News: DMN: Cowboys' Justin Durant expects 'fight' for linebacker spots in training camp

[NewsBot]

*** Message was removed by demand from DMN ***

 

[WoodysGirl]

Definitely one of the more intriguing roster battles on the team.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm hoping to see all 3 Hitchens, Holloman and Durant all performing well this pre season. I don't want to see a winner by default

 

[jazzcat22]

Hopefully they all have a great TC and push each other. Create some competition so the best in them emerge. And even the back-ups stay better that way.
No one gets handed the position because of lack effort.
I can still see some other players being brought in at some point to compete, but more to take a look type deal and see if anyone is better than even the LB's at the bottom of the depth chart.

 

[LittleD]

I'm hoping to see all 3 Hitchens, Holloman and Durant all performing well this pre season. I don't want to see a winner by default

Broaddus has studied both Durant and Holloman extensively on tape and during minicamps and is pretty sure
that Holloman will take that spot because of his ability to play the pass in the middle. He feels that Durant
will be exposed by his lack of coverage ability. JMVHO!

 

[xwalker]

Broaddus has studied both Durant and Holloman extensively on tape and during minicamps and is pretty sure
that Holloman will take that spot because of his ability to play the pass in the middle. He feels that Durant
will be exposed by his lack of coverage ability. JMVHO!

Holloman didn't play MLB in the OTAs/mini-camp.

Broaddus is basing this opinion on what they did last year.

 

[Doomsday101]

Broaddus has studied both Durant and Holloman extensively on tape and during minicamps and is pretty sure
that Holloman will take that spot because of his ability to play the pass in the middle. He feels that Durant
will be exposed by his lack of coverage ability. JMVHO!

He may be right, this is why they will go through camp and battle for the position. Personally it does not matter to me who wins the spot what matters is whoever wins the spot produces

 

[big dog cowboy]

I don't want to see a winner by default

No one wants to see that. Earn the position by outplaying your competition.

 

[Doomsday101]

No one wants to see that. Earn the position by outplaying your competition.

True I hope some one leads the way and the others can show ability to be a quality backup and produce on special teams.

 

[LittleD]

Holloman didn't play MLB in the OTAs/mini-camp.

Broaddus is basing this opinion on what they did last year.

Some, I agree. But I also think he has formed his opinion by looking at lots of game tape on both...
Durant in the NFL and Holloman last year and in college. He has said several times that Durant
will be exposed and limited in his ability to cover the pass in the middle which he clearly feels
Holloman is much better at. I know Broaddus spends hours looking at tape and talking with Eberflus and the
other defensive coaches about what they are looking for at MLB. I know it's just one man's opinion, but he
has access to countless volumes of tape and that was his trade in stock for years... Just saying...

 

[speedkilz88]

The problem is that the Cowboys so far do not appear interested in playing Holloman at MLB. That could change in camp but one would think if that was the plan he would have gotten some work there in OTAs.

 

[xwalker]

Some, I agree. But I also think he has formed his opinion by looking at lots of game tape on both...
Durant in the NFL and Holloman last year and in college. He has said several times that Durant
will be exposed and limited in his ability to cover the pass in the middle which he clearly feels
Holloman is much better at. I know Broaddus spends hours looking at tape and talking with Eberflus and the
other defensive coaches about what they are looking for at MLB. I know it's just one man's opinion, but he
has access to countless volumes of tape and that was his trade in stock for years... Just saying...

You're confirming what I said. His opinion is based on the past, not OTAs.

Holloman was a college safety. Coverage should be his strong point.

Durant has good speed/quickness. He should be OK in coverage. I've reviewed him in some game last year and he was solid but unspectacular.

I was surprised that Holloman didn't practice at MLB in the OTAs.

The most important question will not be the SLB, MLB, WLB lineup. It will be who plays the two LB positions in the Nickel. They played Nickel 61% of the snaps last season. Those two spots will be between Carter, Durant and Holloman.

