DMN Blog: The defensive line

[dmq]

The defensive line

11:03 AM Thu, Jan 31, 2008 | Permalink
Calvin Watkins E-mail News tips

On a previous post, I said the Cowboys should draft a defensive lineman.
Some of you are going crazy.

Why?

Nose guards are Jay Ratliff signed to long-term deal and Tank Johnson, who has one year left on his deal.

The defensive ends are Marcus Spears and Chris Canty. Canty has a future here and will probably get a long-term deal. Do many of you want Spears here long-term?

Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen are the backup linemen. Did we forget Jason Ferguson who will be 34 next year and coming off arm sugery. Hatcher has a future as does Bowen but you don't know how good they will be.

You guys like Remi Ayodele? How about Marcus Smith?


Thought so. You have to build for the future and the Cowboys are thinking that especially when it comes to the DLine. If you can get better at a position, you have to take advantage of it.

So, if you have a chance to get Howie Long's kid or the guy from LSU, you mean to tell me, you pass?

Timmy Mac help me out.

 

[Woods]

We can pick up a NT type via Red Bryant, for example, in the 3rd or 4th, most likely.

We'd have Fergy, Bryant, T Johnson (who could probably play DE as well)

Ratliff, Canty, Hatcher, and Bowen. That's 7 already, without Spears.

There is no reason that we can't sign Johnson to a longer-term deal either, assuming he performs and stays out of trouble.

I don't see the point of trading up to get another DL.

 

[masomenos]

I agree, I think we could afford to spend a fairly early (2nd-3rd) pick on a DL. It doesn't seem to be a very deep talent pool this year though.

Trevor Laws is an intriguing prospect who has 112 tackles last year as a DT, has good burst off the snap and has shown very good handwork. But at 6'1 298 lbs he may be a undersized for the job.

Kendall Langford could draw some attention to. He's 6'4 296 lbs at DE and does a good job at penetrating and making plays in the backfield. He is from a smaller school though, but his 236 career tackles, 56 tackles for a loss and 24.5 sacks should give him a boost. He'll be one to look out for come combine/pro day times.

Someone else mentioned Calais Campbell, and I think he's be a good fit, just maybe not in the first round. He's kind of like a big school version of Langford. Very disruptive player who's active against the run and pass evidenced be he 33 stops for a loss in the past two seasons and his 16.5 sacks.

Then of course there are guys like Dorsey and Ellis who most likely wont even be around for our first pick. Just kinda seems like slim pickins this year.

 

[Tyronosaurus77]

I like what we have going on with our DL even if Spears were to leave. I wouldnt oppose to picking up another pass rushing end in the draft. Im not saying that the cowboys have to move into the top 2 picks to get Long or Dorsey either.

How far up could our 22 Spears and Carp get us?

 

[Woods]

I agree, I think we could afford to spend a fairly early (2nd-3rd) pick on a DL. It doesn't seem to be a very deep talent pool this year though.

Trevor Laws is an intriguing prospect who has 112 tackles last year as a DT, has good burst off the snap and has shown very good handwork. But at 6'1 298 lbs he may be a undersized for the job.

Kendall Langford could draw some attention to. He's 6'4 296 lbs at DE and does a good job at penetrating and making plays in the backfield. He is from a smaller school though, but his 236 career tackles, 56 tackles for a loss and 24.5 sacks should give him a boost. He'll be one to look out for come combine/pro day times.

Someone else mentioned Calais Campbell, and I think he's be a good fit, just maybe not in the first round. He's kind of like a big school version of Langford. Very disruptive player who's active against the run and pass evidenced be he 33 stops for a loss in the past two seasons and his 16.5 sacks.

Then of course there are guys like Dorsey and Ellis who most likely wont even be around for our first pick. Just kinda seems like slim pickins this year.

I think our depth issues would be more likely at NT rather than at DE, esp if Ratliff moves to DE with Fergy coming back - at age 34. I wouldn't be surprised to see T Johnson a better fit at DE either, though I guess he could rotate around the DL.


I'd prefer we get a NT, all things equal. Of course, the draft doesn't always work that way . . . .

 

[vlad]

I'm guessing we'd like to have Spears back at the right price. But reality is he is going to command more on the open market (he is at minimum a very good run stopper and really showed improvement last year, so potential = $) than we are going to be willing to pay. I assume with Hatcher and Ratliff presumably moving back to DE to start with Fergy in the middle, they feel if they can get a pick/player of out Spears now, do it before he walks away free.

I will hardly ever complain about drafting Oline/Dline.

 

[Woods]

I'm guessing we'd like to have Spears back at the right price. But reality is he is going to command more on the open market (he is at minimum a very good run stopper and really showed improvement last year, so potential = $) than we are going to be willing to pay. I assume with Hatcher and Ratliff presumably moving back to DE to start with Fergy in the middle, they feel if they can get a pick/player of out Spears now, do it before he walks away free.

I will hardly ever complain about drafting Oline/Dline.

Well, I guess if they want to trade Spears this is the year to do it.

 

[joseephuss]

So, if you have a chance to get Howie Long's kid or the guy from LSU, you mean to tell me, you pass?

Of course if Dallas has a chance to draft Long or Dorsey at their current draft positions they should not pass, but he won't be around when the Cowboys are picking. They aren't going to trade up for either one of those guys because it would take a lot of maneuvering to get that high.

I doubt anyone scoffed at the idea of adding another d-lineman this draft at some point. I just don't believe anyone thinks it is feasible that Dallas trades up to get one of the top d-lineman in this draft.

 

[THUMPER]

IMO D-Line is the least area of need going into FA and the draft. We have a bunch of guys with talent who need more time learning the system and some more motivation. Getting Ferguson back will give us even more depth and flexibility.

 

[Sarge]

IMO D-Line is the least area of need going into FA and the draft. We have a bunch of guys with talent who need more time learning the system and some more motivation. Getting Ferguson back will give us even more depth and flexibility.

Agree, as a unit - this is perhaps the least in need of depth/improvement.

 

[ddh33]

Unless someone gets cut or traded, making the team as a D-Lineman is going to be tough. Yeah, I want that position to always be a strength, but it's going to be tough for all those guys to get snaps.

 

[Longboysfan]

From what I have read we will not get anywhere near Howie Long's kid.
Top 5 pick.

 

[burmafrd]

Laws is short and quick and probably could pack on 10-15 more lbs without losing much quickness. Tank is a guy we need to keep. Fergie will only be around another year or so at most. So then we would have Tank and Laws and that would be pretty good. definitly want Ratlif at DE instead of the statue. Canty seems to be really coming on. Hatcher is a good pass rusher and you NEVER have enough of them.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I believe BP may try to lure Spears

 

[Tyronosaurus77]

I believe BP may try to lure Spears

Well then he can have his "chubby checker" back, I believe that Spears roster spot could be improved upon.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think Okam might be around in the second. I know that nobody thinks much of him but he is exceptionally talented. I don't know. I could see us trying to draft him if he's there when we pick.

 

[IndianaCowboyFan]

Well then he can have his "chubby checker" back, I believe that Spears roster spot could be improved upon.

Trade for the first pick of the second round? Giving us esentially 3 first round picks with NEs forfeited pick.