CFZ Does Sam Williams Factor Into the Competition for the 5th LB Roster Battle?

Pass2Run

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If you're following the Cowboys at this point in the season, then you probably know we're a little light at linebacker.

Or at least everyone complains we're a little light, even after the draft.

And Cowboy fans are generally smart, so I see why they think that, on paper, at least.

Then the 2022 NFL draft came along, and we drafted Sam Williams.

Not all, but many seem to naturally assume that Williams will only play on the defensive line, although most realize he will likely move around on the defensive line, maybe play some RDE, LDE and DT, as opposed to only rushing the EDGE from the left side full-time. He's definitely capable of being this type of player.

Taking Williams position flex and natural athleticism, instincts and athleticism a step further, I believe Dan Quinn actually plans on utilizing Williams as a linebacker, very similar to how we utilize Parsons.

This move was pretty key for filling out our roster spot. We not only got an edge rusher to replace Gregory (notice I didn't guarantee he'll replace Gregory's production), we also got an edge rusher who, like Parsons, is also capable enough to play several positions within the front seven.

Right now we have Parsons, Vander Esch, Cox and Gifford. So people are pulling for guys like Aaron Hansford and Storey Jackson to make the roster. No doubt, one of them may make the roster. We've left enough space open. But we also have Devin Harper [theoretically] behind Gifford.

It's interesting to ponder when we start trying to whittle down that final roster, man for man. Players who you really want to make the team just can't most of the time because those slots usually only come open from luck, and the player has to rise to the occasion.

In any case, my argument is that the final LB roster dilemma is not best solved with a well-known veteran on the market, like Dan Quinn for instance, the answer for our specific need here was addressed in the draft.

The Williams pick was killing two birds with one stone. He's not competing with Parsons, per se, but I won't be surprised if Williams spends about half the reps that Parsons gets at LB also playing LB.

I know some will say Williams is not ready for LB, and needs to improve stopping the run. But I think he does that the minute he steps on the field with Quinn.
 

Pass2Run

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Parsons
Cox
LVE
Gifford
and Storey Jackson

Jackson makes the team as a special teams ace. And Sam Williams will only play LB when they blitz up the middle and drop him in coverage.

I know that's what they're saying right now. But I just think we remain in the Nickel as our base set.

But with Williams, I think we'll be looking at some 4-3/3-4ish sets with him in there at LB. It's something I'm totally speculating about. But I'd like to think I'm correct on that. That they will have several sets for him where he's technically playing a LB role. Just my hunch, mostly because he's aggressive enough, and has that Dexter Coakleyesque sideline-to-sideline closing speed.

If I'm a coach, this is a no-brainer, I have x amount of defensive linemen who can get so many snaps. I want to get my best players on the field and I do that by adjusting my scheme and rolling with Sam Williams as my Swiss Army Knife.

Either way, especially if, knock on wood, Parsons gets injured, then I suspect they would try to plug Sam Williams in the case of that misfortune.
 
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buybuydandavis

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If you're following the Cowboys at this point in the season, then you probably know we're a little light at linebacker.

Or at least everyone complains we're a little light, even after the draft.

And Cowboy fans are generally smart, so I see why they think that, on paper, at least.

Then the 2022 NFL draft came along, and we drafted Sam Williams.

Not all, but many seem to naturally assume that Williams will only play on the defensive line, although most realize he will likely move around on the defensive line, maybe play some RDE, LDE and DT, as opposed to only rushing the EDGE from the left side full-time. He's definitely capable of being this type of player.

Taking Williams position flex and natural athleticism, instincts and athleticism a step further, I believe Dan Quinn actually plans on utilizing Williams as a linebacker, very similar to how we utilize Parsons.

This move was pretty key for filling out our roster spot. We not only got an edge rusher to replace Gregory (notice I didn't guarantee he'll replace Gregory's production), we also got an edge rusher who, like Parsons, is also capable enough to play several positions within the front seven.

Right now we have Parsons, Vander Esch, Cox and Gifford. So people are pulling for guys like Aaron Hansford and Storey Jackson to make the roster. No doubt, one of them may make the roster. We've left enough space open. But we also have Devin Harper [theoretically] behind Gifford.

It's interesting to ponder when we start trying to whittle down that final roster, man for man. Players who you really want to make the team just can't most of the time because those slots usually only come open from luck, and the player has to rise to the occasion.

