Do We Really Need Linebackers?

[Rush 2112]

What happens when you're protecting your rookie RT as much or near as much as Petiti was getting with a healthy Flo.

I take a OT in 3 or FA as depth/competition/insurance and finish the D first 2 rounds.

Until you have a SB caliber D nothing else matters.

Bryan Westbrook just broke off another 30 yarder on our D.

 

[Hostile]

Good response Hos, kind of funny though, how the Draft is full at Positions the Cowboys are in need of, except for Wide Receiver of course.

You are speaking the truth there amigo. There are a couple of guys I like, but not enough to spend a day 1 pick unless they fall and are top value.

The only comment I have is this quote right here. Since the Offseason going into 2004, I have been very leary of character guys and/or guys that didnt play well and the Staff was still high on. Parcells spent alot of his Press Conferences talking about how Delroy Stewart and Pete Hunter were very improved players. So right now, I am very suspect of players that have not performed well, that the coaching staff is very high on.

I would agree with you if this was equal across the board. He praised Bradie James, still with the team and playing very well now. He praised Al Johnson, okay, maybe not the best example, but he's still starting rather than waived. He praised Patrick Crayton, a possible key figure for a while.

Yes, some guys who got his attention are gone. But certainly not all of them. It isn't quite the madden curse yet.

You made some good points and I am sure the Draft will go defensively, but doesn't mean it is the best thing for the Team .

I believe it is if we want to reach the next level Mick. JMO though. If you disagree that's cool. I just don't see how some changes on the OL push us over the top. Even if we had Denver's OL I don't think it would be enough. Keep our offense as is and give me a defense like the Bears had this year as far as points allowed and suddenly we are cotenders for real. Therein lies the difference.

BTW, went home for break and I got to see some of the practices and Greenway and Lawson look like they are going to make some team proud. And you are right about D'brickershaw Ferguson, he has had his way with every Rush End he has went up against, but no shot at getting him, probably will end up with the Jets.

- Mike G.

I think D'Brickashaw is the best pure football player in this Draft. I have seen very little of Greenway, and none of Lawson. I look forward to some web links of these guys in action. I'd be very happy if someone like them or Dumervil fell to us in the 2nd and we got your OT in the 1st.

 

[ddh33]

In a perfect world, I would love to have a bookend tackle to help solidify the OL for years. But young guys take time to develop - even the high draft choices. I've been saying it for a while, but I think Bill believes he has a good RT here already. I think Pettiti will be better next year, and that a veteran tackle will be brought in just in case he's not...

I do wish this draft was deeper at receiver. I don't see anyone who blows me away. I think they are all developmental type guys. With that in mind, I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas looked for someone who had a very high ceiling - like the Colston kid, or went the other way and got a guy who could help immediately on special teams in the punt return game.

I do believe that Dallas adds at least one more playmaker to the LB group. I expect that to happen early.

 

[DLCassidy]

The thing noone seems to speak of much is that what we do in FA will determine in large measure who we draft. We added a ton of youth to our D last year. Wouldn't it make some sense to add some experience to the mix?

How would you feel if on D we added the following FA's:

Akin Ayodele- OLB- nice bookend for Ware
Chris Hope- FS- 4 year starter- 96 tackles from a FS?
Grady Jackson- DT- massive NT to rotate with Fergy- Glover will be cut
Sam Cowart- ILB- the experience we need inside to pair with B James

Such a FA group could allow us theoretically to go OT, OG, WR (McNeil, Lutui, Baskett?) in rounds 1-3. It's the offense that's older as a group. That's where the youth needs to be added.

 

[Eskimo]

YES!

That's exactly right. All those people that want to grab a OT at #18 don't realize that a OT taken at that spot probably will not be any better than a year #2 Pettiti. And if that's the case I'm sticking with the less expensive guy.

The Cowboys shouldn't be that short sighted in their drafting strategy. I foresee Flo making the transition to RT in the next couple of years (he's also only got two years left on his current deal) and we are going to have a hole at LT. The past couple of drafts have been pretty weak at LT but there appear to be several prospects available this year. It would be a mistake to pass up such players when available because even scrubs like Pettigout get $6M/yr in FA.

