Depth behind B James at ILB?

[Woods]

I'd guess it's Carpenter for the time being.

Or maybe Brooking moves over and Carpenter/J Williams takes Brooking's position?

Frankly said, I've been counting out Matt Stewart at LB in terms of making the roster. I think (if I remember correctly) he can play either ILB position.

I doubt J Williams will be able to fill in for Brooking in a full-time role immediately (hopefully after a couple of years he will be able to), and I really don't think Carpenter is going to be able to play B James' or Brooking's position in a full time role either. In any case, I wouldn't want to be depending on Carpenter heading into the season to be that guy.

(I suspect Carpenter will be our starting nickel LB - at least initially.)

Matt Stewart could possibly end up being a valuable commodity for the Cowboys (for depth purposes). I don't think we have a reserve player who could play either ILB position immediately full time, if necessary.

Opinions?

EDIT: I'll add that M Stewart is one of "Wade's guys" as well, and that Stewart has had some success with Wade previously.

 

[jobberone]

That's a good question. We currently have 14 LBs.

Keith Brooking
Victor Butler
Bobby Carpenter
Greg Ellis
Stephen Hodge
Bradie James
Steve Octavien
Carlos Polk
Justin Rogers
Anthony Spencer
Matt Stewart
DeMarcus Ware
Brandon Williams
Jason Williams

5-6 will likely be released. Spencer, Ware, Brooking, and James are locks assuming no IR. Ellis appears to be almost a lock to me. J Williams is a lock. Hodge probably. That only leaves one or two spots left unless we keep 10 LBs. Hodge could possibly be a swing player but at S and LB. But S seems congested, too.

 

[Woods]

That's a good question. We currently have 14 LBs.

Keith Brooking
Victor Butler
Bobby Carpenter
Greg Ellis
Stephen Hodge
Bradie James
Steve Octavien
Carlos Polk
Justin Rogers
Anthony Spencer
Matt Stewart
DeMarcus Ware
Brandon Williams
Jason Williams

5-6 will likely be released. Spencer, Ware, Brooking, and James are locks assuming no IR. Ellis appears to be almost a lock to me. J Williams is a lock. Hodge probably. That only leaves one or two spots left unless we keep 10 LBs. Hodge could possibly be a swing player but at S and LB. But S seems congested, too.

Oh, I think we keep 10 LBs. Wade even recently mentioned that he's kept as many as 10 on a roster.

These are the guys I had.

1. Ware
2. B James
3. Brooking
4. Spencer
5. G Ellis - for this year only
6. Vic Butler - doubt we cut him so soon.
7. B Williams - ditto about B Williams.
8. J Williams - no way is he getting cut.
9. S Hodge - STs demon, can eventually take nickel LB spot later this year or next year (axe Carp)
10. Carpenter - I think he likely is our nickel LB to start the season.

Now, that leaves Matt Stewart.

Of the 10 guys I listed, IF B James were to get injured (hopefully doesn't happen, of course), there is no player able to play his spot (or Brooking's spot) on a full-time basis.

I don't think J Williams or Hodge will be ready to play ILB on a full-time basis to start the season (in case B James is unable to go).

And I sure wouldn't want to depend on Carpenter.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

That is one of my very biggest fears about this team. We have nobody behind Bradie, and I mean nobody. Carpenter will need divine intervention to somehow find enough toughness to play the more covered up Mo side, so I have zero faith he could ever play the Mike.

I don't know anything about Matt Stewart either, but right now he's the one listed on a couple of sites as being behind Bradie. Those lists this time of year are notoriously inaccurate, though, and Stewart might not even make the team. Right now if Bradie got hurt, I suspect Brooking might move over and hopefully by then Jason Williams or even Hodge could play Mo... Or, Gawd help us, Barbie.

 

[Woods]

That is one of my very biggest fears about this team. We have nobody behind Bradie, and I mean nobody. Carpenter will need divine intervention to somehow find enough toughness to play the more covered up Mo side, so I have zero faith he could ever play the Mike.

I don't know anything about Matt Stewart either, but right now he's the one listed on a couple of sites as being behind Bradie. Those lists this time of year are notoriously inaccurate, though, and Stewart might not even make the team. Right now if Bradie got hurt, I suspect Brooking might move over and hopefully by then Jason Williams or even Hodge could play Mo... Or, Gawd help us, Barbie.

