Galian Beast
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http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...plan-at-linebacker-about-more-than-just-depth
To this day, I still see a lot of people complaining and criticizing the emphasis we're placing on the linebacker position. Hell, someone even made a topic with an article based purely on that. It's like the people who criticize the lack of resources put into 1 technique. Please for just a moment break out of your expectations and listen to reasonable explanations.
Our special teams were god awful last year, they nearly cost us a few games, and certainly didn't win us any. We were bad in pretty much all phases of special teams. Missing key blocks, and really poor jammers on punt returns, and really poor blockers on kick returns.
The Cowboys have put an emphasis not just on the linebacker situation, which has some real concerns with Lee and McClain's injury histories.
The Cowboys want to move on from players like: Kyle Wilber, Keith Smith (already gone), Cameron Lawrence. Cam Lawrence was supposed to be a special teams guy, but he hasn't really worked out. You also have to hold your breath when he is out there on defense. I think Cam Lawrence still has a shot here though, if he improves dramatically from last year.
They also brought McCray back to replace CJ Spillman. Depending on what goes on with the cornerback situation, you might even see Jeff Heath fall off the roster, and I think you would see a much better player in Wilcox probably taking most of his special teams snaps.
Dwayne Harris actually lead the team in special teams tackles, and as a result his contributions also needed to be replaced. If Joseph Randle becomes the starter, his special teams contributions are probably over. Does Ryan Williams really replace him? I'm not certain he does. No guarantee Williams even makes the team.
The heart of the special teams is the linebackers, and we've improved what that will look like this year.
Anthony Hitchens - Damien Wilson - Andy Gachkar - (Mark Nzeocha)
Danny McCray - JJ Wilcox
vs
Kyle Wilber - Keith Smith - Cameron Lawrence - Anthony Hitchens
CJ Spillman - Jeff Heath
To this day, I still see a lot of people complaining and criticizing the emphasis we're placing on the linebacker position. Hell, someone even made a topic with an article based purely on that. It's like the people who criticize the lack of resources put into 1 technique. Please for just a moment break out of your expectations and listen to reasonable explanations.
Our special teams were god awful last year, they nearly cost us a few games, and certainly didn't win us any. We were bad in pretty much all phases of special teams. Missing key blocks, and really poor jammers on punt returns, and really poor blockers on kick returns.
The Cowboys have put an emphasis not just on the linebacker situation, which has some real concerns with Lee and McClain's injury histories.
The Cowboys want to move on from players like: Kyle Wilber, Keith Smith (already gone), Cameron Lawrence. Cam Lawrence was supposed to be a special teams guy, but he hasn't really worked out. You also have to hold your breath when he is out there on defense. I think Cam Lawrence still has a shot here though, if he improves dramatically from last year.
They also brought McCray back to replace CJ Spillman. Depending on what goes on with the cornerback situation, you might even see Jeff Heath fall off the roster, and I think you would see a much better player in Wilcox probably taking most of his special teams snaps.
Dwayne Harris actually lead the team in special teams tackles, and as a result his contributions also needed to be replaced. If Joseph Randle becomes the starter, his special teams contributions are probably over. Does Ryan Williams really replace him? I'm not certain he does. No guarantee Williams even makes the team.
The heart of the special teams is the linebackers, and we've improved what that will look like this year.
Anthony Hitchens - Damien Wilson - Andy Gachkar - (Mark Nzeocha)
Danny McCray - JJ Wilcox
vs
Kyle Wilber - Keith Smith - Cameron Lawrence - Anthony Hitchens
CJ Spillman - Jeff Heath