DMN Blog: Free agent report, training camp style

[WoodysGirl]

2:12 PM Mon, Aug 10, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips

The Cowboys were not too active in the free agent mark over the off-season, adding linebacker Keith Brooking, safety Gerald Sensabaugh and defensive end Igor Olshansky.

Here's a quick hit on how they have done in camp so far: (They added quarterback Jon Kitna in a trade from Detroit, so we'll include him in this exercise too.)

BROOKING: The knock on him coming out of Atlanta was that he lost a step after playing 11 seasons for the hometown team. He looks pretty quick out here. He's done a nice job on running backs and tight ends in the passing game and is decent filling the run too. With Bobby Carpenter expected to handle the nickel and dime back spot during the season, Brooking will have to get used to coming off the field. And for a guy who has not missed a play in eight seasons that takes time to get used to.

SENSABAUGH: Even to the untrained eye, there is a huge difference in what he can do in coverage than his predecessors in 2008. He is extremely active and has done a nice job on tight ends. He had four picks as a full-time starter in Jacksonville last year. But what has struck me most is how he fills against the run. He's not afraid of contact. He will stand up to a running back if needed. I've said this before, but Sensabaugh could be one of the best low-cost, high-reward signings the Cowboys have had over the years.

OLSHANSKY: He is replacing Chris Canty in the starting lineup. The reports were strong against the run and not much as a pass rusher. That seems pretty accurate, but team insiders say he has more pass rush than Canty. We'll see. But he is a brick against the run. I have seen two pulling guards run into him and just collapse like their legs were made of jello.

KITNA: He was not too accurate in the early part of camp but when he is hot and on, he is hot. He can fit the ball into tight spots. He can get the job down the field. I like how he puts the ball in spots where only his guy can make a play. It's like he gives the receiver a little notice on where the defender is coming from.


Comments (5) Leave comment | E-mail entry

 

[RS12]

But he is a brick against the run. I have seen two pulling guards run into him and just collapse like their legs were made of jello.

Me like. Still say the line would be better by flip flopping him and Ratliff.

 

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

Me like. Still say the line would be better by flip flopping him and Ratliff.

Rat is a beast on the nose. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[dcfanatic]

Me like. Still say the line would be better by flip flopping him and Ratliff.

Same here.

 

[dcfanatic]

Rat is a beast on the nose. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

The problem with that line of thinking is that you don't know if the team can improve from making the switch. And Rat isn't a run stuffer as a NT.

He's a serious force, but he doesn't absorb two lineman very well. Why put him in that position to do so more often than not if you can avoid it.

 

[Bull Frog]

2
OLSHANSKY:I have seen two pulling guards run into him and just collapse like their legs were made of jello.

Proctor and who else?

 

[dcfanatic]

Proctor and who else?

I don't think Holland runs. He waddles so it wasn't him.

 

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

The problem with that line of thinking is that you don't know if the team can improve from making the switch. And Rat isn't a run stuffer as a NT.

He's a serious force, but he doesn't absorb two lineman very well. Why put him in that position to do so more often than not if you can avoid it.

Well the problem with this line of thinking is that you would be taking two thirds of our D Line and playing them out of their respective positions. JRats skill set is extremely rare on the nose. His quickness makes him very tough to block. Plus, as you mentioned above, you don't KNOW that it could improve the team, and shuffling around a pro bowler just to see if he might possibly be a bit better in another position doesn't make allot of sense. He is dominant at the nose, no need to fiddle with that!

 

[triplets92]

2:12 PM Mon, Aug 10, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips

The Cowboys were not too active in the free agent mark over the off-season, adding linebacker Keith Brooking, safety Gerald Sensabaugh and defensive end Igor Olshansky.

Here's a quick hit on how they have done in camp so far: (They added quarterback Jon Kitna in a trade from Detroit, so we'll include him in this exercise too.)

BROOKING: The knock on him coming out of Atlanta was that he lost a step after playing 11 seasons for the hometown team. He looks pretty quick out here. He's done a nice job on running backs and tight ends in the passing game and is decent filling the run too. With Bobby Carpenter expected to handle the nickel and dime back spot during the season, Brooking will have to get used to coming off the field. And for a guy who has not missed a play in eight seasons that takes time to get used to.

SENSABAUGH: Even to the untrained eye, there is a huge difference in what he can do in coverage than his predecessors in 2008. He is extremely active and has done a nice job on tight ends. He had four picks as a full-time starter in Jacksonville last year. But what has struck me most is how he fills against the run. He's not afraid of contact. He will stand up to a running back if needed. I've said this before, but Sensabaugh could be one of the best low-cost, high-reward signings the Cowboys have had over the years.

