Bradie James

[CATCH17]

so maybe you MISS how often James gets stoned when rushing the passer? Unable to plow through a RB? DO you recall what Roy Williams (#31) used to do to RBs trying to block him while blitzing?

And I disagree that most 3-4 ILBs are average. The teams that run the 3-4 succesfully do NOT have average ILBs. And again, the truth is our guys are avg to below avg. Not sure if it is because Ratliff is undersized. But this thing needs to be looked at. It maybe time to get a TRUE NT and let Ratliff move to DE. Maybe that will help our ILBs...but what we are going right now is NOT working.

Now that is definetely something I would look into.

Price-Brent looks like as good of an option as any.


Put Ratliff and Ware on the same side.



I know this is kind of out there but I hope Ratliff wasn't juicing because he has kind of just disapeared as a pass rusher and he lived in the backfield for about 2 seasons.

 

[dboy214]

wow am I in the twightlight zone?

bradie james a good tackler?

bradie james 'sticks his nose in traffic'?

bradie james is a leader of the defense and doesn't quit?

if Bradie James is indeed the leader of the defense like everyone claims he is, well he has done a horrible job in that role. the defense has flat out gave up.

We need a playmaker in the middle. I've studied James' play for almost 4 years now. One of his biggest flaws is his mistiming on blitzes and his passiveness when blitzing. Cowboys send him up the middle several times a game, but he rarely gets thru.

And don't give me b/s about him making tackles. He is a inside linebacker in a 34 defense, they are supposed to get tackles.

Two of the members of this team have questioned his play (Kitna and Phillips)! Nobody on this team has even been called out once, this guy gets called out TWICE! Do you think this is a coincidence????

 

[InmanRoshi]

And I disagree that most 3-4 ILBs are average. The teams that run the 3-4 succesfully do NOT have average ILBs.

Every 3-4 defense has the inside thumper, the Mike, who's main job is to attack the line of scrimmage and take on blockers so the Mack can roam free and make tackles.

The Patriots had a Ted Johnson to pair with Tedi Brucshi. Ted Johnson took on blocks so Bruschi could run around and get his name called. When Ted Johnson retired they brought in a old, washed up Junior Seau becuse even at his advanced age he was still big and physical enough to run down hill and take on blockers. Now they've drafted Brandon Spikes and his 5.0 forty yard dash because he can run down hill and take on a lead block to man the position.

Rex Ryan has his Bart Scott that he takes with him everywhere. In the last 4 years combined he has 3.5 sacks and 0 interceptions. Not exactly what you would call a dominating playmaker. But he does his job in the scheme so Ray Lewis and David Harris can get their name called.

Bradie can still play a more than capable 2 down Mike position.

 

[InmanRoshi]

wow am I in the twightlight zone?

bradie james a good tackler?

bradie james 'sticks his nose in traffic'?

This looks like sticking your nose into traffic, making a tackle and making a play. This is from last week, not 4 years, like your Kitna example.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81b9e366/Jacobs-fumbles

As far as Bradie not being a leader because his team has underachieved, I guess that makes Patrick Willis and EJ Henderson not leaders as ILBs, since their two teams have been massive disappointments this year.

The fact is most couchcoaches really don't have the foggiest idea what goes into playing linebacker. Wade Phillips and Bill Parcells may have had their flaws as head coaches, but combined they have about 60 years of coaching NFL linebackers and they both loved Bradie James. Like I said, if Bradie James is cut tommorrow, there's a line formed to the left of winners like Bill Belichick's and Romeo Crennell's trying to get him on their defense.

 

[tomson75]

When they get into a slugfest, the defense along with James tucks there tail and gives up....James is getting older,,,,he is at best a average LB in crop of underachievers....If my memory serves me right didn't John Kitna (as Lions Qb) call out Bradie James a few years ago...and proved it on the field?

You're using an outdated, and extremely small, sample here. Parcells had basically blown this guy up into another DE at ILB.....of course he couldn't hand with TE's and RB's. He was playing 10-15 lbs too heavy at the time.

He's still not a 3 down linebacker....but he's pretty good at what he does on 1st and 2nd. Certainly not the type of player you "get rid of" because he's not Patrick Willis.

I agree we need some serious help at ILB...some speed and athleticism, but you don't "cut" guys like Bradie. You'll still need ILB's that can take on guards and plug holes....guys to do the unsexy. That's James' job.

I'm not saying you don't look for his replacement, either. His age alone dictates that....but you just don't get rid of good players just because they aren't great.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

But the key is, would those coaches have him starting, or would they have him in a niche role? I'd say it would be the latter.

Bradie is about 89th on our list of problems, and I don't see him particularly getting bashed on here anyway. But we need more dynamic ILBs soon. Eight years of car wrecks have just taken their toll on him like they would anyone.

Of course we may not even be in the 34 after this year anyway.

 

[CATCH17]

You're using an outdated, and extremely small, sample here. Parcells had basically blown this guy up into another DE at ILB.....of course he couldn't hand with TE's and RB's. He was playing 10-15 lbs too heavy at the time.

