Cowboys DT Stephen Paea Will Retire at Age 29***Merged***

[jobberone]

One glaring gap when you look at the defense IMO is the lack of investment in the other DT spot. We've drafted DEs (Lawrence, Charlton, Gregory, Tapper). We've drafted S (Woods, Jones, Heath). We've drafted LBs (Hitchens, Smith, Wilson). We've drafted CBs (Awuzie, Lewis, White). We've even drafted 3 techs (Collins, Crawford is really a 3 tech).

We've not really drafted at all for the 1 tech spot. And it's a spot that routinely gives us a bit of a problem and IMO was a big problem for this team even before Paea retired.

That's a fair statement. I'd love to have a two gap player who can also 1 gap and push the pocket. But TBF they don't grow on trees. Donald is a prototype. There are others but there aren't a lot of those guys available. You either draft very high which we've not done due to greater needs or you find a later round guy like Ratliff which is harder to find. Most teams are looking for guys like Donald.....who wouldn't.

 

[aria]

Sorry to hear this, average player or not, it sucks to see someone have to give up the sport they love and their career due to health/injury issues. Wish him the best in whatever he pursues next.

 

[visionary]

If your point is we have "bodies" to play the 1 tech, sure. We have guys.

But we certainly don't have any real quality right now at the 1 tech. Price is a JAG. A backup type that's going to be forced to play more than he probably should. Crawford isn't a 1 tech, he's a 3 tech and frankly the reason he plays as much DE as he does is because I think the team realized he couldn't take the beating at the 3 tech with his shoulder issues. Ash and Neal are fringe guys. Expecting them to be good would seem to be a bit optimistic at this point.

This is the problem with this fan base
People just blindly defend what this incompetent FO and coaching staff has done

 

[Sydla]

That's a fair statement. I'd love to have a two gap player who can also 1 gap and push the pocket. But TBF they don't grow on trees. Donald is a prototype. There are others but there aren't a lot of those guys available. You either draft very high which we've not done due to greater needs or you find a later round guy like Ratliff which is harder to find. Most teams are looking for guys like Donald.....who wouldn't.

It seems that the pool of 1 techs isn't that shallow at all. Donald is a 3 tech. And guys like that, are rare. It, frankly, shouldn't be hard to find a competent 1 tech in the draft. But Marinelli seems to eschew the idea of using draft capital on a guy he thinks he can pull off the scrap heap.

 

[CowboyMort]

We could use that garbage can full of dirt right now!

That's what I thought of when I saw Nix's name.

 

[Carson]

Just sums up this is the year of the suck

Nothing seems to be going right

 

[Sydla]

This is the problem with this fan base
People just blindly defend what this incompetent FO and coaching staff has done

My only point here is that yes, I think they can try to band aid the 1 tech at this point. They have bodies there to try it. It's not like they are struggling to come up with bodies.

The point I am making is that they are trying to fix a 5 inch gash that probably needs stitches with a 2 inch Band Aid and some Vaseline.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Wonder if we'll resign Antonio Anderson.

 

[visionary]

My only point here is that yes, I think they can try to band aid the 1 tech at this point. They have bodies there to try it. It's not like they are struggling to come up with bodies.

The point I am making is that they are trying to fix a 5 inch gash that probably needs stitches with a 2 inch Band Aid and some Vaseline.

Many of us on this board have been pointing out for years that we need a real pocket collapsing 1T but there is a segment on the board that believe DT is not that important and great defenses are built by drafting CBs

DT, esp a good 1T is an absolutely invaluable part of a great defense

 

[VACowboy]

One glaring gap when you look at the defense IMO is the lack of investment in the other DT spot. We've drafted DEs (Lawrence, Charlton, Gregory, Tapper). We've drafted S (Woods, Jones, Heath). We've drafted LBs (Hitchens, Smith, Wilson). We've drafted CBs (Awuzie, Lewis, White). We've even drafted 3 techs (Collins, Crawford is really a 3 tech).

