put on converted rookie Israel S.
But who else is there for FS role if Kazee is behind schedule ?

Given his rep as a run stopper and experience, maybe only Brent Urban could start the season in base 3-4, while Osa gradually learns on the run in rotation.
Question could be how many games would it take for Osa to eventually become the starter

-And Watkins ? Notice how media channels and fan talk, are not even bothering to sniff out Watkins, never even mentioned in really any talks as a piece of this new expectations.
Seems more the talk of camp body, than true rotation guy.

 

[gimmesix]

We really don't know what we have in Hill or Gallimore yet. They both showed some flashes last year. But lack of playing time due to injuries, and a screwed up scheme. And without an off-season rally held them back.
I will hold off any judgements until we see them on the field with a full off-season and a better scheme.

As for Watkins, maybe with some surrounding players he will be what they want. He doesn't ned to be a star, but just to hold his own on his assignments. I don't know what to expect at this point, but will be pulling for all 3 of these players, as usual.

I don't hold out much hope for Hill. Both he and Gallimore were part of an atrocious effort up front against the run. Granted, they both can improve, but neither has ever been known as a run-stopping force. I think Osa already has a leg up on them in that department.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Base defense is nickel. Nickel packages are two-down players. 1Ts who can't rush the passer are 1-down players, and that's Bohannon.

Bohannon is not going to create movement. His job is literally going to be not to move lol.

Again, it just seems like what the role on any team does is being overstated...and then add to the mix that this guy is a 6th-round pick, he's not going to see significant snap counts.

well, we signed Poe and Woods for the very role. obviously Poe didn't workout and Woods was limited and getting worse. perhaps I think the first two downs could be running downs, but depending on the down and distance we will see a rotation. by significant, I mean perhaps 10-15 snaps a game. yes, his job is not to move, but occupy two OL men and allow LBs to flow to the ball. Poe was often taken out easily with one lineman. woods spent a lot of time on the ground. being active up front, recognizing the play (run) and making sure the running lanes to his side is covered and limiting the RB options would be huge in our run stopping ability....

most of the players on defense are going to be role players and it up to the coach to put them in a position he can use them and they can produce. we will have only a few play makers, like Lawrence, Gregory, Parsons, maybe LVE and hopefully one of the safeties. I think most teams are that way. plus we never know, hopefully Bohanna can surprise a little.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I don't see Hamilton making this roster.

we have 6 DTs on the roster, so if he doesn't then the other 4, , Gallimore, Hill, Osa, Boahanna will be the team's DTs. it makes me nervous. perhaps Urban can be a 3 tech guy as well. right now he is listed as a DE. not sure if he played DE in a 3-4, but if he did, then it makes sense. I venture to say that we probably will have 10 DL men.

 

[gimmesix]

How exactly are 3 defensive tackles going to start, especially on a team that's going to be in nickel 65-70% of the time?

People are still wildly overvaluing what Bohanna is going to be asked to do. Barring injury, he's playing short yardage snaps. He's not going to play first- and second-down with any regularity.

The starting defense is a pseudo 3-4. Therefore DE, NT, DE front with someone, most likely Lawrence, being a designated pass rusher, creating a 4-3 look despite having three DTs starting. This is the early-down defense, but yes, they will only be on the field, if they are successful, about 30 percent of the time. Odighizuwa possibly has a role in the nickel, but I think that's when we'll primarily see Gallimore and possibly Hill or Golston on the inside.

I believe Bohanna is going to be out there on run downs. He was drafted late because he is only a first- and second-down run-stopping lineman and adds nothing to the pass rush.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Odighizuwa at DE, Bohanna at NT, Urban at DE, Lawrence at LEO or whatever they want to call designated pass rusher in this scheme.

LVE, Parsons, Smith at linebacker.

Joseph, Diggs at corner. Wilson, Kazee at safety.

That would be four rookies and two free agents, none at the same position.

You could be right about Urban at 1-tech and I think he's the only other option besides Bohanna, but I don't think he's a good fit. NTs need a low center of gravity and mass so that they are hard to move and force double-teams. Urban is 6-7, 300 pounds. I think we would be doing him a disservice asking him to anchor against double-teams, but he'd be ideal as a 3-4 DE going against a tackle or guard.

I believe Gallimore will be a pass-rushing DT/3-tech. He's not known for his run-stopping ability, while Odighizuwa is, but maybe Gallimore has improved in that area since many of the write-ups on him said he's strong but needs technique work.

not a bad prediction. but I am not sure Urban at 1 tech. he is listed at below 300. didn't he play 3-4 DE? that maybe better suited to a 3T.

 

[gimmesix]

we have 6 DTs on the roster, so if he doesn't then the other 4, , Gallimore, Hill, Osa, Boahanna will be the team's DTs. it makes me nervous. perhaps Urban can be a 3 tech guy as well. right now he is listed as a DE. not sure if he played DE in a 3-4, but if he did, then it makes sense. I venture to say that we probably will have 10 DL men.

I believe Urban, Gallimore, Odighizuwa, Bohanna and Watkins will be our DTs. Lawrence, Gregory, Basham and Golston will be our DEs. That puts us to nine, so one more will probably make it from among Hill, Anae and Armstrong. Austin Faoliu has a chance to make the practice squad.

 

[gimmesix]

not a bad prediction. but I am not sure Urban at 1 tech. he is listed at below 300. didn't he play 3-4 DE? that maybe better suited to a 3T.

Don't have Urban at 1-tech. I think he's a possibility if Bohanna can't man it simply because we don't really have anyone else who can hold down the spot. Put Gallimore, Watkins, etc., at the spot and they are going to get blown off the ball.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I believe Urban, Gallimore, Odighizuwa, Bohanna and Watkins will be our DTs. Lawrence, Gregory, Basham and Golston will be our DEs. That puts us to nine, so one more will probably make it from among Hill, Anae and Armstrong. Austin Faoliu has a chance to make the practice squad.

didn't watkins also play some DE, so he maybe a swing player. of the last three,

perhaps Hill gets traded, if those other 5 make it. otherwise, Hill may make it as a DT (he has to vow in preseason and show some maturity). then Watkins can be a swing DE/DT. I don't see Anae making it. he doesn't seem to fit and is quite limited. although ownership has a strong affinity for Armstrong. I would like to see him traded for a low round conditional pick as well.