In any case, my argument is that the final LB roster dilemma is not best solved with a well-known veteran on the market, like Dan Quinn for instance, the answer for our specific need here was addressed in the draft.

The Williams pick was killing two birds with one stone. He's not competing with Parsons, per se, but I won't be surprised if Williams spends about half the reps that Parsons gets at LB also playing LB.

I know some will say Williams is not ready for LB, and needs to improve stopping the run. But I think he does that the minute he steps on the field with Quinn.

Quinn likes him some tweeners.

LB/DE
S/LB
 

Pass2Run

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Quinn likes him some tweeners.

LB/DE
S/LB

Right, and the question is "does he factor in?" Not that there's an overwhelming re-haul of the defense and in the context of the topic of keeping only 5 LBs. So I'm simply talking about one player who can play multiple positions. At times. In situational football vs. various competition.

But I think Williams has the potential to expand his role, like Parsons.
 

darthseinfeld

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If you're following the Cowboys at this point in the season, then you probably know we're a little light at linebacker.

Or at least everyone complains we're a little light, even after the draft.

And Cowboy fans are generally smart, so I see why they think that, on paper, at least.

Then the 2022 NFL draft came along, and we drafted Sam Williams.

Not all, but many seem to naturally assume that Williams will only play on the defensive line, although most realize he will likely move around on the defensive line, maybe play some RDE, LDE and DT, as opposed to only rushing the EDGE from the left side full-time. He's definitely capable of being this type of player.

Taking Williams position flex and natural athleticism, instincts and athleticism a step further, I believe Dan Quinn actually plans on utilizing Williams as a linebacker, very similar to how we utilize Parsons.

This move was pretty key for filling out our roster spot. We not only got an edge rusher to replace Gregory (notice I didn't guarantee he'll replace Gregory's production), we also got an edge rusher who, like Parsons, is also capable enough to play several positions within the front seven.

Right now we have Parsons, Vander Esch, Cox and Gifford. So people are pulling for guys like Aaron Hansford and Storey Jackson to make the roster. No doubt, one of them may make the roster. We've left enough space open. But we also have Devin Harper [theoretically] behind Gifford.

It's interesting to ponder when we start trying to whittle down that final roster, man for man. Players who you really want to make the team just can't most of the time because those slots usually only come open from luck, and the player has to rise to the occasion.

In any case, my argument is that the final LB roster dilemma is not best solved with a well-known veteran on the market, like Dan Quinn for instance, the answer for our specific need here was addressed in the draft.

The Williams pick was killing two birds with one stone. He's not competing with Parsons, per se, but I won't be surprised if Williams spends about half the reps that Parsons gets at LB also playing LB.

I know some will say Williams is not ready for LB, and needs to improve stopping the run. But I think he does that the minute he steps on the field with Quinn.
It would be a complete waste to play him at LB. He is not comparable to the players Quinn has just as hyrbrid players. And really Parson is the only one of them that were actually decent LB's. Irvin, McKinley and Beasley were all very bad LB's
 

baltcowboy

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I know that's what they're saying right now. But I just think we remain in the Nickel as our base set.

But with Williams, I think we'll be looking at some 4-3/3-4ish sets with him in there at LB. It's something I'm totally speculating about. But I'd like to think I'm correct on that. That they will have several sets for him where he's technically playing a LB role. Just my hunch, mostly because he's aggressive enough, and has that Dexter Coakleyesque sideline-to-sideline closing speed.

If I'm a coach, this is a no-brainer, I have x amount of defensive linemen who can get so many snaps. I want to get my best players on the field and I do that by adjusting my scheme and rolling with Sam Williams as my Swiss Army Knife.

Either way, especially if, knock on wood, Parsons gets injured, then I suspect they would try to plug Sam Williams in the case of that misfortune.
I think you are on to something with Williams playing linebacker. I keep hearing he is a bigger version of Parsons and he was taking linebacker reps in OTAs. Remember that both Kearse and Wilson would play linebacker in the nickel defense last season, I can’t see that changing. We will have the fattest defense in the league.
 

America's Cowboy

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If you're following the Cowboys at this point in the season, then you probably know we're a little light at linebacker.

Or at least everyone complains we're a little light, even after the draft.

And Cowboy fans are generally smart, so I see why they think that, on paper, at least.

