How does Dallas fix the DL?

[Yakuza Rich]

Keep bringing in talent instead of trying to rely on a 'missing piece to the puzzle.'

If you look at the 2007 Giants D-Line, they really didn't have that super stud player. Umenyiora was a very good DE, but I don't know if I would have labeled him as great. Strahan was well past his prime at that point and was still a good DE, but I wouldn't put him at the great DE level at that point in his career. But, they stockpiled some talent there of pretty good to very good D-Linemen and developed a great pass rush.

We still need to figure out ways to blitz more and with different blitzers. Could probably use a CB that is very good at blitzing. I remember when we had Nate Jones, he was that way. He wasn't very good in coverage, but he was a good special teams player and an excellent blitzer for a CB. So we could use him here and there to blitz and occasionally have him fake the blitz and drop in coverage.





YR

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

It is all about pressure, you need it everywhere and need special players to get it done. And where we have lacked it consistently is just as much from the inside as outside. Rodgers could simply step up Sunday and not have a fear in the world.

Crawford did some nice things, but I think people are assuming he is "set" as the 3 technique. He needs help and could even move back to end if the right talent could be found. As well as he looked, he is not yet good enough to be the anchor you build around IMO.

I personally didn't think our interior pressure was that terrible. Actually, as of right now I think I best pass rushers happen to be in the interior with Melton and Crawford. They were the ones constantly in the backfield for majority of the year.

I think Crawford has to be the set 3 tech. He looked rather pedestrian on the end and looked to have far better potential as a 3 tech.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Keep bringing in talent instead of trying to rely on a 'missing piece to the puzzle.'

If you look at the 2007 Giants D-Line, they really didn't have that super stud player. Umenyiora was a very good DE, but I don't know if I would have labeled him as great. Strahan was well past his prime at that point and was still a good DE, but I wouldn't put him at the great DE level at that point in his career. But, they stockpiled some talent there of pretty good to very good D-Linemen and developed a great pass rush.

We still need to figure out ways to blitz more and with different blitzers. Could probably use a CB that is very good at blitzing. I remember when we had Nate Jones, he was that way. He wasn't very good in coverage, but he was a good special teams player and an excellent blitzer for a CB. So we could use him here and there to blitz and occasionally have him fake the blitz and drop in coverage.





YR

I agree with this. Umenyiora, Strahan and Tuck.....find those type of guys in this draft coming up.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Agree. Our great & better defenses always had 2 and in some cases 3 who could get after the pass from the D Line. for example : Martin/Too Tall & Randy White... Haley/Jeffcoat/Hennings

Right. That would be great to have for this defense. I know everyone wants a safety or a corner but honestly I don't want to see any part of that defense being worked on until we get at least 2 new pass rushers in here.

There are none. They are all tweeners. Most of these guys are in the 250lb range and arent really good run defense guys. Thats why i liked Buckner and Odighizuwa. But Buckner didnt declare

I'm not a fan of judging guys based on weight or height. I just need ball players. Elvis Dumervil is a ball player who can't really be judged on his size. And I know Dumervils don't just grow on trees but it does prove what happens when a guy who's too small in measurables but not small when he gets out on that field.

 

[AsthmaField]

I still think it is a possibility that Dallas moves Lawrence to SDE where his speed would be better and they find a faster edge rusher who can get pressure off of the weakside. Not likely mind you... but possible. Lawrence has middling speed for a weakside rusher but his speed is pretty good for the strongside. IMO he has the strength to hold up over there in a rotation and he did take some snaps there this season towards the end of the year.


In that case, they might not mind a smaller guy who is really athletic at WDE. Mincey could play run downs and the smaller guy in passing situations.

just a thought.

 

[DBOY3141]

I think it's a given they get a DE in FA.

McClain showed flashes but was somewhat of a disappoinment due to injuries. Must be the last name.

 

[LatinMind]

I don't totally disagree with you. I wouldn't be mad if the above happened. But I think at tops you need two guys who can come off the edge and help create some turnovers. That's the biggest thing. Rushing from the edge consistently is how you see quarterbacks fumble or get the ball out of their hands prematurely. This defense can use more of that. Give our corners something to work with.

