DMN: New Cowboy Terrell McClain: Rod Marinelli was a huge reason I came to Dallas

[jazzcat22]

I think Mincey & McClain, like others have said, will be very good rotational, depth type players. If either starts, will wait to be seen. As it all depends on the draft too. However, they will use that rotation to keep guys fresh.

I think they were solid signings. Along with Melton, the return of Crawford and Bass. The development of Selvie. Even though all are still unproven and / or coming off injuries. This DL is at least equal to last years DL, and certainly better than what was on the field toward the end of the season.

Great posts by the way to everyone.

 

[skinsscalper]

Totally agree, McClain isn't going to start but is going to give you snaps off the bench at a low price. Its also a scheme issue IMO, he is much better in a 4-3 than being cast as a 3-4 NT like last year.

The thing that cracks me up is the posters who claim McCLain and Mincey are crap mostly because they have never heard of them. Sometimes a scheme/coaching change is what it takes to get the best out of some of these players. I'll guarantee you 90% of the average fans had no idea who Jason Hatcher was before last season either. Put him in a scheme that fits his strengths with a coach that gets the best out of him and, VIOLA! Suddenly he's one of the most sought after FAs on the market.

Now that doesn't mean that the same magic is going to happen with McClain and Mincey but it sure as hell doesn't mean that it won't. It's just easier for some to crap on the move than actually give the situation some thought beyond "I've never heard of him and his stats suck so far. He must be awful". Intellectual cowardice as far as I'm concerned. It's easy to sit on the sidelines, google some stat lines, and whine like a *****.

 

[jazzcat22]

The thing that cracks me up is the posters who claim McCLain and Mincey are crap mostly because they have never heard of them. Sometimes a scheme/coaching change is what it takes to get the best out of some of these players. I'll guarantee you 90% of the average fans had no idea who Jason Hatcher was before last season either. Put him in a scheme that fits his strengths with a coach that gets the best out of him and, VIOLA! Suddenly he's one of the most sought after FAs on the market.

Now that doesn't mean that the same magic is going to happen with McClain and Mincey but it sure as hell doesn't mean that it won't. It's just easier for some to crap on the move than actually give the situation some thought beyond "I've never heard of him and his stats suck so far. He must be awful". Intellectual cowardice as far as I'm concerned. It's easy to sit on the sidelines, google some stat lines, and whine like a *****.

Great post.
Reminds me of when I lived in South Florida. The band wagon Dolphins fans. When they were winning, they were fans, and arrogant, when they were losing, they were a fan from "insert team" as "I'm from "insert area" so I follow them. It was mostly, Detroit, Pittsburgh, NE, NY, Giants or Jets, or even a few GB, Philly, Cleveland fans.

If someone claimed to be a big Dolphins fan, I asked them to name the players, they responded with...uh, Marino, Shula, then mentioned a few old players, Greise, Csonka.
I then told them the starting defense and offense, then just smiled. I couldn't tell people now, but back then I could name most players on every team.

 

[mahoneybill]

That's what Broadus says, that he is a fireplug that your not gonna move very easily. I would be really good with that as I think that was a major problem for us last year.

Good point. We need that " plugger" so the others can get to the RB or QB depending on situation/play

 

[big dog cowboy]

The move was poo-pooed by the usual suspects around here but I actually like the signing. I think he and Mincey will be solid (not great) additions to the DL rotation. The fact that they were signed rather quickly tells me that someone in the organization did some homework on both players and they were targeted by the staff.

Impossible. I read in here Jerry is an idiot.

 

[skinsscalper]

Impossible. I read in here Jerry is an idiot.

Well that's tough to argue against sometimes but I'm going to go WAY out on a limb and say that Jerry had very little to do with the signing other than to participate in the meet and greet and sign the check.

 

[speedkilz88]

Totally agree, McClain isn't going to start but is going to give you snaps off the bench at a low price. Its also a scheme issue IMO, he is much better in a 4-3 than being cast as a 3-4 NT like last year.