 

[Clove]

The thing noone seems to speak of much is that what we do in FA will determine in large measure who we draft. We added a ton of youth to our D last year. Wouldn't it make some sense to add some experience to the mix?

How would you feel if on D we added the following FA's:

Akin Ayodele- OLB- nice bookend for Ware
Chris Hope- FS- 4 year starter- 96 tackles from a FS?
Grady Jackson- DT- massive NT to rotate with Fergy- Glover will be cut
Sam Cowart- ILB- the experience we need inside to pair with B James

Such a FA group could allow us theoretically to go OT, OG, WR (McNeil, Lutui, Baskett?) in rounds 1-3. It's the offense that's older as a group. That's where the youth needs to be added.

I like everything but the OLB..I would rather get that in the draft.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

The thing noone seems to speak of much is that what we do in FA will determine in large measure who we draft. We added a ton of youth to our D last year. Wouldn't it make some sense to add some experience to the mix?

How would you feel if on D we added the following FA's:

Akin Ayodele- OLB- nice bookend for Ware
Chris Hope- FS- 4 year starter- 96 tackles from a FS?
Grady Jackson- DT- massive NT to rotate with Fergy- Glover will be cut
Sam Cowart- ILB- the experience we need inside to pair with B James

Such a FA group could allow us theoretically to go OT, OG, WR (McNeil, Lutui, Baskett?) in rounds 1-3. It's the offense that's older as a group. That's where the youth needs to be added.

I hate that free agency, Hope will demand big bucks, and we already have enough tied up in the secondary as it is, the only person that catches my eye is Akin Ayodele, but he's basically just a 2-down player, and struggles in coverage, while our LBs are asked to have many coverage responsibilities

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

We need PLAYMAKING Linebackers.

 

[Clove]

We need PLAYMAKING Linebackers.

And their are plenty in the draft.. I agree.

 

[Rogerthat12]

:signmast: What she said.

:signmast: What they said!!!

 

[chinch]

Do We Really Need Linebackers?

This is like asking a guy in a kyack.... do you really need that paddle?

 

[BigDFan5]

This is like asking a guy in a kyack.... do you really need that paddle?

 

[baj1dallas]

I know the 3-4 is built on LB's and I don't mind drafting one at some point but I can't imagine a first day pick, not when we have glaring needs at OL, FS, WR. I think we can all agree that Ware and James are set. Assuming Dat retires, you still have Burnett, Fowler and Shanle for the other ILB spot. I think Burnett will be really good once healthy and I was impressed by fowler against the run and shanle against the pass. At the other OLB, I think Fujita will be resigned. A full training camp in the 3-4 will do him good- we also have Thornton coming back. I just don't see LB as the glaring need this offseason- not at the expense of the other positions already listed.

Shanle is done. He blows. Fowler is a STer at best and Fujita and Thornton are roleplayers. Dat will retire. That leaves the Boys one good linebacker short of what they need for the 3-4. I wouldn't call OL a glaring need to be honest...you just need to get those guys to play better. Likewise, at WR you want something for the future, but it's not something you need to make a run at the SB. Linebacker is.

 

[Manster68]

Shanle is done. He blows. Fowler is a STer at best and Fujita and Thornton are roleplayers. Dat will retire. That leaves the Boys one good linebacker short of what they need for the 3-4. I wouldn't call OL a glaring need to be honest...you just need to get those guys to play better. Likewise, at WR you want something for the future, but it's not something you need to make a run at the SB. Linebacker is.

I have no problem with that. What I noticed is that I saw too many times a linebacker make a tackle 3-10 yards down field when they need to be stuffing them at the LOS or backwards.

The linebackers are there in the draft.

Get the speedster Lawson, then get Kai Parham (from Virginia and Al Groh's system) in the second round.

 

[junk]

Shanle is done. He blows. Fowler is a STer at best and Fujita and Thornton are roleplayers. Dat will retire. That leaves the Boys one good linebacker short of what they need for the 3-4. I wouldn't call OL a glaring need to be honest...you just need to get those guys to play better. Likewise, at WR you want something for the future, but it's not something you need to make a run at the SB. Linebacker is.

Shanle is a good nickel backer. He was making plays there until he had to fill in full time. I just don't think he is a good full time linebacker. Great role player/depth/STer.

 

[rexrobinson]

I have seen very little of Greenway, and none of Lawson.

