DMN Blog: Who will replace Kevin Burnett in the nickel and dime?

[BAT]

I don't blame him young guys make critical mistakes. I would hope they would get eased into the games as the season moves on and they have a better grasp of what they are doing

Old guys make mistakes too, even the critical ones (see Hamlin tackle against Baltimore, repeat).


It's the same situation in any industry, do you take a chance on young promising talent, knowing full well there will be some growing pains, but potentially high reward, or continue with the same guy who has already peaked but is still marginally productive. Play it safe (not to lose), or play to win?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I don't blame him young guys make critical mistakes. I would hope they would get eased into the games as the season moves on and they have a better grasp of what they are doing

if it comes down to whether to keep the experienced guy on his last legs, or the young guy with loads of potential, that you can hide, it's pretty easy to hide a LB, then I go with the young guy

but your point is taken, and it looks like we could keep everybody, we should carry 9 LBs

 

[Woods]

Right now, I'm leaning towards putting in Carpenter in place of Brooking, and quite possibly taking B James out and putting in Williams - on passing down.

Or at least something like that.

The great news is that Wade has plenty of combinations he can look at.

Hopefully, this infusion of talent will help us get off the field even better on 3rd downs on defense.

 

[BAT]

Right now, I'm leaning towards putting in Carpenter in place of Brooking, and quite possibly taking B James out and putting in Williams - on passing down.

Or at least something like that.

The great news is that Wade has plenty of combinations he can look at.

Hopefully, this infusion of talent will help us get off the field even better on 3rd downs on defense.

And that is my hope as well. Winning supercedes any pet cats. :

 

[Doomsday101]

Old guys make mistakes too, even the critical ones (see Hamlin tackle against Baltimore, repeat).


It's the same situation in any industry, do you take a chance on young promising talent, knowing full well there will be some growing pains, but potentially high reward, or continue with the same guy who has already peaked but is still marginally productive. Play it safe (not to lose), or play to win?

I agree old guys make mistake younger guys tend to make more thus the reason many coaches like Landry hardly ever played a rookie. Granted things are a bit different now than it was then but I think it is still a good ideal easing a rookie into the mix than to overload a rookie. Each guy is different some will adjust quicker than others so I'm not placing a time limit I think that the time given should be based on how comfortable the staff feels about the individual player and where he is in the learning process. We saw BP do the same thing with Romo

 

[TNCowboy]

Wade is just pumping sunshine up Brooking's rear if he thinks Brooking is still a 3 down player. Brooking has not been a 3 down player for a few years now.

And Williams is the best coverage LB on the team now. Carpenter is decent in coverage, but Williams is much more talented, not to mention more physical. And I am for playing the 2 best pass rushing ILBs in the dime packages. I have a feeling James will not be a 3 down LB for long either. Both Williams and Hodge are more natural pass rushers. And aside from last year, both have a more impressive resume when it comes to rushing the passer.

Wade's scheme/play calling allowed Bradie James to rack up 8 sacks last season, can you imagine how many sacks a real pass rushing ILB can put up in Wade's system?

Preposterous. Williams hasn't proven he can even make the roster, much less be the best cover guy on the team.

And if either of the new guys were "real pass rushing ILB(s)", they'd have gone much higher in the draft than they did.

There's a good chance neither of them will ever even be a starter, much less a star. 2 LBs, not taken in the first 2 rounds....that's just the reality of the draft. To project much of anything for either of them is a shot in the dark.

 

[fortdick]

Here's my take on Carp and why I think he's best suited to take over Burnett's role in the sub-packages.

Carp was drafted by Parcells to eventually fit in Parcells' scheme which calls for his OLBs to focus more on coverage and less on pass rush. Remember the days when Parcells use to always run Ware out into coverage and it would drive us all nuts (I never say Madden so livid)? That's why Carp started out as an OLB, and in the playoff game against Seattle had good results from that spot in coverage. His skills suit that type of OLB.

