A few concerns with Carter and Melton

[Doomsday101]

I would not rule Carter out. Carter, McClain and Durant is a possibility. I'm only concerned of getting the 3 best LB out on the field. If Carter has to challenge Durant or Wilber then he still controls his own fate if he shows he is good enough he will get the job if not then he won't

 

[Mr Cowboy]

T. McClain is the biggest mystery. He hasn't parcticed at all, and somehow they are saving a roster spot for him. It's not like we signed him as out prized FA signing. He has been a journeyman and has shown nothing at camp, yet they're counting on this guy?

I've said it before about Carter, Gil Brandt has said that the word on Carter coming out of UNC is that he doesn't love football. He plays because he is good at it.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think with Melton is simply precautionary. From what I hear, if we were in December, he would be playing.

I can't say I disagree with it either. He knows the system. He has shown what he can do. Let him take it easy in camp and have his legs completely under him when the season starts.

Carter is either just dumb, or only care about collecting a paycheck. I can't remember the last Cowboys with that much raw physical ability who looked like he cared so little on the field. He isn't even chasing down plays now. That was what he hung his hat on his rookie season. He made a living running guys down.

Correct on both players!

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

In regards to Carter, I say we use him as a third down pass rusher.....

I say we use him as a camp body then send him on his way to the Wizard to get a Heart.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

It's crazy to think that while a little optimistic, there was a point in time not too long ago when the combo of Lee & Carter were touted as the next Willis/Bowman. Now it seems like there's a chance neither will headline our LB corps anymore

And Ware and Spencer were touted as a monster tandem at end.

 

[xwalker]

Starting to feel a little bit concerned about Melton. The guy hasn't played a game since September of last year, and he has been dinged up. Considering that he was already coming off a major injury, it does concern me that we haven't seen him yet. Is he expected to play Saturday? We are heavily relying on this guy, as he seems to be the only passrusher we have.

As far as Carter goes, it looks like Wilber will be the Sam, McClain at the Mike, and Durant at the Will. I thought this scheme was supposed to simply things and make it easier to play your assignment. What gives? Will he be the backup Will or what?

The good thing is that Melton's issue is not related to his surgically repaired knee. The Cowboys tend to hold veterans out in the preseason if they have as much as a broken nail.

 

[xwalker]

Did I miss somethin on carter? Is he losing his spot to durant?

I have not seen anything official, but they said that McClain would move to 1st team MLB in practice today. Garrett inferred that Durant would be a starter somewhere and that his most natural position was WLB which is Carter's spot. If Durant practiced as the 1st team WLB today, then it's probably a done deal.

 

[Doomsday101]

Garrett responded to that speculation by reiterating the need for competition at all three positions – perhaps the most unsettled unit remaining on the roster.
“At the end of it, we’re going to try and pick out the best three linebackers and get them in the spot that suits them and hopefully we can find our best unit,” he said. “We’ll do that in the base and try to do the same in the nickel choosing our best two nickel linebackers.”
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...-McClain/e8c45f00-a4c8-40a3-8da2-d799b27c4445

 

[xwalker]

I have not seen anything official, but they said that McClain would move to 1st team MLB in practice today. Garrett inferred that Durant would be a starter somewhere and that his most natural position was WLB which is Carter's spot. If Durant practiced as the 1st team WLB today, then it's probably a done deal.

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/durant-tries-will-as-cowboys-evaluate-mcclain.296686/

 

[Redball Express]

Starting to feel a little bit concerned about Melton. The guy hasn't played a game since September of last year, and he has been dinged up. Considering that he was already coming off a major injury, it does concern me that we haven't seen him yet. Is he expected to play Saturday? We are heavily relying on this guy, as he seems to be the only passrusher we have.

As far as Carter goes, it looks like Wilber will be the Sam, McClain at the Mike, and Durant at the Will. I thought this scheme was supposed to simply things and make it easier to play your assignment. What gives? Will he be the backup Will or what?

I never got the feeling he was anything but a long-term rehab guy..

..sort of a redshirt to wait wait and see about.

Like Spencer is.

I'm all for them just healing for the maximum time needed and if they show up before the year is out..

awesome.

If not..we will need them ready to roll next June.

What we don't want is for them to come back too soon..

.get high-lowed and they are out forever.

Dallas needs to know exactly whether they are going to have to spend their next #1 pick at the DL..

or do they have the DL help with those two and Lawrence healthy for next year plus Lee coming back.

We are not winning any Division or Wildcard playoff spots at this point.

Just my feelings.

I think regardless what happens this season..

Garrett will get one more season after this when the injuries all return for next year and they add some more FA's and draft picks with a healthy cap.

Just my take.

We are still heavily rebuilding and not to be measured in the final balance of the W-L record.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

T. McClain is the biggest mystery. He hasn't parcticed at all, and somehow they are saving a roster spot for him. It's not like we signed him as out prized FA signing. He has been a journeyman and has shown nothing at camp, yet they're counting on this guy?

I've said it before about Carter, Gil Brandt has said that the word on Carter coming out of UNC is that he doesn't love football. He plays because he is good at it.

This, again, is a disturbing part of mein Cowboys organization. The way over board coddling of marginal players. Romo? Ware? Lee? Even Deion. Sure, take time with these marquee-type players. Even extend privileges to them and pamper them because players like these have earned that treatment.
Players like McClain and Claiborne, it make me wonder what the thinking is.
But I do half to say that with possible litigation and CBAs maybe that is what we half come to: A nancy state that coddles even the marginal, the journeyman and the . . . malingerer, which I suspect is present in 50% of the pre-season "injuries."
You makes a good point. McAlin is a journeyman and half shown nothing, maybe he half shown something at Shoney's but not on the practice field. Those wif no heart should not be here. too many good mens sweating and yes, shedding blood, for their teams.

The McClains off the world should go to work in other fields like Vince Young at their almer matters teching students loyalty, level-headedness, financial smarts and being intellectual and stuff.

 

[bark]

My concern with Melton is what kind of football shape can he possibly be in come the opener. Been a while since he's played in a game

 

[jobberone]

A vet like that generally doesn't need a lot.

 

[Fredd]

fat boys up front are going to get winded in game 1, so the rotation had better be ready

 

[CyberB0b]

A vet like that generally doesn't need a lot.

Yeah, one who played football last year. He hasn't played in nearly a year.