Analyzing Linebackers for Cowboys needs

[realtick]

Jump off the ball, IMO, can be fixed. I understand that many of you will question that but i think it can. if he puts his hand in the ground consistently(instead of moving all over the place like at USCe) i think some coach will be able to correct that hesitation.
-regarding Hightower, i think yall need to think in different terms other than just "3-4 base" defense, no team thinks that way, its about packages and individual matchups. thats what i love love love about hightower. Matchups well againt TE, RB, and I would put him on WR3 in press zone schemes. Ingram....never do that with him. Plus Hightower already has extensive exp. in NFL style 3-4, and you can run stunts with both OLB's and both ILB's positions.
-that being said, id still rather have DeCastro cause i believe a good team starts in the trenches, but option #2 to me has become Hightower as he's logically the next player that can improve the team in what we do play calling wise as well as physically

I really like Hightower too. I've said before that I think this combine is huge for him because there are questions about his overall athletic ability. I think he'd be the perfect 'thump' next to Lee. Carter can become our new improved (hopefully) Kevin Burnett'esqe nickelbacker/ILB/pass rusher/spy.

I think he'd be a great option if we trade down in the first.

 

[Muhast]

If things work out so that at 14, we are looking at linebackers and plan on selecting one, who do think is the best fit?

My thoughts:
-I do not want Ingram, granted, i think he can be a stud and reminds me of dwight freeney(the spin moves he used in senior bowl practices should be illegal) I dont think he is a good fit for 3-4. I dont see him being able to drop into coverage AT ALL, he's got short arms which I think will lead him to struggle against point of attack. like him for 4-3, but not for us
-Honestly Id rather have Dont'a Hightower than upshaw. I think Hightower can be way way more versatile for us, and you know Rob loves to move guys around. Hightower can drop into coverage, play in the middle, bump outside to blitz, or be great in stunts. His versatility is outstanding. another Rolando McClain....upshaw is a stud, but limited to rushing the pasher on the outside, plus we could trade down and get Hightower

Rolando McClain is a guy I don't think Hightower wants to be compared to.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7...s-lb-rolando-mcclain-arrested-assault-charges
"McClain was released on $2,000 bond. He faces charges of assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and firing a gun inside the city limits"

Police said the victim, whose name was not released, suffered injuries to his head and face during a fight with Willingham. He was bleeding when officers talked to him.
"The victim told officers that following the fight, he crawled to his car," the police statement said. "He said that when he reached his car, Rolando McClain produced a pistol and aimed it at him. He said that while he was still on the ground, McClain walked over to him and put the gun to his head."
"he begged McClain not to shoot him and that McClain took the gun away from his head, held it next to his ear and fired it."

I would guess he will be doing some jail time.

 

[CowboyHawg2012]

I really like Hightower too. I've said before that I think this combine is huge for him because there are questions about his overall athletic ability. I think he'd be the perfect 'thump' next to Lee. Carter can become our new improved (hopefully) Kevin Burnett'esqe nickelbacker/ILB/pass rusher/spy.

I think he'd be a great option if we trade down in the first.

Thats the great thing too, i think carter does have a chance to be really good. and with the 3-4, you really cant have to many good linebackers. especially if carter is a good coverage lb. Hightower, Lee, Carter, Ware, Butler is a lb core that you drool over.... the athleticism/versatility/options this group gives us is outstanding, and not mention how old they are. would be extremely excited to see this especially since a lot of the success of the 3-4 is dictated on linebacker play

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Rolando McClain is a guy I don't think Hightower wants to be compared to.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7...s-lb-rolando-mcclain-arrested-assault-charges
"McClain was released on $2,000 bond. He faces charges of assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and firing a gun inside the city limits"

Police said the victim, whose name was not released, suffered injuries to his head and face during a fight with Willingham. He was bleeding when officers talked to him.
"The victim told officers that following the fight, he crawled to his car," the police statement said. "He said that when he reached his car, Rolando McClain produced a pistol and aimed it at him. He said that while he was still on the ground, McClain walked over to him and put the gun to his head."
"he begged McClain not to shoot him and that McClain took the gun away from his head, held it next to his ear and fired it."

I would guess he will be doing some jail time.

Pretty sure he wasn't referring to anything the guy does off the field.. just a hunch though.

 

[kevinhickey]

It has been noted already that Dallas(Jerry) may franchise Spencer. I for one didn't think Spencer had any chance of returning; then I started to think that maybe our scouts can't find many prospects that can fit into our system on opening day. We play a 3/4 system without a true NT. I like both Ingram and Upshaw;however, will they be able to do what Spencer couldn't do. Both of these players would look great with Baltimore or Pittsburgh, who have the larger bodies upfront to keep the linemen off them. The Spencer news, leaves me with nothing but questions: Are we going to franchise Spencer this year to work out some type of trade? The Eagles do this all the time. Do we feel Victor Butler isn't ready enough to take over? Nothing out there on the free agent market that will become available? Will the draft provide us with an immediate replacement?

 

[realtick]

It has been noted already that Dallas(Jerry) may franchise Spencer. I for one didn't think Spencer had any chance of returning; then I started to think that maybe our scouts can't find many prospects that can fit into our system on opening day. We play a 3/4 system without a true NT. I like both Ingram and Upshaw;however, will they be able to do what Spencer couldn't do. Both of these players would look great with Baltimore or Pittsburgh, who have the larger bodies upfront to keep the linemen off them. The Spencer news, leaves me with nothing but questions: Are we going to franchise Spencer this year to work out some type of trade? The Eagles do this all the time. Do we feel Victor Butler isn't ready enough to take over? Nothing out there on the free agent market that will become available? Will the draft provide us with an immediate replacement?

We're in a tightspot with Spencer. I don't think Jerry and Co. are looking at this team and wanting to have to find a starting rookie OLB in the draft. It also doesn't look like there is anyone available in free agency that would be considered and upgrade to Spencer. I expect Cliff Avril to resign and I don't think Mario Williams is a real possibility.

I think you're probably right in that we will likely franchise Spencer for another year and add some pass rushing talent via the draft and have them contribute in situational roles.

 

[Doomsday101]

With Brooking and James likely gone as well as Spencer Dallas is going to be in the market for both starting and backup talent at the OLB as well as the ILB