Complete defensive rebuild

[Fla Cowpoke]

No no. I get that.

What I am saying is if the plan was to go after guys like Hendrickson, why not do it? Why sit there and let every single LB get picked up?

Look I may be jaded. Thats a fair assessment of me.

This team has done nothing to improve since the GB loss. In fact the owner was so spiteful he gave his lame duck HC the worst FA in the history of the team.

If this team was different I think watching them attack the biggest need on this team early would have changed my mind. As of right now, I dont see the plan.

Fair enough.

 

[NDGAEDE]

It's wishful thinking that the zoners will remember your comments but we indeed had to rebuild that will have consequences

It was tongue in cheek. Obviously no one remembers a random comment that got no likes

 

[kramskoi]

No no. I get that.

What I am saying is if the plan was to go after guys like Hendrickson, why not do it? Why sit there and let every single LB get picked up?

Look I may be jaded. Thats a fair assessment of me.

This team has done nothing to improve since the GB loss. In fact the owner was so spiteful he gave his lame duck HC the worst FA in the history of the team.

If this team was different I think watching them attack the biggest need on this team early would have changed my mind. As of right now, I dont see the plan.

I'm not sure Hendrickson was ever really in their plans. Cost too much. Wants too long a deal. Injury concerns. 31 years old. Pretty old for a four year contract in the 120 - 130 million range. 30 other teams had concerns as well. The Ravens were more on the desperate side.

But on Dean and Walker they simply blew it...unless those guys just didn't want to play for him. Not sure how they solve it before the draft. I guess history says that they won't. I still feel like they have "cheap" on speed dial next to "bust the budget" and "cheap" is getting more phone calls. So I don't mind too much that some here are railing against them. They simply haven't done ALL that they could. They are parsing out dollars. If they had scored a LB on day one along with Gary and Thompson then they might have us thinking things will be different.

 

[Kwyn]

 

[Kwyn]

Williams - 6’3, 305
Clark - 6’3”, 314
Ogbonnia - 6’4”, 320
Toia - 6’2”, 342

 

[gimmesix]

That's interesting coz Brugler mentioned Day-2 is where you could find starters.......especially since this draft doesn't have a lot of blue chippers. Keep in mind that our talent level at certain positions is so low that 2nd- and 3rd-rounders can compete for starting jobs.

Could being the operative word. The odds of finding five starters with our first five picks even if we added a second-rounder and another third-rounder are extremely low. Look at that 2021 draft where we got Micah Parsons at 12 (big hit), Kelvin Joseph in the second (big miss), then Chauncey Golston (minor hit), Osa Odighizuwa (decent hit) and Nashson Wright (miss) in the third. We'd like to think that's not typical, but it is.

 

[gimmesix]

Williams - 6’3, 305
Clark - 6’3”, 314
Ogbonnia - 6’4”, 320
Toia - 6’2”, 342

Didn't realize Ogbonnia was 6-4. Maybe we do see him as a base 3-4 DE with Clark at NT and Williams at the other DE spot when we are in the 3-4. He would still only play about a third of the snaps and mainly be a run-down defender.

 

[Miller]

I think we are an over reactionary FO. We basically see a mistake or trend and go all out in that direction only to find we missed the next boat. This offseason seems better than it is. I like the safety and the Osa trade but the the rest is a meh sandwich. We look like we are plugging holes but severely missed LB and now have to hit draft. We don’t need to go nuts. We need talent. All in on D., cool concept but every year regressed in areas

 

[Kwyn]

I think we are an over reactionary FO. We basically see a mistake or trend and go all out in that direction only to find we missed the next boat. This offseason seems better than it is. I like the safety and the Osa trade but the the rest is a meh sandwich. We look like we are plugging holes but severely missed LB and now have to hit draft. We don’t need to go nuts. We need talent. All in on D., cool concept but every year regressed in areas

Well, after last year, one might argue that a strong reaction was required and if you bring in a new whiz kid coordinator, you might as well let him call the shots.

Isn’t that what we’ve been begging for? That Jerry let the coaches coach?

Frankly i’m surprised he’s actually allowed most of these changes.

 

[Ironicalicon]

This draft isn’t that deep to find five starters with trade downs. They can find some depth for sure, but starters is a stretch. Dallas might get lucky and get three if they stick to the two firsts and the third.

If that's the case, hell, trade the picks for vets.

 

[Miller]

Well, after last year, one might argue that a strong reaction was required and if you bring in a new whiz kid coordinator, you might as well let him call the shots.