But Parcells' sceme left when he bailed on Dallas and guys like Carp. And when Wade Phillips came in he brought in a better version of the 3-4, where the OLB needs to be more of a pass-rusher and less of a cover guy; hence the drafting of Spencer. So Carp was moved inside because we had no other depth inside and because Burnett, who could cover outside in sub-packages did not have the skills to play inside. So Carp had to be slotted outside - away from his strengths - and got caught in limbo.

But now, Dallas clearly had the option to re-sign Burnett and trade Carp, or let Burnett walk and keep Carp. The fact that Dallas did not even enter serious negotiations with Burnett, or even attempt to match the modest offer he got from the Chargers, should tell you something - and that is that Carp has better potential to play in those sub-packages. That's why Philips is now giving him a shot, because he's taking him out of limbo and letting him settle into a role where he has a great chance to be productive.

And don't believe for a minute that Dallas is only doing this to be nice to Carp or to squeeze all they can out of him, because with the T.O. decision, Dallas made it very clear that they have no qualms about cuting their losses and moving on. What they did with Carp, as with any other player, is evaluated him fairly, and they decided that keeping him was more worthwhile than cutting their losses, and that he was more of valuable long-term option in sub-packages where Burnett once played - because of his strengths in space and coverage.

So I'm pretty optimistic about Carp’s future in the sub-packages role, because I think he has the skills to play well in those sub-packages, because football is important to him and he does work hard t it, and because he seems to hold his confidence even though he has been the target of much ill-criticism. I’m pretty excited about his future to tell you the turth!

That, ...and he'll always be my barbie! :laugh2:

Excellent summation

:bravo:

 

[Doomsday101]

if it comes down to whether to keep the experienced guy on his last legs, or the young guy with loads of potential, that you can hide, it's pretty easy to hide a LB, then I go with the young guy

but your point is taken, and it looks like we could keep everybody, we should carry 9 LBs

Dallas did not bring in Brookings to cut him loose they also did not give him a long term contract with the ideal he is the solution. Brooking understands Wade defense and could benefit some of these young players making the move in the NFL with some having to change position they had in college. As I said the only one who is going to know how quick a player is developing is the staff around them

 

[BAT]

Preposterous. Williams hasn't proven he can even make the roster, much less be the best cover guy on the team.

And if either of the new guys were "real pass rushing ILB(s)", they'd have gone much higher in the draft than they did.

There's a good chance neither of them will ever even be a starter, much less a star. 2 LBs, not taken in the first 2 rounds....that's just the reality of the draft. To project much of anything for either of them is a shot in the dark.

Alright DT, calm down. I happen to be of the opinion which you take an opposing view. Time will determine who is right.


And there have been quite a few "stars" who were drafted after the 2nd round. C'mon now, you know that I am sure. Again, I am more than willing to wager that Williams will be the best coverage LB on team. I know you don't want to bet that he makes the team. That would be taking advantage of you.

 

[BAT]

I agree old guys make mistake younger guys tend to make more thus the reason many coaches like Landry hardly ever played a rookie. Granted things are a bit different now than it was then but I think it is still a good ideal easing a rookie into the mix than to overload a rookie. Each guy is different some will adjust quicker than others so I'm not placing a time limit I think that the time given should be based on how comfortable the staff feels about the individual player and where he is in the learning process. We saw BP do the same thing with Romo

Very succinct Dooms and I completely agee. Never meant to state or infer otherwise. Let the best player play that's all I say. It should not matter if the best player is a rook or a vet, whoever wins it convincingly should get it. I just happen to believe in Williams. No more, no less.

 

[joseephuss]

Re-sign Roy Williams and stick him in as the linebacker in nickel and dime.

 

[TNCowboy]

Alright DT, calm down. I happen to be of the opinion which you take an opposing view. Time will determine who is right.


And there have been quite a few "stars" who were drafted after the 2nd round. C'mon now, you know that I am sure. Again, I am more than willing to wager that Williams will be the best coverage LB on team. I know you don't want to bet that he makes the team. That would be taking advantage of you.

No. He'd have to go Rae Carruth to not make the roster. Whether his play and potential warranted it or not. Dallas isn't cutting it's first draft choice. Doesn't mean he can play.

There are far more stars drafted in the first 2 rounds. That's just a reality of the draft.