Starting Positions on Defense

[jazzcat22]

he has to get his arse in gear. there is a lot of competition for his position with the likes of Bohanna, Watkins, Urban, Odi, Gallimore, Hamilton, I assume we keep 5 DT and 5 DEs....that would be a long group....so he maybe on the bubble for the 5th spot....since I think Gallimore, Bohanna, Urban, Odi are top 4.

I am putting Hill over Bohanna for now, as he is a 6th round pick. Fans tend to over rate these guys way too often.
Though Bohanna could be my pet cat on defense in TC this year.

Also we need to see what Quinn’s defense will be and how the players will be used.

 

[Cowboyny]

Very few starting positions have a player that is "in ink" as the starter.
- All others are either in pencil or completely unknown.

DLaw, Gregory and Diggs are the only ones I would put in ink and the exact roles of DLaw/Gregory are unknown with the 4-3/3-4 hybrid defense.

• FS: Kazee but health is a big question mark.
• SS: Wilson looked decent but he'll be re-evaluated by the new DC.
• Outside CB: Diggs and either Brown or Joseph.
• Nickel CB: If Joseph gets the starting job on the outside, then Brown compete with Lewis.
  • Brown has always won the Nickel job over Lewis.
• Off Ball LB: 2 spots are up in the air between 4 players.
  • The hybrid defense makes it hard to predict exact roles.
• 4-man DE / 3-4 OLB: DLaw and Gregory.
• 3-4 DE: Urban at 3-4 DE is the only one close to being a certainty.
• 3tech DT: Could be 1 a several players. Hill or Gallimore most likely.
  • It is really 2 positions because they often play two 3techs on passing downs.
  • At least we know it will NOT be Crawford...
• 3-4 NT: Fans think Bohanna is a lock, however...
  • New Coordinators like to have have as many veterans on the field as possible.
  • More veterans speed up the learning curve for implementing the new scheme.
  • Don't be shocked if Trysten Hill gets the start.
  • Despite what fans believe, Hill is very strong.
  • On run plays, Hill got more attention from blockers than anyone last season.
  • He was often double-teamed even when playing 3tech or 3-4 DE.

For the base defense, Urban was reportedly signed to play that Red Bryant 4T Role. He could also easily start at the 1T as well. Who plays the 1T if Urban is at LE? Where does Tank line up? Leo/3T? Heard they are starting Gregory at the Sam against the run. We know Parsons will be a starter at linebacker, but who joins him. My best guess prior to camp would be: Tank, Urban, Hill, Parsons (Leo) and the linebackers of Jaylon (Mike), Lve (Will), Gregory (Sam). Think we are going to see a lot of bear fronts.

The nickel will have Tank/Gregory at end, the likes of Hill/Gallimore, Owu inside. Believe we will see Lve/Neal at LB and Parsons mixed in at both LB/DE in certain packages. Think Brown/Lewis begin the season as starters, where Lewis starts inside, but one will be replaced at some point during the season for Joseph.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I am putting Hill over Bohanna for now, as he is a 6th round pick. Fans tend to over rate these guys way too often.
Though Bohanna could be my pet cat on defense in TC this year.

Also we need to see what Quinn’s defense will be and how the players will be used.

it could be...bohanna is my pet cat along with fehoko

 

[Cowboyny]

Strong Safety –
as of now Kearse is inserted as starter. Much could be about Donovan’s offseason surgery recovery on his knee. Kearse has always been a limited fringe player (ala Dorian Thompson role)
Though he maybe wasn’t always in proper position in coverage, much of that could be due to his inexperience as he only finally saw considerable time in 11 games.
(of all things Thompson was actually starting the season over Wilson) but no doubt about Wilson’s knack for creating big plays -whether a monster fumble hit (ala vs RB Cook) , a QB strip (vs Wentz)
..or an INT (two in 2020) – we really those kind of playmakers. Hopefully more game experience adds up to more consistency and even possible leadership

Free Safety – Cowboys are banking that in shorts-shirt, Kazee is on course for full recovery. Even healthy he’s decent to average in coverage and tackler but he’s another that
has a knack for coming up with INTs, whether tipped or under cutting the inside route.