He's still not a 3 down linebacker....but he's pretty good at what he does on 1st and 2nd. Certainly not the type of player you "get rid of" because he's not Patrick Willis.

I agree we need some serious help at ILB...some speed and athleticism, but you don't "cut" guys like Bradie. You'll still need ILB's that can take on guards and plug holes....guys to do the unsexy. That's James' job.

I'm not saying you don't look for his replacement, either. His age alone dictates that....but you just don't get rid of good players just because they aren't great.

Yeah.. I've always wanted to play in the NFL.. Especially for the Cowboys.

But if they offered me Bradie James's job I think i'd pass.


If Tony Romo has an easy Desk Job than Bradie James is loading trailers.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Every 3-4 defense has the inside thumper, the Mike, who's main job is to attack the line of scrimmage and take on blockers so the Mack can roam free and make tackles.

The Patriots had a Ted Johnson to pair with Tedi Brucshi. Ted Johnson took on blocks so Bruschi could run around and get his name called. When Ted Johnson retired they brought in a old, washed up Junior Seau becuse even at his advanced age he was still big and physical enough to run down hill and take on blockers. Now they've drafted Brandon Spikes and his 5.0 forty yard dash because he can run down hill and take on a lead block to man the position.

Rex Ryan has his Bart Scott that he takes with him everywhere. In the last 4 years combined he has 3.5 sacks and 0 interceptions. Not exactly what you would call a dominating playmaker. But he does his job in the scheme so Ray Lewis and David Harris can get their name called.

Bradie can still play a more than capable 2 down Mike position.

I knew it would not take long for a "stat guy" to appear in the thread. I have watched James...a lot...been calling him out for YEARS...not a fan of him. When you are the captain and have been here as long as he has...I need more impact. When your biggest impact guys are not your leaders...that is not good. One of the FIRST things Wade tried to do when he got here was get rid of Bradie. The last 2 drafts have seen us use our first pick on an ILB and our 2nd pick on an ILB. Teams turn on the film and smile ear to ear at the play of our ILB and Safety. The interior of our defense is a joke!

 

[InmanRoshi]

But the key is, would those coaches have him starting, or would they have him in a niche role? I'd say it would be the latter.

I don't consider a 2 down starter a "niche" role for Mike LBs, in fact that's pretty much the standard. Rarely do Mike ILBs play in nickel situations. No question that Bradie is being asked to do more than he's capable of here.

 

[dboy214]

This looks like sticking your nose into traffic, making a tackle and making a play. This is from last week, not 4 years, like your Kitna example.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81b9e366/Jacobs-fumbles

As far as Bradie not being a leader because his team has underachieved, I guess that makes Patrick Willis and EJ Henderson not leaders as ILBs, since their two teams have been massive disappointments this year.

The fact is most couchcoaches really don't have the foggiest idea what goes into playing linebacker. Wade Phillips and Bill Parcells may have had their flaws as head coaches, but combined they have about 60 years of coaching NFL linebackers and they both loved Bradie James. Like I said, if Bradie James is cut tommorrow, there's a line formed to the left of winners like Bill Belichick's and Romeo Crennell's trying to get him on their defense.

Willis and Henderson teams have not quit. Our defense has quit. Are you going to deny that? Who is the leader of that defense? Bradie James.

Another thing that makes me sour about Bradie James is I question his work ethic.

I have done my fair share of club promoting in the DFW area. I see this guys face on so many flyers for parties, more than any other Cowboys player. At least once a week I see him throwing parties. It's not a coincidence he has no leadership skills, and his own coach called him out on tape. We deserve better. We deserve a playmaker in that position.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I knew it would not take long for a "stat guy" to appear in the thread.

I knew a "I watch all the games" guy would appear on here and act like he's the only guy who watches football games.

Regardless of what Wade may have intended to do, the fact remains that he's only expanded Bradie's role all 4 years he's been here.

So I'm trying to go with who's opinion I should trust here ... hmm... let's see ... Parcells and Wade's 60+ years of coaching NFL linebackers, or "I watch the games" internet messageboard guy.

Hmmm ... this is a hard one.

 

[tomson75]

We need a playmaker in the middle. I've studied James' play for almost 4 years now. One of his biggest flaws is his mistiming on blitzes and his passiveness when blitzing. Cowboys send him up the middle several times a game, but he rarely gets thru.

And don't give me b/s about him making tackles. He is a inside linebacker in a 34 defense, they are supposed to get tackles.

I'd caution you not to present yourself as a student of the game...there are people on this forum that love blowing half ***** "studies" like this out of the water.

...and from what I'm reading, it doesn't look like you have a clue what a 34 linebacker is supposed to do.

Two of the members of this team have questioned his play (Kitna and Phillips)! Nobody on this team has even been called out once, this guy gets called out TWICE! Do you think this is a coincidence????

One of them was right.....five years ago, when Bradie was playing overweight, and out of his natural element. The other example you're using followed his initial assessment of James with one of complete embarrassment on how wrong he was about him.

 

[casmith07]

I've seen a lot of people on here wanting to get rid of Bradie James and I just don't get it.

Yes... He is terrible in space. Especially 30 yards downfield vs a TE.


