Comments from Rashan Gary

[ScotsCowboy]

What a difference a year makes as far as attitude on that defensive line. From the low of Mazi ‘I don’t like football’ Smith, the line is on its way back up.

 

[Bullflop]

He's more likely to help vs. the run than providing pressure or sacks. That's the word I'm getting. I'm reasonably confident that is what the expectations are for Gary. Plugging the run should prove very valuable, though. It's one thing that was sorely needed by this team. It's a worthwhile signing. It also seems like acquiring Clowney would become an advisable addition for us, if possible.

 

[speedkilz88]

He's more likely to help vs. the run than providing pressure for sacks. That's the word I'm getting.

That's just silly. He's been a solid pass rusher for his career.

 

[Bullflop]

That's just silly. He's been a solid pass rusher for his career.

I hope you're right. Let's see if he's tailed off in that regard. Maybe he's still got it.

 

[StarW]

A 6'5, 277 OLB in a 3-4?

Greg Ellis did it, so i suppose it's possible. It just seems like a tough transition....and with a new team.

We still need him in nickel and that'll be most snaps anyways, right? Fangio was in 4-2-5 on 80% of snaps last season.

 

[plasticman]

They are all linebackers, what where do you guys keep mixing this up?!

the overlap with the terminology outside linebacker has what word in it linebacker, An outside linebacker in a 34 is much like a defensive end,

they just line up slightly different, Most of the time they're not putting their hand in the ground, maybe back or wider from the lOS,, but players like him, are not tweeners, they literally can play both ways; DeMarcus Ware did this his whole career, he was very good on the line at defensive end but also very good in Parcells 34, where he played off the line, and stuck more without his hand in the ground,

it's not that complicated..

So in the case of Gary and I don't know how he's going to perform here, he can't be both, because that's what he's been doing his whole career it's not a big stretch to be an outside linebacker or a defensive end your jobs are almost the same you just are in a different alignment and are set up different..

This guy's more like a strong side defensive end in a 43 but as an outside linebacker, he does a lot of the same things guys like Tank did,

he is not going to be elite pass rusher ,but he can play the run set the edge and do his damn job, and that's all you want to do is have a solid performing player in your defense that knows exactly what the damn defensive coordinator wants, and doesn't go off script to do it..

some guys just are looking for sacks and looking for stat sheet numbers, and they do that they forget about the run, they overplay the Rpos, miss the RB blah blah blah, but you want a guy like this on your team that can stay within the defense and not get greedy with numbers.

We know who those guys are I'm not going to mention them, because I'm tired of talking about him,

but he is much like that guy and there's nothing wrong with that but some guy just love being heroes, they play hero ball, they're looking at it going I need to run up my sack numbers, no matter what,

That's how I get paid, that's how I interviews after games, podcasts.opps lol

I don't quite agree with your evaluation of an OLB in a 3-4.

In a passing play there are five eligible receivers on offense. With four DBs in a 3-4 alignment. An OLB must cover a RB or TE and I'm wondering about the pass defense skills of a 275 LB.

If we assume that Gary will be a pass rusher on passing plays then you can bet that an opponent OC has the same suspicions.

This defeats one of the key components of a 3-4 defense's success. The success of a 3-4 ability to pass rush lay in the anonymity of that 4th pass rusher, the one that is not a D-lineman.

The success in pass-blocking against a 3-4 defense is to quickly recognize that 4th pass-rusher and react accordingly. If a 3-4 defense is consistently sending the same LB every time, then you no loner have a true 3-4. You just have a 4-3 playing out of position.

This was the flaw in Wade Phillips defense and the reason for their lack of success despite Ware's impressive sack totals.

Ware's sacks often had little effect on stopping a particular drive. I would often see Ware make a sack on a 1st or 2nd down, only to see the opponent complete a long pass on 3rd down because they knew exactly where the pass rush was coming from.

Parcells did not immediately install a 3-4 defense in his first season as the Cowboys HC. However, he did utilize some of it's elements and one of them was diversity is pass rushers.

Parcells first season was the best statistical season in the Cowboys history for their defense. They were #1 defensively in yards and #2 in points allowed.

Of the 11 starters on that defense, 10 of them had recorded at least one sack.

