A potential new ILB

[bfelt]

Sam Cowart (Vikings) will be an unrestricted free agent come March and may be on the Cowboys' radar as they seek to shore up their linebacking corps. He's played ILB extensively in three different 3-4s (Bills [where he made the Pro Bowl in 2000], Jets, Vikings) and has also played MLB and WLB in the 4-3. He will likely be inexpensive (he made just $1M last year), giving the Cowboys the flexibility of keeping him as a swing backup in the event that Burnett emerges as a starter next to James. At 31, the eight year veteran would bring the experience that the unit sorely lacks with the retirement of Dat Nguyen and the potential release of Al Singleton.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Sam Cowart (Vikings) will be an unrestricted free agent come March, and may be on the Cowboys radar as they seek to shore up their linebacking corps. He's played ILB extensively in three different 3-4s (Bills [where he made the Pro Bowl in 2000], Jets, Vikings) and has also played MLB and WLB in the 4-3. He will likely be inexpensive (he made just $1M last year), giving the Cowboys the flexibility of keeping him as a swing backup in the event that Burnett emerges as a starter next to James. At 31, the eight year veteran would bring the experience that the unit sorely lacks with the retirement of Dat Nguyen and the potential release of Al Singleton.

what I have in bold is what sold me on him

 

[Billy Bullocks]

He was pretty damn good in Buffalo for a few years there. I for one don't mind a bit of veteran insurance. Shanle was a great find, but I dont want him starting for us next year.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Shanle was a great find, but I dont want him starting for us next year.

here! here!

 

[Clove]

what I have in bold is what sold me on him

I wouldn't cry about it.... Doesn't cost much, veteren, hey I'm all for it.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I wouldn't cry about it.... Doesn't cost much, veteren, hey I'm all for it.

we need depth at LB, and if that's all Cowart pans out to, then that's ok with me, assuming we don't pay him much, which we probably won't

 

[sago1]

I think it's exactly what we need--an experienced vet LB who's played in both schemes; it's something I've been hoping we will do. With Dat gone & Singleton probably also, we need add an ILB who can conceivably start if Burnett not yet ready but whose primary role might simply be the experience he brings to the table.

 

[baj1dallas]

sounds like a real possibility to me too. i think experience is underrated a little bit.

 

[texastwister]

The last I seen he cant run sideline to sideline

 

[DLCassidy]

I'll take him.

 

[jterrell]

The last I seen he cant run sideline to sideline

Neither can Bradie James.
In the 3-4 with 2 inside backers you dont need a speed demon.

He has to have decent speed to play WLB in the 4-3.

Cowart's not the solution as a starter on the outside but as a 4th starter playing inside or backup he'd be a good get.

 

[texastwister]

I have to disagree jterrell. The outside LB has contain and must turn the play inside. Ware was very poor at this. He let the play get around him forcing the CB and ILB to make the play. If the play is on the outside of you outside backer it forces the ILB to run to the sideline to help on the play. Yes he doesnt have to be a speed demon but he still needs to run.

I thought Sam was older than he is.He will turn 31 on the 26th.I thought he was 34 for some reason. So I guess for the right price he would be a good addition to the defense for ILB. But I think the injuries he suffered over the last few seasons has slowed him down. In 2001 he missed 15 games and in 2004 he missed 7 games. In the 9 games he played only had 25 tackles.

In Minnesota he looked slow getting to the sidelines in the games I watched.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

He was a darn good player before the injury. Maybe he's one of those bigger guys who will do better in the 3-4. Folks were saying the same thing about Jeremiah Trotter that they are with him before he went back to the Eagles and was in the right system for him.

 

[ddh33]

He's one of the guys that I have had my eyes on. I don't really think that Dallas will want to go all out to fill that hole at ILB because it may not be much of a hole. Burnett may be able to step in and contribute. Fowler was able to show some good things last season, and even Shanle was solid until he was slowed by his ankle sprain.

I do like the idea of having some veteran experience and leadership there, but I don't think that player has to be a big star. In my mind, Cowart is one of the guys who could fit the bill.

 

[neosapien23]

He's one of the guys that I have had my eyes on. I don't really think that Dallas will want to go all out to fill that hole at ILB because it may not be much of a hole. Burnett may be able to step in and contribute. Fowler was able to show some good things last season, and even Shanle was solid until he was slowed by his ankle sprain.

I do like the idea of having some veteran experience and leadership there, but I don't think that player has to be a big star. In my mind, Cowart is one of the guys who could fit the bill.

Burnett will not be 100% until later in the year. He didn't make the starting lineup last year despite injuries to Dat and Singleton. I wouldn't expect much from him.

 

[ddh33]

I thought that Burnett was supposed to be ready for camp?

Regardless, the reason why Burnett wasn't getting more playing time last season is because he was playing outside, then he got hurt again. Dallas simply had very little depth aty any of the LB positions, and Burnett was kind of learning all of the positions. I think that held him back some.

As long as his health cooperates, I think he's going to be a fine player here. If his health doesn't cooperate, I would like someone who can just do the job. That player doesn't have to be a star though.

 

[neosapien23]

I thought that Burnett was supposed to be ready for camp?

Regardless, the reason why Burnett wasn't getting more playing time last season is because he was playing outside, then he got hurt again. Dallas simply had very little depth aty any of the LB positions, and Burnett was kind of learning all of the positions. I think that held him back some.

As long as his health cooperates, I think he's going to be a fine player here. If his health doesn't cooperate, I would like someone who can just do the job. That player doesn't have to be a star though.

He will be ready to play, but it usually takes time to feel comfortable with you knee. It takes most atheletes 6 months just to recover enough to play sports. After that they still don't have their full strength.

 

[bbgun]

Here's a better prospect:

 

[KingTuna]

This would be a good pick-up. Veteran LB and with the 3-4 weneed veteran depth. PLUS, he played for Parcells in 2000 with the Jets...

Would not cost much and might be a VALUABLE addition to the team.

I say do it!

 

[dfense]

Cowart follows his coordinator around. Wherever he goes, Cowert is soon to follow.