Then the 2022 NFL draft came along, and we drafted Sam Williams.

Not all, but many seem to naturally assume that Williams will only play on the defensive line, although most realize he will likely move around on the defensive line, maybe play some RDE, LDE and DT, as opposed to only rushing the EDGE from the left side full-time. He's definitely capable of being this type of player.

Taking Williams position flex and natural athleticism, instincts and athleticism a step further, I believe Dan Quinn actually plans on utilizing Williams as a linebacker, very similar to how we utilize Parsons.

This move was pretty key for filling out our roster spot. We not only got an edge rusher to replace Gregory (notice I didn't guarantee he'll replace Gregory's production), we also got an edge rusher who, like Parsons, is also capable enough to play several positions within the front seven.

Right now we have Parsons, Vander Esch, Cox and Gifford. So people are pulling for guys like Aaron Hansford and Storey Jackson to make the roster. No doubt, one of them may make the roster. We've left enough space open. But we also have Devin Harper [theoretically] behind Gifford.

It's interesting to ponder when we start trying to whittle down that final roster, man for man. Players who you really want to make the team just can't most of the time because those slots usually only come open from luck, and the player has to rise to the occasion.

In any case, my argument is that the final LB roster dilemma is not best solved with a well-known veteran on the market, like Dan Quinn for instance, the answer for our specific need here was addressed in the draft.

The Williams pick was killing two birds with one stone. He's not competing with Parsons, per se, but I won't be surprised if Williams spends about half the reps that Parsons gets at LB also playing LB.

I know some will say Williams is not ready for LB, and needs to improve stopping the run. But I think he does that the minute he steps on the field with Quinn.
Sam Williams stated he was used in various positions by Dan Quinn during the 3 day rookie minicamp.

Screenshot-20220625-064906-You-Tube.jpg


Dan Quinn explains he had Sam Williams playing various positions both at DE, DT and LB during rookie minicamp to see what Sam Williams can or can not do before training camp comes around next month.

 

speedkilz88

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btb
Dan Quinn’s defensive scheme doesn’t require the normal amount of depth at the position.

Last year, the Cowboys line up with five or more defensive backs on 97.8% of their plays, and 38% of the formations were either a big nickel or big dime.

DBs Formation Snaps in %
4 DBs Base defense (2 CB, 2 S) 10 0.9%
5 DBs Nickel (3 CB, 2 S) 647 59.5%
5 DBs Big Nickel (2 CB, 3 S) 208 19.1%
6 DBs Dime (4 CB, 2 S) 2 0.2%
6 DBs Big Dime (3 CB, 3 S) 205 18.8%
Others 16 1.5%
Total 1088 100%
 
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Oz-of-Cowboy-Country

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I know that's what they're saying right now. But I just think we remain in the Nickel as our base set.

But with Williams, I think we'll be looking at some 4-3/3-4ish sets with him in there at LB. It's something I'm totally speculating about. But I'd like to think I'm correct on that. That they will have several sets for him where he's technically playing a LB role. Just my hunch, mostly because he's aggressive enough, and has that Dexter Coakleyesque sideline-to-sideline closing speed.

If I'm a coach, this is a no-brainer, I have x amount of defensive linemen who can get so many snaps. I want to get my best players on the field and I do that by adjusting my scheme and rolling with Sam Williams as my Swiss Army Knife.

Either way, especially if, knock on wood, Parsons gets injured, then I suspect they would try to plug Sam Williams in the case of that misfortune.
I just don't think they'll through too much on him as a rook. But yes, you are right. He will be playing LB here and there.
 

jazzcat22

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Don't forget Kearse may be used as hybrid S / LB and will line up accordingly to the offense alignments.

One of my pet peeves for years, they always, even with Marinelli, went into TC light at LB, but way hey with WR's.
 

john van brocklin

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If you're following the Cowboys at this point in the season, then you probably know we're a little light at linebacker.

Or at least everyone complains we're a little light, even after the draft.

And Cowboy fans are generally smart, so I see why they think that, on paper, at least.

Then the 2022 NFL draft came along, and we drafted Sam Williams.

Not all, but many seem to naturally assume that Williams will only play on the defensive line, although most realize he will likely move around on the defensive line, maybe play some RDE, LDE and DT, as opposed to only rushing the EDGE from the left side full-time. He's definitely capable of being this type of player.

