Did we fix the Defense?

[Kaiser]

Now that the dust has settled (except for late UDFAs), did we fix our defense? We seemed to have filled the one critical position of need and added the depth we needed – plus we will have another 3 Million to spend on a FA when we get the salary cap relief from cutting Miles Austin.

We took 3 DL – one with a first round grade at the only pressing position of need. Bishop and Gardner came in the 7th but Bishop is a great scheme fit and no one would have blinked had we taken him in the 5th. Gardner likely would have gone much higher except for his injury. With those three our DL rotation looks like this IMO:

LDE – Selvie / Lawrence / Mincey

3 Tech - Melton / Bass

1 Tech - McClain / Hayden / Ken Bishop

RDE - Crawford / Spencer / Ben Gardner


At LB we took two guys that can be solid special teamers as rookies and add depth behind the starters. Holloman and Wilber will likely be greatly improved next year with the experience they got this year. Carter is a wildcard but could easily improve over last year (and should).

At DB we added a developmental CB and S, but the main improvement should come from Wilcox, Heath and Hamilton improving from the normal jump second year players make, with all three already having more experience on the field than rookies should get.

We added the pass rusher we needed, a future All Pro OG, some good rotation types and still have the 3 million in June. I would call this draft a success.

 

[The Natural]

We added the pass rusher we needed, a future All Pro OG, some good rotation types and still have the 3 million in June. I would call this draft a success.

Lets wait till the guys take the field

 

[MonsterD]

Somehow I think Bishop will be able to best Hayden.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Fixed? No. At least not yet. We're going to have to see how Melton, Bass and Crawford come back from their injuries.

Probably need another high draft pick on the defensive line to close the gap even more.

Hatcher and Ware were big talents... And I'm not sure if they've been replaced (or close to it for that matter).

I like the direction the defense is headed but still a lot of uncertainty.

 

[RS12]

Did we fix the Defense?

No. I dont think they will be 32nd again but still bottom third. Dont see appreciable upgrades anywhere. Maybe rookie Lawrence bests slipping Ware. Still nothing but question marks just about everywhere. Best hope is take advantage of team strength O Line and control the clock. That isnt Linehan's M O though.

 

[rockj7]

Realistically its going to take 1 more draft to fix that thing we call a defense and Im being positive when I say that

 

[DBOY3141]

The draft plus health we will see an improvement. Defense is two drafts away from being close to top 10. This was the 1st step. Excited for training camp.

 

[Eddie]

We added the pass rusher we needed, a future All Pro OG, some good rotation types and still have the 3 million in June. I would call this draft a success.

You guys astound me sometimes. Martin hasn't even stepped on the field yet, and you're anointing him a future All Pro???????????

 

[Wood]

[quote="

LDE – Selvie / Lawrence / Mincey

3 Tech - Melton / Bass

1 Tech - McClain / Hayden / Ken Bishop

RDE - Crawford / Spencer / Ben Gardner

[/quote]

I really can't get my hands around how I feel about that lineup yet. They could grow in big way or be total disaster. I wouldn't be surprised either way. Atleast Dallas is acknowledging DT exist in draft.

 

[jobberone]

Improved. I see Selvie and Lawrence as the WDE and the others as SDE but I get the big picture. We are improved.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

No. I dont think they will be 32nd again but still bottom third. Dont see appreciable upgrades anywhere. Maybe rookie Lawrence bests slipping Ware. Still nothing but question marks just about everywhere. Best hope is take advantage of team strength O Line and control the clock. That isnt Linehan's M O though.

I think by the end of the season if Lee and Melton aren't in the top 4 of the defense when it comes to snap count then the Cowboys have had another tough season on defense.

 

[Deep_South]

I think we're probably a year away from getting up to even an average defense. But, we will be improved, and that means we should be able to get a few more timely stops, which could get us back into the playoffs.

 

[guag]

"Fix" isn't a word I'd use, but improve? Certainly. We added at least 1 starter and at the very least, solid depth with the rest.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

You guys astound me sometimes. Martin hasn't even stepped on the field yet, and you're anointing him a future All Pro???????????

