Immediate thoughts on a front 7 that consists of

[NextGenBoys]

We just locked in Hardy for this year.

How do you feel about a front 7 that consists of:

Hardy, Crawford, Brent/Bishop, D Law
Lee McClain Hitchens
??????/

I'd say that gives us an above average front 7, somewhere in the 10-15 range.

You look at the defense Carolina had with Hardy, and there was no standouts in the secondary, as well as one standout linebacker (Lee and Kuechly were regarded as the best 43 MLB in the game) and a stout defensive line.

I think Crawford is ready to take his game to the 2013 Hatcher level and beyond. Hardy speaks for itself with the ability and physicality that he plays with. We have to trust DLaw to come along after his run in the playoffs. That just leaves us with one more DT position to fill, and I really like our chances of having a very serviceable, boarderline very good defense in 2015.

 

[Szczepanik]

Do we not have McClain anymore in the middle?

 

[DandyDon1722]

Nick Hayden is hurt over this post.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Nick Hayden is hurt over this post.

If he is back on this team, something is wrong. He was literally the worst DT in football last year.

 

[Crown Royal]

I want one more DT and DE for depth, and we need to get another LB. I like Hitchens, but i'm not sure I like him as a full time starter yet.

We're better in the front seven, but we've gutted our LBers a bit. The good thing is that we still have the draft coming up which helps tremendously.

 

[unionjack8]

crawford has got to take a HUGE step forward.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Don't forget Okoye and Whaley coming back this year too ! But mainly both 3-tech. so I think we take a 1-tech high in the draft : )

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I like it but we need to get RO signed.

 

[CyberB0b]

The starting lineup doesn't tell you much. That looks pretty good on paper, but we need depth.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

We just locked in Hardy for this year.

How do you feel about a front 7 that consists of:

Hardy, Crawford, Brent/Bishop, D Law
Lee McClain Hitchens
??????/

I'd say that gives us an above average front 7, somewhere in the 10-15 range.

You look at the defense Carolina had with Hardy, and there was no standouts in the secondary, as well as one standout linebacker (Lee and Kuechly were regarded as the best 43 MLB in the game) and a stout defensive line.

I think Crawford is ready to take his game to the 2013 Hatcher level and beyond. Hardy speaks for itself with the ability and physicality that he plays with. We have to trust DLaw to come along after his run in the playoffs. That just leaves us with one more DT position to fill, and I really like our chances of having a very serviceable, boarderline very good defense in 2015.

good with Crawford and hardy. but Lawrence has to move to the LDE spot....and how effective will he be there. can he hold up on the strong side.

we still need a DT next to Crawford.

 

[Fredd]

Immediate thoughts? Once Hardy gets in a game, look out....prior to that, the training period for Lawrence continues

 

[DFWJC]

It's better

 

[EPL0c0]

We just locked in Hardy for this year.

How do you feel about a front 7 that consists of:

Hardy, Crawford, Brent/Bishop, D Law
Lee McClain Hitchens
??????/

I'd say that gives us an above average front 7, somewhere in the 10-15 range.

You look at the defense Carolina had with Hardy, and there was no standouts in the secondary, as well as one standout linebacker (Lee and Kuechly were regarded as the best 43 MLB in the game) and a stout defensive line.

I think Crawford is ready to take his game to the 2013 Hatcher level and beyond. Hardy speaks for itself with the ability and physicality that he plays with. We have to trust DLaw to come along after his run in the playoffs. That just leaves us with one more DT position to fill, and I really like our chances of having a very serviceable, boarderline very good defense in 2015.

I wouldn't mind if Dallas went for a pass rusher (or D in general) in the 1st round.

Hardy's got a 1yr deal and Mincey is a UFA after 2015. Bring in a rookie that can get some playing time but can mostly sit back and learn. Having two young DEs for a few years would be nice

 

[NextGenBoys]

good with Crawford and hardy. but Lawrence has to move to the LDE spot....and how effective will he be there. can he hold up on the strong side.

we still need a DT next to Crawford.

I would almost rather have Hardy's physicality on the strong side, and use D Law strictly for rushing the passer at RDE. Hardy is a great pass rusher, but he is so physical at the point of attack, he might be better fitted for strong side.

 

[Zekeats]

Nick Hayden is hurt over this post.

good

 

[Zekeats]

good with Crawford and hardy. but Lawrence has to move to the LDE spot....and how effective will he be there. can he hold up on the strong side.

we still need a DT next to Crawford.

He played a lot on that side in college. It will be fun to see both of them flip flopping around and getting after the QB. Also, most likely Hardy will move inside on passing downs depending on who we face.

 

[NextGenBoys]

I want one more DT and DE for depth, and we need to get another LB. I like Hitchens, but i'm not sure I like him as a full time starter yet.

We're better in the front seven, but we've gutted our LBers a bit. The good thing is that we still have the draft coming up which helps tremendously.

After last year, how can you not like him as a full time starter?

What more do you want? He is going to be a very good linebacker. Not great, but very good, and very hard to replace.

 

[Crown Royal]

After last year, how can you not like him as a full time starter?

What more do you want? He is going to be a very good linebacker. Not great, but very good, and very hard to replace.

I love him as a depth guy, and I'm not saying he won't be a good starter. But for now I would feel better having one more year of competition to let him develop.

The second sentence is the real reason why - I think he has a ceiling. I also think his range is a little limited and he can be targeted. I think year 3 hitchens is the fully developed starter. I think year 2 hitchens is the fantastic utility backup and future starter. Note that with Lee & McClain's injury history, I say all this with the expectation that he will very likely start games even this year.

 

[bonafidebanter]

 

[speedkilz88]

Broaddus

The Cowboys have both Jeremy Mincey and DeMarcus Lawrence set to return as defensive ends next season. Hardy would likely move straight to the right side where he would face the opposing team’s left tackles. Lawrence would likely switch to the left side in that scenario with Mincey serving as a roving lineman who can play both sides, along with occasional defensive tackle duties in pass-rushing situations.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...bid=577964497064710144&adbpl=tw&adbpr=8824902