I'm glad people are excited about our offensive line

[Galian Beast]

Maybe this will convince people that we also need to look at our defensive line with the same emphasis.

Unlike our offensive line, we're actually probably in better shape than where we started on the offensive line.

We have some potential on the line already that could be used as potential building blocks for our defensive line.

#1 Henry Melton - If Melton can return to form as this season continues, we could avoid having to make a heavy investment here.

#2 Tyrone Crawford. Crawford is another guy that we can only hope continues to develop, especially as he finds a home at defensive tackle. He might ultimately allow us to cut ties with Melton next year.

#3 Demarcus Lawrence. Unfortunately he is a huge question mark right now, but hopefully he can come back from his injury, fresh and strong.

#4 Michael Sam. I'm really surprised that we haven't brought him up yet, even if it is just for 3rd downs. The longer things go without him being activated to the 53, the less hope I think there is of him ever playing, which is surprising given what he did in preseason.

Within the top 3 picks next year we obviously need to draft defensive end and defensive tackle. And we're probably going to have to do it again the year after that.

 

[casmith07]

Patience.

 

[Zordon]

pressure up the middle>>>pressure from the ends. watching gerald mccoy get in brees' chest every play made me want a disruptive force up the middle.

 

[zrinkill]

Maybe this will convince people that we also need to look at our defensive line with the same emphasis.

Who are you trying to convince?

Who does not want that?

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Maybe this will convince people that we also need to look at our defensive line with the same emphasis.

Unlike our offensive line, we're actually probably in better shape than where we started on the offensive line.

We have some potential on the line already that could be used as potential building blocks for our defensive line.

#1 Henry Melton - If Melton can return to form as this season continues, we could avoid having to make a heavy investment here.

#2 Tyrone Crawford. Crawford is another guy that we can only hope continues to develop, especially as he finds a home at defensive tackle. He might ultimately allow us to cut ties with Melton next year.

#3 Demarcus Lawrence. Unfortunately he is a huge question mark right now, but hopefully he can come back from his injury, fresh and strong.

#4 Michael Sam. I'm really surprised that we haven't brought him up yet, even if it is just for 3rd downs. The longer things go without him being activated to the 53, the less hope I think there is of him ever playing, which is surprising given what he did in preseason.

Within the top 3 picks next year we obviously need to draft defensive end and defensive tackle. And we're probably going to have to do it again the year after that.

I agree. We do need to address D-line heavy, but we also have a lot of young potential on the D-line. The reason we were so successful at building a young nasty O-line is because we didn't reach. The only desperation move was Tyron Smith. When I say desperation, I mean we were gonna draft LT regardless. With Fred and Martin, we chose the best player on the board. I think we can afford to do the same thing now since we have some young potential on D-line. We spent a lot to get Lawrence so he will definitely get a shot at being our long-term WDE. We've groomed Crawford over the years and it looks like he's making a legitimate case at being our 3-tech of the future. We don't seem to draft 1-tech very high, but we do have some young potential in Bishop. And with Crawford likely moving to 3-tech, it seems we need to address SDE (Selvie will do for now, but we need to improve). My point is, we can afford to draft the best D-linemen available. We don't need to specifically draft 3-tech or SDE or WDE. Just accumulate talent like we did on O-line. We can be a year or two away from a dominant D-line if we play our cards right.

 

[Galian Beast]

Who are you trying to convince?

Who does not want that?

The type of people who think we should draft a QB next year, or perhaps the people who complained about the Frederick and Martin draft picks...

I'm saying with the success of the offensive line and them becoming an engine driving the offense, perhaps people have/will come around to doing the same on the defensive line.

Our linebackers might be set. Our secondary probably doesn't need A LOT of help at this point. It all boils down to getting better players on this line, but even this line might become wildly better by years end if Spencer, Sam, Brent, and Lawrence can contribute.

 

[Galian Beast]

I agree. We do need to address D-line heavy, but we also have a lot of young potential on the D-line. The reason we were so successful at building a young nasty O-line is because we didn't reach. The only desperation move was Tyron Smith. When I say desperation, I mean we were gonna draft LT regardless. With Fred and Martin, we chose the best player on the board. I think we can afford to do the same thing now since we have some young potential on D-line. We spent a lot to get Lawrence so he will definitely get a shot at being our long-term WDE. We've groomed Crawford over the years and it looks like he's making a legitimate case at being our 3-tech of the future. We don't seem to draft 1-tech very high, but we do have some young potential in Bishop. And with Crawford likely moving to 3-tech, it seems we need to address SDE (Selvie will do for now, but we need to improve). My point is, we can afford to draft the best D-linemen available. We don't need to specifically draft 3-tech or SDE or WDE. Just accumulate talent like we did on O-line. We can be a year or two away from a dominant D-line if we play our cards right.

