News: DMN: Hopefully, these seven Cowboys can make big leaps in 2017

[NewsBot]

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

 

[jobberone]

Interesting she's talking about primarily the DL.

 

[Bullflop]

It'd be great if some of our current players on the DL like Maliek, Tapper and Irving made quantum leaps improving during the offseason. Add a decent pass rusher or two in the draft, and we'd be back in business with a much-improved pass rush. It's not too far-fetched to think it's impossible or perhaps even unlikely. Vast improvement from the 1st to 2nd year is fairly commonplace. Hopefully, it'll materialize.

 

[DandyDon52]

Kristi Scales, sideline reporter for the Dallas Cowboys radio network, answered questions about the team in a live chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.

Which Cowboy do you see bursting onto the scene next year?

Kristi Scales: Linebacker Jaylon Smith is the obvious answer if he can return from the career-threatening knee injury. So instead of Smith, let me choose a few other guys.

I don't know if 'bursting on the scene' is the right way to describe a player heading into his 4th season, but I would love for DeMarcus Lawrence to make a big leap. But two surgeries on his back in the past two offseasons is concerning. When he's healthy (and not suspended for four games like the start of 2016), he can make plays. Pass rush is the biggest need on this team, so any young player who can provide a pass rush needs to make a burst in 2017. Lawrence has the talent; that's why he was a 2nd round pick in 2014. I want to see what he can do when healthy.

Same thing for Charles Tapper, the defensive end whose rookie season in 2016 was derailed by a back injury. Let's see what he can do with a full offseason of work with NFL strength coaches and athletic training staff members.

Maliek Collins had a dynamite rookie season, I can't wait to see what kind of leaps he makes with a full offseason of work in an NFL program. Great future for that young man.

Can David Irving learn to be more consistent in his production? That would be a huge plus.

And it will be interesting, on offense, to see the growth from year 1 to year 2 for WR Andy Jones and TE Rico Gathers. They had a full season on the practice squad in 2016. Looking forward to watching them in camp this coming summer.

Do the Cowboys need to draft a quarterback in April?

Kristi Scales: It's would be a good thing to do (the way Ron Wolf did in Green Bay all those years), especially with uncertainty at backup QB in 2017. Romo will not be back. Sanchez and Moore are free agents, although there's a good chance both (or at least one of them) return. But there are other needs on this team (pass rush, secondary, receiver) that I wouldn't hold my breath on another young QB unless it mid-to-late rounds. The second of the team's 4th round picks last year played pretty well, huh? Let's just hope that same guy (Dak Prescott) stays healthy in 2017.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL CHAT

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Well my question would be how many players from 2015 made big leaps in 2016 ??????
only 1, mo did, then he got hurt and that was end of that.
funny how he rises up in a contract year ??

 

[waving monkey]

Irving raised some eye brows for a while
a few others mildly so

 

[Sarge]

Interesting she's talking about primarily the DL.

Well......that where the biggest "leaps" can be made.

 

[Echo9]

Well my question would be how many players from 2015 made big leaps in 2016 ??????
only 1, mo did, then he got hurt and that was end of that.
funny how he rises up in a contract year ??

Funny how you forgot that 2015 was also a contract year.

 

[Hailmary]

Kavon Frazier may need to step it up depending on what happens to either Wilcox and/or Church.

 

[robjay04]

It'd be great if some of our current players on the DL like Maliek, Tapper and Irving made quantum leaps improving during the offseason. Add a decent pass rusher or two in the draft, and we'd be back in business with a much-improved pass rush. It's not too far-fetched to think it's impossible or perhaps even unlikely. Vast improvement from the 1st to 2nd year is fairly commonplace. Hopefully, it'll materialize.

Yes I agree. This defense really isn't as far as most people bekieve. They had a bad showing against the Packers for sure but that doesn't discount a season where they were one of the best in the league as far as PPG.

Keep the same basic players, expect our young players to show the progressing you expect from young players and add an good pass rusher and a versatile, athletic linebacker(hopefully smith) and defense will be a strength.

 

[jwooten15]

I have more faith/hope in Tapper becoming a player than for Lawrence to ever show up consistently. He's had 3 seasons to "flash" and has yet to do so.

 

[DandyDon52]

-

Funny how you forgot that 2015 was also a contract year.

no I knew that was last year of old contract, but he was out with injury for most of 2015.

 

[Nova]

I think @xwalker had it right. A key FA could really make the difference in how these guys are perceived.

Give the Cowboys a guy like Poe, and Collins probably thrives. Or give us someone that can command a double team at RDE and Irving probably thrives.

I'm about ready to sacrifice opportunity cap space on offense to get a guy like that.

 

[Kolemmitt]

I have more faith/hope in Tapper becoming a player than for Lawrence to ever show up consistently. He's had 3 seasons to "flash" and has yet to do so.

I think he flashed quite a bit last year. In fact, during the 2nd half of 2015 he was darn good. One of the statistically best DE's in the league over the last eight games. Of course, he was healthy and did not waste any of the season on suspension. He was also playing LDE and had a stud (a jerk, but a stud) on the other side. My point is that if he could get healthy and play at his best position, LDE, he could be a very important piece on a very good defense.

This article from Sturm will help illustrate my point:
http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...015-cowboys-defense-splash-play-final-results

 

[Kolemmitt]

I think @xwalker had it right. A key FA could really make the difference in how these guys are perceived.

Give the Cowboys a guy like Poe, and Collins probably thrives. Or give us someone that can command a double team at RDE and Irving probably thrives.

I'm about ready to sacrifice opportunity cap space on offense to get a guy like that.

I agree with this. We have a defense without many holes, but only one real consistent play maker. If we can get a couple of those, this defense would take a major leap.

 

[DallasEast]

Maliek Collins and David Irving are the two biggest x-factors for 2017 on the defensive line in my opinion. I think Irving is one solidly consistent underneath swing move--which he can use to get underneath a lineman's shoulder pad by getting his man off-balance and powering his way through blocks--from upping his game.

Personally, I believe Collins can reach another level by simply getting his legs stronger. She demonstrated flashes of interior dominance using upper body strength mainly. If he works more on strengthening his base, he could mold himself into a Jay Ratliff type fairly quickly but without the mental issues.

 

[Future]

I have more faith/hope in Tapper becoming a player than for Lawrence to ever show up consistently. He's had 3 seasons to "flash" and has yet to do so.

Lawrence has flashed time and time again, consistency - mostly just in staying on the field - has been the issue.

The talent is obviously there.

 

[Aven8]

I think @xwalker had it right. A key FA could really make the difference in how these guys are perceived.

Give the Cowboys a guy like Poe, and Collins probably thrives. Or give us someone that can command a double team at RDE and Irving probably thrives.

I'm about ready to sacrifice opportunity cap space on offense to get a guy like that.

It would just be nice again to have a player teams feared, or had to gameplan for again. It's been awhile!

 

[waving monkey]

Kavon Frazier may need to step it up depending on what happens to either Wilcox and/or Church.

Im liken JJWilcox more

 

[DeaconMoss]

I dont want Moore or Sanchez. I've seen that book and it was awful.

 

[Satchel89]

I was so excited for Tapper and probably too over-excited because of his speed. I just wanted to see him in action. They have some players on the D-Line that I'm excited about just like she is. I don't know about Andy Jones. I am glad they signed McDuffie. He looks like a guy that could replace Lucky. So tired of watching him run sideways for 20 yards to gain 3. I guess I would hope that Jones is a better option then Butler. I don't think he's worth keeping. Who knows about Terrance either. But it would be nice if Gathers can make a jump. Maybe he and Swaim could become a nice combo after Witten leaves.