That's the thing, maybe we move Brooking over, but I really doubt J Williams or Hodge could play so soon. Both guys are making position changes from college. I really don't see them as being able to get up to speed to quickly.

I guess the alternatives are that we (1) keep 11 LBs somehow - which is tough to do with 3 QBs and 2 Kickers; or (2) S Hodge is able to immediately replace Carpenter as the nickel LB (as Hodge is currently more used to playing in space than J Williams), and then Stewart moves into Carp's roster spot.

But again, that's asking a lot for a rookie (Hodge) who was a SS in college.

 

[AbeBeta]

On every team there is a position where you just don't have enough depth.

Let's not think about this... the thought of Boobie on the field more scares me

 

[Woods]

On every team there is a position where you just don't have enough depth.

Let's not think about this... the thought of Boobie on the field more scares me

:laugh2:

But this time around, we really don't have any immediate depth behind B James, unless you include Carpenter. And we can't include him.

You'd figure that after drafting 4 LBs that one of them could fill in for B James asap, if necessary.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

That's the thing, maybe we move Brooking over, but I really doubt J Williams or Hodge could play so soon. Both guys are making position changes from college. I really don't see them as being able to get up to speed to quickly.

I guess the alternatives are that we (1) keep 11 LBs somehow - which is tough to do with 3 QBs and 2 Kickers; or (2) S Hodge is able to immediately replace Carpenter as the nickel LB (as Hodge is currently more used to playing in space than J Williams), and then Stewart moves into Carp's roster spot.

But again, that's asking a lot for a rookie (Hodge) who was a SS in college.

Exactly. We just have to pray Bradie stays healthy. We've been really lucky with that so far.

He or Ratliff getting hurt could bring down the entire season IMO.

I even wonder if we look at some late camp cut or maybe even sign a big, strong vet ILB before then.

 

[BAT]

I think James' backup will be Brooking, like last season it was Zach. Last year, the next guy behind Zach was Justin Rogers (strongside).


Zach was backed up by Burnett & Barbie was 3rd string.


IMO, the depth this season is better, even if it is made up of 2 rooks. JWill & Hodge are both fast AND physical. I like that combination.

 

[Woods]

Exactly. We just have to pray Bradie stays healthy. We've been really lucky with that so far.

He or Ratliff getting hurt could bring down the entire season IMO.

I even wonder if we look at some late camp cut or maybe even sign a big, strong vet ILB before then.

Yhea, I was thinking we weren't going to do anything more in FA, but maybe we do bring in someone?

Ideally, the guy needs to be able to play both ILB spots.

But as I suggested, perhaps M Stewart is that guy? I initially thought he was just a camp body. But he has produced under Wade Phillips when Stewart was healthy. If I remember correctly, over 100+ tackles in one season. Again, he's isn't going to sit the world on fire, but he could be reasonable, cheap depth.

 

[Clove]

If I'm Carpenter, I boldly go out there and try to take over James position out right, or the other ILB position. No way I go into the regular season as a nickel guy, he has to just take a look in the mirror, and say from this point on, I will go out there and own.

If he can't do that, just cut him.

 

[Woods]

I think James' backup will be Brooking, like last season it was Zach. Last year, the next guy behind Zach was Justin Rogers (strongside).


Zach was backed up by Burnett & Barbie was 3rd string.


IMO, the depth this season is better, even if it is made up of 2 rooks. JWill & Hodge are both fast AND physical. I like that combination.

O.K. so you would think that Brooking would move over in case B James was unable to go, and then either Hodge or J Williams would play in Brooking's spot?

 

[Typhus]

I think its a minor issue, honestly I cant even remember the last time B. James has even been hurt.

He is pretty solid there and a BU is what we got in Carp if need be.

Carp may be carrying around the burden of being a 1st round talent still trying to find his nitch on this D, and although it is definitely his burden to carry, atleast the pedigree is high, and its not like this team threw him in the fire in a starting role,,,, he would probably be gone by now if that were the case.

Carp has been oiled up daily like a baby and milk marinated to possibly contribute at some capacity for three years, and if now is not the time to live up to a back up role, than cut his bust ####, even during the season.

Waiver wire material will be a better addition than leaving Carp on this roster.

Thats what I keep shaking my head about when people keep crying about this years draft.

This team now has a few hungry players that wont be offended to actually go out and earn a paycheck.

The underperforming premadonas that are still left on this team will be looking over their shoulders with concern this summer,,, I guarantee you that!

