I like to hear some opinions Damone Clark's second season

[beware_d-ware]

We have another real MLB in Parsons. We should be using him there more often.
Especially when a team gets ahead and runs on us all day. We have better run defenders at DE than Parsons, but not better MLBs. We could have improved at both positions, and reduced wear and tear on Parsons.

Really too bad about LVE. Looked to me like he had turned the corner the end of last year. But that they didn't spend time pretending he would come back this season is a good sign he's done. Or should be.

Jaylon Smith showed us all that there is a lot more to playing LB than being 6'2" 240 and running really fast. It's a proactive position, and you have to diagnose what the offense is doing to make plays. Otherwise, you will be a johnny-come-latey pile jumper at best.

Parsons basically hasn't studied in an LB room since 2019. At this point, he'd be zero read at MLB and all react, which would just make him an ineffective player.

Eg, if the 49ers start in trips left then send their TE in motion right, he doesn't know what routes their TE runs out of that look. Now when that TE drags across him, he's a step behind and chasing an open receiver. Repeat for 70 snaps. Shanahan will be happy for the Cowboys to have a Mike that stones his lead blocker 1 or 2 times in the hole, if he can lead that Mike around like a lost puppy with motion for the rest of the day. We saw that with the Rams playoff game in 2018.

 

[fivetwos]

He has played 19 games. This is essentially September of his sophomore season. He may develop into a nice player.

BUT…the problem isn’t Clark himself, it’s that we need a capable LB NOW, not later if it takes the guy until year 2-3 to get it…as many mid round picks do if they make it at all.

This is where passing on free agency kills us.

They draft for need and expect every one of them to help immediately like a vet would. Same at DT this year. Mazi could develop fine, but we need a DT that can be good NOW.

This is at least part of why we always fall short. I’m not asking them to pull a Rams, but come on. At least recognize that the current plan, as wonderful as it may seem, hasn’t worked.

 

[Cowboyz88]

Just the next in line of LVE, Jaylon, Bruce Carter, Bradie James line of average.

Team needs a truly catalytic LB.

 

[blueblood70]

Just the next in line of LVE, Jaylon, Bruce Carter, Bradie James line of average.

Team needs a truly catalytic LB.

OK well let us know who's coming out of college that fits that mold that'll be in the bottom ten of the first round that we can even possibly take.... I mean I agree it would be nice to get a can't miss middle linebacker in the mold of Bobby Wagner or Fred Warner but who is that guy(s)?

 

[kskboys]

He has played 19 games. This is essentially September of his sophomore season. He may develop into a nice player.

BUT…the problem isn’t Clark himself, it’s that we need a capable LB NOW, not later if it takes the guy until year 2-3 to get it…as many mid round picks do if they make it at all.

This is where passing on free agency kills us.

They draft for need and expect every one of them to help immediately like a vet would. Same at DT this year. Mazi could develop fine, but we need a DT that can be good NOW.

This is at least part of why we always fall short. I’m not asking them to pull a Rams, but come on. At least recognize that the current plan, as wonderful as it may seem, hasn’t worked.

Yup. Because up to this point, we've been very poor at acquiring players w/ the future in mind.

 

[ak47kaehu]

I don’t believe that for a second!

Warner looks bigger than Clark and Clark is supposed to be 245lbs.

That's what their profile says....I wonder how often their height and weight are updated?

Maybe Warners dreadlocks makes him look bigger and scarier

 

[ak47kaehu]

Warner is just a complete LB. He reads plays at an elite level. He’s good against run and pass but it’s not because he’s this big thumper. It’s because he reads plays and is always in the right position to make the play. If Overshown can learn to read and react like Warner he will be a star player

Yup! Diagnosing and reacting to a play is key to being a successful linebacker. Sean Lee possessed this trait.....if only his brain was in Bruce carter's body....

 

[fivetwos]

Yup. Because up to this point, we've been very poor at acquiring players w/ the future in mind.

I feel like Sheldon….is this sarcasm?

They have been pretty good at developing players….but when you need immediate help, the mid rounds of the draft aren’t the ideal place to look.

Would it shock anyone if the final four were KC/Mia/Phi/SF? Not at all.

Those teams are aggressive with trading players and trading for players…as well as high picks to get the roster they need.

We use the first two rounds of the draft for that and expect it to pan out right away.

It would be great if it worked…but it hasn’t.

 

[conner01]

Yup! Diagnosing and reacting to a play is key to being a successful linebacker. Sean Lee possessed this trait.....if only his brain was in Bruce carter's body....

Lee would be in HOF had his body held up. Amazing in coverage. But you are right, it’s not about the body but the brain at LB and at most nfl positions

 

[Coogiguy03]

With their first pick of the 2024 draft the Cowboys select...

A damn TE from South Idaho state!

 

[Coogiguy03]

He needs to continue to improve. He’s not playing at the level the Cowboys need.

But I’m not going to write him off. There is still time for him to improve

He'll get better in his contract year!

 

[tm1119]

He’s still lacking in the IQ part of the game. He shows the athleticism and aggression to attack plays that are in front of him, but struggles to diagnose and read plays that aren’t obvious. He wasn’t supposed to be playing the Mike role this year until LVE got hurt so I’m not too surprised or disappointed, but I’m def not sure he’s the type of guy you pencil into the starting spot next season without looking for serious competition. But also entirely possible he takes the full year of experience + the off season to improve and plays well next year, he certainly has the tools.