Defense is a bit different than o-line in this regard. Defensive linemen are placed on a priority compared to offensive linemen. I don't have the numbers but if you look at 1st and 2nd round draft picks, I'm sure you'll find more defensive linemen than offensive linemen.

We shouldn't reach, but it really isn't about reaching, especially if we do well this year, we're not going to be in position for any prime players. I think we need to get the best defensive linemen available, and they're almost always there regardless of where you're picking without significantly reaching.

If we can turn this over with star power, we can at the very least get the rotation a lot deeper.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Maybe this will convince people that we also need to look at our defensive line with the same emphasis.

Unlike our offensive line, we're actually probably in better shape than where we started on the offensive line.

We have some potential on the line already that could be used as potential building blocks for our defensive line.

#1 Henry Melton - If Melton can return to form as this season continues, we could avoid having to make a heavy investment here.

#2 Tyrone Crawford. Crawford is another guy that we can only hope continues to develop, especially as he finds a home at defensive tackle. He might ultimately allow us to cut ties with Melton next year.

#3 Demarcus Lawrence. Unfortunately he is a huge question mark right now, but hopefully he can come back from his injury, fresh and strong.

#4 Michael Sam. I'm really surprised that we haven't brought him up yet, even if it is just for 3rd downs. The longer things go without him being activated to the 53, the less hope I think there is of him ever playing, which is surprising given what he did in preseason.

Within the top 3 picks next year we obviously need to draft defensive end and defensive tackle. And we're probably going to have to do it again the year after that.

What did Sam do in the preseason against starters?

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Defense is a bit different than o-line in this regard. Defensive linemen are placed on a priority compared to offensive linemen. I don't have the numbers but if you look at 1st and 2nd round draft picks, I'm sure you'll find more defensive linemen than offensive linemen.

We shouldn't reach, but it really isn't about reaching, especially if we do well this year, we're not going to be in position for any prime players. I think we need to get the best defensive linemen available, and they're almost always there regardless of where you're picking without significantly reaching.

If we can turn this over with star power, we can at the very least get the rotation a lot deeper.

I think there's a higher likelihood of getting a stud SDE or 1-tech late in the 1st or in the 2nd than getting a stud 3-tech or WDE. Fortunately (if Crawford keeps playing well and Lawrence becomes who we hope he will), we won't need to place such an emphasis on WDE or 3-tech.

 

[xwalker]

Maybe this will convince people that we also need to look at our defensive line with the same emphasis.

Unlike our offensive line, we're actually probably in better shape than where we started on the offensive line.

We have some potential on the line already that could be used as potential building blocks for our defensive line.

#1 Henry Melton - If Melton can return to form as this season continues, we could avoid having to make a heavy investment here.

#2 Tyrone Crawford. Crawford is another guy that we can only hope continues to develop, especially as he finds a home at defensive tackle. He might ultimately allow us to cut ties with Melton next year.

#3 Demarcus Lawrence. Unfortunately he is a huge question mark right now, but hopefully he can come back from his injury, fresh and strong.

#4 Michael Sam. I'm really surprised that we haven't brought him up yet, even if it is just for 3rd downs. The longer things go without him being activated to the 53, the less hope I think there is of him ever playing, which is surprising given what he did in preseason.

Within the top 3 picks next year we obviously need to draft defensive end and defensive tackle. And we're probably going to have to do it again the year after that.

Are you trying to break a record for the most new threads in a 3 day time period?

Melton is very expensive to keep. His salary is 9M next season if they pick up his option.

T. Crawford is playing better than Melton and got the start at the 3-tech spot with 43 snaps as compared to 21 for Melton.

They say that Michael Sam is below the other guy on the Practice Squad. They say if a DE was promoted from the Practice Squad, that it would be Boatright, not Sam.

 

[xwalker]

What did Sam do in the preseason against starters?

He has a recognizable name. That makes him good.

 

[zrinkill]

The type of people who think we should draft a QB next year

Cause we did not draft Troy Aikman and Tony Tolbert the same year or anything.

 

[zrinkill]

I actually agree with "mr look at me" about Sam ........ they could use his pass rush on 3rd down

 

[Kaiser]

I think they definitely renegotiate Melton's contract for next year. This year Marinelli will hold the DT rotation together with duct tape and bubble gum and by next year, they will role with the best players out of Melton, Crawford, Bishop, Coleman, McClain, Josh Brent, Okoye, Hayden and Whaley.