Taking Williams position flex and natural athleticism, instincts and athleticism a step further, I believe Dan Quinn actually plans on utilizing Williams as a linebacker, very similar to how we utilize Parsons.

This move was pretty key for filling out our roster spot. We not only got an edge rusher to replace Gregory (notice I didn't guarantee he'll replace Gregory's production), we also got an edge rusher who, like Parsons, is also capable enough to play several positions within the front seven.

Right now we have Parsons, Vander Esch, Cox and Gifford. So people are pulling for guys like Aaron Hansford and Storey Jackson to make the roster. No doubt, one of them may make the roster. We've left enough space open. But we also have Devin Harper [theoretically] behind Gifford.

It's interesting to ponder when we start trying to whittle down that final roster, man for man. Players who you really want to make the team just can't most of the time because those slots usually only come open from luck, and the player has to rise to the occasion.

In any case, my argument is that the final LB roster dilemma is not best solved with a well-known veteran on the market, like Dan Quinn for instance, the answer for our specific need here was addressed in the draft.

The Williams pick was killing two birds with one stone. He's not competing with Parsons, per se, but I won't be surprised if Williams spends about half the reps that Parsons gets at LB also playing LB.

I know some will say Williams is not ready for LB, and needs to improve stopping the run. But I think he does that the minute he steps on the field with Quinn.
Depends on his play.
 

Mr_437

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Sam would have to cover as a LB, and I'd much rather have Cox, LVE or Kearse do that. Williams is not Micah, he's more of a DE opposed to hybrid imo. Also, there's a need at DE, so leave Williams there to soak up those snaps. In an ameba defense call SW could be a LB and get those 1v1 on IOLs.
 

conner01

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Parsons
Cox
LVE
Gifford
and Storey Jackson

Jackson makes the team as a special teams ace. And Sam Williams will only play LB when they blitz up the middle and drop him in coverage.
Seems logical to me
Don’t get wrapped up in titles
Jackson has the talent to really push for snaps by next year so you keep him around
Williams may drop into space in some circumstances but his talent as a pass rusher should be used almost exclusively rushing the passer
 

blueblood70

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If you're following the Cowboys at this point in the season, then you probably know we're a little light at linebacker.

Or at least everyone complains we're a little light, even after the draft.

And Cowboy fans are generally smart, so I see why they think that, on paper, at least.

Then the 2022 NFL draft came along, and we drafted Sam Williams.

Not all, but many seem to naturally assume that Williams will only play on the defensive line, although most realize he will likely move around on the defensive line, maybe play some RDE, LDE and DT, as opposed to only rushing the EDGE from the left side full-time. He's definitely capable of being this type of player.

Taking Williams position flex and natural athleticism, instincts and athleticism a step further, I believe Dan Quinn actually plans on utilizing Williams as a linebacker, very similar to how we utilize Parsons.

This move was pretty key for filling out our roster spot. We not only got an edge rusher to replace Gregory (notice I didn't guarantee he'll replace Gregory's production), we also got an edge rusher who, like Parsons, is also capable enough to play several positions within the front seven.

Right now we have Parsons, Vander Esch, Cox and Gifford. So people are pulling for guys like Aaron Hansford and Storey Jackson to make the roster. No doubt, one of them may make the roster. We've left enough space open. But we also have Devin Harper [theoretically] behind Gifford.

It's interesting to ponder when we start trying to whittle down that final roster, man for man. Players who you really want to make the team just can't most of the time because those slots usually only come open from luck, and the player has to rise to the occasion.

In any case, my argument is that the final LB roster dilemma is not best solved with a well-known veteran on the market, like Dan Quinn for instance, the answer for our specific need here was addressed in the draft.

The Williams pick was killing two birds with one stone. He's not competing with Parsons, per se, but I won't be surprised if Williams spends about half the reps that Parsons gets at LB also playing LB.

I know some will say Williams is not ready for LB, and needs to improve stopping the run. But I think he does that the minute he steps on the field with Quinn.
not really maybe in package here or there but if Sam players his DE position well or better then expected that leaves Parson more snaps as a LB..we are trying to replace Gregory and cant so that using sam as a LB..im sure Fowler will do solid job but if Sam can play well as rookie DE we can use those packages where we kick Tank inside on passing downs etc..
 
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