Why are RKG Defensive Players Always Hurt?

[cml750]

On offense, the RKG's seem to stay much healthier. The defensive guys are made of glass. Is it just bad luck or what?

 

[Vanilla2]

Before I answer who are the RKG on defense you speak of anyone specific or just a blanket statement.

 

[cml750]

Before I answer who are the RKG on defense you speak of anyone specific or just a blanket statement.

Well under Garrett we are looking for RKG's. It seems like almost all of the defensive draft picks have trouble staying on the field. So it is a "blanket" statement.

 

[Vanilla2]

Mo
Carter
Crawford
Wilcox
Heath
Webb

Did I miss anyone?

 

[anava]

We draft a lot of small school guys that are used to the big physical contact? Just a guess

 

[Supercowboy1986]

Mo
Carter
Wilcox
Heath
Webb

Did I miss anyone?

Matt Johnson?

My theory is that the rkg is an average/above average athlete that are nice guys and as you know, last guys finish last.

As popovich said, we need more nasty.

 

[Alexander]

On offense, the RKG's seem to stay much healthier. The defensive guys are made of glass. Is it just bad luck or what?

The defense on Garrett's teams will always be viewed as second class citizens. There is little for them to go out and sacrifice themselves and their bodies for mainly because they are not viewed as vital to winning football games. There are there to hold things down, not win games.

That is one reason why I like head coaches who view defense as more important and can communicate effectively to the players on that side of the football.

 

[Alexander]

As popovich said, we need more nasty.

Been a problem for a very long time. Nasty dirty violent players on defense can establish an identity.

Getting a bunch of golly gee whiz got to keep grinding types on that side of the football is not exactly going to do all that much. Finesse has no place on that side of the football.

 

[Vanilla2]

Matt Johnson?

My theory is that the rkg is an average/above average athlete that are nice guys and as you know, last guys finish last.

As popovich said, we need more nasty.

I've got think that's the truth.

And playing above your head leads to over exerting yourself and possible injury.

Some of it has to be luck though.

Because I'm not sure how much mo and carter are RKG's

 

[HeavyBarrel]

Matt Johnson?

My theory is that the rkg is an average/above average athlete that are nice guys and as you know, last guys finish last.

As popovich said, we need more nasty.

Yep, Dallas needs to get bigger, meaner and BETTER!

 

[Alexander]

Yep, Dallas needs to get bigger, meaner and BETTER!

There is no attitude on defense. None. That is one thing I have noticed about him in New Orleans this year.

He really has players who have chips on their shoulders. They are chippy and brash just like him.

 

[cml750]

Crawford

Mo
Carter
Crawford
Wilcox
Heath
Webb

Did I miss anyone?

No, you summed it up although Sean Lee could be added to the list. He was not drafted by Garrett as a RKG but he definitely fits the mold. Why do these guys stay hurt??

 

[cml750]

There is no attitude on defense. None. That is one thing I have noticed about him in New Orleans this year.

He really has players who have chips on their shoulders. They are chippy and brash just like him.

Agree. Maybe RKG's aren't cut out to play nasty defense??? I don't know.

 

[FLCowboyFan]

I don't believe Lee is trying to take off or that he doesn't have the talent. I think we have to look at the offseason and what we are doing to get these guys prepared to take the beating they will take during the season.

 

[Vanilla2]

Crawford


No, you summed it up although Sean Lee could be added to the list. He was not drafted by Garrett as a RKG but he definitely fits the mold. Why do these guys stay hurt??

The smartest athletes are usually the guys who aren't the best athletes especially later in the draft.

And on defense that probably leads to over extending yourself just to keep up.

Personally I'm all for some defensive nastiness.

Gimme some big bad SEC defenders and let's get to work.

 

[Alexander]

Agree. Maybe RKG's aren't cut out to play nasty defense??? I don't know.

It is not just about "nasty defense".

Playing defense is a lot different from playing offense. Confidence means even more because the deck is stacked against you.

We just lack players with edge. DeMarcus Ware is an incredible player, but he does not exactly instill fear in anyone other than the fear of his abilities. He is not going to kill your QB. Sean Lee is a heck of a player, but he is not going to take your head off.

I also see a lot of thinking and doubt on the defense. Jones thought making it "simple" with the Tampa 2 would help, but it clearly did not.

I do not even think Ryan's system was that hard. He just had players who bought in. I do not think our defenders are capable of buying in to much of anything as they really just do not get the idea they are valued.

Just look at how the offense behaves. Throw, throw, throw. We have to score because we do not trust them.

And it is not just something that started this season.

The one time in the past 17 years we trusted the defense, we made the playoffs and won a wildcard game.

Even back in the glory days of the 1990s, there was a physical nature to the team. We ran the ball, and we played very tough defense with quite a few players who were rough around the edges.

Ever notice the players who go to bat for Garrett are usually on offense?

 

[jazzcat22]

On offense, the RKG's seem to stay much healthier. The defensive guys are made of glass. Is it just bad luck or what?

RKG doesn't necessarily mean "nice guy" wimpy type guy.

But we do need the more "in your face" type attitude.

 

[xwalker]

On offense, the RKG's seem to stay much healthier. The defensive guys are made of glass. Is it just bad luck or what?

The entire team are RKGs. Trying to correlate RKGs on the Cowboys roster to injury is pointless.

Do all NBA players over 5'10" get injured more?

 

[foofighters]

I wonder what happens if you draft guys that are already hurt or known for having injury issues. I wonder if that trend follows them to the NFL...

 

[Alexander]

I wonder what happens if you draft guys that are already hurt or known for having injury issues. I wonder if that trend follows them to the NFL...

I honestly think the injury issues are due in part to a cultural concern. Parcells had players like Witten going out there with broken jaws. We allow players like Miles Austin to milk hamstring issues for an entire year. We allowed Jay Ratliff to linger around even after Jones suggested he needed to get out there.

There are a few players who would play on bloody stumps if they could (Lee, Romo), but they are few and far between.