Broaddus: Finding Depth Was Defense's Key At OTA's

[jobberone]

I'm not sure that fact can be assumed.

This is now a defense one year removed from franchise lows for futility that is now without its' three best players - Ware, Hatcher, and Lee - for 2014.

Well, we had an historical loss of defensive personnel last year accompanied by an historically poor performance. There is zero possibility of the same performance unless we lose much of our defense to injury; which includes playing too injured to perform well.

 

[Stash]

Well, we had an historical loss of defensive personnel last year accompanied by an historically poor performance. There is zero possibility of the same performance unless we lose much of our defense to injury; which includes playing too injured to perform well.

I think you're making an assumption there, one not supported by facts.

Not one of the replacement candidates has any proven track record that can be used for support of that argument.

We all hope they're better and that the defense is improved, but that's all it is at this point - hope.

 

[speedkilz88]

Of course it was key.

Once again, we are rooting through the bargain bin to fine a decent rotation on the D-Line. It is what it is and I hope for the best.

This is what happens when you devote a single 7th round draft pick (Ben Gardner) to the interior D-line position in the last few drafts--drafts that were considered deep at this position.

Here are some Defensive Tackles the Cowboys were in position to draft the last few years:

2012

Dontari Poe
Fletcher Cox
Michael Brockers
Kendall Reyes


2013

Sharrif Floyd
Sylvester Williams
Johnathan Hankins
Jonathan Jenkins
Jordan Hill


2014

Timmy Jernigan
Ego Ferguson
Will Sutton
Louis Nix
DaQuan Jones


There are 1 techniques on this list because I don't buy the meme that it is not an important position in this scheme. Tampa Bay drafted Booger McFarland in the first round to play that position.

For me, the 2012 draft is the one that really hurts. If we trade up, we could have had Poe. If we stay put, we could have had both Brockers and Reyes.

The rams were taking Brockers no matter what. If they don't trade down they stay put and still take him.

 

[jobberone]

I think you're making an assumption there, one not supported by facts.

Not one of the replacement candidates has any proven track record that can be used for support of that argument.

We all hope they're better and that the defense is improved, but that's all it is at this point - hope.

Well, the assumption is we won't lose most of our defense to injury nor will we play street scrubs. That's not much of an assumption. It's not an assumption the defense will do better without all those injuries and scrub players substituting.

 

[Idgit]

This is a weird defensive team for me. Other than the LBs, I like each of our position groups. But we were so bad last year, and didn't really add much significant talent. I find myself wanting to expect improvement, but it's hard for me to see where it actually comes from. I'd feel a lot better about the group if we knew we had even one impact player on that side of the ball. Here's where losing Sean Lee really kills me.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Well, the assumption is we won't lose most of our defense to injury nor will we play street scrubs. That's not much of an assumption. It's not an assumption the defense will do better without all those injuries and scrub players substituting.

Apparently it is for some.

 

[Stash]

Well, the assumption is we won't lose most of our defense to injury nor will we play street scrubs. That's not much of an assumption. It's not an assumption the defense will do better without all those injuries and scrub players substituting.

It's an assumption to think that any production from a cast of unknowns will lead to improvement.

The top talent from a year ago has already been lost. And now people are assuming a group of unknown quantities has to be better.

We can hope, but we shouldn't count on it or expect it.

 

[Stash]

Apparently it is for some.

That's not the assumption at all, but leave it to folks to twist anything that's not praise into a negative...

 

[dogunwo]

I'm not sure that fact can be assumed.

This is now a defense one year removed from franchise lows for futility that is now without its' three best players - Ware, Hatcher, and Lee - for 2014.

Its overlooked that they were part of the problem even though they were the best players. Ware's injuries issues started to plague him, Hatcher finally decides to show up (how can you count on a guy who only performs in a contract year?), and Lee can't stay on the field.

