ESPN: Cowboys approach to defensive line needs closer look

[Idgit]

It annoys me that we're still talking about this after neglecting to solve the problem when we had ammunition to do so the last three or four years.

It also annoys me that we spent so much time on this forum complaining about things that had very little to do with why the team was losing, and then worked ourselves up into a lather about a Superbowl run only to have the defense exposed again like it always is against good QBs. And that we go back immediately to the same stupid criticisms that weren't the problem any of the last three seasons either. Like...collectively....how stupid are we? We're a bunch of barking dogs.

"Cowboys Need to Rethink Their Approach to Defensive Line" you say? No ****. You know how you fix it? Spend resources on it. Not a 2nd round flier on a guy who dropped because he's got a clear addiction problem. I don't care how good Randy Gregory looks in practice. Not on a guy you love at #34 overall but who may never play again and who may not return to form if he does every play again. Just spend the picks on the defensive side of the ball like you did on offense. Draft guys who will be in the lineup and draft them early. Do it at the expense of the running backs or the 2nd round experiments.

Then we can stop wondering if we're losing because our DC has lost his touch, or because we chose to spike the ball on a game tying drive or because our rookie phenom QB may or may not be as good as our aging veteran phenom QB. We'll just, you know, win instead.

 

[Trouty]

It annoys me that we're still talking about this after neglecting to solve the problem when we had ammunition to do so the last three or four years.

It also annoys me that we spent so much time on this forum complaining about things that had very little to do with why the team was losing, and then worked ourselves up into a lather about a Superbowl run only to have the defense exposed again like it always is against good QBs. And that we go back immediately to the same stupid criticisms that weren't the problem any of the last three seasons either. Like...collectively....how stupid are we? We're a bunch of barking dogs.

"Cowboys Need to Rethink Their Approach to Defensive Line" you say? No ****. You know how you fix it? Spend resources on it. Not a 2nd round flier on a guy who dropped because he's got a clear addiction problem. I don't care how good Randy Gregory looks in practice. Not on a guy you love at #34 overall but who may never play again and who may not return to form if he does every play again. Just spend the picks on the defensive side of the ball like you did on offense. Draft guys who will be in the lineup and draft them early. Do it at the expense of the running backs or the 2nd round experiments.

Then we can stop wondering if we're losing because our DC has lost his touch, or because we chose to spike the ball on a game tying drive or because our rookie phenom QB may or may not be as good as our aging veteran phenom QB. We'll just, you know, win instead.

Preach, Idgit. Our coaching staff is fine. People calling for Linehan are obviously clueless. He schemed Dak to a 13-3 record. That was almost ALL coaching, as Dak doesn't have the prowess yet to change plays at the line. They were called for him. Yet we have these weird threads on coaching and Romo and (yes, I read this) changing the OL coach. (And I won't qualify this paragraph like I have done before, I am onboard with this staff, now.)

I'm sick of some of these weird threads as much as yourself, believe me, Idgit. Our coaching staff did a great job this year. Great. Now, as you said, it's a glaring, obvious, need to go Dline. It will be confounding if we don't, whether it be through FA or draft. But that's obvious.

This team is poised to compete. We are so damn close, but some of these posts are so far off, it's cray cray. I guess, when you have the biggest fanbase in the world, you get these odd apples. So it goes. You're more used to it than myself.

 

[kiheikiwi]

I am one who would be for upgrading the 1-tech. Not saying its our top priority by any means, but just like we found our future 3-tech in Collins in the 3rd round. Would be all for attempting the same with a big boy next to him. DE and CB are most definitely our top needs, not up for debate. But, like all positions upgrading the skill level is never a bad idea. Our inside push was not great, and has not been for a long time. Thornton was not able to make the switch from 3/4 to 4/3 very smoothly, he will get another shot this year - we will see how it goes. McClain while he had his best season with us I feel can be upgraded. If I could get only one free Agent this year, I would look at a big stout 1-tech. (Cough cough Sheldon Richardson)...Thus not having to use a draft pick on that position. If not (Probably not), would have no qualms about drafting a 1-tech in 3rd or 4th.

