CJoe's Roster Analysis of 53 roster Part 2

[cowboyjoe]

As you saw in my first report on analysis of cowboys 53 man roster was about the offense, I will try in my limited knowledge of the team to give you my reasons why cowboys went with the players on the defensive side of the ball as well as practice squad.

Again, lets look at the new players on the defensive side of the ball;
8 New players were added on defense, (with a bunch of the rookies on that side of the ball to help out in special teams play), with only one player on the practice squad in teddy williams.

Approaching this a different way, lets look at the age of the cowboys in defense first. You have youngsters Sean Lissemore 23, Josh Brent 22, Stephen Bowen 25, Sean Lee 24, Jason Williams 24, Anthony Spencer 26, Victor Butler 23, Brandon Williams 22, Mike Jenkins 25, Orlando Scandrick 25, Alan Ball 25, Michael Hamlin 24, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah 22, Barry Church 22, Danny McCray 22, and Teddy Williams only defensive practice squad player at age of 22. Youth is being served on the defensive side of the ball. With quality backups now to rest some defensive players. Again, Jimmy Johnson taught us that youth must be served to build a championship type team for years to come, and wade is doing that this year too. Top rated defenses win championships to me, and we have that now, with most of the players having 3-4 years of experience now, in the 3-4 defense of wade's defense. Not to forget Wade's experience as a defensive guru either.

Now, lets go to another cliche in the football world known as the lines win games, offensive line and defensive line. In the cowboys keeping starters Spears, Hatcher, Igor, Bowen, and Ratliff, all experienced players, knowing each others moves now, this defense can turn it up a notch. Not only that but you have extra defensive linemen to rest our starters in young players like Brent and Lissemore.

Now, lets really look at why cowboys went with Brent and Lissemore over Savaii and Dixon. Most of you will agree with me, that Jay Ratliff, whom I love as a player, and to me, the heart of our defense, said that Brent will be a very good NT for years. Brent has the size, and build for a NT, to get under centers and guards, along with adequate power to stop the run game and some pass rush moves that Savaii didnt have. Another reason to agree with the cowboys with Brent, is the way Brent played with a cast on his hand. Now, let that sink in, if some of you didnt know this. If you dont understand what I am talking about, go wrap your hand in a mitt, and then go out and try to grab a OG or C with one hand. Its very hard to do! Brent was also highly motivated due to his family needs to produce and come out in supplemental draft, and to make some teams play for letting him slide all the way down to the 7th round that passed on him. Like Jay Ratliff has a no stop motor. Keep in mind also with Brent, when Brent went out with an injury during training camp, Savaii didnt play with heart and intensity, but when brent was in the game playing, Savaii played with motivation. Wrong attitude!

Now, why the heck would the cowboys go over Savaii, an experienced NT and take Sean Lissemore.

The New Jersey native was a four-year contributor for the Tribe, blasting onto the scene with 33 tackles as a redshirt freshman in 2006. He made 43 tackles, two for loss and a sack in first year as starter in 2007, then stepped it up with 51 tackles, 7.5 for loss and four sacks in 2008 - all with a nagging shoulder injury. A sizzling 4.8 40-yard dash at his spring 2009 pro day opened the eyes of scouts, then his All-American, first-team All-CIAA senior season (66 tackles, 14.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks, two interceptions) locked up his status as a draftable prospect.

Lissemore and Adrian Tracy both acquitted themselves well at the Texas vs. Nation All-Star Challenge, and then Lissemore wowed NFL teams again with a 4.81 40 at his pro day. His hustling style and agility should be welcomed on any line in the league, especially by 3-4 teams looking for an Aaron Smith, yeoman-like five-technique.

click link here for rest of story

[youtube]wuVaR63PqMk[/youtube]

As you see above this kid is very fast, and has a nasty streak, Sissemore said that he loves when he can blast a player and knock his head off. Something you need in a player. While at the same time, pretty strong for his size, and the Cowboys had him praticing at DE and NT some in OTAs, mini camp and training camp some. Now, let that sink in, then think about this, most defensive players run the 40 in about 4.9, this kid runs the 40 as you see above at speed of 4.81. Real fast for a player of his size. To much potential to let some other team grab. Then, most teams, if they see talent and plays from a player like Sean L.. they will keep him around due to his draft spot, and if he makes plays on the field. Granted Sissemore was hurt some at start of training camp, but in Cowboys-Dolphins game, this kid produced plays. Bottom line, you have to make plays on the field and Sean Lissemore has more potential than Savaii has, because Savaii leveled out with his potential.

