FWST Blog: Linebacker roles could be changing

[WoodysGirl]

When Bobby Carpenter was traded in the off-season, the Dallas Cowboys were hoping one of several players could take Carpenter’s place in the nickel package -- most notably rookie Sean Lee.

As it turns out, however, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has been more comfortable with veterans Keith Brooking and Bradie James playing in third down situations.

James is only 29, but Brooking is 35 and the concern Phillips has is if the two veterans play extended minutes, they could wear down at the end of the season.

So Phillips is considering an alternate approach -- perhaps playing Lee -- and perhaps Jason Williams and Leon Williams -- earlier in each series.

-- Jan Hubbard

Read more: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2010/09/linebacker-roles-could-be-changing.html

 

[JBS]

right now, this appears to be our biggest weakness...positionally speaking

 

[jobberone]

I agree. LB pass coverage is the weak link in our defense. And I look for it to be exploited over time.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

Would love to see Lee and Jason Williams out there and see what they can do.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

give Lee a shot, hes got enough heart to push himself to the limits of learning to be a better player, play by play.

 

[Doomsday]

If Brooking is the best we have then they should of kept Barbie. Brooking is slow and doesnt play the ball at all in man coverage.

 

[KingintheNorth]

If Lee and Jason Williams aren't ready we just need to play Leon more in base sets and Brooking will be fresher later in the game. Leon will surprise some people.

Jason Williams has been really disappointing so far.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

If Brooking is the best we have then they should of kept Barbie. Brooking is slow and doesnt play the ball at all in man coverage.

I have to agree with this. I'm not comfortable with Brooking in coverage at all. Course I did see Carp let one get behind him for a TD in the Jets game, really don't know if it was his responsibility.

We really need Lee to do this job badly or find someone who can before we pay dearly for it.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

they need to find an answer soon before the big name QBs on the schedule show up and eat their lunch,,,

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I would put Jason Williams in on running downs.

 

[ghettogandhi]

Inside linebacker and play making safety continues to keep this defense from being a great 3-4 .....brooking and james cannot be on the field in passing downs----this is assinine

 

[JBell]

Barry Church for nickel LB.

 

[Stash]

Would love to see Lee and Jason Williams out there and see what they can do.

I think Jason Williams is a bad play waiting to happen.

And I don't know how much longer the team can go on keeping essentially a dead roster space open for him.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I think Jason Williams is a bad play waiting to happen.

And I don't know how much longer the team can go on keeping essentially a dead roster space open for him.

Why not? We're wasting one on Alex Barron.

 

[AdamJT13]

We haven't had an interception by an inside linebacker since 2006.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Jeez, didn't they look at this issue in training camp?????

 

[8FOR!3]

How is this our weak spot when Alan Ball is our safety? It's all good, Sean Lee's gonna be back in our next game, give the guy a chance and we'll see what he's got.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

We haven't had an interception by an inside linebacker since 2006.

Ouch.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

How is this our weak spot when Alan Ball is our safety? It's all good, Sean Lee's gonna be back in our next game, give the guy a chance and we'll see what he's got.

Lee looked horrible as the nickel LBer and the guy can't stay healthy... (I pointed that out after the draft)

 

[Sportsbabe]

Would love to see Lee and Jason Williams out there and see what they can do.

Agreed. I'm always for giving the younguns a chance. You don't know what they can do until you give them a try. They will make mistakes but their passion for making the play will pay off.