does this defense miss dat nguyen?

[JPostSam]

for all the talk about how much this defense misses greg ellis, i just wonder whether what it really could use is a guy like dat nguyen.

yeah, i know, now we have all the size that parcells wanted for so long. but there sure doesn't seem to be much fire in most of these guys. dat brought that fire every game -- not any of the dancing around, look at me stuff you get from so many punks these days, but a relentless pursuit of the ball and a "you will NOT beat me" attitude that i just haven't seen in our defense for about six weeks...

 

[Rockytop6]

for all the talk about how much this defense misses greg ellis, i just wonder whether what it really could use is a guy like dat nguyen.

yeah, i know, now we have all the size that parcells wanted for so long. but there sure doesn't seem to be much fire in most of these guys. dat brought that fire every game -- not any of the dancing around, look at me stuff you get from so many punks these days, but a relentless pursuit of the ball and a "you will NOT beat me" attitude that i just haven't seen in our defense for about six weeks...

We miss a Woody.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think we miss Dats ability to make the correct reads and call the right adjustments on defense for the front 7.

 

[AbeBeta]

As a player - marginally. As a leader. Absolutely.

 

[Word Mofo]

He had a very high football IQ. We could use him back there as an on-field general

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Experience is what is missed. If you look at our front 7, you see the following.

Spears 2nd year (1st year was basically an injury year)
Ferguson 10th year.
Canty 2nd year.
Coleman 5th year.
Ratliff 2nd year.
Hatcher 1st year.
Stanley 1st year.
Bowen 1st year.
Singleton 10th year.
James 4th year.
Ayodele 5th year.
Ware 2nd year.
Glymph 3rd year.
Fowler 3rd year.
Carpenter 1st year.
Burnett 2nd year.


That's an average of 3.3 years of experience. That's not a lot considering were only in our second year with the 34. Not only are they still learning, they haven't matured physically as yet. They haven't been through the wars and come out a tempered product as yet. Our defense will get better IMO. It's just a process that we must go through in order to become championship quality IMO. It takes time.

 

[superpunk]

With Dat - we have audio evidence that at least once, he knew what the offense was doing before they did it. This group has no clue. So they miss that.

 

[TEK2000]

As a player - marginally. As a leader. Absolutely.

Completely agree on that. If anything, during the last few games, we could have used a little of Dat's heart and determination on defense.

Another thing, you can take it to the bank that Dat would have had Mike Karney covered in the flat after his first reception.

 

[TEK2000]

With Dat - we have audio evidence that at least once, he knew what the offense was doing before they did it. This group has no clue. So they miss that.

We also have audio of Dan Campbell (his Texas A&M teammate) saying that Dat has been doing that kind of stuff his whole career... recognizing the plays before the ball is snapped.

 

[cowboyed]

I think we miss Dats ability to make the correct reads and call the right adjustments on defense for the front 7.

Yes I think we miss him and I think if uninjured he could have played in this joke of a 3-4. Heck Randal Godfrey had more upstairs than Bradie James.

 

[jem88]

Yes I think we miss him and I think if uninjured he could have played in this joke of a 3-4. Heck Randal Godfrey had more upstairs than Bradie James.

I don't understand the implication here. Was Godfrey considered to be a stupid player? I certainly remember him being a very good LB for us.

 

[Bleu Star]

for all the talk about how much this defense misses greg ellis, i just wonder whether what it really could use is a guy like dat nguyen.

yeah, i know, now we have all the size that parcells wanted for so long. but there sure doesn't seem to be much fire in most of these guys. dat brought that fire every game -- not any of the dancing around, look at me stuff you get from so many punks these days, but a relentless pursuit of the ball and a "you will NOT beat me" attitude that i just haven't seen in our defense for about six weeks...

In a word... YES.

That guy was an on field director and the guys rallied around his intense attitude. We're sorely lacking that field general in the middle right now.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

It misses Coakley more than it does Dat.
I hope Carpenter emerges because our vaunted linebackers with Parcells vaunted 3-4 sure is not working.
Parcells, get the heck out of dodge and let the Cowboys be Cowboys again, not some sickly defensive image of your precious Giants and Jets.

 

[jterrell]

Absolutely.

You need 1 guy to recognize plays. We don't have that guy. Bradie James will really stick people, but he is slow, out of position frequently and generally of no help to his teammates. Dat>>>>>>>James.

 

[TtownCowboy]

I think you hit on something I was thinking about this morning. We need a QB for the defense. On the good to great defenses the Middle Linebacker was the man. Think about these defenses and who played in the MLB role or ILB role. I'm sure I'm gonna miss a bunch too. These are what I see as past good to great defenses. No paticular order.

Ray Lewis-Ravens
Mike Singletary-Bears
Brian Urlacher-Bears
Derrick Brooks-Tampa Bay
Brushci-Pats
Porter-Steelers
Zack Thomas-Dolphins
Ken Norton Jr- The Dallas Cowboys

 

[burmafrd]

ANyone thinking we miss Coakley more then Dat is really stupid. But then we have plenty of them around on this board. Dat was the QB of the LBs; and that is the critical need on a 3-4 D. As was pointed out- you need leadership and we have none.

 

[Faerluna]

You have to wonder if anyone ever approached Dat about coaching. With his obvious intelligence, it would be a natural fit.

 

[cowboyz]

Experience is what is missed. If you look at our front 7, you see the following.

That's an average of 3.3 years of experience. That's not a lot considering were only in our second year with the 34. Not only are they still learning, they haven't matured physically as yet. They haven't been through the wars and come out a tempered product as yet. Our defense will get better IMO. It's just a process that we must go through in order to become championship quality IMO. It takes time.

exactly i think this is the biggest problem, maybe get an experienced 3-4 ILB and pass rushing DE. switching back to the 4-3 would be moronic. a team needs to stick with a philosophy and work towards it. it's when teams switch that they get lost and you build the cardinals. the steelers good and bad have stuck with a philosophy and it's produced results, even this year was bad for them, but they'll bounce back quickly.

JJ has stated they're a 3-4 team, and i hope he sticks to it

 

[Doomsday101]

You have to wonder if anyone ever approached Dat about coaching. With his obvious intelligence, it would be a natural fit.

Coaches tend to put in long hour more than players and some guys do not want to put their family through the rigors of coaching.

 

[EPL0c0]

for all the talk about how much this defense misses greg ellis, i just wonder whether what it really could use is a guy like dat nguyen.

yeah, i know, now we have all the size that parcells wanted for so long. but there sure doesn't seem to be much fire in most of these guys. dat brought that fire every game -- not any of the dancing around, look at me stuff you get from so many punks these days, but a relentless pursuit of the ball and a "you will NOT beat me" attitude that i just haven't seen in our defense for about six weeks...

Maybe not his talent...but without a doubt they miss his leadership

same goes for Woodson