Now, lets move to the linebackers position, I know some of you have questions there. Again, our starters are set, with Ware, Spencer, Brooking, Bradie and youngster Butler now, coming on in his 2nd year. If you watched the game, Brandon Williams showed spurts with his speed and first step. Dont think any of you have a problem with cowboys keeping B Williams. Now, why Jason Williams, (here I am going to go on potential again and what wade said). Jason Williams has superior speed, at 6-1, about 245, with 4.49 speed in the 40. Jason Williams is one of the fastest linebackers in the league. In time, with tutoring, technique this kid could develop into a very good coverage type player. Also, go back and look at the tapes of last 2 games, Jason Williams was there making plays or around the ball, with qb pressures or sacks. Too much potential and again, Cowboys drafted him high 2 years ago, and like Tom Landry said, you give a player 3 years to really show something. Now, why the heck would Cowboys go with Leon Williams at inside linebacker too?

Answer: Some special teams play, always around the ball, granted Leon Williams should have had 2 interceptions, but his ball awareness and the possible need for a inside run stuffing linebacker is the other answer. As you know, Brooking is 35 this year and Bradie James is 29. Probably last year for Brooking, especially if Cowboys go to the superbowl this year and win it. Bradie also said that he doenst plan on playing as long as Brooking has, so your probably going to see Bradie retire in 3 years or so. Next, if something happens with one of our starters we have an experienced linebacker like Leon Williams who has been in the NFL about 4 years now. Now, lets go to Sean Lee, this kid is a young Keith Brooking in the making. Hustles, smart, with intensity, heart, and boom, when lee sees where the play is going he is there, with force. Also, as you know, Penn State linebackers are a trademark of good linebackers. Even Jack Ham all pro linebacker with the steelers said this kid is a player. And Mike Singletary told the cowboys, you stole him from us in the draft, we were fixing to trade up to draft him and you got him. Singletary went on to say that Lee was the best inside linebacker to come out in the draft since Patrick Willis all pro linebacker for 49ers. Even Al Davis said that the raiders were fixing to draft Lee too, but we jumped up ahead of them. Lee, Brandon Williams, Jason Williams, and Leon Williams will all help on special teams too.

Now, lets move to the secondary. Again, youth is being served, so we arent reaching for defensive backs in the draft.

Mike Jenkins 25, Orlando Scandrick 25, Alan Ball 25, Michael Hamlin 24, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah 22, Barry Church 22, Danny McCray 22, and Teddy Williams only defensive practice squad player at age of 22 are all young players with talent. At cornerback, your taking a chance on having only 3 CBs on the team, but dont get panicky. The cowboys have a plan. Ansah, who played CB and Safety at college, while helping out in kickoffs and punt returns can play CB too.

[youtube]FWyHc-KGp6c[/youtube]

Look at his range as a safety, and cb, this kid stats are reportedly 4.33 in 40. True times are yet available because Ansah has a shoulder injury at the combine and couldnt run like he really can. Again,, I am going on record here, this kid will either be playing alot more at safety, and either be a starter by the end of the year, or the following year, if there is football next year, mark it down. Ansah, Dez and Lee will help us have the best draft with elite impact players that we havent had in a long long time. Young will be a starter i think in 3 years at ROT. Sissemore and Brent will be very good players too, making our 2010 draft the best in the whole NFL in 3 years. Mark it down!