By next year Lawrence will have established himself as a starter, we take whatever we get from Anthony Spencer and the tryouts continue to see if we have legit rotational players out of the group of Selvie, Mincey, Lavar Edwards, Jack Crawford, Boatright and Michael Sam (plus Ben Gardner next year).

Then its basically a lock that we bring in a DE from a high draft pick or FA signing.

 

[gimmesix]

I think there's a higher likelihood of getting a stud SDE or 1-tech late in the 1st or in the 2nd than getting a stud 3-tech or WDE. Fortunately (if Crawford keeps playing well and Lawrence becomes who we hope he will), we won't need to place such an emphasis on WDE or 3-tech.

I agree with this to some extent. Not sure Crawford is a stud 3-tech, but can't help but like what we're seeing. If Lawrence is everything Dallas thought he could be, then we could be set up pretty well at those two positions, which will allow us to pursue one more top-quality end and a monster 1-tech.

Next year, our rotation could be:

WDE Lawrence/Spencer

3-tech Crawford/Coleman

1-tech Draft pick(2nd-rounder)/Bishop

SDE Draft pick(1st-rounder)/Selvie

That's counting on us deciding Melton is too expensive to keep, or Crawford is better at this point. Then, if we go heavy again like we did this year, we still have Mincey, Gardner, Brent, Hayden, McClain to choose from, along with the PS guys Sam and Boatright, and an intriguing player on IR: Chris Whaley.

So Dallas can complete the rebuild quickly, but a lot depends on Lawrence and Crawford.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Maybe this will convince people that we also need to look at our defensive line with the same emphasis.

Unlike our offensive line, we're actually probably in better shape than where we started on the offensive line.

We have some potential on the line already that could be used as potential building blocks for our defensive line.

#1 Henry Melton - If Melton can return to form as this season continues, we could avoid having to make a heavy investment here.

#2 Tyrone Crawford. Crawford is another guy that we can only hope continues to develop, especially as he finds a home at defensive tackle. He might ultimately allow us to cut ties with Melton next year.

#3 Demarcus Lawrence. Unfortunately he is a huge question mark right now, but hopefully he can come back from his injury, fresh and strong.

#4 Michael Sam. I'm really surprised that we haven't brought him up yet, even if it is just for 3rd downs. The longer things go without him being activated to the 53, the less hope I think there is of him ever playing, which is surprising given what he did in preseason.

Within the top 3 picks next year we obviously need to draft defensive end and defensive tackle. And we're probably going to have to do it again the year after that.

I don't think people need a lot of convincing that the defensive line needs more talent.

On the other hand I think you're a bit overzealous when it comes to DT.

I think the Cowboys will dip into DE pool come next offseason, but I can see them maybe not being as aggressive when it comes to DT. There is some young talent there.

 

[Derinyar]

I don't see how anyone can really think Sam is ready for prime time. I just trust in Rod. He seems to get a lot from guys who don't have great track records and has been pretty good on rating dline, and he doesn't think Sam is a better bet right now then anyone we currently have rostered.

 

[Risen Star]

Good thread. GB.

 

[Galian Beast]

Are you trying to break a record for the most new threads in a 3 day time period?

Melton is very expensive to keep. His salary is 9M next season if they pick up his option.

T. Crawford is playing better than Melton and got the start at the 3-tech spot with 43 snaps as compared to 21 for Melton.

They say that Michael Sam is below the other guy on the Practice Squad. They say if a DE was promoted from the Practice Squad, that it would be Boatright, not Sam.

I create a thread when I want to discuss something, I thought that was what message boards were about.

Melton is expensive, and the only way I can justify keeping him at that rate, is if he performs even better as he gets healthier and back into football shape.

Melton is playing pretty well though, not sure how you have concluded Crawford has outplayed him, hopefully not just by the snap count.

Who is they?

 

[Galian Beast]

I think there's a higher likelihood of getting a stud SDE or 1-tech late in the 1st or in the 2nd than getting a stud 3-tech or WDE. Fortunately (if Crawford keeps playing well and Lawrence becomes who we hope he will), we won't need to place such an emphasis on WDE or 3-tech.

I think it's all about what is available and what our biggest needs are at the end of the year. Right now I think we have glaring needs at WDE and SDE. That could change if Lawrence turns into a player. It could change if Spencer returns to form.

Defensive tackle could change a lot too. Team could be completely different at the end of the year, and we might be able to focus on some other positions next year. I think that is being a bit too hopeful though.