Here is some of what Lawson has done

from this post
http://dallascowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47363

Manny Lawson DL North Carolina State 6050 240 9 3/4 35 3/4

Weigh-In Notes: Cut and well built....not much room for a lot of growth.

Monday Practice Notes: The most athletic player along the defensive front here in Mobile. His drops in punt protection were VERY smooth and could give an indication as to his comfortability as possible linebacker. Explosive off the line. Does a great job getting across the face of lineman on all downblocks which leads him to make more than his share of plays in the running game. Uses his hands effectively. One point even showed his strength by blowing Marcus McNeill into the backfield on a bulrush.

Tuesday Practice Notes: Speed, speed, and more speed. Lawson registered two practice sacks using nothing by his explosiveness off the edge. No pass rush moves, just blew right past the left tackle. Another example would be when Lawson was not ready for one play, actually was still on a knee, the lineman came off the ball on a zone block, and Lawson got off the knee to stop the back five yards in the backfield Also uses his hands very well which is underrated on the defensive line side of things. The one knock for the day was that he allowed himself to be hooked at one point by the offensive tackle.

Wednesday Practice Notes: Quickly becoming apparent one of Lawson’s strengths is his recognition. By recognizing a screen and reacting to it, Lawson picked off a pass. Later in practice Lawson was not fooled by any boot actions. He recognizes blocks and scrapes hard down the line of scrimmage. What a lot of scouts will love is his hustle on and off the field. Manny continues runs on and off the field. Also displays a nasty streak to his game.

 

[JonJon]

Linebacker, Sminebacker..

What this team really needs is some good ol' fashioned Terrell Owens!

TO!
TO!
TO!
TO!
TO!

Seriously, I would love to get a true playmaker at LB on the first day and possibly bring in a veteran with skills that can school the youngins...Someone like Ray Lewis, who, doesn't necessarily like the 3-4, but can instruct the younger LBs how to make the best out of the position. But only at the right price. FS isn't as glaring a need as you think. If the LB/DE group can consistantly pressure the QB, the FS will look like a pro-bowler, rather it be Davis, Beriault, or whoever is the starter for the 2006-2007 season. I am not worried about sacks; yes, they kill drives, but I would much rather have constant pressure on the QB to force turnovers than sacks. Then, there is the O-Line, which I know should also be addressed with FA and the draft, then we can compete for the NFC crown..assuming we have T.O. of course....

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Yes. All the Cowboys need is TO. What could be better.

haha. Although I see it as a possibility, I for one would love for it to happen, I am sure most Eagles fans would as well.

As far as LBs, I said yes last week.

 

[Big Country]

:signmast:What all of them said + 1.

:signmast:

DING, DING, DING... WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

 

[Clove]

Here is some of what Lawson has done

from this post
http://dallascowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47363

Manny Lawson DL North Carolina State 6050 240 9 3/4 35 3/4

Weigh-In Notes: Cut and well built....not much room for a lot of growth.

Monday Practice Notes: The most athletic player along the defensive front here in Mobile. His drops in punt protection were VERY smooth and could give an indication as to his comfortability as possible linebacker. Explosive off the line. Does a great job getting across the face of lineman on all downblocks which leads him to make more than his share of plays in the running game. Uses his hands effectively. One point even showed his strength by blowing Marcus McNeill into the backfield on a bulrush.

Tuesday Practice Notes: Speed, speed, and more speed. Lawson registered two practice sacks using nothing by his explosiveness off the edge. No pass rush moves, just blew right past the left tackle. Another example would be when Lawson was not ready for one play, actually was still on a knee, the lineman came off the ball on a zone block, and Lawson got off the knee to stop the back five yards in the backfield Also uses his hands very well which is underrated on the defensive line side of things. The one knock for the day was that he allowed himself to be hooked at one point by the offensive tackle.

Wednesday Practice Notes: Quickly becoming apparent one of Lawson’s strengths is his recognition. By recognizing a screen and reacting to it, Lawson picked off a pass. Later in practice Lawson was not fooled by any boot actions. He recognizes blocks and scrapes hard down the line of scrimmage. What a lot of scouts will love is his hustle on and off the field. Manny continues runs on and off the field. Also displays a nasty streak to his game.

You'd better get your sig patented.