Barry Church and McCray will be used on special teams teams too, while they learn coverages. Hamlin is a force at safety too. Granted the Cowboys are rolling the dice at CB, but they can if need be, move Ball to CB in some situations and the young players like Church, Hamlin, McCray can help out at safety, while our starters Ball and Sensabaugh nail down the starting jobs, while Newman, and Jenkins nail down CB spot. Another bright spot is the play of Newman, I think Newman has finally learned to back off some by reports that I have read on working out and weight lifting. Seems like Newman isnt tired or beat up or worn out so much now. McCray will also be used some on blitzes, and in nickel packages as coverage linebacker.

Scandrick will nail down the slot CB positon, while young Teddy Williams will learn on practice squad the techniques of playing CB. Keep your eye on this kid, he has elite speed, 9.90 something in the 100 meters.

Finally, dont forget about Beuhler coming through as a kicker, which saved us a roster spot, and our super weapon in Mcbrair as punter, along with L P as snapper.

We did sign our practice squad players, after I posted my offensive analysis of 53 man roster, so L Miller will help us on scout team, along with Bright at some point helping out at OG, this guy is a monster, very strong.

[youtube]go0Bihp9d40[/youtube]

Manny Johnson will help us on scout team playing the role of DeSean big mouth Jackson, and Holley might at some point be added to the team as a special teams player if needed.

I posted about Scott Chandler who we had in training camp before;
http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191345&page=2

here is what i posted what i could find on OT cliff louis http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191363

Rucker who we signed to practice squad or Scott Chandler might be brought up at some point if need be, but I see those players as of now, insurance in case something happens to our starting TE's.

Thats it, so knock it around, I probably missed a player or two, but right now, cant think of anyone. I dont think that Stephen Hodge will ever make it back from his knee though, but here is hoping. Like I mentioned above, Wade wants to use McCray like Wade wanted to use Stephen Hodge in nickel coverages.

Note, the Cowboys defense will carry us about the first 4 games or so, till our offense gets untracked. Our defense will be one of the nastiest defenses you have seen in a long time, aka cowboys doomsday defense, steel curtain, etc..

then, when our offense catches up, our defense can rest midway some, and then turn it up another nasty notch at the end of the year. Get ready for Doomsday III !

 

[jnday]

Good info. Thanks joe. 2 good post .

 

[cowboyjoe]

Good info. Thanks joe. 2 good post .

thanks buddy, i try, not a good writer as hostile or theebs or some of the others, but i try :starspin

 

[cowboyjoe]

hmmmmmmm only got one reply, wonder what everyone else thinks, if good write up or not?

 

[BaybeeJay]

Appreciate the work.

I am a bit down on Jason Williams. Wish he showed more. Considering that three of our DLinemen will be FAs the next year we have football, I thought keeping Dixon was important.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I like the fact that we got two very young DL that appear to be highly motivated and quite talented as well (though a bit raw). Even though our current DL are relatively young as well, youth is something that can't be overrated. Hopefully we can keep our DL fresh this year. That should bode well for late season games/playoffs. Aside from Brooking, Bradie James, and Newman, our entire D is very young. Not that Bradie and Newman are anywhere near the end of the line.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Dude, go back and read that. It's almost perfect except for the "mark it down" parts. I didn't know you could write like that. And the entertainment value is superb. I like what you said in that article.

Good job, Joe.

 

[cowboyjoe]

I like the fact that we got two very young DL that appear to be highly motivated and quite talented as well (though a bit raw). Even though our current DL are relatively young as well, youth is something that can't be overrated. Hopefully we can keep our DL fresh this year. That should bode well for late season games/playoffs. Aside from Brooking, Bradie James, and Newman, our entire D is very young. Not that Bradie and Newman are anywhere near the end of the line.

this is what i like thoughts back from you all;
if you watched a video of our defensive linemen that dc put up, all of our defense linemen from last year were saying that they know each other, and what one person will do, so they know where to go to make the play

this allows you more freedom to put in more blitz type coverages to fool offenses

also with young butler, now starting to show experience and ability, he can rest our veteran outside linebackers, something we didnt really have last year, and like you said and another person mentioned above, our young linemen like brent and sissemore will help in certain situations to rotate, we wil now have one more defensive linemen in the group to rotate and help and keep our players fresh, as well as having leon williams helping our inside linebackers with experience

if you noticed last year, brooking was kinda beat up at the end of the year, now we have a player at lb that can help,

same thing for newman, who finally realizes i think that he was pumping iron to much, which was causing him to stiffen up some in games, and be substible to more injuries, and with newman being our veteran on defense he can help call signals etc to help our young secondary and ball during games

all in all, i see our defense being really nasty this year, maybe even being
DOOMSDAY III!