In a traditional 3-4 run defense, the D-line's function is to basically get in the way long enough for the LBs to react and make the play. D-linemen don't get stats, they do the grunt work and the LBs get the glory.

A 3-4 DE is physically similar to a 4-3 DT and are heavier than DEs in a 4-3

When defending against the pass, they rush the QB but stay in their lanes in a more disciplined manner than a 3-4. They typically won't get the big sack numbers....typically.

Really, there should never be a DE or LB in a 3-4 defense with extraordinary sack numbers, They should be distributed more evenly among the team. That player is either generational or they are giving away some of their ability to hide their intentions.

This is only my opinion based on what I have learned about the 3-4 defense. Perhaps the philosophy of a 3-4 has evolved to something more complex. it may even be tailored for the purpose of maximizing a certain player's elite skills. It just seems to me that a 275 LB might have some limitations in a 3-4 defense that dilute it's effective

 

[blueblood70]

I don't quite agree with your evaluation of an OLB in a 3-4.

In a passing play there are five eligible receivers on offense. With four DBs in a 3-4 alignment. An OLB must cover a RB or TE and I'm wondering about the pass defense skills of a 275 LB.

If we assume that Gary will be a pass rusher on passing plays then you can bet that an opponent OC has the same suspicions.

This defeats one of the key components of a 3-4 defense's success. The success of a 3-4 ability to pass rush lay in the anonymity of that 4th pass rusher, the one that is not a D-lineman.

The success in pass-blocking against a 3-4 defense is to quickly recognize that 4th pass-rusher and react accordingly. If a 3-4 defense is consistently sending the same LB every time, then you no loner have a true 3-4. You just have a 4-3 playing out of position.

This was the flaw in Wade Phillips defense and the reason for their lack of success despite Ware's impressive sack totals.

Ware's sacks often had little effect on stopping a particular drive. I would often see Ware make a sack on a 1st or 2nd down, only to see the opponent complete a long pass on 3rd down because they knew exactly where the pass rush was coming from.

Parcells did not immediately install a 3-4 defense in his first season as the Cowboys HC. However, he did utilize some of it's elements and one of them was diversity is pass rushers.

Parcells first season was the best statistical season in the Cowboys history for their defense. They were #1 defensively in yards and #2 in points allowed.

Of the 11 starters on that defense, 10 of them had recorded at least one sack.

In a traditional 3-4 run defense, the D-line's function is to basically get in the way long enough for the LBs to react and make the play. D-linemen don't get stats, they do the grunt work and the LBs get the glory.

A 3-4 DE is physically similar to a 4-3 DT and are heavier than DEs in a 4-3

When defending against the pass, they rush the QB but stay in their lanes in a more disciplined manner than a 3-4. They typically won't get the big sack numbers....typically.

Really, there should never be a DE or LB in a 3-4 defense with extraordinary sack numbers, They should be distributed more evenly among the team. That player is either generational or they are giving away some of their ability to hide their intentions.

This is only my opinion based on what I have learned about the 3-4 defense. Perhaps the philosophy of a 3-4 has evolved to something more complex. it may even be tailored for the purpose of maximizing a certain player's elite skills. It just seems to me that a 275 LB might have some limitations in a 3-4 defense that dilute it's effective

I'm not trying to learn the fine points of the 34 says the 43, is seeing a modern day scheme twists and multiples ,A lot of the positional flex etc.. It's not what I'm here for as a fan....

I’m not the coach of this team, and I don’t evaluate or work with the players. What I do know is that whatever changes they’re making, if Parker leaves and they bring in the right kind of guy, then I think it’s fine.

We’ll see what this team looks like in August, maybe even by game one, but I’m not worried about it right now.

People act like week two of free agency is the end of the world if all the holes aren't filled, but we all know they’ll add a couple of players, the draft will happen, and I believe more moves will be made around the draft or shortly after. They’ll keep trying to find at least serviceable players to get this new scheme going.

 

[Grenic]

we all know how this will work out right? it won't, 31 years baby

 

[DarkVader33]

I'm not trying to learn the fine points of the 34 says the 43, is seeing a modern day scheme twists and multiples ,A lot of the positional flex etc.. It's not what I'm here for as a fan....

