Defensive Line Options? Part 2 Of 5

[RealCowboyfan]

I think everybody should watch out for Thomas "Pepper" Johnson, I think he's going to be the starting DT in place of former Cowboy, Saint, and Raider La'Roi Glover.

Thomas "Pepper" Johnson is going to be dominant this season. I think he's going to be our secret weapon at D-Tackle.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Ware will be All Pro this year IMO......I know, going out on a very little limb here.

I don't believe you are. I mean Demarcus Ware was really coming on. We just need him to be consistent.

 

[dmq]

Just looking at our depth, I can only say, good job BP.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Last year we carried 8 D-Linemen for most of the season:

Spears
Canty
Ellis
Coleman
Glover
Ferguson
P. Johnson
Ratliff

This year I expect us to the do the same, but with these guys (providing health isn't an issue)

Spears
Canty
Ellis
Hatcher
Stanley
Ferguson
P. Johnson
Ratliff

Carrying 10 D-Linemen wouldn't make much sense because there's so much versatility. Guys like Spears can theoretically play 3 different positions (3-4 DE, Nickel DT, Nickel DE) and then you have guys like Ware, Ogbogu and perhaps Carpenter that can move from 3-4 OLB to nickel DE.


Rich...........

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Last year we carried 8 D-Linemen for most of the season:

Spears
Canty
Ellis
Coleman
Glover
Ferguson
P. Johnson
Ratliff

This year I expect us to the do the same, but with these guys (providing health isn't an issue)

Spears
Canty
Ellis
Hatcher
Stanley
Ferguson
P. Johnson
Ratliff

Carrying 10 D-Linemen wouldn't make much sense because there's so much versatility. Guys like Spears can theoretically play 3 different positions (3-4 DE, Nickel DT, Nickel DE) and then you have guys like Ware, Ogbogu and perhaps Carpenter that can move from 3-4 OLB to nickel DE.


Rich...........

Ogbogu is gone.

 

[Angus]

Just looking at our depth, I can only say, good job BP.

Maybe it ought to be "Good job, Jeff Ireland."

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Maybe it ought to be "Good job, Jeff Ireland."

yeah:starspin

 

[RealCowboyfan]

And if Dallas decides to keep nine, Asthma, I would like to take a flyer on
Samuel Taulealea. Another big wide body that can rotate in and plug holes.

YUP:starspin

 

[Sarge]

Agreed. Coleman makes this squad by injury only.

I totally agree. The only way he makes this squad is if he gets injured. Let's hope he stays healthy.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I got 8 too

LDE: Spears, Ratliff
NT: Ferg, Stanley, Pepper
RDE: Canty, Hatcher, Ellis

 

[Bob Sacamano]

and guys, who cares who'll be better, Canty or Spears? both will be our starting DEs

 

[RealCowboyfan]

and guys, who cares who'll be better, Canty or Spears? both will be our starting DEs

Really. They both are going to give us the best of both worlds with tackles and sacks.

 

[Awakened]

Yep, I think Kenyon Coleman's days as a Cowboy are numbered... and that's a good thing, IMO.

He was a backup on a pretty good 9-7 team last year. A pretty good defense. Heck, he actually started until Spears healed up completely. Now, the fact that we've improved to the point of him probably not even making the team shows how deep Dallas has become on the defensive line.

The top 5 players there are all very good, with Ellis being in a special situation.

Spears
Canty
Hatcher
Ratliff
Ellis

Not to mention that Ellis is the only player with more that one years experience. They're going to be good for a long time.

FWIW, I see us keeping 8 players on DL... including Ellis:

Spears
Canty
Hatcher
Ratliff
Ellis
Ferguson
Pepper
Stanley

And that's a very good 3-4 group, IMO.

I think it is funny that you rank Hatcher as a Top 5 DL, yet he hasn't played a down in the NFL. I also think it odd that Ratliff is ranked high, considering that he has done very little up to this point. They have potential - that's all at this point. At the same time, Jason Ferguson, who is a proven NFL player, is ranked behind Ratliff and Hatcher. I wonder what Bill would say.

It seems like just about everybody on this thread is already convinced that Hatcher and Ratliff are great NFL players, and that Stanley has made the team (some have Ellis ranked behind Hatcher!). I bet Bill Parcells is not as certain as you guys are.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

I think it is funny that you rank Hatcher as a Top 5 DL, yet he hasn't played a down in the NFL. I also think it odd that Ratliff is ranked high, considering that he has done very little up to this point. They have potential - that's all at this point. At the same time, Jason Ferguson, who is a proven NFL player, is ranked behind Ratliff and Hatcher. I wonder what Bill would say.

It seems like just about everybody on this thread is already convinced that Hatcher and Ratliff are great NFL players, and that Stanley has made the team (some have Ellis ranked behind Hatcher!). I bet Bill Parcells is not as certain as you guys are.

GOOD POINT. I was thinking the same thing.:starspin

 

[RealCowboyfan]

I got 8 too

LDE: Spears, Ratliff
NT: Ferg, Stanley, Pepper
RDE: Canty, Hatcher, Ellis

That's a pretty acurate prediction..

 

[RealCowboyfan]

and guys, who cares who'll be better, Canty or Spears? both will be our starting DEs

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Exactly... I'd rather have a 5th safety (Coleman?) or a 6th corner (Jones?) or a 9th LB (Fowler?).

All those guys would be more useful than Coleman.

Very risky. But I think it will be Saldi instead of Fowler. Saldi is a mean dude.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

a couple of people in this thread were saying that Canty will be better than spears, so I opined that noone cares since both will be starters

 

[RealCowboyfan]

a couple of people in this thread were saying that Canty will be better than spears, so I opined that noone cares since both will be starters

yeah I feel you. It's great to have a debate who's career going to be better because both of them are tremendous players to have. Just remember Canty was considered a first round before his injury.:starspin

 

[RealCowboyfan]

sif you have to admit we have a good problem on our hand with all of this competition. Who ever makes it, deserve it.