Did we fix the Defense?

[big dog cowboy]

No one had to account for Ware last year. He was in 13 games with 40 tackles last season. He had 6 sacks, which tied him for 51st in the NFL with eight others who had six sacks. Replacing the 2009 version of Ware would be very hard. Replacing the 2013 version of Ware won't be hard at all.

A lot more truth in that post than most would want to admit.

 

[the_h0wey]

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.

Yes we did. Never again will you have to worry about our Defense brother! We did it!!! It only took 1 draft.

 

[Kaiser]

A lot more truth in that post than most would want to admit.

And I was a guy that wanted to bring Ware back on a restructure. I wouldn't roll the dice for anywhere near what Denver paid but I would have for less. But the fact Dallas let him walk tells you what they think about his health. I'll always love the guy but there is no way I would have matched Denver's offer.

 

[KJJ]

And he had all of 2 sacks over the remaining 13 games of the season. Yeah, I'm sure opposing coaches lost sleep over that.

As if the opposing coaches knew after week 3 he would only have 2 sacks the remaining 13 games? lol The opposing coaches game planned for the Demarcus Ware they had been seeing the past 9 years and who put up 4 sacks in the first 3 games of the 2013 season. Many a coach lost sleep trying to game plan Ware and with him gone to Denver the Cowboys opponents in the NFC East are breathing a sigh of relief knowing their defense has become even easier to shred with him out of the picture. Ware only put up 8 sacks his rookie year while Parcells was converting the defense from the 4-3 to the 3-4. Injuries and Kiffin's 4-3 defense is what brought Ware's numbers down.

 

[Vanilla2]

Fix no.

Hopefully pushed lower ceiling guys off the roster?

Yes.

 

[mmillman]

Defense will be better if we stay healthy.

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

Losing ware and hatcher makes that statement questionable IMOIMO

 

[Aurican]

Yes we did. Never again will you have to worry about our Defense brother! We did it!!! It only took 1 draft.

LOL yes get your Super Bowl tickets ready

 

[Marktui]

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.

Defense cannot be fixed till they get on the field. We added depth to the defense at certain positions and upgraded with youth.
Lawrence will be playing RDE (Ware's old spot). I think I heard from Broaddus they are tinkering with Selvie at RDE as well.

I see all these guys playing 35-40 snaps a game if on the 53. Marinelli wants to send these guys in waves like the Seahawks. Keep,them fresh and running hard.

 

[Marktui]

I like the Bishop and Gardner picks. Gardner can play DE and DT. Give some quality snaps. Bishop looks strong and has a quick first step.

 

[OmerV]

You can't say the defense is fixed without even seeing the new players play. Not to mention we're not even sure that Melton or Spencer will play. You spurted a little too early.

premature anticipation?

 

[Kaiser]

premature anticipation?

Yeah, on his face.

 

[Kaiser]

Defense cannot be fixed till they get on the field. We added depth to the defense at certain positions and upgraded with youth.
Lawrence will be playing RDE (Ware's old spot). I think I heard from Broaddus they are tinkering with Selvie at RDE as well.

I see all these guys playing 35-40 snaps a game if on the 53. Marinelli wants to send these guys in waves like the Seahawks. Keep,them fresh and running hard.

I think the wave attack has clearly been the plan, both for performance and the lack of picks/cap space to bring in a dominant DeMarcus Ware type. I think that is another reason they were so adamant about getting Demarcus Lawrence, but its likely to be a big improvement regardless.

I've always thought Selvie would move to RDE, and Selvie/Lawrence/Mincy is going to be an improvement over the hobbled Ware we saw for the last 3/4 the season. Spencer is a question mark but Crawford/Spencer/Gardner will be an improvement over Selvie taking all the reps in his first full year at the position. McCain/Bishop/Hayden will be a big improvement over Hayden taking every snap.

 

[OmerV]

Yeah, on his face.

That's graphic ... lol