Achilles tendon tend to be very tough injuries to recover-regain previous forms in the NFL. But is it outta the question?
Also who will backup Kazee at FS ?
Rookie Israel Is no lock to make the team. Per pre draft his physicality has been in questioned.
i had thought for sure that Lewis would've been in contention

Right CB – I can’t see Brown ascending to being solid enuf starter for a full 17 game period. I think the better outside WRs will eventually be able to spin him silly and take advantage of his questionable
coverage skills and ball location.
This scheme is supposed to be zone oriented, so off the ball and in certain situations where he’s facing forward to QB, he could come up with some big plays
but if he gets hip to hip up field .. Yikes !

Only because he's vet, and rookie CBs need adjustment period to NFL, could i see starting the season with Brown. .before he's eventually challenged and replaced by one of the rookies Fat Joseph or
Bright.

LCB- Diggs' ball hawk mentality, growing coverage skills and limited 1-year experience early on makes him the lead CB for the time being. i only worry if he can match single handed vs top tier elite or pure speed merchant WRs of the NFL in coverages that he'll surely face this year - ala Tyreek, Hopkins, Ridley, Jefferson, Evans, DJ Moore, Henry Ruggs, and McLaurin

Joseph will eventually be that guy who can matchup against elite speed, where Diggs is better going against those big, possession types.

 

[Scotman]

To the OP and all of the comments...this is a great thread. This is exactly what I like to see. Tons of great information and supported opinions.

I think our defense will rebound this year. I think Nolan never developed any momentum as a leader and the lack of camp killed any hope the guys could do it on their own. The players sound as if they've responded to Quinn and I loved the defensive draft. By year end I think we'll have a middle of the road defense.

As far as DT, I think we did what we could. There wasn't a stud sitting there at our first pick. We don't have a bank roll capable of bringing in a top talent via free agency. I liked Gallimore when we drafted him and I'm hoping he emerges. Urban has been solid if unremarkable.

 

[CWR]

Very few starting positions have a player that is "in ink" as the starter.
- All others are either in pencil or completely unknown.

DLaw, Gregory and Diggs are the only ones I would put in ink and the exact roles of DLaw/Gregory are unknown with the 4-3/3-4 hybrid defense.

• FS: Kazee but health is a big question mark.
• SS: Wilson looked decent but he'll be re-evaluated by the new DC.
• Outside CB: Diggs and either Brown or Joseph.
• Nickel CB: If Joseph gets the starting job on the outside, then Brown compete with Lewis.
  • Brown has always won the Nickel job over Lewis.
• Off Ball LB: 2 spots are up in the air between 4 players.
  • The hybrid defense makes it hard to predict exact roles.
• 4-man DE / 3-4 OLB: DLaw and Gregory.
• 3-4 DE: Urban at 3-4 DE is the only one close to being a certainty.
• 3tech DT: Could be 1 a several players. Hill or Gallimore most likely.
  • It is really 2 positions because they often play two 3techs on passing downs.
  • At least we know it will NOT be Crawford...
• 3-4 NT: Fans think Bohanna is a lock, however...
  • New Coordinators like to have have as many veterans on the field as possible.
  • More veterans speed up the learning curve for implementing the new scheme.
  • Don't be shocked if Trysten Hill gets the start.
  • Despite what fans believe, Hill is very strong.
  • On run plays, Hill got more attention from blockers than anyone last season.
  • He was often double-teamed even when playing 3tech or 3-4 DE.

Kazee has been full go since the beginning of OTAs right? Before this injury he was solid. Hopefully he isn't nearly the injury risk he's painted as.

 

[quickccc]

Joseph will eventually be that guy who can matchup against elite speed, where Diggs is better going against those big, possession types.

i don't think it works that way with how OCs and coaches can design and move players around to scheme up matchups.
But with the way we've seen 40 time-slow pro bowl CBs like Sherman, Ronde Barber, Joe Haden, Josh Norman , Marcus Peters ..etc. stll excel at high levels for years on, it's not outta question with Diggs can become such as those.

But given as Trevon will still have his former DB coach Al Harris (who left Diggs completely on island vs speedsters Metcalf, McLurin for long burnt TD and huge gains with no deep help).. i'm so hoping Diggs will excel much more under new Joe Whitt and Quinn

Frankly i was quite surprised we still retained Al Harris while not pursuing Kris Richard who took a similar DB coach job with the Saints .
Richard was DB coach under Quinn when he was DC with Seattle.

