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The best of Rick Gosselin (Part 2): Suppressing McFadden judgment, biggest impact rookie, and more
Follow @RickGosselinDMN rgosselin@***BANNED-URL***
Staff Columnist
Published: 26 July 2015 06:11 PM
Editor's note: With training camp right around the corner for the Dallas Cowboys, here's a look at the best analysis and opinions of columnist Rick Gosselin.
Question: With Sean Lee back, Rolando McClain back, the addition of Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory, Byron Jones, another year for Anthony hitchens and DeMarcus Lawrence — can this defense be special?
"It all depends on the pass rush. If this bunch can get the Cowboys in the 42-47 sack range, this can be a special defense. If Hardy sits for 10 games and Gregory struggles as a rookie and this team again finds itself in the 28-35 sack range, special isn't a word I'd use to describe this defense. Super Bowl champions have averaged almost 43 sacks per year. The Cowboys need to get near that to have a dominating defense."
Question: Which of the Cowboys' rookies do you think could make the biggest impact this season?
"Randy Gregory as a designated pass rusher, La'El Collins as a potential starting guard, Byron Jones as a potential starting safety (not sure he'll be ready at corner on opening day) and keep an eye on Damien Wilson, the fourth round linebacker from Minnesota. With the health history of Sean Lee and Rolando McClain, I would expect Wilson to be on the field with chance to have an impact. He's your sleeper in this class."
Question: I thought this was a very blue-collar draft by the Cowboys. Lining up their depth chart with their draft board. Letting the draft come to them. Choosing solid picks over wishful thinking (Gregory pick excluded). Are you surprised at this practical approach with the clock winding down on the Romo era?
"No. You're right. It was a very blue collar, very methodical draft. Given the state of their depth chart, you could understand why they made each and every one of their picks. Even Nzeocha -- he brings size at a position the Cowboys needed to get bigger. he may be a year away, but I understand why they made that pick. The Cowboys did their best to address their 53-player roster. They didn't go into the draft thinking they absolutely needed a running back. That may have led to a reach. The Cowboys didn't reach at all this draft. They stuck with their board and, as Stephen Jones said, let the draft come to them. That's what the good drafting teams like Baltimore and Green Bay do."
No big deal to you to see Garrett hanging out with his players as often as we do?
"It bothers me. Players need a coach, not a friend."
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...n-judgment-biggest-impact-rookie-and-more.ece
Follow @RickGosselinDMN rgosselin@***BANNED-URL***
Staff Columnist
Published: 26 July 2015 06:11 PM
Editor's note: With training camp right around the corner for the Dallas Cowboys, here's a look at the best analysis and opinions of columnist Rick Gosselin.
Question: With Sean Lee back, Rolando McClain back, the addition of Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory, Byron Jones, another year for Anthony hitchens and DeMarcus Lawrence — can this defense be special?
"It all depends on the pass rush. If this bunch can get the Cowboys in the 42-47 sack range, this can be a special defense. If Hardy sits for 10 games and Gregory struggles as a rookie and this team again finds itself in the 28-35 sack range, special isn't a word I'd use to describe this defense. Super Bowl champions have averaged almost 43 sacks per year. The Cowboys need to get near that to have a dominating defense."
Question: Which of the Cowboys' rookies do you think could make the biggest impact this season?
"Randy Gregory as a designated pass rusher, La'El Collins as a potential starting guard, Byron Jones as a potential starting safety (not sure he'll be ready at corner on opening day) and keep an eye on Damien Wilson, the fourth round linebacker from Minnesota. With the health history of Sean Lee and Rolando McClain, I would expect Wilson to be on the field with chance to have an impact. He's your sleeper in this class."
Question: I thought this was a very blue-collar draft by the Cowboys. Lining up their depth chart with their draft board. Letting the draft come to them. Choosing solid picks over wishful thinking (Gregory pick excluded). Are you surprised at this practical approach with the clock winding down on the Romo era?
"No. You're right. It was a very blue collar, very methodical draft. Given the state of their depth chart, you could understand why they made each and every one of their picks. Even Nzeocha -- he brings size at a position the Cowboys needed to get bigger. he may be a year away, but I understand why they made that pick. The Cowboys did their best to address their 53-player roster. They didn't go into the draft thinking they absolutely needed a running back. That may have led to a reach. The Cowboys didn't reach at all this draft. They stuck with their board and, as Stephen Jones said, let the draft come to them. That's what the good drafting teams like Baltimore and Green Bay do."
No big deal to you to see Garrett hanging out with his players as often as we do?
"It bothers me. Players need a coach, not a friend."
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...n-judgment-biggest-impact-rookie-and-more.ece