But as terrible as he is against the pass he is the exact opposite against the run. He does all the dirty work that a lot of guys don't want to do.

When we get into a slugfest, especially on the road, Bradie is always a guy that is never affraid to stick his nose in there and make a tackle.

Not to mention that he is also one of the few guys who didn't quit Sunday.




So be careful what you wish for when you say you want to get rid of Bradie James because he brings a lot of value to our team and does a job that not a lot of guys want to do week in and week out.

Bradie James and DeMarcus Ware were the only guys going hard around the line of scrimmage on Sunday. Igor was even getting up and dancing after plays where Bradie James was the one that made the tackle - Olshansky just did the JOP: jump on pile.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Willis and Henderson teams have not quit. Our defense has quit. Are you going to deny that?

Looks like EJ's team has quit to me. He's got two Pro Bowl defensive tackles in front of him and they're giving up 6.6 yards per carry to Jim Brown right up the gut time and time again. Oh wait, did I say Jim Brown? I meant Ben Jarvis Green Ellis.

 

[WoodysGirl]

But the key is, would those coaches have him starting, or would they have him in a niche role? I'd say it would be the latter.

Bradie is about 89th on our list of problems, and I don't see him particularly getting bashed on here anyway. But we need more dynamic ILBs soon. Eight years of car wrecks have just taken their toll on him like they would anyone.

Of course we may not even be in the 34 after this year anyway.

Yep. With a new coach comes change... Very few positions will remain the same after the new coach is hired.

 

[CATCH17]

Bradie James and DeMarcus Ware were the only guys going hard around the line of scrimmage on Sunday. Igor was even getting up and dancing after plays where Bradie James was the one that made the tackle - Olshansky just did the JOP: jump on pile.

I hate that guy. He is a true moron and someone that just doesn't get it.

He's a decent player but not someone I want on my team dancing around when you're down by 3 TD's.

I wish someone would put a foot in his ***.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I knew a "I watch all the games" guy would appear on here and act like he's the only guy who watches football games.

Regardless of what Wade may have intended to do, the fact remains that he's only expanded Bradie's role all 4 years he's been here.

So I'm trying to go with who's opinion I should trust here ... hmm... let's see ... Parcells and Wade's 60+ years of coaching NFL linebackers, or "I watch the games" internet messageboard guy.

Hmmm ... this is a hard one.

first of all....Parcells used him differently that Wade does. He was a 260 pound lumberjack for Parcells. He looks to about 240 pounds and he is a lighter lumberjack for Wade. Again, when ILB is your first pick and 2nd pick in back to back years...it's pretty clear to me what the organization thinks of the position. When teams game plan during the week CLEARLY look to target the position, it is pretty obvious where the opposition thinks you are weak. And Wade called Bradie out by NAME....before they even put on pads. Kitna called him out by NUMBER when explaining the lowly Lions game plan going into the game.

 

[craig71]

Concerning the ILB position, I think that Brady is still a good enough player to win with. Will he need to replaced in the next few years? I think that he will, but for now he is more than capable. I think what hurts this team is having Brady and Brooking paired together at ILB. You can get by with Brady on the field and a younger version of Brooking, but pairing him with an old Brooking is asking for trouble. Looking at the numbers, Brady has 51 tackles ranking him 21st in the league(LB's only), Brooking has 42 tackles and is tied for 39th in the league. Brooking should be getting more production out of his spot than what he is in my opinion. Another example, Jerod Mayo in NE has 86 tackles(1st), he's paired with Spikes on the inside who only has 39 tackles(46th). Timmons in Pitt. has racked up 74 tackles(3rd), he's paired with Farrior who has 42 tackles(39th). Brady is doing quite well when you compare his number of tackles to others playing a similar position, Brooking on the otherhand doesn't compare so favorably.

Craig

 

[tomson75]

first of all....Parcells used him differently that Wade does. He was a 260 pound lumberjack for Parcells. He looks to about 240 pounds and he is a lighter lumberjack for Wade. Again, when ILB is your first pick and 2nd pick in back to back years...it's pretty clear to me what the organization thinks of the position. When teams game plan during the week CLEARLY look to target the position, it is pretty obvious where the opposition thinks you are weak. And Wade called Bradie out by NAME....before they even put on pads. Kitna called him out by NUMBER when explaining the lowly Lions game plan going into the game.

People keep mentioning this...and yet somehow it only fits when it's not given any attention. Ironically, in this very post you've mentioned part of the reason he was called out by Kitna....he was a very different player then. You've basically said it yourself. As far as Wade....would you care to discuss the comments Wade made about James after they put pads on? They were pretty **** different....and pretty much make this argument a dumb one.

...as far as drafting ILB's early...you don't think they've maybe been trying to address the OTHER ILB spot? You know, the one we've stuck two 34+ yo vets in to occupy it until we get the right guy? If they end up being a better fit for James' position, and they still can't unseat him....well, that's not very ****ing of James either....is it.?

 

[jobberone]

Bradie is servicable against the run. He is below average in coverage. One poster was correct. We miss Bobby Carpenter this year.