 

[cowboyjoe]

Dude, go back and read that. It's almost perfect except for the "mark it down" parts. I didn't know you could write like that. And the entertainment value is superb. I like what you said in that article.

Good job, Joe.

thanks buddy, im slowly improving on my writing and thoughts, will try to give you some more later,

 

[BourbonBalz]

I too see our defense being dominating this year. Not much in the way of a weakness with this bunch right now, especially when it comes to rushing the QB.

 

[CCBoy]

Appreciate the work.

I am a bit down on Jason Williams. Wish he showed more. Considering that three of our DLinemen will be FAs the next year we have football, I thought keeping Dixon was important.

This is contract year for all three of the defensive ends with single season contracts: Marcus Spears, Jason Hatcher, and Stephen Bowen. All three are solid, but this year will determine the direction that this team takes. One should not forget that this is a year by year deal in the NFL. All three have to show an improved level of play, to garner a team motivated desire for their respective retention. This continually is what it is. It is a functional transition point for all three of them. Improve, and they will receive a market equal contract offer by the Cowboys.

What this team accomplishes this season, also will affect how those players look at wishing to remain Cowboys as well.

Evaluating, I think of those three, Spears has the highest level of expectation. He became very good in the trenches this past season. Especially being an influence against the run as the season improved effectiveness of last year's defense. He does need to show up with more intense pressure on the opponent's quarterback to have a strong hand to call from next negotiating period.

I feel that Hatcher has to upgrade his run defense. If he doesn't show a marked improvement here, I think that he will be the weakest link of the three.

Bowen is becoming the equivalent of a strong journeyman and is getting 'sneaky' good. He gets to the quarterback consistently. That is hard to ignore.

This is a deep and strong group already.

I think that some of us may be missing the defineable direction that Wade Phillips took to insulate his defensive line grouping. The very change from Junior Siavii to Josh Brent marks a potential upgrade and expansion role for the Dallas Cowboy nose tackle position. He held up well through camp and exhibition games also. He adds some potential bulk as well as aggressiveness in the depth considerations. He also can now be used in short yardage and Red Zone defenses. His number is seventy-eight.

Depth was a factor with the retaining of early injured, but workhorse, Sean Lissimore. He adds to the group and may take away some of the burdens and bruising that accumulates over the length of the season. By the way, his number is sixty-nine.

Wade was adding to the numbers for the defensive interior and this already was significant.



And Joe, mark me down as liking the work as well....

 

[cowboyjoe]

Appreciate the work.

I am a bit down on Jason Williams. Wish he showed more. Considering that three of our DLinemen will be FAs the next year we have football, I thought keeping Dixon was important.

thanks buddy, thats why we also let savaii go, brent and sissemore are younger and more potential if we cant keep hatcher, spears, and bowen all next year,

 

[1fisher]

hmmmmmmm only got one reply, wonder what everyone else thinks, if good write up or not?

Too many words and not enough pictures...

 

[cowboyjoe]

This is contract year for all three of the defensive ends with single season contracts: Marcus Spears, Jason Hatcher, and Stephen Bowen. All three are solid, but this year will determine the direction that this team takes. One should not forget that this is a year by year deal in the NFL. All three have to show an improved level of play, to garner a team motivated desire for their respective retention. This continually is what it is. It is a functional transition point for all three of them. Improve, and they will receive a market equal contract offer by the Cowboys.

What this team accomplishes this season, also will affect how those players look at wishing to remain Cowboys as well.