I think we may go long on the practice squad with DL this year, so we continue to develop some young guys and call them up and give them a shot when needed. I also think the NFL needs to expand the rosters to 55 or even 56, but that's another conversation.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I don't know it's going to play out.

Heck I felt good about this defense going into training camp last year and we see what happened there.

 

[5Stars]

We are all going to seeing a No Name Defense.

 

[Stash]

Its overlooked that they were part of the problem even though they were the best players. Ware's injuries issues started to plague him, Hatcher finally decides to show up (how can you count on a guy who only performs in a contract year?), and Lee can't stay on the field.

I think we may go long on the practice squad with DL this year, so we continue to develop some young guys and call them up and give them a shot when needed. I also think the NFL needs to expand the rosters to 55 or even 56, but that's another conversation.

Ware did have some injuries, but how many games did he in fact miss? And isn't it a pretty big assumption that we'll get better production from an unproven rookie?

Say whatever else you want about Hatcher, but he was last year's best defensive player. For selfish reasons or not.

No question about Lee, but when he does play, he's by far this team's best linebacker and the defense is not as good without him.

Assuming that replacements will somehow make the defense better is just that, an assumption with no basis in fact.

Because the team ranked last in the league, some simply believe that there is nowhere to go but up when in fact that is not the case.

 

[Stash]

We are all going to seeing a No Name Defense.

And we all hope they're good and we hope that they're improved from last year, but that's what we've got right now, hope.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Ware did have some injuries, but how many games did he in fact miss? And isn't it a pretty big assumption that we'll get better production from an unproven rookie?

Say whatever else you want about Hatcher, but he was last year's best defensive player. For selfish reasons or not.

No question about Lee, but when he does play, he's by far this team's best linebacker and the defense is not as good without him.

Assuming that replacements will somehow make the defense better is just that, an assumption with no basis in fact.

Because the team ranked last in the league, some simply believe that there is nowhere to go but up when in fact that is not the case.

With Ware, it wasn't necessarily the number of games he missed– but snaps.

Here's the number of snaps he played per season from 2007 till 2012:

1082
1021
1096
940
913
896

And while he was getting that many snaps he was averaging between 1 1/2 and 2 sacks per 100 snaps.


Then we have 2013:

648 snaps.

And as damaging as the lack of snaps was the production in that he averaged less than 1 sack per 100 snaps.


I think Ware is darned difficult to replace... but not as much as Hatcher at this point.

 

[RS12]

I've also added a color scheme to the depth charts. A green background denotes the 25 defensive players I expect to make the 53-man roster, yellow denotes borderline players who need a strong camp to make the team (or the practice squad), red denotes players I think will eventually get cut.

Defensive Line
POSStarterBackupDepthOthers
LDEGeorge SelvieTyrone CrawfordBen GardnerAnthony Spencer (PUP)
3-TechHenry MeltonBen BassDavon ColemanAmobi Okoye
1-TechTerrell McClainKen BishopNick HaydenChris Whaley (IR)
RDEDeMarcus LawrenceJeremy MinceyMartez Wilson, Dartwan Bush Caesar Rayford


We've heard all about the "waves of rushmen" the Cowboys plan on sending after the QB. That probably means the Cowboys will need a solid rotation of at least eight players, and I've added Gardner and Coleman as extra depth. Recently added Dartwan Bush could make a push for the practice squad, Hayden and Wilson might win a spot as veterans, but the odds look stacked against them right now. Spencer and Whaley are safe for now, as they'll likely end up on PUP and IR respectively.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...ensive-depth-chart-heading-into-training-camp

 

[Stash]

With Ware, it wasn't necessarily the number of games he missed– but snaps.

Here's the number of snaps he played per season from 2007 till 2012:

1082
1021
1096
940
913
896

And while he was getting that many snaps he was averaging between 1 1/2 and 2 sacks per 100 snaps.


Then we have 2013:

648 snaps.

And as damaging as the lack of snaps was the production in that he averaged less than 1 sack per 100 snaps.