Very possible, at worst I think he is multiple probowler

 

[SacramentoKing]

Now that the dust has settled (except for late UDFAs), did we fix our defense? We seemed to have filled the one critical position of need and added the depth we needed – plus we will have another 3 Million to spend on a FA when we get the salary cap relief from cutting Miles Austin.

We took 3 DL – one with a first round grade at the only pressing position of need. Bishop and Gardner came in the 7th but Bishop is a great scheme fit and no one would have blinked had we taken him in the 5th. Gardner likely would have gone much higher except for his injury. With those three our DL rotation looks like this IMO:

LDE – Selvie / Lawrence / Mincey

3 Tech - Melton / Bass

1 Tech - McClain / Hayden / Ken Bishop

RDE - Crawford / Spencer / Ben Gardner


At LB we took two guys that can be solid special teamers as rookies and add depth behind the starters. Holloman and Wilber will likely be greatly improved next year with the experience they got this year. Carter is a wildcard but could easily improve over last year (and should).

At DB we added a developmental CB and S, but the main improvement should come from Wilcox, Heath and Hamilton improving from the normal jump second year players make, with all three already having more experience on the field than rookies should get.

We added the pass rusher we needed, a future All Pro OG, some good rotation types and still have the 3 million in June. I would call this draft a success.

Pretty sure Lawrence is a RDE

 

[LatinMind]

SDE Crawford | Selvie, Gardner
3T Melton | Gardner | Bass
1T McClain | Bishop
WDE Lawrence | Mincey

Passrushing package

SDE Selvie
DT Melton
DT Gardner
WDE Lawrence

Short yardage
SDE Crawford
DT Melton
DT McClain
WDE Gardner

 

[Kaiser]

I like the direction the defense is headed but still a lot of uncertainty.

True that. I should have said that we did all we could for the defense within this year's resources.

 

[Picksix]

Now that the dust has settled (except for late UDFAs), did we fix our defense? We seemed to have filled the one critical position of need and added the depth we needed – plus we will have another 3 Million to spend on a FA when we get the salary cap relief from cutting Miles Austin.

We took 3 DL – one with a first round grade at the only pressing position of need. Bishop and Gardner came in the 7th but Bishop is a great scheme fit and no one would have blinked had we taken him in the 5th. Gardner likely would have gone much higher except for his injury. With those three our DL rotation looks like this IMO:

LDE – Selvie / Lawrence / Mincey

3 Tech - Melton / Bass

1 Tech - McClain / Hayden / Ken Bishop

RDE - Crawford / Spencer / Ben Gardner


At LB we took two guys that can be solid special teamers as rookies and add depth behind the starters. Holloman and Wilber will likely be greatly improved next year with the experience they got this year. Carter is a wildcard but could easily improve over last year (and should).

At DB we added a developmental CB and S, but the main improvement should come from Wilcox, Heath and Hamilton improving from the normal jump second year players make, with all three already having more experience on the field than rookies should get.

We added the pass rusher we needed, a future All Pro OG, some good rotation types and still have the 3 million in June. I would call this draft a success.

Given how bad our defense was last year, and then losing Ware and Hatcher, I don't think it's realistic to fix all that in one draft. But I do feel we're better. But more than the draft, so much of the success we have on defense will be based on health, and production of those that missed last year due to injuries. If we have 48 guys get hurt like we did last year, it'll still be a long year.

 

[Eddie]

Defense will be better if we stay healthy.

Not sure we've moved past the 8-8 barrier.

 

[Kaiser]

You guys astound me sometimes. Martin hasn't even stepped on the field yet, and you're anointing him a future All Pro???????????

Plenty of draft publication have said he can/will be an All Pro if he stays at OG. They had a top ten grade on him in a deep draft, if you look at the Guards taken top ten in most years they have been All Pro's. The comment isn't a stretch by any means, Mr Hou.