 

[Floatyworm]

I think the secondary is going to be very interesting to watch in jockeying for starting roles. With Joseph only playing in about 15 college games, I expect a learning curve to be there. He’s got raw talent but he also has a ton to learn. And the receivers at this level are light years ahead of the guys he covered in college. I think he’ll be good but probably not immediately.

The slot corner battle will also be interesting between Brown and Lewis. Brown has been quietly better than most realize but Lewis had started to really develop last year. Should be a fun competition to watch.

...about Joseph. Talented....but so raw. I'm surprised we haven't brought in a vet like Sherman.....just to show the kid the ropes. Personally....I hate Sherman...but an aging vet that has a year or 2 left...that can pass on some knowledge....we really need that IMO.

 

[Bullflop]

He should be highly motivated being a contract year
To me heart is all he needed to be a solid player
He has the raw talent

He should be highly motivated being a contract year
To me heart is all he needed to be a solid player
He has the raw talent

Tristen Hill seems likely to be a dicey decision for Dan Quinn and the staff to render. It may well depend largely upon how he performs in TC. He's on the bubble, from the looks of things. Let's see how his performance goes, once TC is in the books. His status is clearly undecided, at this time. We'll see.

 

[Cowboyny]

i don't think it works that way with how OCs and coaches can design and move players around to scheme up matchups.
But with the way we've seen 40 time-slow pro bowl CBs like Sherman, Ronde Barber, Joe Haden, Josh Norman , Marcus Peters ..etc. stll excel at high levels for years on, it's not outta question with Diggs can become such as those.

But given as Trevon will still have his former DB coach Al Harris (who left Diggs completely on island vs speedsters Metcalf, McLurin for long burnt TD and huge gains with no deep help).. i'm so hoping Diggs will excel much more under new Joe Whitt and Quinn

Frankly i was quite surprised we still retained Al Harris while not pursuing Kris Richard who took a similar DB coach job with the Saints .
Richard was DB coach under Quinn when he was DC with Seattle.

Whitt had strong ties with MM and also did work under Quinn's staff with Atlanta. Richard probably burned some bridges here after that whole issue with the former LB coach.

As for Diggs, yes, he can hold up against elite speed, but needs to get better from a technical standpoint. He was a mess in this area coming into the league, but possesses elite traits. No where near a finished product by any means and should continue to get better. Let's hope he doesn't drop 6 interceptions this yr.

 

[Risen Star]

I don’t think the issue with Trysten Hill was ever that he couldn’t turn into a productive Cowboy.

No. That was the issue. He can't.

 

[DuncanIso]

To the OP and all of the comments...this is a great thread. This is exactly what I like to see. Tons of great information and supported opinions.

I think our defense will rebound this year. I think Nolan never developed any momentum as a leader and the lack of camp killed any hope the guys could do it on their own. The players sound as if they've responded to Quinn and I loved the defensive draft. By year end I think we'll have a middle of the road defense.

As far as DT, I think we did what we could. There wasn't a stud sitting there at our first pick. We don't have a bank roll capable of bringing in a top talent via free agency. I liked Gallimore when we drafted him and I'm hoping he emerges. Urban has been solid if unremarkable.

interesting take on Nolan.

Big Mike never took the blame for that hire.

I doubt he was happy to see Quinn hired. (Moore also, our Future HC…)

quinn could take over as HC today.

btw, how happy could Jerry and son be about the Nolan disaster. 8)

 

[CowboyRoy]

Very few starting positions have a player that is "in ink" as the starter.
- All others are either in pencil or completely unknown.

DLaw, Gregory and Diggs are the only ones I would put in ink and the exact roles of DLaw/Gregory are unknown with the 4-3/3-4 hybrid defense.

