Woods
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I really like what we've done in the Secondary this off-season, specifically cutting R Williams (though I have to admit he was one of my favorite Cowboys early on in his career) and bringing in Sensabaugh.
With R Williams injured last season and K Davis playing his spot, I sometimes felt our defense had 10 1/2 guys playing instead of 11. Don't get me wrong, I think K Davis played his heart out, but he's isn't starting quality. And for that matter, R Williams confidence in coverage didn't seemed to return.
I'm fine with our 3 starting CBs as well, though I hope all 3 hold up because I'm a bit wary of Ball. I think Mickens will be a good CB in time, and maybe he will get some reps as the season progresses in certain packages.
If our Secondary remains healthy, I think our starters and nickel/dime players should be a clear improvement over last season - mainly due to Sensabaugh and the continued progress of Jenkins and Scandrick.
As for our LBs, I suppose the two main questions are whether Brooking still has enough left in the tank, and whether Spencer continues to improve. My hope is that Brooking has at least enough in the tank to play 1st and 2nd down, and that possbily by end of the regular season J Williams can take a few reps as well to rest/rotate Brooking when necessary.
I think Spencer will be fine. Let's hope he remains healthy. Also, Wade seems particularly keen on Spencer as per the OTAs PCs.
I also really like what we did in the Draft by drafting 4 LBs. I think each of the 4 LBs can play a role in 2010, if not this year. I suspect we will see our 2 OLB draft picks play this year in our defensive packages, and I think J Williams will be getting in reps by end of the season. Hodge may have the best shot of contributing right away on passing downs given that he's more used to playing in space.
As for the DL (similar to our Secondary), I like our starters. Behind our starters, I'm not as sure, especially regarding the NT position. I can only assume that Wade really likes Siavii since we didn't trade, draft, or pick up a reserve NT this off-season. At DE, I'd like to see Hatcher do a bit more as well, because I think he's got the talent. He just needs to put it all together this season. I'm really looking forward to watching Dixon in TC and pre-season. I think he may have a future with the Cowboys.
All in all, I like our starters on defense. When the main questions are concerning the reserves, then you know you've got a pretty good defense, IMO.
I guess I would say that our biggest question mark on Defense on a relative basis (i.e., between the Secondary, LBs, and DL positions) is on the DL, simply because we have to see how Siavii plays. I'm assuming he's the guy Wade is counting on to back Ratliff.
With R Williams injured last season and K Davis playing his spot, I sometimes felt our defense had 10 1/2 guys playing instead of 11. Don't get me wrong, I think K Davis played his heart out, but he's isn't starting quality. And for that matter, R Williams confidence in coverage didn't seemed to return.
I'm fine with our 3 starting CBs as well, though I hope all 3 hold up because I'm a bit wary of Ball. I think Mickens will be a good CB in time, and maybe he will get some reps as the season progresses in certain packages.
If our Secondary remains healthy, I think our starters and nickel/dime players should be a clear improvement over last season - mainly due to Sensabaugh and the continued progress of Jenkins and Scandrick.
As for our LBs, I suppose the two main questions are whether Brooking still has enough left in the tank, and whether Spencer continues to improve. My hope is that Brooking has at least enough in the tank to play 1st and 2nd down, and that possbily by end of the regular season J Williams can take a few reps as well to rest/rotate Brooking when necessary.
I think Spencer will be fine. Let's hope he remains healthy. Also, Wade seems particularly keen on Spencer as per the OTAs PCs.
I also really like what we did in the Draft by drafting 4 LBs. I think each of the 4 LBs can play a role in 2010, if not this year. I suspect we will see our 2 OLB draft picks play this year in our defensive packages, and I think J Williams will be getting in reps by end of the season. Hodge may have the best shot of contributing right away on passing downs given that he's more used to playing in space.
As for the DL (similar to our Secondary), I like our starters. Behind our starters, I'm not as sure, especially regarding the NT position. I can only assume that Wade really likes Siavii since we didn't trade, draft, or pick up a reserve NT this off-season. At DE, I'd like to see Hatcher do a bit more as well, because I think he's got the talent. He just needs to put it all together this season. I'm really looking forward to watching Dixon in TC and pre-season. I think he may have a future with the Cowboys.
All in all, I like our starters on defense. When the main questions are concerning the reserves, then you know you've got a pretty good defense, IMO.
I guess I would say that our biggest question mark on Defense on a relative basis (i.e., between the Secondary, LBs, and DL positions) is on the DL, simply because we have to see how Siavii plays. I'm assuming he's the guy Wade is counting on to back Ratliff.
