LB Depth- Is This A Concern?

yes

DanA said:

At OT I am worried. I think we have excellent cover at guard. Only one of McGovern, Knight, Looney, Badiasz starts at centre.

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If Smith or Collins go down I think Williams will slide outside and let one of the G's come in for him.

J-man said:

If Smith or Collins go down I think Williams will slide outside and let one of the G's come in for him.

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I probably agree but I'm not a fan of making two changes to cover one injury

I think the starters are a bigger concern.

I think we can sense a change coming in how linebackers are going to be used in our new defensive scheme. With Covington being waived today, we currently only have 7 on the roster (LVE, Jaylon, Sean Lee, Joe Thomas, Luke Gifford, Justin March, Francis Bernard). I don't know for sure, but if I recall correctly, 7 LB's made the 53 man roster at our first round of cuts last year, and we had more like 10 or 11 on the roster during the offseason. Seems like we're looking at more like 5 to 6 on the 53 man roster this year. That tells me we'll be running very little of the traditional 4-3 front (or "under"), something more like the 5-2 aka 4-3 "over" front. Gotta think it's going to be Randy or Aldon, or maybe even D-Law in certain situations, as the stand up "linebacker" on the line of scrimmage, with 4 other guys with their hand in the ground.

I don't know how to find this out, but I'd LOVE to know what percentage of the time we brought more than 4 rushers last year and compare that to what Mike Nolan has traditionally done as play-caller. Gotta think we're in line for a jump in blitzing/5-man rushes this year, based on the personnel that's being assembled.

Covington was just released. Cleaning house of all the guys drafted under the old regime for specific traits and scheme fit who weren't productive in college and have done nothing since being drafted. I love it. Clear as much Garrett stench as you can.

TwistedL0g1k said:

Can't complain about the starting 3, but it's very easy to imagine being without Lee and LVE.

This scares me. How much of a concern is this?

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Lee is made of glass and now he's old on top of it. And LVE, for all we know, could be suddenly sidelined if not retired at any moment with his neck stuff. So, yes, LB depth is a concern.

But: If we stick to the 4-3 defense, 4-3 LB is conveniently the easiest unit to stock competently and cheaply (ignore that our team has been under the illusion recently that it takes 1st and 2nd rounders to do those jobs; it really doesn't).

If we get in a pinch and lose a couple bodies, we also might just use more formations that are light on linebackers. More nickel and dime stuff. Or more 3-4 looks that are functionally just a 5-2 front (with the 3 down linemen all being DT types and the OLBs both basically just being defensive ends), just so we only ever need 2 true LBs at most on the field at any given time. Though that depends on which specific d-linemen we keep around, I suppose.

I’m concerned with the starters if they perform like they did last year.

btcutter said:

Honestly RDE is a far bigger worry for me then LB depth. I think we have enough there.

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Injury and a vampire head of the NFL are my biggest worry. Injury, we are dealing with mature professionals, so I;m not overly concerned there. Men, heal...

With the offense these days, most of the time you are playing with two lbs on the field anyways.

but yes. Depth is a big Concern.

Does the LB corps have enough depth?
Yes, Leighton Vander Esch is doing well after having minor neck surgery to repair the issue that landed him on injured reserve in 2019, and the team isn't concerned about his health whatsoever going forward. That's why they didn't use a premium pick at the position, which makes complete sense, especially considering the re-signing of Sean Lee and Joe Thomas, and having had more pressing needs at cornerback and on the defensive line. That said, they used none of their seven picks on a linebacker, and although that does absolutely nothing to their stellar overall grade, the issue of depth at linebacker remains a thing for now. More additions might come by way of free agency, with the team readying to dive heavily back into that mix, but they have some promise on the roster.

Luke Gifford is entering Year 2 after showing flashes in his rookie season, an unexpectedly strong talent whose rookie year was essentially derailed by injury before it could ever truly get going. A healthy Gifford plays very much like a healthy Lee, which is to say he has a high football IQ and does an excellent job of reading, committing, reacting and attacking a play. The upside on Gifford gives the Cowboys confidence in depth behind LVE, Lee and Jaylon Smith, as does the presence of a proven rotational guy in Thomas. They also like Justin March but waived Chris Covington, a source tells CBS Sports, and it still feels like someone needs to step up and make it known they're the definitive LB3 to succeed Lee in 2021. It's no safe bet he returns for a 12th season and, if he doesn't, the Cowboys will not only need a third starter, but also insurance against injury at the position.

It may lead them to use a pick on a linebacker in 2021 -- depending on how things shake out -- having waved it off in 2020 because of Lee's return and the upside on Gifford.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...one-thing-and-more-they-definitely-got-right/

CCBoy said:

Yes, Leighton Vander Esch is doing well after having minor neck surgery to repair the issue that landed him on injured reserve in 2019, and the team isn't concerned about his health whatsoever going forward.

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Minor spinal surgery? No such thing- especially with the impact of playing LB in the NFL.

The team says they are not concerned. OK, but when has the team ever said otherwise? I'll bet they have concerns behind closed doors. If not, they should.

I'll be surprised if LVE plays more than 3 years. Hope I'm wrong, because he was a beast when healthy!

This is a slight concern, but Lee,Thomas, and March are all decent back ups and Gifford played well before his own injury.

Jaylon and LVE both need to erase 2019 doubts imo. Will LVE be right is key.

Jaylon was absolutely horrific last season @ MLB.

TwistedL0g1k said:

Minor spinal surgery? No such thing- especially with the impact of playing LB in the NFL.

The team says they are not concerned. OK, but when has the team ever said otherwise? I'll bet they have concerns behind closed doors. If not, they should.

I'll be surprised if LVE plays more than 3 years. Hope I'm wrong, because he was a beast when healthy!

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So you imply that the Dallas state of the art medical facility and physicians are nothing more than an isolated Jamaican refugee group?

TwistedL0g1k said:

Can't complain about the starting 3, but it's very easy to imagine being without Lee and LVE.

This scares me. How much of a concern is this?

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A big concern. I'm really hoping they found a gem in UDFA Bernard.

Risen Star said:

A big concern. I'm really hoping they found a gem UDFA Bernard.

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He your 'camp dog?'