I agree, i think JPP coming off the strong side on slower RTs would dominate under Marinelli. And people forget about what Gardner can do, the guy was a monster in college. Him being 100% is really gonna show. On the right side Lawrence if he commits himself to getting stronger and hits the filmroom will only get better. Odighizuwa is a player that reminded me of Gardner only more athletic. I think Odighizuwa is going to be a really good player. LIke Gardner he's a man playing against boys in college. His strength level is just a notch above anybody he played in college same as was the case with Gardner.

I just think a guy like JPP or Hardy could be a game changer for Dallas. They IMO would make the other lineman better. WE saw what 1 player in Martin did for the OL going from good to the best. I think JPP or Hardy could do the same.

 

[LatinMind]

I still think it is a possibility that Dallas moves Lawrence to SDE where his speed would be better and they find a faster edge rusher who can get pressure off of the weakside. Not likely mind you... but possible. Lawrence has middling speed for a weakside rusher but his speed is pretty good for the strongside. IMO he has the strength to hold up over there in a rotation and he did take some snaps there this season towards the end of the year.


In that case, they might not mind a smaller guy who is really athletic at WDE. Mincey could play run downs and the smaller guy in passing situations.

just a thought.

They tried Lawrence at SDE and he was no match. His lack of size and length were a problem. He was gobbled up at that spot. Thats why we didnt see it anymore.

 

[itsaboat]

Get an edge rusher in free agency, draft a DT in the first 3 rounds of this year's draft, re-sign Spencer, and coach up the young talent (Lawrence, Bishop, and Coleman)

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I agree, i think JPP coming off the strong side on slower RTs would dominate under Marinelli. And people forget about what Gardner can do, the guy was a monster in college. Him being 100% is really gonna show. On the right side Lawrence if he commits himself to getting stronger and hits the filmroom will only get better. Odighizuwa is a player that reminded me of Gardner only more athletic. I think Odighizuwa is going to be a really good player. LIke Gardner he's a man playing against boys in college. His strength level is just a notch above anybody he played in college same as was the case with Gardner.

I just think a guy like JPP or Hardy could be a game changer for Dallas. They IMO would make the other lineman better. WE saw what 1 player in Martin did for the OL going from good to the best. I think JPP or Hardy could do the same.

I'm taking the same approach on guys like Hardy and JPP that i'm taking with AP. If he can be had for a reasonable price than i'm down. Hughes would be my #1 DE to look at. Hardy and his baggage....i'm not a fan of but if the guy can be had for a decent price he should be looked at. Hardy always bothered me though lol. Like as if he's not all there. I remember him saying he would beat Lebron 1 on 1 lol. He doesn't lack for confidence or arrogance that's for sure lol.

 

[AsthmaField]

They tried Lawrence at SDE and he was no match. His lack of size and length were a problem. He was gobbled up at that spot. Thats why we didnt see it anymore.

He got better right at the end of the season in all aspects of his game.

I don't remember seeing him getting pushed around on the strongside but I wasn't specifically looking for that either, so I could have missed it.

Which games did he play bad at SDE? Do you remember?

 

[xwalker]

LIke that too, but i dont think this teams problems were in the middle. Dallas got alot of push inside, the problem was QBs got outside the pocket because there was no outside rush or pursuit.

Nick Hayden was not very good as the starting 1-tech. They could drastically improve the pressure just by replacing Hayden with a top pressure type DT that can play the 1-tech position like Suh.

 

[morasp]

Bishop looked good against green bay and could really improve next year.

 

[LatinMind]

I disagree. For the most part, the pressure generated from the interior was inconsistent. Yes, there were moments but the pressure needs to be relentless on every play. A significant upgrade at the 1-technique would do wonders for this d-line.

McClain showed alot playing next to crawford. We didnt see it as much because Dallas didnt have another 3tech so McClain could play more 1tech. And injury to mcclain. Twards the end of the yr mcclain was unblockable most of the time. And we heard that about him before the season started from coaches and what they saw of him.

 

[Avery]

Don't forget that having great coverage can help the DL look better than they actually are if a QB has no one to throw to downfield.