I think Ware is darned difficult to replace... but not as much as Hatcher at this point.

I tend to agree with you and believe me I hope that Lawrence is up to the task, but such production can't be assumed from a rookie.

But it will kill me if Ware goes and thrives in Denver's defense.

 

[big dog cowboy]

With Ware, it wasn't necessarily the number of games he missed– but snaps.

Here's the number of snaps he played per season from 2007 till 2012:

1082
1021
1096
940
913
896

And while he was getting that many snaps he was averaging between 1 1/2 and 2 sacks per 100 snaps.


Then we have 2013:

648 snaps.

And as damaging as the lack of snaps was the production in that he averaged less than 1 sack per 100 snaps.


I think Ware is darned difficult to replace... but not as much as Hatcher at this point.

Great post Mr. Winicki. This is the exact reason I don't buy into all the panic over losing Ware.

 

[5Stars]

Ware did have some injuries, but how many games did he in fact miss? And isn't it a pretty big assumption that we'll get better production from an unproven rookie?

Say whatever else you want about Hatcher, but he was last year's best defensive player. For selfish reasons or not.

No question about Lee, but when he does play, he's by far this team's best linebacker and the defense is not as good without him.

Assuming that replacements will somehow make the defense better is just that, an assumption with no basis in fact.

Because the team ranked last in the league, some simply believe that there is nowhere to go but up when in fact that is not the case.

What is the case? Up or down? It sounds like you are saying the defense will not get better? Then you say because that's not the case? You don't know the case.

No Name Defense

 

[Stash]

What is the case? Up or down? It sounds like you are saying the defense will not get better? Then you say because that's not the case? You don't know the case.

No Name Defense

You're right, I don't. And neither does anyone else.

I'm not making assumptions either way, unlike others, because I just don't know, and neither does anyone else.

But as a fan, I don't feel compelled to assume the best either. I'll let things play out, hope for the best, and not assume that things simply HAVE to improve.

 

[jobberone]

It's an assumption to think that any production from a cast of unknowns will lead to improvement.

The top talent from a year ago has already been lost. And now people are assuming a group of unknown quantities has to be better.

We can hope, but we shouldn't count on it or expect it.

The production last year was primarily from unknowns. Who was around who really produced last year and is now gone besides Hatcher?

You want to assume everyone is an unknown and therefore can't be counted on to produce. It's highly unlikely all the new bodies and the returns of the injured will all fall on their face.

Melton should do well. ACL doesn't mean much anymore. McClain should do well in this defense. He's not been a ball of fire anywhere but most see him as having been in the wrong defenses. I question Selvie but he should do ok in rotation. Spencer wasn't around but may play. Right now we don't know if he plays or not nor how many snaps he can get IF he does play. If he can produce some then he will be an asset. I don't see why Lawrence won't be good for a few sacks. I totally disagree that both Crawford and Bass can't play. You think the fact they have been injured and not produced a lot means a lot. I have seen them play and if healthy both will contribute. I have no idea about the rest but generally one player on a unit will surprise some.

Lee is a huge loss. Carter looks better and was better on film than I thought last year and good the year before. Wilber will be better than even the end of last year. Durant is an athlete and a player who can play both any position. There's your starters.

I'm happy with Carr in less zone and being physical. OScan is fine. Not sure about Claiborne but he won't be worse. There are some new guys of which one or more will show up and I'm thinking Patrom and Mitchell.

Church is solid. And someone will step it up some or more on the other side. That is an assumption but Johnson and Wilcox should play better than last year. And I'm not playing the LOL Johnson has never seen the field. That's a negative but doesn't mean he won't play.

There are a lot of pieces that need to connect to have a top 1/3 or better defense and I'm not thinking that anyway. I'm thinking the 26th defense in scoring will climb the latter to middle of the pack at least. That's not a big reach at all.

All this assumes better health than last year and that isn't any kind of stretch.