I’m not the coach of this team, and I don’t evaluate or work with the players. What I do know is that whatever changes they’re making, if Parker leaves and they bring in the right kind of guy, then I think it’s fine.

We’ll see what this team looks like in August, maybe even by game one, but I’m not worried about it right now.

People act like week two of free agency is the end of the world if all the holes aren't filled, but we all know they’ll add a couple of players, the draft will happen, and I believe more moves will be made around the draft or shortly after. They’ll keep trying to find at least serviceable players to get this new scheme going.

Don’t use the “right kind of guy” comment. You’re going to trigger a lot of PTSD on this board.

 

[speedkilz88]

I don't quite agree with your evaluation of an OLB in a 3-4.

In a passing play there are five eligible receivers on offense. With four DBs in a 3-4 alignment. An OLB must cover a RB or TE and I'm wondering about the pass defense skills of a 275 LB.

If we assume that Gary will be a pass rusher on passing plays then you can bet that an opponent OC has the same suspicions.

This defeats one of the key components of a 3-4 defense's success. The success of a 3-4 ability to pass rush lay in the anonymity of that 4th pass rusher, the one that is not a D-lineman.

The success in pass-blocking against a 3-4 defense is to quickly recognize that 4th pass-rusher and react accordingly. If a 3-4 defense is consistently sending the same LB every time, then you no loner have a true 3-4. You just have a 4-3 playing out of position.

This was the flaw in Wade Phillips defense and the reason for their lack of success despite Ware's impressive sack totals.

Ware's sacks often had little effect on stopping a particular drive. I would often see Ware make a sack on a 1st or 2nd down, only to see the opponent complete a long pass on 3rd down because they knew exactly where the pass rush was coming from.

Parcells did not immediately install a 3-4 defense in his first season as the Cowboys HC. However, he did utilize some of it's elements and one of them was diversity is pass rushers.

Parcells first season was the best statistical season in the Cowboys history for their defense. They were #1 defensively in yards and #2 in points allowed.

Of the 11 starters on that defense, 10 of them had recorded at least one sack.

In a traditional 3-4 run defense, the D-line's function is to basically get in the way long enough for the LBs to react and make the play. D-linemen don't get stats, they do the grunt work and the LBs get the glory.

A 3-4 DE is physically similar to a 4-3 DT and are heavier than DEs in a 4-3

When defending against the pass, they rush the QB but stay in their lanes in a more disciplined manner than a 3-4. They typically won't get the big sack numbers....typically.

Really, there should never be a DE or LB in a 3-4 defense with extraordinary sack numbers, They should be distributed more evenly among the team. That player is either generational or they are giving away some of their ability to hide their intentions.

This is only my opinion based on what I have learned about the 3-4 defense. Perhaps the philosophy of a 3-4 has evolved to something more complex. it may even be tailored for the purpose of maximizing a certain player's elite skills. It just seems to me that a 275 LB might have some limitations in a 3-4 defense that dilute it's effective

The OLBs in a 3-4 generally have very basic short zone responsibilities. The inside backers carry that coverage load.

 

[blueblood70]

Don’t use the “right kind of guy” comment. You’re going to trigger a lot of PTSD on this board.

BUT, Its the truth,

The last three seasons had three different coordinators the transfer from Quinns scheme, to one quick stop with Zimmer, and then the disaster last year!!

this is going to take more than one off season to fix, I'm saying to this get started correctly, Parker will need a lot of his kind of guys whether splash player or not, you need role players, I remember back when we had players like Anthony hitchens at linebacker and his running mate, D wilson..

Those dudes were not special but everyone around here appreciate them for a little bit, they thought they were easily replaceable, but both of them went to Kansas City, they might even have a ring,

A lot of our guys are still running around the league getting jobs like Awuzie etc..

That our fan base thought were trash or washed or Jags, wanted to run them off, But you need a group of solid players role players that can run the scheme, do their job, be where they are supposed to be IE They are an extension of the DC and coaching staff.

Not those out being rogue, playing hero ball crap, it's not what we need, players try and fill up stat sheets, trying to get paid or noticed..

So yes I think that they're still going to bring a couple veterans at ILB and MLB but they'll be the ones that Parker think can fit well be a bridge to whoever they draft help some of these young guys develop..