I think technically he could start but be only a one down player. If the Cowboys are lucky enough to draft Donald it would likely be best to use McClain on first down at the 1 tech and then bring in Donald on second and third.

 

[xwalker]

Do most of you favor this guy being here and why or why not? I really don't know him well.

Here is the review that I posted from reviewing him on the All-22 film:

In Houston he played NT and DT in the nickel.
He is exactly what you would expect for a Marinelli type 1-tech DT. He's quicker than the average 1-tech but not as big. He looked quicker than Houston's starting NT but not quite as strong.

Looking at the Houston film, I would expect many 4-3 teams to try him at the 3-tech but he would definitely be a 1-tech for Marinelli.

I went back to 2011 and reviewed some Panthers games. He was the starter there primarily at the 3-tech. He looked much different than he did in the 2013 film. He didn't look as quick or as strong and his technique/awareness was not as good either. He appeared to be heavier which combined with maybe playing too many snaps seemed to take away a lot of his quickness.

Summary: There's no doubt that he's a better player than Nick Hayden. The 4-3 1-tech position, especially in Marinelli's scheme, appears to be a better position for him than being a 3-4 NT or 4-3 3-tech; although, I could see him playing some snaps at 3-tech for Marinelli.

 

[xwalker]

Honestly, I see him as the type of signing that we WOULD have made last year if we could have when the injuries started to pile up. I don't see him as an answer to our problems but as a more quality depth signing than your average sales rep (whom we seemed to be signing left and right out of necessity).

I'm not counting on him to be Hatcher's replacement (I don't think the Cowboys are either) but rather a piece in what's going to be a couple of guys as Hatcher's replacement. The move was poo-pooed by the usual suspects around here but I actually like the signing. I think he and Mincey will be solid (not great) additions to the DL rotation. The fact that they were signed rather quickly tells me that someone in the organization did some homework on both players and they were targeted by the staff. Now, that doesn't mean that the moves were good ones (that remains to be seen). It just means that more thought was put into it than the average fan typically would give any appreciation to.

If Mincey can match Ware's production from last season (and we can add a blue chip type player in the draft along the DL) then I would have a hard time complaining about the move, all things considered (particularly the cap investment). Add McClain who is surely better than Hayden and I think they were both decent signings. They aren't going to knock you socks off (I don't believe) but I think they will be solid contributors. The real story can be told at the end of the season but it's not like adding these two guys is going to alter our draft strategy.

McClain is expected to be the 1-tech DT. Hatcher was the 3-tech. Hatcher's replacement is Melton. McClain will replace Nick Hayden as the starting 1-tech.

 

[xwalker]

Totally agree, McClain isn't going to start but is going to give you snaps off the bench at a low price. Its also a scheme issue IMO, he is much better in a 4-3 than being cast as a 3-4 NT like last year.

McClain appears to be the starting 1-tech DT at this point. He will replace Hayden who was the starting 1-tech last season.

 

[skinsscalper]

McClain is expected to be the 1-tech DT. Hatcher was the 3-tech. Hatcher's replacement is Melton. McClain will replace Nick Hayden as the starting 1-tech.

Kind of off topic but, if Donald is drafted do you see Melton moving to the 1 tech or rotating with Donald?

 

[Risen Star]

Oh, you came to Dallas because of Rod Marinelli?

I'm sure teams were lining up to sign you, Terrell.

He signed a low ball deal the 2nd day of free agency.

We won the bidding war thanks to Rod Marinelli.

 

[xwalker]

Kind of off topic but, if Donald is drafted do you see Melton moving to the 1 tech or rotating with Donald?

I see them rotating at the 3-tech in the base defense and both being on the field in the nickel.

If the Cowboys are in nickel 1/3 of the time, and they play equal snaps in the base, then each player would play 67% of the snaps. I think that a good number to keep them rested.

 

[skinsscalper]

I see them rotating at the 3-tech in the base defense and both being on the field in the nickel.

If the Cowboys are in nickel 1/3 of the time, and they play equal snaps in the base, then each player would play 67% of the snaps. I think that a good number to keep them rested.