Isn’t that what we’ve been begging for? That Jerry let the coaches coach?

Frankly i’m surprised he’s actually allowed most of these changes.

Agree in part! After all I said weeks back not to put all your money into Pickens because the D needs help. I just think the way we go about it is strange. I honestly thought we’d make a splash signing and then draft more D and then mix it up in other areas in FA including some new O line faces. Guess my point is we seem desperate to catch up to some trends and then we end up behind elsewhere. Hoping we hit one year.

 

[kskboys]

I think we are an over reactionary FO. We basically see a mistake or trend and go all out in that direction only to find we missed the next boat. This offseason seems better than it is. I like the safety and the Osa trade but the the rest is a meh sandwich. We look like we are plugging holes but severely missed LB and now have to hit draft. We don’t need to go nuts. We need talent. All in on D., cool concept but every year regressed in areas

You don't like Ogboner/Locke/Gary/Durant? For all that's holy, why? That's 4 decent starter types, not to mention filling the gaping hole at slot CB.

 

[morasp]

The Durant singing was unexpected. They need a CB1 but he definitely changes the outlook for the secondary.

Between Thompson, Locke, Durant, Revel, Bland, Hooker, and Bell they will put the best five on the field. I think the FA additions probably have the inside track along with Revel who received a lot praise from Parker at his press conference.

"Parker sees Revel’s development as a key focus, particularly in refining his mental approach and technique ("working from the neck up") after recovering from a torn ACL."

I still don't think they have the ideal nickel back on the roster at least in terms of a top 10 playoff defense, Bland, Bell, or Thompson are some candidates.

They Clearly need more DTs and ILBs.

updated starting lineup:

OLB Ezeiruaku
OLB Gary

ILB Overshown
ILB* James

DT Williams
DT Clark
DT* Ogbonnia

I think familiarity with the scheme is very important
S Thompson Hooker if Thomson moves to nickel
S Locke

CB Revel
CB* Durant
NB* Thompson, Bland*, or Bell* for now

* draft or additional trades or FA signings

 

[Miller]

You don't like Ogboner/Locke/Gary/Durant? For all that's holy, why? That's 4 decent starter types, not to mention filling the gaping hole at slot CB.

I like the corner. I wrote that before I knew. So corner and safety and trade for 3rd. I would have liked Gary for a 6th. Just not sold that his off year and them wanting to cut him was an aberration. I could be dead wrong and would freely admit it. Overall the other 1 yr deals..I’m meh on. Again I hope this brings a big jump with draft but I’m in wait and see mode vs lathered up mode

 

[xwalker]

He had spinal fusion so I’m wondering how limited he will be. He only had 173 defensive snaps last year

He was a full time special teams player with 298 snaps

It was a signing to get add someone familiar with the scheme.
- They're not expecting much for 1 year, 5M.

 

[xwalker]

Revel missed all training camp and preseason and was coming off an ACL injury. He looked exactly like you would expect. I'm confident we will see a completely different player this season, even CP is excited about his season. Bland's strength is technical, football IQ, and instinct. He's never been a speed guy........he's a better slot player than outside.

I still remember Revel running stride for stride down the sideline with Xavier Worthy.
- Worthy ran a 4.21 at the 2024 NFL combine.

 

[Kwyn]

It was a signing to get add someone familiar with the scheme.
- They're not expecting much for 1 year, 5M.

I see people already claiming he’s starting lol

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

Right now this defense is worse than it was at the end of last year.

they were ranked last (32nd) in points allowed and 30th in yards last year......so......hmmm....no real risk of being any worse

 

[DarkVader33]

As usual someone comes in with tired self important cliched post

“remember, we cant do it all in one year”

As if the Cowboys came into being this year

As if other teams that were bad didnt radically improve in 1 year (see both SB teams this year)

But no, “remember, we cant do it all in one year”

Nonsense

Yeah, we have incompetent people running the team who haven’t “done it” in 30 years so of course we wont be able to do it but that is not because “it cant be done”

I don’t think SEA and NE are great examples. It is rare when it happens.

 

[BigD_95]

Teams are successfully rebuilding defenses in two to three years now. It started last year with Ezeiruaku, Williams, Clark, Revel. So far this year Locke, Gary, Thompson, and Ogbonnia. Plus 2 first round picks and cap space from the Osa trade. Reminds me a little of Jimmy when he took over.

don't forget the most important thing - New DC and D coaching staff.

I'm a believe coaching matters.