OLSHANSKY: He is replacing Chris Canty in the starting lineup. The reports were strong against the run and not much as a pass rusher. That seems pretty accurate, but team insiders say he has more pass rush than Canty. We'll see. But he is a brick against the run. I have seen two pulling guards run into him and just collapse like their legs were made of jello.

KITNA: He was not too accurate in the early part of camp but when he is hot and on, he is hot. He can fit the ball into tight spots. He can get the job down the field. I like how he puts the ball in spots where only his guy can make a play. It's like he gives the receiver a little notice on where the defender is coming from.


Comments (5) Leave comment | E-mail entry

Sounds like the Boys are coming together alright

 

[ZeroClub]

Sensabaugh- here's hoping he actually turns out to be as good as the early reports suggest.

 

[jobberone]

Ratliff is not a big run stuffing NT. He doesn't play a 0 or "2" technique that well. He's perfect for Wade's defense playing a "3" technique. He plays a real 3 technique when we have 4 down lineman and does it well. I think he can play some end but he's kinda small for it. I realize that's almost an oxymoron but he's a better 3 technique NT than a traditional 3-4 DE. Now if you're talking about him playing just a little out there on passing downs then ok.

Playing him at 4 technique is not too different than him playing a 0 technique.

 

[theogt]

The problem with that line of thinking is that you don't know if the team can improve from making the switch. And Rat isn't a run stuffer as a NT.

He's a serious force, but he doesn't absorb two lineman very well. Why put him in that position to do so more often than not if you can avoid it.

In this defense we get pressure from two places -- up the middle and on the outsides. The outside pressure is from the linebackers not the DEs. Thus, the best place to have our best pressure lineman is at nose.

 

[RS12]

The problem with that line of thinking is that you don't know if the team can improve from making the switch. And Rat isn't a run stuffer as a NT.

He's a serious force, but he doesn't absorb two lineman very well. Why put him in that position to do so more often than not if you can avoid it.

My thought is those 7.5 sacks go to 12 sacks with D Ware over his right shoulder. Wade can crate pressure up the middle with the inside LB's. How many 3-4 teams you know have a double digit sack guy at DE?

 

[masomenos]

In this defense we get pressure from two places -- up the middle and on the outsides. The outside pressure is from the linebackers not the DEs. Thus, the best place to have our best pressure lineman is at nose.

Exactly, Ratliff's pressure up the middle limits opposing QBs ability to step up in the pocket. In turn, this allows for the fast guys coming off the edge (Ware/Spencer) to more effectively get to the QB.

It's a beautiful thing.

 

[theogt]

My thought is those 7.5 sacks go to 12 sacks with D Ware over his right shoulder. Wade can crate pressure up the middle with the inside LB's. How many 3-4 teams you know have a double digit sack guy at DE?

Not gonna happen at all with him going up against tackles, rather than centers.

 

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

Exactly, Ratliff's pressure up the middle limits opposing QBs ability to step up in the pocket. In turn, this allows for the fast guys coming off the edge (Ware/Spencer) to more effectively get to the QB.

It's a beautiful thing.

+1

 

[lwehlers]

+1

i think ratliff is perfect for this 3-4 defense that wade runs. its a one gap if it was a two gap system then igor is better at the nose. in wades defense the nt needs to be able to rush the qb like ratliff can in the last 3-4 parcell did not want his nt to rush he wanted that player to hold his position. igor would be good in parcells defense. then again he has played in wades defense the last four years so he is used to his re spot and knows what to do. if he has to switch to the nose he might not be good until a few games. ends and nose tackles have different assignments in the 3-4 defense.

 

[BAT]

I don't think Holland runs. He waddles so it wasn't him.

Holland "swims", he spends so much time in the prone position.

 

[BAT]

In this defense we get pressure from two places -- up the middle and on the outsides. The outside pressure is from the linebackers not the DEs. Thus, the best place to have our best pressure lineman is at nose.

*ding*ding*ding* We have a winner! The DEs in Wade's scheme are more like DTs in a 4-3. Wade likes to isolate Rat on the center. The 5-2 scheme I played in HS did the same thing, we took an oversized LB and played him closer to the LOS right over the center or shaded, we called that position NG.

 

[Big Country]

Me like. Still say the line would be better by flip flopping him and Ratliff.

The NT is the best fit when they are the squat body type. I think Rat fits that body style better than Igor.

Proctor and who else?

i thought the same thing