DMN: Machota: Cowboys, Packers, Seahawks; how I rank Dallas among that trio of teams

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Machota: Cowboys, Packers, Seahawks ... how I rank Dallas among that trio of teams

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Staff Writer

Published: 22 May 2015 07:16 PM

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SportsDay's Jon Machota answered questions in a chat Friday. Here are some highlights.

Question: How do you feel about the PAT change? Call me a Puritan but I wished it remained unchanged

Jon Machota: I really don't care. The old way certainly didn't seem to be stopping anyone from tuning into the games. NFL's doing OK in the fan department. If I was a kicker, I'd probably be a little more upset.

Question: If the Hardy suspension stands at 10 games. Wouldn't it make sense just to cut him? How effect can he really be for those final games considering how much time he's really missed

Jon Machota: Hardy is a special player. He'll be ready when his suspension is up. He's such an elite pass rusher that he could end up leading the team in sacks by only playing half the season.

Question: What can you tell us about this CB Corey White?

Jon Machota: No problem. He was more of a reserve type player during his time in New Orleans, however, he did start nine games last season. He has position flex at corner and safety. He’s 6-1, 205 and just turned 25. He had his best statistical season in 2014, finishing with 53 tackles, six pass breakups, two interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble.

Question: Where do you put Cowboys in NFC hierarchy - behind Seattle? Behind Seattle and Green Bay? At the top?

Jon Machota: I put them third behind Green Bay and Seattle. If they were able to keep Murray or add a significant upgrade at RB, my ranking would change. Murray played too big of a role last season for me to just think McFadden and Randle will seamlessly step in and pick up where he left off. If they somehow do, then Dallas belongs in the conversation with the other two.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL CHAT

On Twitter:
@jonmachota

 

[Maxmadden]

I think the Seahawks take another tiny step back this year relative to the rest of the league. Russel Wilson showed chinks in his armor last year when forced to carry the team. Until we can put some pressure on the QB and improve our pass D we are going to play 2nd fiddle to GB.

 

[Jstopper]

I think the Seahawks take another tiny step back this year relative to the rest of the league. Russel Wilson showed chinks in his armor last year when forced to carry the team. Until we can put some pressure on the QB and improve our pass D we are going to play 2nd fiddle to GB.

We've already improved our pass rush and pass defense. We're gonna crush GB and Seattle this year

 

[Maxmadden]

We've already improved our pass rush and pass defense. We're gonna crush GB and Seattle this year

I think so too. People forget when we had the Triplets and won those SB's, the defense was suffocating. I used to get more excited about the defense coming on the the field than the offense. I am optimistically hoping your correct.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think the Seahawks take another tiny step back this year relative to the rest of the league. Russel Wilson showed chinks in his armor last year when forced to carry the team. Until we can put some pressure on the QB and improve our pass D we are going to play 2nd fiddle to GB.

The other thing that doesn't get enough attention IMO is that Seattle gave up their best offensive lineman (Unger) in order to get a non-blocking TE in Jimmy Graham (and the 1st round pick).

Graham will help their passing game some, but he won't have the impact he had in New Orleans,

And Seattle's Oline, which wasn't any great shakes last year has gotten even weaker.

Finally I think that horrible call by Carroll at the end of the SB is going to haunt this club mentally.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Still lots of respect for GB. Until the Cowboy defense can show that it can put up some sort of resistance to the GB offense I'm putting them above the Cowboys.

 

[JohnsKey19]

The other thing that doesn't get enough attention IMO is that Seattle gave up their best offensive lineman (Unger) in order to get a non-blocking TE in Jimmy Graham (and the 1st round pick).

Graham will help their passing game some, but he won't have the impact he had in New Orleans,

And Seattle's Oline, which wasn't any great shakes last year has gotten even weaker.

Finally I think that horrible call by Carroll at the end of the SB is going to haunt this club mentally.

Seattles OL lost a couple of its better starters. But they've managed to be a good running team with a boatload of injuries there in recent years. I imagine they will be fine there.

If Hardy's suspension is reduced to 4 games or less, I'd imagine the Cowboys will be ranked only a hair behind GB by the Vegas bookmakers as NFC favorites.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Seattles OL lost a couple of its better starters. But they've managed to be a good running team with a boatload of injuries there in recent years. I imagine they will be fine there.

If Hardy's suspension is reduced to 4 games or less, I'd imagine the Cowboys will be ranked only a hair behind GB by the Vegas bookmakers as NFC favorites.

It's going to be the pass protection. Wilson isn't a great passer and some additional pressure will have an affect. And until we see how Seattle's Oline actually does run block, I won't be convinced there won't be a fall-off.

 

[Maxmadden]

The other thing that doesn't get enough attention IMO is that Seattle gave up their best offensive lineman (Unger) in order to get a non-blocking TE in Jimmy Graham (and the 1st round pick).

Graham will help their passing game some, but he won't have the impact he had in New Orleans,

And Seattle's Oline, which wasn't any great shakes last year has gotten even weaker.

Finally I think that horrible call by Carroll at the end of the SB is going to haunt this club mentally.

