Clark and Kendricks were 2 of the best linebackers against the run last year

[cowboys5xsbs]

 

[cowboys5xsbs]

Maybe the linebacker core has some hope after all

 

[CWR]

My official off season stance has been to crap all over everything, but this is kind of cool. Not that I'm buying it, but still.

 

[gimmesix]

I have been kind of counting Clark out, but I could see him being the weakside linebacker on early downs, with Kendricks in the middle and Parsons at strongside, then giving way to Overshown (depending on his development on passing downs), with Bell being the other passing down linebacker.

My concern for all of them is what we'll have in front of them. I like Odighizuwa, and would be really happy if he was part of a rotation at 3-tech with the type of stud we need at the position (and aren't going to get). But the jury is still way out on Mazi. If he's constantly on skis, the linebackers will have a hard time dodging offensive linemen.

 

[The Natural]

Why do I get the sense "tackle grade" is something completely separate from an actual metric specifc to run defense?

 

[Coogiguy03]

Thus causing Jerry to say we don't need anymore

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

So when teams were running on us for 200 yards where was Clark?

 

[jwitten82]

Wth is a tackle grade?

 

[Whiskey Cowboy]

I don't buy it. Kendricks maybe, but nobody outside of maybe Lawrence played the run last year. Maybe the new scheme will make a difference. Zim puts more emphasis on the run that Q, but they're still rough at DT and Williams wasn't known as a run stuffing demon at Ole Miss. Add some beef up the middle and we may be in business, but this team isn't very good at evaluating and developing DT's. I'm expecting more of the same, but I hope I'm wrong.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Why do I get the sense "tackle grade" is something completely separate from an actual metric specifc to run defense?

Because it basically is. PFF has a separate “run defense” grade…..

Clarke - 54.7 (#54 out of 82 players)
Kendrick’s - 73.6 (#25 out of 82 players)

To compare here are a few other players….

Shaq Leonard - 62.8
Fred Warner - 89.8
Bobby Wagner - 82.4
Frankie Lucy - 80.0
Marquese Bell - 76.8

 

[The Natural]

Because it basically is. PFF has a separate “run defense” grade…..

Clarke - 54.7 (#54 out of 82 players)
Kendrick’s - 73.6 (#25 out of 82 players)

To compare here are a few other players….

Shaq Leonard - 62.8
Fred Warner - 89.8
Bobby Wagner - 82.4
Frankie Lucy - 80.0
Marquese Bell - 76.8

Yea these numbers pretty much line up with the eye test. Kendricks looks decent in run support, Clark is horrible.

 

[Aven8]

So when teams were running on us for 200 yards where was Clark?

The Guards were already on him because our Dline was too busy shooting gaps….

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

The Guards were already on him because our Dline was too busy shooting gaps….

Every single play our defensive line is too busy shooting gaps?

 

[Jarntt]

So when teams were running on us for 200 yards where was Clark?

Making tackles 8 yards down field is my guess…

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Making tackles 8 yards down field is my guess…

Ahh.the Jaylon Smith special.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Damone Clark needs to get bulkier and add more muscle to his frame. He's too thin. A bulkier frame would help him better against the run and help him last the grueling season.

 

[pitt33]

Last season Clark was a jag.

Maybe getting Kendricks alongside will help?

 

[Parcells4Life]

225-240 pound guys are always gonna lose against 300-320 pound guys. With the lack of a true NT to shield the LBs, Dallas’ LBs have no chance.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Maybe the linebacker core has some hope after all

It always has. Just needed to add some. Bell did alright but he was out of position.

 

[kskboys]

Why do I get the sense "tackle grade" is something completely separate from an actual metric specifc to run defense?

How about his missed tackle grade?