DL Higher Priority Than OLB

[Chuck 54]

Or should be...

Yes, we all want a better compliment to Ware. However, Ware and his desired sidekick would only both rush the QB together in a 5 man blitz package or when you remove a DL for a DB.

We won't see consistent pressure from the basic 4 man rush including the front 3 + Ware until we bring in at least one stud on the DL. I know Ware can win his share of 1-1 battles, and I think Ratliff can win some 1-1; however most of the other DL don't get it done.

Teams can double Ratliff inside, single the other two linemen and help the OT on Ware with a back or TE and have no worries, and that's teams without studs at LT who can win some 1-1 battles with Ware.

Bring in one studd DE who can win some 1-1 pass rush downs, and the entire front 3 changes. You can't double Ware, Ratliff, and one more guy...everyone would benefit, and we'd see more consistent pressure which makes everyone better in the secondary, though it needs some improvements as well.

We constantly lament our blitzes not getting to the QB. Think about this:
Sometimes a blitzing LB or DB breaks free for a sack...however, most NFL lines are coached well enough to pick up the blitz. What you actually see even more often is that the guys on the DL who can win a 1-1 get excited about the blitz because the OL will adjust and slide to pick up the blitzing players, leaving the quality DLmen with opportunities to get the big pressure and sacks.

When teams pick up our blitzers and leave our DEs in 1-1 situations, even against OLmen who are sliding or a little late, it's just another play for them.

I'd love to have it all on defense, but given the choice, I'll pass on replacing Spencer with another pass rushing OLB...I'll resign Spencer for reasonable starter's money and bring in a stud at DE. Once an OL has to worry about Ware, Ratliff, and one more DLman, a JJWatt type, you'll see everyone prosper, even Spencer when he's called upon in a 5 man rush.

I would find that 1 DE...FA or draft.
CB...FA and draft...2 of them.
OG...1 in FA or draft.
ILB...1 unless confident in the young guys.
FS....1

 

[visionary]

i htink we need to upgrade both and here is what i would do

FA:
red bryant (DE)
resign spencer- for rushing downs

Draft:
rd 2: Dontari Poe (NT)
rd 3: Vinny Curry, OLB- to rush only on obvious passing downs

in this defense, both rat and bryant are DEs

this front 7 would create pressure

 

[TheCoolFan]

The OLB would still rush PLENTY of times. The Cowboys play plenty of nickel and rush with four (Ware, Spencer, Ratliff, and Hatcher). Pretty much on every 3rd and 7 or longer, they're not gonna have the OLB drop back in coverage.

The way I see it, we need to upgrade both but finding a better edge rusher is a lot easier than finding a great 3-4 DE because JJ Watt, Richard Seymour, Justin Smith are rare.

 

[ejthedj]

I agree 100%

I kept thinking the exact same thing when I watched Watt and Justin Smith and the Baltimore line and the Giants line. They have difference makers on the line that open up so much more for the speed-edge rushers

The key is getting pressure with 4 players in today's NFL. Blitzing 5 is too easy for Brees etc. You can do it occasionally but why if you can get pressure from 4?

So Spencer is not the problem. He needs to be in coverage most of the time anyway, and if he can get 6-8 sacks, bonus.

I think we have 2 of the four who can get pressure. We need a third and that has to be on the Dline. Move Ratliff out to DE, get either a DT or DE who can cause matchup problems. Then watch as Ware and all the other guys sacks go up as well

 

[Chuck 54]

The OLB would still rush PLENTY of times. The Cowboys play plenty of nickel and rush with four (Ware, Spencer, Ratliff, and Hatcher). Pretty much on every 3rd and 7 or longer, they're not gonna have the OLB drop back in coverage.

The way I see it, we need to upgrade both but finding a better edge rusher is a lot easier than finding a great 3-4 DE because JJ Watt, Richard Seymour, Justin Smith are rare.

The only problem with removing a DL in the nickel is you end up with two OLBs trying to play as DEs and guys like Ratliff and Hatcher trying to play DT...it hasn't worked in the past...no push inside. A better OLB instead of Spencer improves the outside, but you still have nothing inside.

Add a studd at DE, leave Ratliff and Hatcher in their normal spots, or have Rat and the new Stud at DE with Brent or a draft choice at nose, I think you finally have something positive happening inside that improves defense vs run and pass. Just a difference of opinion...anything will help some.