A CB Question

[Chuck 54]

It's pretty clear that the consensus is that we need a huge upgrade at CB depth...maybe I shouldn't call it depth since the nickel backs play as much as anyone on defense in this passing age of the NFL. ON this team, if we're going to essentially put Newman in the slot, making him the extra guy, then yes, we need a darn good starting caliber CB who's going to be outside on an island.

I wonder just how many teams put their best CB in the slot. Does anyone know this?

Maybe Newman and Henry should stay on the outside and let the 3rd cb play the slot receivers where he might get more help from LB's redirecting routes and safeties roaming the middle of the field. I know the slot guys sometimes end up on the outside when they run their patterns, but I wonder just how effective it is to put Newman on the slot instead of leaving him to lock down his outer part of the field.

This is just a philosophical question...I'm tired of suffering over the loss last night, so I started wondering about this strategy which was not new this year season.

Do the other great CB's like Champ Bailey, Asante Samuel, Cromartie, etc. give some backup their side of the field to go run with the slot receiver?

 

[landryscorner]

I think henry should bulk up a big move over to strong safety, make hamlin the other safety and find another CB to compliment Newman

 

[joseephuss]

I think they should change it up a little more. The LCB is targeted quite a bit because the QBs are usually right handed and it is easy for them to face that direction. I wouldn't mind seeing Newman stay on the outside left a little more with the extra CB coming in to cover the slot. It would be easier to provide LB or Safety help for the slot corner and not worry about Newman out on his island. If he gets beat, he gets beat. That sometimes happens. Just a change up. Newman alone on the slot is nice, too. You don't want to waste him covering the back up tight end on the outside, but then again you would think Reeves could do that on his own. He can't.

 

[AdamJT13]

I wonder just how many teams put their best CB in the slot. Does anyone know this?

The Packers did it with Charles Woodson, and the Commanders have done it with Shawn Springs. There might be others. Most teams' reasons for doing it are about the same as ours.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think henry should bulk up a big move over to strong safety, make hamlin the other safety and find another CB to compliment Newman

And what do you do with Roy?

The fact is that he's "ours" next season. The cap hit is too large for us to release or trade him.

Don't be suprised if the starting secondary from the playoff game is our starting secondary come next September.

The big changes will come for corners #3, 4 & 5.

 

[Vintage]

I think next year, you could see a change at ILB. I hope Burnett is ready and able to start next year for Ayodele. And we need to use Spencer more.

A LB core of Wade/Spencer on the outside and James/Burnett on the inside in the base defense will be an improvement coverage wise over this year's base defense. The two questions are: Can Spencer become a very good pass rusher next year to make this feasible? And can Burnett beat our Ayodele?

I think this will also help solve some of the coverage issues in the short zones and stuff as well.

 

[AdamJT13]

I think next year, you could see a change at ILB. I hope Burnett is ready and able to start next year for Ayodele. And we need to use Spencer more.

Spencer had better be a starter next season. And Ellis should be a pass-rushing specialist who rarely, if ever, drops into coverage.

I'll be surprised if Burnett is ever a quality 3-4 inside linebacker. We certainly could upgrade the position, but I think that would be more of a luxury than a necessity.

 

[burmafrd]

Honestly, as good as TNew is I would ALWAYS put him one on one with the #1 WR and use him like we did Deion. AND if we can get a good coverage #2 CB do the same with their #2 WR. I want the talent for our CBs to be able to go one on one with just about any team (not the pats, you need 3 top CBs as they are now)

 

[burmafrd]

I don't think that Burnett is tough enough to be a full time ILB

 

[joseephuss]

Spencer had better be a starter next season. And Ellis should be a pass-rushing specialist who rarely, if ever, drops into coverage.

I'll be surprised if Burnett is ever a quality 3-4 inside linebacker. We certainly could upgrade the position, but I think that would be more of a luxury than a necessity.

I think Burnett is good in his current role of coming in in obvious passing situations.

