Cowboys defense for 2015

[Bluefin]

we need a huge overhaul and i dont think we have the money to address our needs,we better draft D the entire draft.

Dallas should be able to do anything they feel is necessary in free agency.

How much cap space will be available will vary depending on the amount used to restructure Tony Romo's contract, whether Doug Free's deal voids or he is re-signed beforehand, if Henry Melton's option is picked up or declined and if the Franchise tag is used on Dez Bryant.

 

[30yrheel]

How funny would it be to have Jenkins & Newman back. They'd probably fair better in this scheme than Carr & Claiborne

More sad than funny.

 

[xwalker]

Paul Kruger is the starter.

It would seem Jabaal Sheard is best suited for LDE in the 4-3, he had immediate success playing in that front.

And if Dallas in interested, it shouldn't cost much to sign him.

But the bigger need will be looking for a RDE.

RDE is the one position where I would like them to make a splash. They need a CB to replace Carr, but I'm OK with a mid-tier guy there to go along a draft pick.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Dallas should be able to do anything they feel is necessary in free agency.

How much cap space will be available will vary depending on the amount used to restructure Tony Romo's contract, whether Doug Free's deal voids or he is re-signed beforehand, if Henry Melton's option is picked up or declined and if the Franchise tag is used on Dez Bryant.

I see an overhaul, but not a huge overhaul...

DE
Safety
CB

Those are the 3 critical spots that desperately need attention.

Then to a lesser extent..

Another DE
DT-maybe (#1 technique)
OLB

 

[xwalker]

Cowboys can sign Durant to a contract similar to Lee's (for far less money though) in that it is set up to decrease significantly if the player gets injured and doesn't play to a certain threshold for the season. And he can play Sam. Lee at Will, Ro at Mike. Hitchens rotated in.

I don't expect Durant to get much more than the veterans minimum. He has only stayed healthy for 16 games 1 time in his career and he didn't start all of those. His injury this season probably cost him a chance at a good contact.

 

[Bluefin]

I don't expect Durant to get much more than the veterans minimum. He has only stayed healthy for 16 games 1 time in his career and he didn't start all of those. His injury this season probably cost him a chance at a good contact.

Agreed.

If Justin Durant doesn't get an offer to start with another team in free agency, he should be able to be resigned inexpensively. The deal could have low base salaries with playing time incentives in case Durant wound up starting.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Agreed.

If Justin Durant doesn't get an offer to start with another team in free agency, he should be able to be resigned inexpensively. The deal could have low base salaries with playing time incentives in case Durant wound up starting.

I think Durant is just about perfect for this defense. He knows all the spots, he does a decent job when he does play and his contract will be very reasonable.

The downside is that he can't stay healthy. But as a 4 or 5 linebacking option, he's excellent.

 

[xwalker]

Agreed.

If Justin Durant doesn't get an offer to start with another team in free agency, he should be able to be resigned inexpensively. The deal could have low base salaries with playing time incentives in case Durant wound up starting.

Yes, the only possible reason that he might have to look elsewhere would be that he would prefer to play WLB instead of SLB, assuming that RoMc is MLB and Lee is WLB. It seems unlikely that he will go elsewhere if Marinelli remains the DC.

 

[nalam]

No joking, he is probably better than Carr. He's on IR this season.

He is always injured , isn't he ?

 

[boysfan69]

lets face it ppl this D needs a major talent infusion

 

[xwalker]

He is always injured , isn't he ?

He has missed some games but it's not extreme:

Games played starting with 2014 back to his rookie year:
1
15
13
12
16
16
14

 

[KingintheNorth]

lets face it ppl this D needs a major talent infusion

Yes. There will be some opportunity this off-season as well. Get younger, get faster, get more athletic, and get meaner. Anthony Spencer and George Selvie can go laugh it up on someone else's sideline.

 

[nalam]

He has missed some games but it's not extreme:

Games played starting with 2014 back to his rookie year:
1
15
13
12
16
16
14

Thanks , I stand corrected.