We've not really drafted at all for the 1 tech spot. And it's a spot that routinely gives us a bit of a problem and IMO was a big problem for this team even before Paea retired.

Really need some size at 1T, but Marinelli flat refuses.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Another brilliant "under the radar" signing.

 

[diefree666]

Many of us on this board have been pointing out for years that we need a real pocket collapsing 1T but there is a segment on the board that believe DT is not that important and great defenses are built by drafting CBs

DT, esp a good 1T is an absolutely invaluable part of a great defense

You look at all the top D's over the years and they have had someone in the middle that either is unmoveable or very disruptive. For some reason Marrinnelli does not believe that is important

 

[jobberone]

If your point is we have "bodies" to play the 1 tech, sure. We have guys.

But we certainly don't have any real quality right now at the 1 tech. Price is a JAG. A backup type that's going to be forced to play more than he probably should. Crawford isn't a 1 tech, he's a 3 tech and frankly the reason he plays as much DE as he does is because I think the team realized he couldn't take the beating at the 3 tech with his shoulder issues. Ash and Neal are fringe guys. Expecting them to be good would seem to be a bit optimistic at this point.

No that's not my point at all. Collins and Crawford are NFL starting material who can play the 1 and 3 gap. We don't have a 0/2 and 1/3 gap player though if that's your point. We agree there. I made a post on that. That's not part of this D although it appears you and I both think we should have that player on the 53. I've called for it for many years. They're just hard to find at least a quality one.

Neal and Ash are unknowns. You don't know what they can do until given the chance. I suspect they are a year or two out from being quality 1s much less Ash being a 0/1/2/3 role player. Neal is a 3/5 more than a 1 although I suspect he can spot at the 1 due to his body type and strength.

 

[Idgit]

One glaring gap when you look at the defense IMO is the lack of investment in the other DT spot. We've drafted DEs (Lawrence, Charlton, Gregory, Tapper). We've drafted S (Woods, Jones, Heath). We've drafted LBs (Hitchens, Smith, Wilson). We've drafted CBs (Awuzie, Lewis, White). We've even drafted 3 techs (Collins, Crawford is really a 3 tech).

We've not really drafted at all for the 1 tech spot. And it's a spot that routinely gives us a bit of a problem and IMO was a big problem for this team even before Paea retired.

And we let McClain, who was a decent player in that role for us last season, walk.

 

[diefree666]

It should not be that hard to find a big guy who is really strong that can either stone or push the pocket.

 

[jobberone]

It seems that the pool of 1 techs isn't that shallow at all. Donald is a 3 tech. And guys like that, are rare. It, frankly, shouldn't be hard to find a competent 1 tech in the draft. But Marinelli seems to eschew the idea of using draft capital on a guy he thinks he can pull off the scrap heap.

I see Donald as a 1/3 who can two gap some as well so we disagree on this roles. He's a unique player IMO. One of a few like him.

 

[mattjames2010]

Lol... We cut a CB we all knew sucked and was only signed as a safety measure in case Awuzie or Lewis bombed and went on IR or simply couldn't play. And we lost a backup DT (his snaps were mostly going to go to Irving now that he's back).

"Top to bottom"!?

> Says coaching staff signed players they know suck
> Doesn't think there is a problem

LOL

 

[MRV52]

Was hoping Kellen Moore was going to announce his retirement.

 

[mattjames2010]

And we let McClain, who was a decent player in that role for us last season, walk.

I knew letting McClain go would bite us. Guy was good against the run.

 

[Hawkeye19]

> Says coaching staff signed players they know suck
> Doesn't think there is a problem

LOL

I said "we" knew he sucked... the fans. The FO bargain bin shopped for defensive FAs-- what else is new? Lol

I just never considered Carroll a difference maker-- so I can care less if the FO cuts bait with him at this point.

This team will go as far as Dak and the offense can take it. The defense needs to be protected by a time control offense... Carroll and Paea weren't gonna change that