 

[Vintage]

Those that are expecting a big splash in free agency, in particular, on the DL are going to be disappointed. There isn't a lot of quality (and I suspect JPP and Jones stay put). I suspect we will see a signing more in the lines of a Cedric Thornton type than a true difference maker. Then, address another piece in the draft.

 

[T-RO]

It annoys me that we're still talking about this after neglecting to solve the problem when we had ammunition to do so the last three or four years.

It also annoys me that we spent so much time on this forum complaining about things that had very little to do with why the team was losing, and then worked ourselves up into a lather about a Superbowl run only to have the defense exposed again like it always is against good QBs. And that we go back immediately to the same stupid criticisms that weren't the problem any of the last three seasons either. Like...collectively....how stupid are we? We're a bunch of barking dogs.

"Cowboys Need to Rethink Their Approach to Defensive Line" you say? No ****. You know how you fix it? Spend resources on it. Not a 2nd round flier on a guy who dropped because he's got a clear addiction problem. I don't care how good Randy Gregory looks in practice. Not on a guy you love at #34 overall but who may never play again and who may not return to form if he does every play again. Just spend the picks on the defensive side of the ball like you did on offense. Draft guys who will be in the lineup and draft them early. Do it at the expense of the running backs or the 2nd round experiments.

Then we can stop wondering if we're losing because our DC has lost his touch, or because we chose to spike the ball on a game tying drive or because our rookie phenom QB may or may not be as good as our aging veteran phenom QB. We'll just, you know, win instead.

I vote that you get a pulpit outside of the Star to do some preaching! Amen, brother!

And I too share the aggravation with posters here who blame everything including Rowdie and the water boy...rather than just looking at the elephant in the room.

Or perhaps I should say the lack of an elephant in the room who can pass rush!

 

[T-RO]

I am one who would be for upgrading the 1-tech.

We can't do it all and that's not a glaring weakness. Aside from pass rush we have bigger needs at CB and safety, with all the free agency departures.

And we ought to consider WR...maybe tight end.

 

[kiheikiwi]

We can't do it all and that's not a glaring weakness. Aside from pass rush we have bigger needs at CB and safety, with all the free agency departures.

And we ought to consider WR...maybe tight end.

Your not wrong, but I would still at the least allocate a draft pick to the interior, not just the outside.
Of course, saying that none of what we as fans think really matters - but its fun to debate it.
I put both DE and CB as 1a and 1b. As our top two glaring needs, in either order. WR, TE, ROT, maybe safety. I would still put 1-tech in there. Back up RB. There will be a million different ways this front office can go come draft and FA.
Fun to think about tho huh !

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Those that are expecting a big splash in free agency, in particular, on the DL are going to be disappointed. There isn't a lot of quality (and I suspect JPP and Jones stay put). I suspect we will see a signing more in the lines of a Cedric Thornton type than a true difference maker. Then, address another piece in the draft.

I dunno... I think either Addison or Sheard could contribute greatly to this defense. And don't think either would command a salary like what JPP will get.

 

[DFWJC]

This 1T stuff is confounding, isn't it, Michael? I see a whole bunch of guys saying to go after Poe. We don't need a Poe. I covered this in another post, but the only way Poe works here is if our edge is set. It isn't.

Supposed to be a great year to find edge rushers in the draft

 

[vaturkey]

If Demarcus Lawrence comes back healthy, and Tapper is healthy and Myowa can continue to improve and Irving is more consistent and we add one more to the rotation then it begins to look much better. I would resign Mcclain. I think we are set at DT.

There are 2 big "if's" there. Tapper may never amount to anything. DL is one step away from a 1 year ban, plus he has a bad back. I'm not sure I'd put too much hope on those to. I think we need JPP in a bad way. He would immediately upgrade the entire line.