 

[Bluefin]

Yes. There will be some opportunity this off-season as well. Get younger, get faster, get more athletic, and get meaner.

Here are the oldest players currently on the roster using the dallascowboys.com roster.

1. QB Tony Romo (34) Will remain the starter for as long as he is physically able.
2. LS L.P. LaDouceur (33) Never gets talked about because he's great at his job.
3. TE Jason Witten (32) Targets and receptions are down but still blocking at a high level.
4. QB Brandon Weeden (31) Under contract next year but by no means a lock to return.
5. OT Tony Hills (30) I'm at a loss to explain his presence on the roster right now.
6. DE Anthony Spencer (30) Will be a free agent, I'm ready to let him go right now.
7. FB? Tyler Clutts (30) Will be a free agent and could come back on a minimum deal, I'm not a fan.
8. DE Jeremy Mincey (30) Has been a solid signing, would be best used in a reserve role next year.
9. RT Doug Free (30) Will be a free agent, does the team want to keep him and what would it cost?
10. G Mackenzy Bernadeau (28) Veteran depth, 2015 is the final year of his contract.
11. NT Nick Hayden (28) Will be a free agent, a Rod Marinelli favorite, will he be re-signed?
12. CB Brandon Carr (28) Expensive player playing poorly, likely a June tag release.
13. FS C.J. Spillman (28) Will be a free agent, veteran special teamer unlikely to return.
14. UT Henry Melton (28) Will be a free agent unless team option is picked up, I don't think it will.
15. OT Jermey Parnell (28) Will be a free agent, could be a less expensive option to keep.
16. DE George Selvie (27) Will be a free agent, I'm ready to say goodbye right now.
17. WR Dwayne Harris (27) Will be a free agent, has value on special teams, what will he cost?
18. CB Orlando Scandrick (27) Under contract and the best corner on the team.
19. WR Dez Bryant (26) Will be a free agent, Franchise tag is waiting if long term deal doesn't happen.
20. LB Bruce Carter (26) Will be a free agent, expect to see him walk.

Of these 20 players, I expect around 10 of them will be replaced.

These seven looks like absolute goners. Tony Hills, Anthony Spencer, Brandon Carr, C.J. Spillman, Henry Melton, George Selvie and Bruce Carter

These six are possible departures. Brandon Weeden, Tyler Clutts, Doug Free, Nick Hayden Jermey Parnell and Dwayne Harris.

Anthony Spencer and George Selvie can go laugh it up on someone else's sideline.

Absolutely.

I know it won't happen unless an injury occurs, but I'd cut either of those guys right now and promote practice squad DE Kenneth Boatright.

 

[Cowboy06]

Only in Dallas does it take 4-5 off seasons to fix a particular group..... by the time they fix the defense the OL will be broken and ready to replace. While other teams turn their fortunes around with a new head coach and one off season.

Mr. Cowboy...bingo, give this man a prize. This team's front office is like a child learning to play a piano. They can only play with one hand at a time. They seem to try to fix the offense and then the defense. Learn to play with both hand Jerry and Co. Mind you that means you better hit on most of the picks...oh well...perhaps we can start with chop stix! LOL

 

[Cowboy06]

Sign
DE Greg Hardy
DE Cliff Avril
DT Pat Williams
CB Charles Tillman



SDE-Hardy-Mincey
1DT-Brent-Pat Williams 1yr -Coleman
3DT-Crawford-Okoye
WDE-Avril-Lawrence

LB's- Lee-McClain(resign)-Hitchens-Durant

CB's-Scandrick-Tillman-Mo-Moore

Safeties- Church-Hamilton-Wilcox

Man I usually agree or respectfully disagree, I just don't want old players on this team. I want to go young and a few young FAs. I also want to get away from the 1DT vs 3DT mindset. I just want hybrids on the field.

So, no Hardy, no Pat Williams, I would probably release Sean Lee if I could financially do so. I love him, but you have to be on the field to matter. I wouldn't count on Okoye either. Tillman, no thank you, Mo...I'd drive to Texas to send him to the CFL.