I thought Seattle played fairly average last year for most of the year. They raised their level of play at the end but they didn't dominate. I think that one play is the turning point for the Seahawks as the rest of the league catches up. If their defense can't dominate then I don't think Wilson will be able to overcome their deficiencies. I think their defense lost a lot of confidence after we steamrolled them. I bet they were super stoked to get to play GB in the playoffs.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I thought Seattle played fairly average last year for most of the year. They raised their level of play at the end but they didn't dominate. I think that one play is the turning point for the Seahawks as the rest of the league catches up. If their defense can't dominate then I don't think Wilson will be able to overcome their deficiencies. I think their defense lost a lot of confidence after we steamrolled them. I bet they were super stoked to get to play GB in the playoffs.

Wilson simply doesn't impress me. I think he gets the benefit of a terrific defense and an excellent running game. Plus he's in a conservative offense that doesn't put him in a lot of situations where he has to carry the load.

 

[Maxmadden]

Wilson simply doesn't impress me. I think he gets the benefit of a terrific defense and an excellent running game. Plus he's in a conservative offense that doesn't put him in a lot of situations where he has to carry the load.

I agree, it will be interesting to see what kind of contract he gets. I think he is a good QB but not franchise good. Tough decision for Seattle.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I agree, it will be interesting to see what kind of contract he gets. I think he is a good QB but not franchise good. Tough decision for Seattle.

There's a reason why he hasn't be extended.

They're (Seattle's brain-trust) not convinced he's a top-5 QB.

 

[big dog cowboy]

There's a reason why he hasn't be extended.

They're (Seattle's brain-trust) not convinced he's a top-5 QB.

No one is because he's not.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

No one is because he's not.

I don't think so either. He's better than Kapernick, but he's still a product of the Seattle system.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Seattle will actually have to face solid QBs in their 6 division games which will at least make those games competitive. They essentially had 4 walkover wins vs St Louis and Arizona last season. Palmer returning healthy and Foles in St Louis will at least challenge the Seahawks D unlike the QBs they faced last season.

 

[perrykemp]

I think all 3 teams have things that they probably think they can hang their hat on in terms of improving next season:

• Dallas - dramatically improved DL with another year of experience for Lawrence, Crawford along with the additions of Hardy and Gregory. A weakness from last year becomes a strength. Pass defense should get better also with the addition of a #1 draft pick. Finally the OL should be better with a bit more experience for Leary, Martin, and Frederick and the possible addition of Collins. This will be the 2nd year in Linehan's offense which will be a positive. Finally, Romo seemed to come into his own last year in a way we've never seen before -- totally in control of every situation. It's exciting to see if he can continue it this year.
• Seahawks -- a very young team will continue to improve. They now have a dominant TE to go with their dominant running game -- potentially a lethal combination. They draft well and are well coached. They will be a threat.
• GB - #1 scoring offense in the league returns with only a single started (Rodgers) over the age of 30. Davonte Adams is an ascending and formidable #3 WR. On defense they have an ascending player in Ha Ha Clinton Dix an in general the Packers felt their defense improved dramatically in the 2nd half of the season last year and they are hoping for carry-over.

 

[CATCH17]

I think the Seahawks take another tiny step back this year relative to the rest of the league. Russel Wilson showed chinks in his armor last year when forced to carry the team. Until we can put some pressure on the QB and improve our pass D we are going to play 2nd fiddle to GB.

I don't think they take a step back with the addition of Jimmy Graham.

 

[Aven8]

I don't think they take a step back with the addition of Jimmy Graham.

I don't either. Wilson just has to lob it up there to him and he will score. Now they have he and beastmode in the redzone for that pick your poison. Gonna be tough to defend.

 

[jnday]

We've already improved our pass rush and pass defense. We're gonna crush GB and Seattle this year

Hardy has the chance to play a very limited number of games as a Cowboy. Gregory is an underweight rookie that has been blocked by the TE in one on one situations in college. The pass defense upgrade is depending on a solid prospect that may not can beat MO out for the starting CB job and make have to play the FS position. There has not been that many positions that will have big impacts as rookies on this defense. Your comments reflect that reality. In two years I will be more likely to agree with you, but the fans are lutting too much hope in rookies and everything going in the team's favor.

 

[Jstopper]

Hardy has the chance to play a very limited number of games as a Cowboy. Gregory is an underweight rookie that has been blocked by the TE in one on one situations in college. The pass defense upgrade is depending on a solid prospect that may not can beat MO out for the starting CB job and make have to play the FS position. There has not been that many positions that will have big impacts as rookies on this defense. Your comments reflect that reality. In two years I will be more likely to agree with you, but the fans are lutting too much hope in rookies and everything going in the team's favor.

Its almost a forgone conclusion at this point that hardy suspension will not be 10 games. He will play more games than he misses. Demarcus Lawrence has bulked up a lot and he was catching fire in the playoffs with a sack in both games so he'll be carrying that momentum over. The same with Tyrone Crawford, this will be his first offseason where he knows what position he will be playing before training camp. He was very impressive at the 3t last year and is looking to take the next step this year. Gregory can put on at least 10 lbs before the season begins and he will be used situational at the beginning. That worked out great for Aldon Smith similar lanky build with 14 sacks his rookie year. Sean lee our pro bowl caliber linebacker is back this year and McClain has got to be a part of the conditioning ota and will get a full training camp his conditioning will be much better and he is a force at MLB. Hitchens excelled as a rookie and is now going into his 2nd year in the scheme. Jones is an intelligent young man and I would bet he hits the ground running. our defense already looks a ton better than it did last year,