 

[irishline]

We dont need a 1-tech


Terell McClain is 29 and just finished playing all 16 games for the first time in his career.


We need tackles that will push the pocket and allow our DEs to finish the play

We need DEs who can actually finish plays, at least somewhat consistently, for that to work.

An upgrade of the 1-tech is fine, but imo the ends have been a problem for far too long.

 

[Vintage]

I dunno... I think either Addison or Sheard could contribute greatly to this defense. And don't think either would command a salary like what JPP will get.

I think the team will head into the season with Lawrence, Mayowa, Tapper, Crawford, Collins, Thornton, McClain, Irving, and a draft pick as the DL. Maybe McClain is gone and another free agent of similar statue is brought in. But I think the wholesale changes people are expecting aren't going to happen. I think the team will instead rely on Lawrence and Tapper returning to health; development of Collins and Irving, and a draft pick to form more of a rotation or waves of "rushers" as opposed to some sort of complete makeover.

I think a makeover does happen. But I think its going to be in the secondary.


This is just my prediction; not saying I want to see it.

 

[haleyrules]

I hope they see the need to get that edge rusher and I'd spend the money for that in FA as well as draft one. They should look for a Freeney type as well.

Not sold on mercenaries unless they are young and come at a reasonable price. Maybe a trade. But to get a high level DE, the club must give something up and thats OK. Draft well and often this off season for the DL including Tackles.

 

[T-RO]

Maybe we should give JPP a bunch of money...use a 3d printer to generate some fingers...hire the folks at Google's DeepMind to figure out how to attach and give him a full grip back.

Or perhaps...

I'm the one who needs to get a grip.

 

[negativecreep]

I think the team will head into the season with Lawrence, Mayowa, Tapper, Crawford, Collins, Thornton, McClain, Irving, and a draft pick as the DL. Maybe McClain is gone and another free agent of similar statue is brought in. But I think the wholesale changes people are expecting aren't going to happen. I think the team will instead rely on Lawrence and Tapper returning to health; development of Collins and Irving, and a draft pick to form more of a rotation or waves of "rushers" as opposed to some sort of complete makeover.

I think a makeover does happen. But I think its going to be in the secondary.


This is just my prediction; not saying I want to see it.

I agree, that's my best guess of what we will do. Hopefully whatever position we focus on we hit a home run. It's been way too long...if we co secondary, don't guarantee them 60 mil again. Depth, depth, depth...and if we can more depth.

 

[LocimusPrime]

We don't need a closer look I can see the problem from miles away. Talent. Proven talent

 

[LocimusPrime]

Let me solve this problem quickly: draft blue chip defensive linemen and add proven defensive ends through trade and/or free agency.

Freaking genius

 

[negativecreep]

Not sold on mercenaries unless they are young and come at a reasonable price. Maybe a trade. But to get a hugh level DE, the club must give something up and thats OK. Draft well and often this off season for the DL including Tackles.

What was that guys name from Oklahoma state we wanted and "settled" for Jaylon? I think the Browns got him..I should know this, I wanted him too..

 

[haleyrules]

Let me solve this problem quickly: draft blue chip defensive linemen and add proven defensive ends through trade and/or free agency.

Freaking genius

You should be the GM. I have a good feeling about the upcoming Draft. I really believe the FO guided by McClay will draft defensively and have success.

 

[LocimusPrime]

You should be the GM. I have a good feeling about the upcoming Draft. I really believe the FO guided by McClay will draft defensively and have success.

I'm also hopeful brother! My cautious side says McClay did great evaluating zeke,the offensive linemen,Collins and the CB brown. I believe that like other teams, we didn't know we had a gem in Dak. I'm luke warm on the picks of byron and Hitchens, and I think we might have messed up on the tapper, Ryan Russell, and Chaz green picks.

But im not complaining. I have confidence that the arrow is pointing up with these cowboys!