Do the Cowboys have the best 4-3 LB corps in the NFL?

darthseinfeld

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It's so rare that you have 3 linebackers on the field, does it even matter?
Yes. Give you much better pass defense out of base packages to have 3 high level pass defenders at the LB position on the field
 

Altestic

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Nah, I'll take CAR and SEA because they have better MLB and DC's.

If you forget the IND and LAR games, they look a lot better.
CAR lost Davis. Their 2nd LB is an undersized guy in Thompson who is basically equal to our Joe Thomas. Also they converted to 3-4 now so they're out of the equation.

SEA is the only one who comes close. Behind the LOB core of Wagner/Wright intact they have solid guys in Bark Mingo and Mychal Kendricks (if he's not in jail) behind them.
 

Altestic

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Maybe.

Hard to go against KJ Wright and Bobby Wagner. No clue who their third 3LB is but with Wagner I doubt it hurts them if they have a potato as the SOLB.
Bark Mingo and Mychal Kendricks are a very solid 3rd and 4th. But the latter is facing up to 3 years in prison. Sentencing is late September.
 

DasSchnitzel

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Just due to the nature of LBs, it takes A LOT to be hands-down, the BEST LB group.

I would argue that there's only been a handful of times where one group was clearly and utterly the best of their year.

So that said, 100% the Dallas group is in the conversation of best right now, but the best of the NFL for sure? Nah. Seattle is too close and could be better on any given week.
 

Whirlwin

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Great point...but they two they have are better than any other tandem I can think of
I used to think San Francisco had the best linebackers. And then all the injuries. But you're right I can't think of a better tandem
 

erod

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Yes. Give you much better pass defense out of base packages to have 3 high level pass defenders at the LB position on the field
Teams pretty much stay in nickel except in short yardage and goal line.
 

DasSchnitzel

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Teams pretty much stay in nickel except in short yardage and goal line.

People keep saying this like it matters to the question asked, and it doesn't.

Dallas has 3 LBs that can play in a nickel formation as well as any other. Some teams dont even have 2, some teams have 2 until an injury. Dallas can absorb one injury and still put two probowlers out there in nickel.

"Best LB group" is as much about depth as it is starters. In the base 4-3, dallas has 3 probowlers. In nickel, dallas has two probowlers and one more providing depth.
 

erod

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People keep saying this like it matters to the question asked, and it doesn't.

Dallas has 3 LBs that can play in a nickel formation as well as any other. Some teams dont even have 2, some teams have 2 until an injury. Dallas can absorb one injury and still put two probowlers out there in nickel.

"Best LB group" is as much about depth as it is starters. In the base 4-3, dallas has 3 probowlers. In nickel, dallas has two probowlers and one more providing depth.
But it's also true that they struggled mightily toward the end of the season.

They're good, but Cowboy fans always overrate their players a bit.
 

DasSchnitzel

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But it's also true that they struggled mightily toward the end of the season.

They're good, but Cowboy fans always overrate their players a bit.

No matter what I say in response you can say "well you're just a Cowboys fan, and they overrate their players".

At their worst, Dallas LBs were average. If you want to argue that LVE, Jaylon, and Lee are any less than a top 5 4-3 LB group, you simply dont know what you're talking about.

I think they're top 3. Top 3 vs top 5 is the only real conversation here. If you want to put them below top 5, then... I dont even know what to say besides saying you aren't watching enough NFL games.
 

Floatyworm

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We are so over-rated it's not even funny.

LVE should be playing in the middle....but isn't because Jaylon can't cover. So not only are you taking away what LVE does best...stop other teams from running the football...your stunting his growth as a team leader.

Make no doubt...LVE is the better player. He can cover and make plays in the back field. This is not the first time this organization has taken a guy and ruined his career....because they want to play a fan favorite...and hide a guys deficencies like Jaylon's....in order to sell tickets.

As for Lee...He should have been cut 3 years ago. He's in the top 5 for most over-rated players in the entire NFL. Why we even bother??? IDK...I just know I'm tired of watching him pout on the sidelines. ..whenever he is hurt...which is all the time.

Flame suit on...so flame away. Sadly...people know the truth...and refuse to accept it. I worry we don't have any depth after our top 2 guys...and Joe Thomas.
 

Hadenough

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I used to think Panthers, but they traded Davis and he was pretty old anyway.

Cowboys have 4 bona fide above average quality starters including 2 bona fide young superstars and 1 ex superstar (albeit injury pronie). But only 3 positions in base and 2 in sub packages.
Dallas very well could have the best LB duo in football. The thing about Carolina is they had a strong dline that allowed their LBs to drop back in coverage or hit the gaps and make plays.
 

jaythecowboy

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We are so over-rated it's not even funny.

LVE should be playing in the middle....but isn't because Jaylon can't cover. So not only are you taking away what LVE does best...stop other teams from running the football...your stunting his growth as a team leader.

Make no doubt...LVE is the better player. He can cover and make plays in the back field. This is not the first time this organization has taken a guy and ruined his career....because they want to play a fan favorite...and hide a guys deficencies like Jaylon's....in order to sell tickets.

As for Lee...He should have been cut 3 years ago. He's in the top 5 for most over-rated players in the entire NFL. Why we even bother??? IDK...I just know I'm tired of watching him pout on the sidelines. ..whenever he is hurt...which is all the time.

Flame suit on...so flame away. Sadly...people know the truth...and refuse to accept it. I worry we don't have any depth after our top 2 guys...and Joe Thomas.

LVE isn't playing the Mike cause he gets stuck on blocks too easily. Playing the will he doesn't have to deal with blockers as much.
 

John813

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I wouldn't trade those 2 for LVE and Jaylon straight up.

KJ and Wagner are studs but Jaylon and LVE are already producing and just have the upside to be difference making football players.

Jaylon has top 5 in the draft pedigree and LVE got overlooked but IMO he's more talented then Jaylon.

Yea, I wouldn't either. Just saying right now Wagner is probably the best in the business and Wright ain't no slouch himself.
 
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