• FS: Kazee but health is a big question mark.
• SS: Wilson looked decent but he'll be re-evaluated by the new DC.
• Outside CB: Diggs and either Brown or Joseph.
• Nickel CB: If Joseph gets the starting job on the outside, then Brown compete with Lewis.
  • Brown has always won the Nickel job over Lewis.
• Off Ball LB: 2 spots are up in the air between 4 players.
  • The hybrid defense makes it hard to predict exact roles.
• 4-man DE / 3-4 OLB: DLaw and Gregory.
• 3-4 DE: Urban at 3-4 DE is the only one close to being a certainty.
• 3tech DT: Could be 1 a several players. Hill or Gallimore most likely.
  • It is really 2 positions because they often play two 3techs on passing downs.
  • At least we know it will NOT be Crawford...
• 3-4 NT: Fans think Bohanna is a lock, however...
  • New Coordinators like to have have as many veterans on the field as possible.
  • More veterans speed up the learning curve for implementing the new scheme.
  • Don't be shocked if Trysten Hill gets the start.
  • Despite what fans believe, Hill is very strong.
  • On run plays, Hill got more attention from blockers than anyone last season.
  • He was often double-teamed even when playing 3tech or 3-4 DE.

I dont see there being that much uknown. Now if you want to talk about the nickel or the 3-4 alignments that has a little more uncertainty. This is the way I see the 4-3 shaking out:

Lawrence, Gallimore, Urban, Gregory
Parsons, LVE, Smith (maybe Parsons plays inside, thats the only question here)
Diggs, Wilson, Kazee, Joseph/Brown.........................Lewis is the slot corner.

So for me, the only real starting question on defense is the other corner opposite Diggs.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Trystan Hill haters won't like this.
Then again they never like anything.

Hill was having a decent start last season until his injury. I still have not seen much as to his recovery this year.

What has there been to like about Hill his first two years? "Decent"? What does that mean? He was not playing well up to any kind of legitimate standard. Now he is coming off major knee surgery and has to deal with a coaching staff that didnt pick him. I have Hill as a rotation guy with Gallimore, but I would love to see him break out. Just dont see it happening.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I don’t hate Trysten Hill


That being said. While he showed improvement last year. He still had a long way to go development wise.

he is also coming off a major knee injury.

We just don’t know what we can expect from Hill. He is a total question mark.

he could be anywhere from good to awful this season.

I never liked the pick and Hill has done nothing to quell my fears the first two years. Despite what some imply Hill was NOT doing well when he got the starting gig by injury default.

I would love to see the kid prove me wrong. He has an immense up HILL climb considering the circumstances.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Good to hear about Hill getting doubled a lot last year. All I remembered was him getting washed out a lot.

That is part of the job is being able to handle a double team.

 

[stilltheguru]

The Trysten Hill fans are cute.

 

[McKDaddy]

There are scenarios where Jaylon outplays Micah and keeps him on the bench. Unlikely, but not implausible

i think its more likely that JS plays despite his pitiful level because that's what this organization does. keeps penciling in the incumbent regardless of performance.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

i think its more likely that JS plays despite his pitiful level because that's what this organization does. keeps penciling in the incumbent regardless of performance.

Jerry doesn't make mistakes, Jaylon will play because Jerry took a chance on him.



And he's got a mega contract, Jerry loves to get his money's worth...

 

[quickccc]

Whitt had strong ties with MM and also did work under Quinn's staff with Atlanta. Richard probably burned some bridges here after that whole issue with the former LB coach.

As for Diggs, yes, he can hold up against elite speed, but needs to get better from a technical standpoint. He was a mess in this area coming into the league, but possesses elite traits. No where near a finished product by any means and should continue to get better. Let's hope he doesn't drop 6 interceptions this yr.

Reportedly Mike Nolan was trying to convince Richards to stay as his DB coach, but as you can imagine Richard was probably bitter in not being considered as Cowboys new DC.
He's tried to gain a DC job instead of the same ole DB coach role but without success. Apparently he misses coaches too much to continue not coaching at all in some capacity.

What cannot happen with Trevor is coaches trying to have Diggs act like Lester Hayes that up close to the WR and expect him to run 50-60 yards hip to hip downfield.
The best coaches play to their players' skill set and strengths, not trying to make players into something that they are not.

If Diggs was a mess, it was probably because his 2020 coaches lead him to be a mess. I'm pretty sure like other defenders his head was spinning on a swivel,
and had to fight thru occasional shaky play and injuries. But even as a rookie, he never went into a shell with those struggles, and occasionally flashed the player and playmaker
the Cowboys thought he could be when he was drafted in 2nd round.