Defense: The front 7

[Chuck 54]

Canty and Spears are finally playing a little better, but they aren't going to get any pro-bowl votes anytime soon.

Ratliff is a great pass-rusher, but since Canty and Spears can't get much done by themselves, Ratliff gets a lot of doubleteams in the run game. Tank hasn't shown much to date.

Today, we stopped the Rams on 2nd and short several times...I didn't understand bringing in Hatcher and others at DE on 3rd and 1-2 yards...those didn't seem like passing situations, and the Rams ran off tackle repeatedly against the backups...successfully.

Ware is a good all-around LB, but we have to pass-rush him almost every down if we hope to get any pressure on the QB because that pressure isn't coming from anywhere else, so occasionally he gets burned by a RB getting outside.

That leaves Zach Thomas, Brady James, and Greg Ellis as our best LB's. Greg is still best as a pass rusher, not as a LB...James is what he is, and Zach isn't what he was.

Bottom line...my opinion...Our front 3 (any combination) isn't good enough to allow subpar LBs to succeed. We can't afford to play Ware as a real LB...and the other 3 guys and their backups are not very good...they can't stop the run...they miss quite a few tackles...they get faked out...their overall speed and physicality isn't what you need in a 3-4 allignment, imo.

I really believe our secondary has the talent and will come around...but the front 7 is weak, very weak. Swap our LBs with those from most of the other 3-4 defenses...I think our group weakens every other team.

We've tried to address the position with Burnette and Carpenter, but they are role players at best. Greg Ellis is no Ware, but maybe he should be pass rushing every play and allowing Ware to play LB...I know that's criminal, but having Ellis, James, and Thomas trying to chase RB's or get into pass coverage, as a unit, isn't going to ever be very successful, imo.

 

[BAT]

Good insight. And it would be criminal to use Ware primarily as a coverage/run LB instead of a pass rusher, even though the Cowboys are deficient at the other LB spots, especially on the strongside.

Something needs to be done, that is clear, but not crazy about those options.


I really believe that neither Ellis or even Spencer are the best answer opposite Ware. We need another Ware-type player (can cover, play the run and pass rush). First place I would look is on the PS of teams who stock up on those type of players, ie Eagles, Giants, Bears & Steelers.


One of those PS guys would certainly have more upside than Justin Rogers for example. Rogers has ZERO upside.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Spears Johnson Canty Bowen Ellis Rogers all suck and should not be here next year. Carp suck also and Burnett can't stay healthy. Hatcher hasn't lived up to hype so should be gone also. Once we fix the front 7 the DB's will look better.

 

[TNCowboy]

Good insight. And it would be criminal to use Ware primarily as a coverage/run LB instead of a pass rusher, even though the Cowboys are deficient at the other LB spots, especially on the strongside.

Something needs to be done, that is clear, but not crazy about those options.


I really believe that neither Ellis or even Spencer are the best answer opposite Ware. We need another Ware-type player (can cover, play the run and pass rush). First place I would look is on the PS of teams who stock up on those type of players, ie Eagles, Giants, Bears & Steelers.


One of those PS guys would certainly have more upside than Justin Rogers for example. Rogers has ZERO upside.

What's criminal - and painful - is watching Greg Ellis in pass coverage.

I guess our only hope for improvement in this, and I don't disagree with the OP, is that Spencer can get healthy and show something.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Spears Johnson Canty Bowen Ellis Rogers all suck and should not be here next year. Carp suck also and Burnett can't stay healthy. Hatcher hasn't lived up to hype so should be gone also. Once we fix the front 7 the DB's will look better.

Unfortunately, we can't get rid of all those guys in one off-season. We still have to put a D line on the field next year.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Unfortunately, we can't get rid of all those guys in one off-season. We still have to put a D line on the field next year.

Why the hell not. Even though we aren't rebuilding I would be hard pressed to make a case for us to keep any of those guys. With 12 draft picks they could be replaced.

 

[tomson75]

Pretty fair analysis Wayne. I think our fortune would improve dramatically if just ONE of our DE's would take the next step to becoming a dominant player. It would help our LB's immensely....for now. Linebacker is one of our most desperate positions IMO right now.

 

[Clove]

I agree with the speed aspect of our ILBs.

We really do need to go to the draft, 2nd rounder on down to find a hungry beast or 2 for our ILB spot.

If we come out of that draft or offseason without a mammouth NT, I will puke.

The secondary was sorry in the 1st half, but they pretty much shut the Rams down in the 2nd half, so I agree that our secondary will be okay, as long as RW is replaced.

 

[ratpower]

Spencer should get more reps and Ellis should start to specialize on passing downs as a rusher a la the old Jeffcoat years.

One thing no one mentions is why are Hatcher and Bowen even on the field??? The rotation should consist of Spears (who actually is playing better) Canty, Ratliff, Tank, Ellis. Ware is already a quasi pass rusher all the time anyways too.

Keep your best players on the field more.

 

[Teague31]

zach thomas is done. he does not diagnose plays like he used to and even when he does, he misses too many tackles. doubt he comes back next year. he needs to hang it up.