 

[Woods]

If I'm Carpenter, I boldly go out there and try to take over James position out right, or the other ILB position. No way I go into the regular season as a nickel guy, he has to just take a look in the mirror, and say from this point on, I will go out there and own.

If he can't do that, just cut him.

I fear he's going to be cut then.

I can't see Carpenter taking over for James or Brooking.

Of course if Carp is cut, then Stewart can possibly back into that roster spot, and we've got someone who should be able to step in for either James or Brookings asap.

 

[jobberone]

Oh, I think we keep 10 LBs. Wade even recently mentioned that he's kept as many as 10 on a roster.

These are the guys I had.

1. Ware
2. B James
3. Brooking
4. Spencer
5. G Ellis - for this year only
6. Vic Butler - doubt we cut him so soon.
7. B Williams - ditto about B Williams.
8. J Williams - no way is he getting cut.
9. S Hodge - STs demon, can eventually take nickel LB spot later this year or next year (axe Carp)
10. Carpenter - I think he likely is our nickel LB to start the season.

Now, that leaves Matt Stewart.

Of the 10 guys I listed, IF B James were to get injured (hopefully doesn't happen, of course), there is no player able to play his spot (or Brooking's spot) on a full-time basis.

I don't think J Williams or Hodge will be ready to play ILB on a full-time basis to start the season (in case B James is unable to go).

And I sure wouldn't want to depend on Carpenter.

Has Stewart ever played inside? He's small at '6-0' and 238. Rogers is 6-4 and 250 and can play in and outside. He's going to compete with Carpenter I'd imagine. I have no idea how that will play out.

I'm not certain we can keep four rookies on the active roster. I actually hope so but.....

I believe we could keep 10 LBs even 11 if Hodge was a swingman (I highly doubt either).

 

[Woods]

Has Stewart ever played inside? He's small at '6-0' and 238. Rogers is 6-4 and 250 and can play in and outside. He's going to compete with Carpenter I'd imagine. I have no idea how that will play out.

I'm not certain we can keep four rookies on the active roster. I actually hope so but.....

I believe we could keep 10 LBs even 11 if Hodge was a swingman (I highly doubt either).

I thought that was the position Stewart played (ILB) when playing for Wade previously.

I think we can keep 10 LBs if we have 6 DL and 9 Secondary guys (excluding Hodge). I guess you can partly count Hodge as a SS as well. (On Offense, 3 QBs, 5 WRs, 9 OL, 3 RBs, and either 1 FB and 3 TEs or 0 FB and 4 TEs, plus 4 ST guys.)

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens in camp.

 

[Clove]

I fear he's going to be cut then.

I can't see Carpenter taking over for James or Brooking.

Of course if Carp is cut, then Stewart can possibly back into that roster spot, and we've got someone who should be able to step in for either James or Brookings asap.

I think Carpenter can do it, and I think he knows he can do it.

The only problem I see with Carpenter is his toughness, and I think that's mental. If he can get past that, I think he's the second best linebacker on the team.

 

[Woods]

I think Carpenter can do it, and I think he knows he can do it.

The only problem I see with Carpenter is his toughness, and I think that's mental. If he can get past that, I think he's the second best linebacker on the team.

OK, now you're getting too optimistic for even me and my homerism.

 

[Clove]

OK, now you're getting too optimistic for even me and my homerism.

I wanted Carpenter on the team, I thought he would be traded or cut this past season, so this means they see something in him.

When I watched him play, the only thing I saw wrong was him not getting his nose into all the plays. For some reason, he when it seems like the play is about to conclude he stops, instead of getting up in there and finishing it off.

Plus, I think in some small way, that maybe he doesn't like the first contact that 3-4 linebackers have to deal with all the time, maybe he likes to just flow through traffic untouched and make plays. I hope this isn't the case.

 

[jobberone]

I thought that was the position Stewart played (ILB) when playing for Wade previously.

I think we can keep 10 LBs if we have 6 DL and 9 Secondary guys (excluding Hodge). I guess you can partly count Hodge as a SS as well. (On Offense, 3 QBs, 5 WRs, 9 OL, 3 RBs, and either 1 FB and 3 TEs or 0 FB and 4 TEs, plus 4 ST guys.)

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens in camp.

Stewart has played outside exclusively I think. I think its Rogers or Carpenter for the Mike and I'd rather have Rogers there altho Carp is probably better as a Mo/Nickel/Dime and can play the Mike and Will. Rogers spelled Ware the very few times he came out on D.