Not saying we should take a CB, but rather BPA. I don't think it's out of the question that we take a LB high if our board says we should.

 

[LatinMind]

Nick Hayden was not very good as the starting 1-tech. They could drastically improve the pressure just by replacing Hayden with a top pressure type DT that can play the 1-tech position like Suh.

Lions GM came out and said Suh is thir top priority. Hes not going anywhere.

 

[JeffInDC]

Dallas needs pass rushers. But where Dallas will be drafting in round one all there is are tweeners, guys the size of Lawrence. And guys who are on par with Lawrence. Dallas doesnt need another RDE if they are going to go with Lawrence. And sure as hell dont need another DE the size of Lawrence. Am i the only one who thinks the best bet for the team is probably to look at FA? Do they just get these high motor types of guys in FA? Guys who hustle but arent superstars. Its clear Marinelli is not going to play the DL on high snap counts rather relying on a 1st unit and 2nd unit. Keeping the DL fresh.

RDE Mincey/Lawrence
LDE ?/Gardner/Boatright
3TECH Crawford/McClain/Coleman/Whaley
1TECH ?/Brent/Bishop/Okoye

How do the Cowboys fill in these 2 spots?

Not even going to worry about the 3TECH. Its fine.

Do the Cowboys switch McClain over to the 1TECH? The guy was awsome when on the field with Crawford. He was injured and we only got to see a few games where he was healthy. I wouldnt be mad to see he start over signing a high priced guy there. One guy i do like in FA would be Nick Fairley.

RDE i think is set. I think they will go with Mincey and Lawrence and let them battle it out. Dallas actually got decent production from that side of the DL. As a whole Dallas got 9 sacks from the both of them in the whole yr including playoffs. We saw a glimpse of what Lawrence could be. I think if he hits the weights and the filmroom he could start in 2015.

LDE is the problem IMO. No production at all this yr except for the last month that Spencer started to get his confidence. But unless he comes cheap, will he go with the money from another team? Hes going to be 31 on the 23rd. Its clear the team likes Spencer so does Make a move for a stud DE to play the strong side? Or draft a guy like Owamagbe Odighizuwa and sign Spencer and see what Garner has?

MY DL would look like:

RDE: Lawrence/Mincey/Odighizuwa
3TECH: Crawford/Coleman/Whaley
1TECH: McClain/Okoye/Bishop
LDE: JPP/Gardner

I'm actually wondering, since the light came on for DLaw in the playoffs, the team has confidence that he can be the starter at RDE. This could lead to the team moving Mincey to what seems to be the more logical spot for him in this scheme - LDE. He has the size and power to be a LDE in this scheme and he'd be going up RT's that normally aren't studs that the LT's are.

 

[LatinMind]

Don't forget that having great coverage can help the DL look better than they actually are if a QB has no one to throw to downfield.

Not saying we should take a CB, but rather BPA. I don't think it's out of the question that we take a LB high if our board says we should.

I agree with this too. CB could very well be the BPA. Me i really like Marcus Peters and Ladarius Gunter. I know Peters has some issues off field but the guy can flat out play CB.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Nick Hayden was not very good as the starting 1-tech.

Shouldn't make the final 53 next season.

 

[LatinMind]

Keep bringing in talent instead of trying to rely on a 'missing piece to the puzzle.'

If you look at the 2007 Giants D-Line, they really didn't have that super stud player. Umenyiora was a very good DE, but I don't know if I would have labeled him as great. Strahan was well past his prime at that point and was still a good DE, but I wouldn't put him at the great DE level at that point in his career. But, they stockpiled some talent there of pretty good to very good D-Linemen and developed a great pass rush.

We still need to figure out ways to blitz more and with different blitzers. Could probably use a CB that is very good at blitzing. I remember when we had Nate Jones, he was that way. He wasn't very good in coverage, but he was a good special teams player and an excellent blitzer for a CB. So we could use him here and there to blitz and occasionally have him fake the blitz and drop in coverage.





YR

Agree with this too. The thing is there are really no prototype LDEs in this draft when Dallas will be drafting. Theyre all tweener type RDE who played RDE in college.