 

[kskboys]

I feel like Sheldon….is this sarcasm?

They have been pretty good at developing players….but when you need immediate help, the mid rounds of the draft aren’t the ideal place to look.

Would it shock anyone if the final four were KC/Mia/Phi/SF? Not at all.

Those teams are aggressive with trading players and trading for players…as well as high picks to get the roster they need.

We use the first two rounds of the draft for that and expect it to pan out right away.

It would be great if it worked…but it hasn’t.

Not at all. We have tended to let a position fall completely apart before addressing it. The current example is RB, where we did nothing to get one to replace Polly.

We've done it to WR, LB, and just about every position except CB. In 09, w/ the OL falling completely apart down the stretch, we did nothing to address it, throwing a 6th at some stiff for OL .

We are poor at drafting players for the future due to our poor inability to evaluate players. Fortunately, we do get lucky sometimes.

And the example for that was Reggie Robinson, who quite simply lacked the agility to play. The current example is Eric Scott, and I sure hope I'm wrong about him.

 

[conner01]

I don't have to wait until the end of next year. I'll know what he is by the first few games next year. You're welcome to give him more time though.

At this point Marcus ware was judged as inferior to Shawn merryman. I’ll watch a couple of seasons of a guy playing full time to judge. He’s playing decent now and better than he was to begin the season. Hopefully he’s better to start next year and gets better as he plays more games

 

[Coogiguy03]

At this point Marcus ware was judged as inferior to Shawn merryman. I’ll watch a couple of seasons of a guy playing full time to judge. He’s playing decent now and better than he was to begin the season. Hopefully he’s better to start next year and gets better as he plays more games

Merriman burned himself out doing that stupid dance after every sack!!! lol

 

[conner01]

you don't have to sell me man i'm a longhorn fan i saw this dude raise havoc in college.. but right now it still looks like a really good strong safety/hybrid backer is why DQ drafted him but i agre add 10lbs and he might be pretty darn good.. hes got that motor and instinct you cant teach,. Hope the injury doesn't take that asway ala we see guys like Steele, pollard, gallup and others struggling to regain their old form.

10 lbs of muscle isn’t a reach for these guys who have the time and resources to easily get great nutrition and workout with very smart people

 

[fivetwos]

Not at all. We have tended to let a position fall completely apart before addressing it. The current example is RB, where we did nothing to get one to replace Polly.

We've done it to WR, LB, and just about every position except CB. In 09, w/ the OL falling completely apart down the stretch, we did nothing to address it, throwing a 6th at some stiff for OL .

We are poor at drafting players for the future due to our poor inability to evaluate players. Fortunately, we do get lucky sometimes.

And the example for that was Reggie Robinson, who quite simply lacked the agility to play. The current example is Eric Scott, and I sure hope I'm wrong about him.

Ok I misread you. My bad.

Bottom line for me is when you need immediate help, don’t count on the upcoming draft for it.

Don’t have to pull a Rams or sign big names, but the strategy of continuing to pass on FA hurts (especially when everyone else does not)…and becomes much more evident after some players are lost to injury.

 

[quickccc]

I remember when Ken Norton Jr. was a ok LB that wasn't much to talk about, but something clicked and he became a leader of a SB Defense. Damone is in his first full year of starting, and Idk if he'll become a impact player but I'll have some grace about his game.

Good point. True about Norton .. his eventually development (along with a much stronger surrounding support cast
and quality coaching) made a huge impact for him.

But notice how we did not stop to wait on Norton Jr. .. we still added LB players such as
Darrin Smith Jr in the 2nd rd ... Robert Jones Jr. in 1st round .... Dixon Edwards in 2nd rd.

Maybe you're right about "eventually' developing into such a Norton like player.
But I'm not close to thinking of waiting on him.
The motion is already in line with Overshown (albeit ACL) ,.. we goofed big time on re-signing LVE,
Bell is a mere 200 lb converted safety and perhaps Evans has flaws that are not trusted enuff for bigger impact time.

 

[stilltheguru]

At this point Marcus ware was judged as inferior to Shawn merryman. I’ll watch a couple of seasons of a guy playing full time to judge. He’s playing decent now and better than he was to begin the season. Hopefully he’s better to start next year and gets better as he plays more games

By all means

 

[quickccc]

Jaylon Smith showed us all that there is a lot more to playing LB than being 6'2" 240 and running really fast. It's a proactive position, and you have to diagnose what the offense is doing to make plays. Otherwise, you will be a johnny-come-latey pile jumper at best.

Parsons basically hasn't studied in an LB room since 2019. At this point, he'd be zero read at MLB and all react, which would just make him an ineffective player.

Eg, if the 49ers start in trips left then send their TE in motion right, he doesn't know what routes their TE runs out of that look. Now when that TE drags across him, he's a step behind and chasing an open receiver. Repeat for 70 snaps. Shanahan will be happy for the Cowboys to have a Mike that stones his lead blocker 1 or 2 times in the hole, if he can lead that Mike around like a lost puppy with motion for the rest of the day. We saw that with the Rams playoff game in 2018.

I would touch tone that experiment next season, ( Parsons more of a LB)
but I dunno if i want him as a full time Middle LB (ala Brian Urlacher) or keep him more as a Hasson Reddick Von Miller-role.
Leave it to the DC ( or heir apparent DC ?)