LittleD
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I thought some of you might enjoy this read on our DL players from another board. He has some some pretty good observations though from a hometown perspective. Enjoy.....
THE D-LINE
Filed under: The Roundup— vincent.sample @ 10:48 pm
Next up in my positional analysis of the Cowboys roster and potential battles’ going into training camp is the defensive line. This unit is shaping up to rival that of the cornerbacks as the strength of the defense. The first thought that might come to most fans minds is the lost of Glover over the off season. Now any loss of a perennial pro bowl player off your roster cannot be looked at as good, but sometimes everything cannot be assessed with a look.
Ends:
Gregg Ellis – Ellis was the 1round choice of the Cowboys in 1998. He has brought dependability, durability, and character to our defensive on a consistent basis. He has started 118 of a potential 124 games during his career, missing only four games due to injury in his career. In his eight NFL seasons, he has led the team in sacks five times; and six times he has led all Dallas defensive linemen in tackles. With Bill Parcells arrival to the Cowboys Ellis has continued to firmly establish himself as a true team leader with a level of production, consistency and versatility, that showcase his toughness and unselfishness. At 6-6 280 pounds, he has playing both the right defensive end position in the 3 – 4 and his old left end position in the 4 man nickel set during pass rushing situations. In 2005 Ellis efficiently produces and proved he was capable of the type of all-around game that makes him one of the league’s most complete linemen even though he was playing out of position. In 2005 despite splitting time and not starting the last two games, Ellis still managed 8 sacks – one off his career high. Ellis plays a vital role on the Cowboy defense as a pass rush specialist and consistent veteran presence.
Marcus Spears – Spears had an OK 2005 season. He was solid but didn’t often enough flash the talent that made him the 20 pick in 2004’s draft – mostly because of a high ankle injury and a knee injury that sidelined him for a few games. He never fully recovered last season but was able to play threw it. 2006 promises to see a bigger, stronger, and most importantly health Marcus Spears. With an off-season under his belt, it appears Marcus will play at about 310 pounds to go with his almost 6’5 frame – adding about 12 –14 pounds of muscle. As very quick for his size as he is, this will not bode well for opposing offensive linemen.
Chris Canty — Forth round pick Chris Canty was somewhat of a surprise last year. He was not fully expected to play as quickly as he did last year, but once he did get on the field the results were pretty clear. He is going to be haaaard to handle for the remainder of his career. His 6-7 now 300+ pound frame promises to be a mainstay at that 3 – 4 end spot for years to come. He took over the starting role from Gregg at the end of the year and played well all year. Better than even 1 round pick Spears. He reminds me of a cross between Too Tall Jones and Jim Jeffcoat.
Jay Ratliff – Ratliff is a big athletic rangy framed big man with long arms and legs, tapered calves and thighs and good upper body muscle development. He has the speed needed to chase down the quarterback when working along the line and he gets low in his stance and stops ball carriers when meeting them head on in the hole. He uses his hands well to hold-on and drag down opponents and he is effective knifing into the backfield to flush out the quarterback and has a decent rip-and-swim move to complement a good bull rush. He is tough and aggressive and in limited play last year seemed to have something. I liked the player. He will provide nice depth inside and out when the team plays a traditional 4 man line.
Jason Hatcher– Obviously Jason is a rookie, but he is intriguing. Strictly off looks, He appears to be a more athletic version of Chris Canty. The guy looks good. The question marks are his experience level and the level of competition he played against. The 2004 season was his first full year at defensive end. He had 33 tackles (eleven solo) including ten for a loss of 45 yards. He had five sacks for a loss of 33 yards along with blocking two kicks and breaking up a pass. In his best game he had eight tackles, two for a loss, and a sack. I don’t know, but Jerry compared the guy to Leon Lett. We can only hope.
Coleman – Why bother?
Tackles:
Jason Ferguson – In 2005 the Cowboys looking to switch from the classic 4 –3 the team had incorporated for most of it’s existence in exchange for a 3-4 defensive front. The need for a true nose tackle was evident because it was clear that La’Roi Glover though an excellent player, was not quite suited at his size to play that tough position. When Jason Ferguson hit the free agent market, the club reacted quickly and got him signed. Ferguson gives Dallas a proven veteran presence on the interior of their defensive over the center at nose tackle. He is 6’3 310 pounds and a strong man. Jason missed the entire 2001 season with a torn rotator cuff and was hindered most of the 2005 season with a high ankle sprain, but over his career he has proven to be durable, missing only seven of a potential 124 regular season career games. Jason has gotten better over the years and Dallas hopes he can play at the level he did his last two year with the Jets were he posted a 135-tackle, 8-sack and 4 passes defended.