Sadly man, I don't have much of a better idea. I just don't care for older players that play style bend but don't break style. I want to attack and ruin the other team's will to play the game. I know that's possible because it's happening to Dallas more often than not...LOL

 

[xwalker]

Man I usually agree or respectfully disagree, I just don't want old players on this team. I want to go young and a few young FAs. I also want to get away from the 1DT vs 3DT mindset. I just want hybrids on the field.

So, no Hardy, no Pat Williams, I would probably release Sean Lee if I could financially do so. I love him, but you have to be on the field to matter. I wouldn't count on Okoye either. Tillman, no thank you, Mo...I'd drive to Texas to send him to the CFL.

Sadly man, I don't have much of a better idea. I just don't care for older players that play style bend but don't break style. I want to attack and ruin the other team's will to play the game. I know that's possible because it's happening to Dallas more often than not...LOL

Hardy is 26, Okoye is 27. Pat Williams retired in 2010.

Having Hybrid 1-tech/3-tech DTs means you have guys that are not the best 3-tech and are not the best 1-tech.

 

[Cowboy06]

Hardy is 26, Okoye is 27. Pat Williams retired in 2010.

Having Hybrid 1-tech/3-tech DTs means you have guys that are not the best 3-tech and are not the best 1-tech.

Let's see, Okoye doesn't strike me as someone that can be counted on. However, I truly would love to see him rise up and prove me wrong. Hardy has too many issues for me and will be 27. By the time these players get it, they will be what...29, 30? Just seems to be the track record with Dallas FAs.

The Hybrid part is just right. I don't want a team that is predictable. I just want the best players on the field regardless of technique, size, speed, etc.

My question of you is, do you think having a 1 and 3 on the field is necessary for success for this defense? I am just thinking that there has to be more out there and this defense is not it in any shape form or fashion.

 

[xwalker]

Let's see, Okoye doesn't strike me as someone that can be counted on. However, I truly would love to see him rise up and prove me wrong. Hardy has too many issues for me and will be 27. By the time these players get it, they will be what...29, 30? Just seems to be the track record with Dallas FAs.

The Hybrid part is just right. I don't want a team that is predictable. I just want the best players on the field regardless of technique, size, speed, etc.

My question of you is, do you think having a 1 and 3 on the field is necessary for success for this defense? I am just thinking that there has to be more out there and this defense is not it in any shape form or fashion.

Hardy already "gets it" on the field. He could come out of his season long layoff right now and be the best DLineman on the team.

Okoye is just a guy you bring to camp. If he's good then you've got something, if not just move on. There is no reason not to bring him to camp.

They use two 3-techs in obvious passing situations. A 1-tech is needed, but of the 4 DTs active on game day, they probably want three 3-techs and one 1-tech. It's fine if the 4th guy is a hybrid. T. McClain has been the 4th guy in most games this season and he is a hybrid. In general a 4-3 defense uses the 1-tech to draw double teams. A good 1-tech will blow up a single blocker and drive him straight back to the QB. Hayden is a 1-tech in name only as he does not draw double teams and can't punish single blocking.

 

[Cowboy06]

Hardy already "gets it" on the field. He could come out of his season long layoff right now and be the best DLineman on the team.

Okoye is just a guy you bring to camp. If he's good then you've got something, if not just move on. There is no reason not to bring him to camp.

They use two 3-techs in obvious passing situations. A 1-tech is needed, but of the 4 DTs active on game day, they probably want three 3-techs and one 1-tech. It's fine if the 4th guy is a hybrid. T. McClain has been the 4th guy in most games this season and he is a hybrid. In general a 4-3 defense uses the 1-tech to draw double teams. A good 1-tech will blow up a single blocker and drive him straight back to the QB. Hayden is a 1-tech in name only as he does not draw double teams and can't punish single blocking.

sigh...I hate it when someone uses reason and rationale discourse to prove a point. Sounds like we need better players to get this team to the next level.