 

[joseephuss]

Honestly, as good as TNew is I would ALWAYS put him one on one with the #1 WR and use him like we did Deion. AND if we can get a good coverage #2 CB do the same with their #2 WR. I want the talent for our CBs to be able to go one on one with just about any team (not the pats, you need 3 top CBs as they are now)

Deion often followed the other teams #2 receiver allowing the defense to double the #1 threat. That is if the other team had a very good #2 guy. If it was a Patrick Crayton type receiver, then he would spend more time locked up on the #1. I think most of the time he just locked up his side of the field and Dallas then helped out the other side.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I personally like the CB from Troy, you know the school where All Pro Mr. Ware went...

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I wonder if Spencer could play inside???

 

[joseephuss]

I wonder if Spencer could play inside???

Ware probably could. I envision a change of pace defense used a few plays a game with Spencer and Ellis on the outside, either as OLBs in a 3-4 or DEs in a 4-3 and Ware lined up as an ILB. Blitz him or drop him in coverage. Just a few plays a game. I think it could confuse offenses.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

The Packers did it with Charles Woodson, and the Commanders have done it with Shawn Springs. There might be others. Most teams' reasons for doing it are about the same as ours.

Tampa Bay has done it with Rhonde Barber for years.



YAKUZA

 

[Chuck 54]

Spencer had better be a starter next season. And Ellis should be a pass-rushing specialist who rarely, if ever, drops into coverage.

I'll be surprised if Burnett is ever a quality 3-4 inside linebacker. We certainly could upgrade the position, but I think that would be more of a luxury than a necessity.

I know the draft is a crap shoot, but it really burns my butt that we used prime draft picks on LBs Burnett and Carpenter, who both seem better suited to the 4-3 than the 3-4.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I know the draft is a crap shoot, but it really burns my butt that we used prime draft picks on LBs Burnett and Carpenter, who both seem better suited to the 4-3 than the 3-4.

What you say has a lot of merit. On the bright side, I think either Carp or Burnett will be starting for Ayodele next year-- who'll be cut.

On the corner thing, I'd look for two corners to be drafted-- one in day one and one in day two, plus I'd expect the Cowboys to sign a second-tier corner through free-agency using the money that they won't resign Flozell Adams with.

 

[big dog cowboy]

On the corner thing, I'd look for two corners to be drafted-- one in day one and one in day two, plus I'd expect the Cowboys to sign a second-tier corner through free-agency using the money that they won't resign Flozell Adams with.

I won't cry if we drafted CB's with BOTH our 1st rounders.

The scrub DB's that have been on our roster the last few years won't win you a Super Bowl.

 

[Chuck 54]

Ware probably could. I envision a change of pace defense used a few plays a game with Spencer and Ellis on the outside, either as OLBs in a 3-4 or DEs in a 4-3 and Ware lined up as an ILB. Blitz him or drop him in coverage. Just a few plays a game. I think it could confuse offenses.

Ware needs to be rushing the QB every down, not just on blitzes. That's his strength, not running round in coverage. He needs to move around and rush from different spots, but he should be getting after the QB every down. That's really what Ellis should be doing as well.

To be honest, I love our defense, but when I look at our personel, I still have to wonder if we aren't more suited to a 4-3

DE's = Ellis, Ware, Spencer, Hatcher
DT's = Ratliff, Ferguson, Tank, Canty (Spears and Canty could play both)
MLB = Brady James
OLB's = Burnett, Carpenter, Akin, a draft pick/free agent, and in passing situations, use Ware at LB and blitz him as a fifth rusher or in zone blitzes.

It won't happen, and this 3-4 is shaping up in the front 7, but Ware, Spencer, and Ellis should be rushing the QB every play, and Ratliff and Tank would both be better off at DT, imo.

 

[Chuck 54]

What you say has a lot of merit. On the bright side, I think either Carp or Burnett will be starting for Ayodele next year-- who'll be cut.

On the corner thing, I'd look for two corners to be drafted-- one in day one and one in day two, plus I'd expect the Cowboys to sign a second-tier corner through free-agency using the money that they won't resign Flozell Adams with.

I like your thinking...Flozell has been solid, and I'm sure one of the young guys will struggle a little, but I think it's time to embrace the future.

I think the real question is whether we think Colombo is actually any good...we counted on Flozell handling his guy 1-1 and we had to help Colombo all year....Strahan owned him as far as making a load of tackles...7 tackles, 6 solo...that's a lot for a DE.