Cool. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Kaiser]

I think technically he could start but be only a one down player. If the Cowboys are lucky enough to draft Donald it would likely be best to use McClain on first down at the 1 tech and then bring in Donald on second and third.

True, I phrased that badly. He may be the first guy on the field but not play the number of snaps a starter normally would. I think they draft someone and McClain, Hayden and that pick all take a similar number of snaps.

 

[Kaiser]

The thing that cracks me up is the posters who claim McCLain and Mincey are crap mostly because they have never heard of them.

Agree, if had signed Bernadeau and Livings for about half the price we did, they would have been good value signings. That's how I see McClain, I'm still undecided on Mincey though, I hope he surprises me.

 

[jobberone]

Here is the review that I posted from reviewing him on the All-22 film:

In Houston he played NT and DT in the nickel.
He is exactly what you would expect for a Marinelli type 1-tech DT. He's quicker than the average 1-tech but not as big. He looked quicker than Houston's starting NT but not quite as strong.

Looking at the Houston film, I would expect many 4-3 teams to try him at the 3-tech but he would definitely be a 1-tech for Marinelli.

I went back to 2011 and reviewed some Panthers games. He was the starter there primarily at the 3-tech. He looked much different than he did in the 2013 film. He didn't look as quick or as strong and his technique/awareness was not as good either. He appeared to be heavier which combined with maybe playing too many snaps seemed to take away a lot of his quickness.

Summary: There's no doubt that he's a better player than Nick Hayden. The 4-3 1-tech position, especially in Marinelli's scheme, appears to be a better position for him than being a 3-4 NT or 4-3 3-tech; although, I could see him playing some snaps at 3-tech for Marinelli.

Yes, I remember this now. I remember him playing the 1 in just one game at Carolina. I'd say adequate with the potential to be better is where I'd put him right now. I do think he'll be better with Marinelli than he was in Carolina. Perhaps that's just being optimistic but I think Marinelli gets great effort from his guys and a lot of that is just rotating them. If you know you are only going to play a series or two you can play harder.

 

[jobberone]

Kind of off topic but, if Donald is drafted do you see Melton moving to the 1 tech or rotating with Donald?

Melton will rotate with any 3 we draft but there are others who will see some snaps at the 3. And we aren't always is a pure 3 tech shoot the gap. He will play some shoot and hold as well as some occasional 2 gap. He's going to mix it up but he'll do what it takes to get pressure without unduly exposing us to the runs, screens etc. I'm hoping we have the LBers and secondary to blitz more this year.

 

[xwalker]

Yes, I remember this now. I remember him playing the 1 in just one game at Carolina. I'd say adequate with the potential to be better is where I'd put him right now. I do think he'll be better with Marinelli than he was in Carolina. Perhaps that's just being optimistic but I think Marinelli gets great effort from his guys and a lot of that is just rotating them. If you know you are only going to play a series or two you can play harder.

Yes, it didn't help McClain to be an immediate starter as a rookie and playing too many snaps made it even worse. Most 3rd round picks just aren't ready for that kind of pressure and workload.

 

[skinsscalper]

Melton will rotate with any 3 we draft but there are others who will see some snaps at the 3. And we aren't always is a pure 3 tech shoot the gap. He will play some shoot and hold as well as some occasional 2 gap. He's going to mix it up but he'll do what it takes to get pressure without unduly exposing us to the runs, screens etc. I'm hoping we have the LBers and secondary to blitz more this year.

I think the chances of that ride on Lee's health. When you send the blitz out like that you've got to have a smart guy out there to quickly diagnose where he's needed and quickly make the adjustment (whether he's the blitzer or the guy who's closing the hole in coverage).

Man I hope that guy stays healthy. He's such an important dynamic to this defense. I hear so many posters ay that Lee has to step up and be the leader now that Ware is gone. I completely disagree. He's been the leader of this defense since about half way through his rookie season. It's just shows how much character the guy has. That takes a lot of balls for a rookie on a team with guys like Ware and Ratliff on it. He didn't ask for it. He didn't campaign for it. He just took it. I love that guy and hope he plays injury free for a couple of seasons.