 

[LittleD]

You're confirming what I said. His opinion is based on the past, not OTAs.

Holloman was a college safety. Coverage should be his strong point.

Durant has good speed/quickness. He should be OK in coverage. I've reviewed him in some game last year and he was solid but unspectacular.

I was surprised that Holloman didn't practice at MLB in the OTAs.

The most important question will not be the SLB, MLB, WLB lineup. It will be who plays the two LB positions in the Nickel. They played Nickel 61% of the snaps last season. Those two spots will be between Carter, Durant and Holloman.

I believe I heard from DC.com that Holloman was out for some of the practices because he was nursing a hamstring condition.
That might have limited him is trying to nail down a spot. Broaddus said yesterday that he feels Holloman will be give a
legitimate shot at that job in training camp and is the best player to win it... His view not mine...

 

[xwalker]

I believe I heard from DC.com that Holloman was out for some of the practices because he was nursing a hamstring condition.
That might have limited him is trying to nail down a spot. Broaddus said yesterday that he feels Holloman will be give a
legitimate shot at that job in training camp and is the best player to win it... His view not mine...

The team would be stupid not to give Holloman a shot a MLB. He had the best results of anybody that came in at MLB last season after Lee was out.

 

[lwehlers]

I do not think that the starting middle linebacker is on the team yet. I just cannot see Durant as the starter. also hitchens is not ready for a starting spot.

 

[noshame]

Tenacity will rule the day at MLB.

 

[Proximo]

The team would be stupid not to give Holloman a shot a MLB. He had the best results of anybody that came in at MLB last season after Lee was out.

Agree with everything you've said so far about this.

What's your early opinion of who the starting 3 will be in the base 4-3? And how about the nickel?

I like Holloman as well, but his lack of pro experience scares me if he's our starter in the middle. The other thing to at least consider is- he's most likely going to see a lot of playing time in the preseason. If he wins the starting job he's then got at least the 16 regular season games to play through. Can he hold up? I have my reservations. I know it's his 2nd year but he didn't get a lot of playing time as a rookie.

 

[xwalker]

Agree with everything you've said so far about this.

What's your early opinion of who the starting 3 will be in the base 4-3? And how about the nickel?

I like Holloman as well, but his lack of pro experience scares me if he's our starter in the middle. The other thing to at least consider is- he's most likely going to see a lot of playing time in the preseason. If he wins the starting job he's then got at least the 16 regular season games to play through. Can he hold up? I have my reservations. I know it's his 2nd year but he didn't get a lot of playing time as a rookie.

Holloman is 6-2, 242. Size is not an issue in terms of holding up.

Durant is the one that's a bit undersized at 6-1, 228; although, the listed weights are not always accurate. I think they probably like the idea of having his veteran presence on the field.

I like the pick of Hitchens based on his college game footage; however, I don't think they need a rookie playing LB if they can help it. Having said that, I think he could handle it if needed. The issue it that Carter is most likely the WLB and is not exactly the savvy veteran. The SLB is most likely Wilber or Holloman who are both young players. They're going to have a young Safety and several young players up front. LB is probably the best place to have some veteran presence.

 

[Picksix]

I do not think that the starting middle linebacker is on the team yet. I just cannot see Durant as the starter. also hitchens is not ready for a starting spot.

Perhaps. Any guesses as to who that might be?

 

[jobberone]

Some, I agree. But I also think he has formed his opinion by looking at lots of game tape on both...
Durant in the NFL and Holloman last year and in college. He has said several times that Durant
will be exposed and limited in his ability to cover the pass in the middle which he clearly feels
Holloman is much better at. I know Broaddus spends hours looking at tape and talking with Eberflus and the
other defensive coaches about what they are looking for at MLB. I know it's just one man's opinion, but he
has access to countless volumes of tape and that was his trade in stock for years... Just saying...

He's worth listening to just not always right.