Evaluating, I think of those three, Spears has the highest level of expectation. He became very good in the trenches this past season. Especially being an influence against the run as the season improved effectiveness of last year's defense. He does need to show up with more intense pressure on the opponent's quarterback to have a strong hand to call from next negotiating period.

I feel that Hatcher has to upgrade his run defense. If he doesn't show a marked improvement here, I think that he will be the weakest link of the three.

Bowen is becoming the equivalent of a strong journeyman and is getting 'sneaky' good. He gets to the quarterback consistently. That is hard to ignore.

This is a deep and strong group already.

I think that some of us may be missing the defineable direction that Wade Phillips took to insulate his defensive line grouping. The very change from Junior Siavii to Josh Brent marks an potential upgrade and expansion role for the Dallas Cowboy nose tackle position. He held up well through camp and exhibition games also. He adds some potential bulk as well as aggressiveness in the depth considerations. He also can now be used in short yardage and Red Zone defenses. His number is seventy-eight.

Depth was a factor with the retaining of early injured, but workhorse, Sean Lissimore. He adds to the group and may take away some of the burdens and bruising that accumulates over the length of the season. By the way, his number is sixty-nine.

Wade was adding to the numbers for the defensive interior and this already was significant.



And Joe, mark me down as liking the work as well....

thanks buddy, i liked your comments above too, very well written

we now have youth on our defensive side of the ball, and were working on youth on the offensive side of the ball, especially in the offensive line, only age we have right now outside of dez is at wr who is the young pup so to speak with roy williams about 30ish, with ogletree not far behind in age.

so, we just need a top OG/OT/C in next years draft so we have a stud in the offensive line, kinda like when we had larry allen, or erik williams because kosier is 32 i think, davis is 31, gurode will be 32 sometime this year, we need to find a stud in our offensive line, so when we need a power run, we can get it;

so when we need 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1, we can get it,

lol im getting sleepy, my writing is getting slurred some, im going to bed, chat later guys

 

[BourbonBalz]

Draft priorities next year: offensive line and corners. Period. We're pretty stocked up everywhere else. Of course, we will lose some of our current players, possibly on the DL. Guess we'll just have to wait and see who we do lose. I don't see us resigning Spears, Bowen,and Hatcher. I see at least one of them walking. Phillips will be back, so we won't have a need at TE. We don't need any RBs or receivers (again assuming we bring everyone back). We now have a LOT of safetys, so we don't have a need there unless a player just drops in our lap that we can't turn down. Pretty stacked at LB as well, though I do expect to lose Brooking. Still we have Lee and/or J. Williams to replace him. Not a lot to dislike about our situation right now, with the exception that our OL performance is a question mark. Hence OL being our top priority next April.

 

[proline]

Nice writeup, Joe.

But it's "Lissemore", not "Sissemore". You're batting about .500 with the spelling..... :

 

[Bigdog]

Great post and great videos. Can you prepare my training this coming week to my fellow workers? Just kidding, sort of. Nice job as usual.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Great post and great videos. Can you prepare my training this coming week to my fellow workers? Just kidding, sort of. Nice job as usual.

thanks guys, working on another topic now, some of you already know, but some might not

 

[Silver N Blue]

Good reads by all accounts. I understand the cb situation but still think the boys are working on something....I do agree with you as well that the def is going to carry this team...6N10...Doomsday Returns!!! I can not wait!!...On another note I went to the game on Thursday night...omg...Jerry is the man...that place is unbelievable...simply amazing..I can only imagine what a "real" game atmosphere would feel like!!

 

[cowboyjoe]

Good reads by all accounts. I understand the cb situation but still think the boys are working on something....I do agree with you as well that the def is going to carry this team...6N10...Doomsday Returns!!! I can not wait!!...On another note I went to the game on Thursday night...omg...Jerry is the man...that place is unbelievable...simply amazing..I can only imagine what a "real" game atmosphere would feel like!!

cool buddy, im hoping to go to the new stadium one day, but right now, tickets cost too much,

i am drooling too over the possibility of our defense being really nasty and mean, and tough to run on or score, like our previous doomsday defenses where we won championships