Thomas Johnson – Thomas Johnson is a 6’2 295 pound spark plug that Parcells says reminds him of Pepper Johnson, and that’s enough for me. He was a leader and disruptive force for the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State. As a senior he showed his consistency as he posted his second straight year with 47 tackles with eight tackles for losses and four sacks. Johnson only played in 1 game last year, but we can bet with Glover gone, in ’06 he will get his opportunity to show his worth.
Montavious Stanley – Montavious is already my new favorite Cowboy defensive character. All who heard his interview with Jerry Jones on Draft day know, we have got our new Nate Newton. “HEY! HEY! HOW BOUT DEM COWBOOOYS.” Energy man; from a guy who says the Cowboys were his favorite team since he was a boy.
Montavious is a big, strong, athletic Nose Tackle, one of the few, and I think the best in the 2006 NFL draft. YES better than Nagata of Oregon. I saw that fella pushed around toooo much last year. Montavious has long arms and ability to clog up space and occupy multiple blockers. As a senior in 2005 Stanley earned All-Big East Conference honors for the Cardinals of Louisville. The tackle ranked fifth on the team with a career-high 48 tackles (27 solos) and set career-highs with 5.5 sacks and ten stops behind the line of scrimmage. Hey, he is a rookie, but I have a feeling this guy is going to positively impact this Cowboy very quickly.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
5.02 in the 40-yard dash…Bench presses 225 pounds 30 times…550-pound back squat… 328- pound hang clean…33-inch arm length…9 �-inch hands…Left-handed
Overview
The biggest reason this is not my favorite part of the defense is the NT position. I would feel a lot more comfortable if the team traded out Johnson or Ratliff to the practice squad for a Grady Jackson. I just hate the prospects of an injury to Ferguson being all that stands between Johnson or Stanley being our depth in the middle of the defense. Now I like both players but Johnson played about 10 snaps all of last year and Stanley as much as I like him as not played at all. Now the Ends, I could not be happier with. Even though we are almost as young there, both of last years rookies have 16 games under there belts and they gave a fine account of themselves last year. We should be fixed at this spot for years. I feel the same about the Nose, but there are questions due to experience.
I think we can clearly see how this defense is shaping up. And the next and last group to be covered will be the heart of this defense.
Next up Linebackers.
THE D-LINE
Filed under: The Roundup— vincent.sample @ 10:48 pm
Next up in my positional analysis of the Cowboys roster and potential battles’ going into training camp is the defensive line. This unit is shaping up to rival that of the cornerbacks as the strength of the defense. The first thought that might come to most fans minds is the lost of Glover over the off season. Now any loss of a perennial pro bowl player off your roster cannot be looked at as good, but sometimes everything cannot be assessed with a look.
Ends:
Gregg Ellis – Ellis was the 1round choice of the Cowboys in 1998. He has brought dependability, durability, and character to our defensive on a consistent basis. He has started 118 of a potential 124 games during his career, missing only four games due to injury in his career. In his eight NFL seasons, he has led the team in sacks five times; and six times he has led all Dallas defensive linemen in tackles. With Bill Parcells arrival to the Cowboys Ellis has continued to firmly establish himself as a true team leader with a level of production, consistency and versatility, that showcase his toughness and unselfishness. At 6-6 280 pounds, he has playing both the right defensive end position in the 3 – 4 and his old left end position in the 4 man nickel set during pass rushing situations. In 2005 Ellis efficiently produces and proved he was capable of the type of all-around game that makes him one of the league’s most complete linemen even though he was playing out of position. In 2005 despite splitting time and not starting the last two games, Ellis still managed 8 sacks – one off his career high. Ellis plays a vital role on the Cowboy defense as a pass rush specialist and consistent veteran presence.
Marcus Spears – Spears had an OK 2005 season. He was solid but didn’t often enough flash the talent that made him the 20 pick in 2004’s draft – mostly because of a high ankle injury and a knee injury that sidelined him for a few games. He never fully recovered last season but was able to play threw it. 2006 promises to see a bigger, stronger, and most importantly health Marcus Spears. With an off-season under his belt, it appears Marcus will play at about 310 pounds to go with his almost 6’5 frame – adding about 12 –14 pounds of muscle. As very quick for his size as he is, this will not bode well for opposing offensive linemen.
