News: DC: Mike McCarthy praises Linval Joseph ahead of Cowboys vs. Browns opener

[_sturt_]

Will gladly eat crow if Joseph proves to do anything significant for us on the field this season. I appreciate the player he was, I just have no reason for confidence that he has anything left.

 

[gimmesix]

I expect Joseph on short yardage situations mostly, especially since he had no camp. What kind of shape is he in? I think they named Osa the starter so if they stick be that it will Be Osa and Mazi on the first defensive snap. I think Joseph will see more playing time each week as he gets in shape.

It'll be interesting to see what Zimmer does. I would think the main reason we have Phillips is to play those early downs and give us beef against the run. Whether it will be him and Mazi or him and Joseph will depend on how Mazi does. I agree that they probably would prefer to limit Joseph to situational snaps.

I don't think starter is viewed as meaning that a player is out there for the first snaps, but rather that the player is your primary at the position. Odighizuwa is definitely the primary at 3-tech, but I think Zimmer prefers a 315-330-pounder out there on first down over a 280-285-pounder.

 

[gimmesix]

Will gladly eat crow if Joseph proves to do anything significant for us on the field this season. I appreciate the player he was, I just have no reason for confidence that he has anything left.

I think Zimmer is just hoping what he has left is being hard to root out, letting the linebackers be free to run to the ball. So it depends on what your definition of anything significant is. He's not going to make a lot of plays.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

You said it all in the first breath: they're old and on the downside! Is that the kind of addressing the position fans deserve?

It’s what we’re accustomed to here. We shop at the 5 and Below FA bin

 

[_sturt_]

I think Zimmer is just hoping what he has left is being hard to root out, letting the linebackers be free to run to the ball. So it depends on what your definition of anything significant is. He's not going to make a lot of plays.

Okay, let me be more precise. "Anything significant" is this... being effective enough to merely prove himself deserving of snaps, and getting, then, snaps.

Which he hasn't done since 2021.

I think Zimmer is just hoping that the two seasons of not getting many snaps translates to having so much down time that he's fresh and able to kick-in some second wind. I suppose it's happened before, but I really can't remember anyone at that position having that experience.

 

[Praxit]

...basically, Big Mike is saying. Thank God for Linval, when your not sure of Mazi.

 

[Typhus]

You said it all in the first breath: they're old and on the downside! Is that the kind of addressing the position fans deserve?

Can't expect Zimm to fix the interior overnight, he at least shows that the area has to be addressed in his short time here so far.
I love that we actually have some vet Big Boys inside for the time being, Mazi needs to step it up.

 

[_sturt_]

...basically, Big Mike is saying. Thank God for Linval, when your not sure of Mazi.

Strongly encourage pumping those brakes.

Again. Again. Again.

Linval has played so few snaps for two seasons, the more rational conclusion is that they truly are just looking for someone who can fill-in for Mazi even less than Mazi filled in for Hankins.

 

[gimmesix]

Okay, let me be more precise. "Anything significant" is this... being effective enough to merely prove himself deserving of snaps, and getting, then, snaps.

Which he hasn't done since 2021.

I think Zimmer is just hoping that the two seasons of not getting many snaps translates to having so much down time that he's fresh and able to kick-in some second wind. I suppose it's happened before, but I really can't remember anyone at that position having that experience.

I think he only plays a significant amount if Mazi isn't ready. His role should be limited to rotating in to keep Mazi fresh. If he's playing a significant amount of snaps, I think it will be because Mazi is not. It would not necessarily mean that Joseph is doing anything great, just that he doesn't suck as much as Mazi.

I just didn't know if your definition for anything significant was tied to making plays. I believe if he's in the game, his role is occupying space. The hope obviously is that Mazi can do that and more, but we don't know if he can. Joseph is the fallback because even though he's old and hasn't been that good the last couple of years, he may still be better than Mazi.

 

[Creeper]

It'll be interesting to see what Zimmer does. I would think the main reason we have Phillips is to play those early downs and give us beef against the run. Whether it will be him and Mazi or him and Joseph will depend on how Mazi does. I agree that they probably would prefer to limit Joseph to situational snaps.

I don't think starter is viewed as meaning that a player is out there for the first snaps, but rather that the player is your primary at the position. Odighizuwa is definitely the primary at 3-tech, but I think Zimmer prefers a 315-330-pounder out there on first down over a 280-285-pounder.

Dallas's run stopping issues last year were outside the DTs. Teams would wall off the DTs and run inside the DEs. With no LBs the Cowboys struggled to fill the gaps. I think they are hoping that with 3 LBs they can do a better job, but if the DTs don't occupy two blockers the LBs are just going to see offensive linemen in their faces.

 

[Bullflop]

I'd be far more receptive to the accolades that MM bestows on his players, if he gave a lousy review at least once, to one of his players.
Since there's never been a single player deserving an honestly poor rating, it's natural to take the praise being given for granted.

 

[Risen Star]

I thought this had to do with a trip to Sizzler.