Chris Canty — Forth round pick Chris Canty was somewhat of a surprise last year. He was not fully expected to play as quickly as he did last year, but once he did get on the field the results were pretty clear. He is going to be haaaard to handle for the remainder of his career. His 6-7 now 300+ pound frame promises to be a mainstay at that 3 – 4 end spot for years to come. He took over the starting role from Gregg at the end of the year and played well all year. Better than even 1 round pick Spears. He reminds me of a cross between Too Tall Jones and Jim Jeffcoat.
Jay Ratliff – Ratliff is a big athletic rangy framed big man with long arms and legs, tapered calves and thighs and good upper body muscle development. He has the speed needed to chase down the quarterback when working along the line and he gets low in his stance and stops ball carriers when meeting them head on in the hole. He uses his hands well to hold-on and drag down opponents and he is effective knifing into the backfield to flush out the quarterback and has a decent rip-and-swim move to complement a good bull rush. He is tough and aggressive and in limited play last year seemed to have something. I liked the player. He will provide nice depth inside and out when the team plays a traditional 4 man line.
Jason Hatcher– Obviously Jason is a rookie, but he is intriguing. Strictly off looks, He appears to be a more athletic version of Chris Canty. The guy looks good. The question marks are his experience level and the level of competition he played against. The 2004 season was his first full year at defensive end. He had 33 tackles (eleven solo) including ten for a loss of 45 yards. He had five sacks for a loss of 33 yards along with blocking two kicks and breaking up a pass. In his best game he had eight tackles, two for a loss, and a sack. I don’t know, but Jerry compared the guy to Leon Lett. We can only hope.
Coleman – Why bother?
Tackles:
Jason Ferguson – In 2005 the Cowboys looking to switch from the classic 4 –3 the team had incorporated for most of it’s existence in exchange for a 3-4 defensive front. The need for a true nose tackle was evident because it was clear that La’Roi Glover though an excellent player, was not quite suited at his size to play that tough position. When Jason Ferguson hit the free agent market, the club reacted quickly and got him signed. Ferguson gives Dallas a proven veteran presence on the interior of their defensive over the center at nose tackle. He is 6’3 310 pounds and a strong man. Jason missed the entire 2001 season with a torn rotator cuff and was hindered most of the 2005 season with a high ankle sprain, but over his career he has proven to be durable, missing only seven of a potential 124 regular season career games. Jason has gotten better over the years and Dallas hopes he can play at the level he did his last two year with the Jets were he posted a 135-tackle, 8-sack and 4 passes defended.
Thomas Johnson – Thomas Johnson is a 6’2 295 pound spark plug that Parcells says reminds him of Pepper Johnson, and that’s enough for me. He was a leader and disruptive force for the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State. As a senior he showed his consistency as he posted his second straight year with 47 tackles with eight tackles for losses and four sacks. Johnson only played in 1 game last year, but we can bet with Glover gone, in ’06 he will get his opportunity to show his worth.
Montavious Stanley – Montavious is already my new favorite Cowboy defensive character. All who heard his interview with Jerry Jones on Draft day know, we have got our new Nate Newton. “HEY! HEY! HOW BOUT DEM COWBOOOYS.” Energy man; from a guy who says the Cowboys were his favorite team since he was a boy.
Montavious is a big, strong, athletic Nose Tackle, one of the few, and I think the best in the 2006 NFL draft. YES better than Nagata of Oregon. I saw that fella pushed around toooo much last year. Montavious has long arms and ability to clog up space and occupy multiple blockers. As a senior in 2005 Stanley earned All-Big East Conference honors for the Cardinals of Louisville. The tackle ranked fifth on the team with a career-high 48 tackles (27 solos) and set career-highs with 5.5 sacks and ten stops behind the line of scrimmage. Hey, he is a rookie, but I have a feeling this guy is going to positively impact this Cowboy very quickly.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
5.02 in the 40-yard dash…Bench presses 225 pounds 30 times…550-pound back squat… 328- pound hang clean…33-inch arm length…9 �-inch hands…Left-handed
Overview
The biggest reason this is not my favorite part of the defense is the NT position. I would feel a lot more comfortable if the team traded out Johnson or Ratliff to the practice squad for a Grady Jackson. I just hate the prospects of an injury to Ferguson being all that stands between Johnson or Stanley being our depth in the middle of the defense. Now I like both players but Johnson played about 10 snaps all of last year and Stanley as much as I like him as not played at all. Now the Ends, I could not be happier with. Even though we are almost as young there, both of last years rookies have 16 games under there belts and they gave a fine account of themselves last year. We should be fixed at this spot for years. I feel the same about the Nose, but there are questions due to experience.
I think we can clearly see how this defense is shaping up. And the next and last group to be covered will be the heart of this defense.
Next up Linebackers.
