Is LB the weakest part of our defense?

[jday]

Just saw another thread showing how the lowest rated players on defense last year were Wilber, Holloman and Carter. Not to mention, Sean Lee hasn't played a full season since high school.I'm just wondering if LB might be the weakest part of our defense.

If I was a betting man, I'd say Lee misses 4+ games this season. Carter has the potential to be a bust and off the roster mid season. And our only other LBers are 2nd year Holloman and a guy without a true position in Wilber.

I'm starting to think we're much more set on DL and the secondary than LB. And I think we're awful on DL and secondary.

It's an interesting take and I am aware of the thread you are referring to because I was a part of that discussion. As I stated on that thread, there are alot of variables that should be considered before completely writing off Carter, Wilber and Holloman. The first and most prominent being that they were in a new system last year, moving from the 34 to the 43. This move likely impacted them more than anyone because they were forced into completely different positions as a result with completely different assignments and responsibilities. The 2nd is that they were asked to maintain gap responsibility when they were lined up with guys they could not possibly trust, with scrubs no one had ever heard of being brought in to replace injured starters; particularly on the DL, which would negatively impact the linebackers more than anyone else on defense. Lastly, something I did not mention on that thread but warrants mentioning is the offense failed miserably in maintaining long sustaining drives that would have kept them performing at their peak throughout the game. I wonder how much of those negative plays Pro Football Focus tallied occurred in the waining minutes of the games?

 

[big dog cowboy]

I wish the Cowboys would draft just like the Giants

No kidding. They didn't get their defense killed by injuries like we did and still managed to go 7-9 last year.

 

[NickZepp]

Our entire defense is the weakest part of our defense.

 

[xwalker]

It's an interesting take and I am aware of the thread you are referring to because I was a part of that discussion. As I stated on that thread, there are alot of variables that should be considered before completely writing off Carter, Wilber and Holloman. The first and most prominent being that they were in a new system last year, moving from the 34 to the 43. This move likely impacted them more than anyone because they were forced into completely different positions as a result with completely different assignments and responsibilities. The 2nd is that they were asked to maintain gap responsibility when they were lined up with guys they could not possibly trust, with scrubs no one had ever heard of being brought in to replace injured starters; particularly on the DL, which would negatively impact the linebackers more than anyone else on defense. Lastly, something I did not mention on that thread but warrants mentioning is the offense failed miserably in maintaining long sustaining drives that would have kept them performing at their peak throughout the game. I wonder how much of those negative plays Pro Football Focus tallied occurred in the waining minutes of the games?

I reviewed Holloman in the final game on the All-22 film. He was actually quite good. Much better than you would expect considering the circumstances. He was a college Safety that started play LB in his final college season. He had never played or practiced MLB until after Lee got injured. The final game was his 2nd game playing MLB.

FYI - The PFF ratings have repeatedly been shown to be garbage. At one point that had Doug Free ranked way above Tyron Smith.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

According to Gil Barndt, who advocates the Cowboys taking Shazier, Carter's problem is that he doesn't love football. He does it because he has always been good at it, and makes a good living. He is not like Lee or even Shazier, who live and breath football.

 

[jday]

I reviewed Holloman in the final game on the All-22 film. He was actually quite good. Much better than you would expect considering the circumstances. He was a college Safety that started play LB in his final college season. He had never played or practiced MLB until after Lee got injured. The final game was his 2nd game playing MLB.

FYI - The PFF ratings have repeatedly been shown to be garbage. At one point that had Doug Free ranked way above Tyron Smith.

I really liked Holloman early in training camp. Likely a result of his Safety experience, I've noticed he is better than average coverage LB. In fact, at this stage I would trust him in the Nickel alongside Lee more than any other LB.

Something I just noticed looking at the Cowboys roster. Do they have a true 1-tech DT? Henry Melton is close to the right size, but I think that spot would be a waste of his talents, considering his ability to penetrate.

 

[gmoney112]

I really liked Holloman early in training camp. Likely a result of his Safety experience, I've noticed he is better than average coverage LB. In fact, at this stage I would trust him in the Nickel alongside Lee more than any other LB.

Something I just noticed looking at the Cowboys roster. Do they have a true 1-tech DT? Henry Melton is close to the right size, but I think that spot would be a waste of his talents, considering his ability to penetrate.

McClain is the starting 1-tech at this point, I imagine.

Also xwalker, what do you see as Holloman's natural position? Can he play WLB? I don't have access to film but I really liked Wilber at SLB, although I don't remember seeing him in coverage much.

 

[jday]

McClain is the starting 1-tech at this point, I imagine.

Also xwalker, what do you see as Holloman's natural position? Can he play WLB? I don't have access to film but I really liked Wilber at SLB, although I don't remember seeing him in coverage much.

I know this question was for xwalker, but I thought I would point out that his strong suit is in coverage, but he seems to really struggle in run support.

 

[jday]

McClain is the starting 1-tech at this point, I imagine.

Also xwalker, what do you see as Holloman's natural position? Can he play WLB? I don't have access to film but I really liked Wilber at SLB, although I don't remember seeing him in coverage much.

Also, I have a feeling the Cowboys will be looking in the draft for another 1 tech...and probably as early as the 2nd round. I'm sure there will be some very good ones available there.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The weakest part of our Defense is our Secondary. Our DL could be better and it will be better now that Melton, McClain and Mincey have been signed. Crawford and Bass coming back will also help. Selvie should be better and anything we get out of Spencer is a plus. We will add players in the Draft and possibly sign some as well. We still need an Edge Rusher but we should be much better up front then we were last year.

At LB, Lee will be back, Carter should be much, much better with another years experience behind him in this scheme, Holloman, Lawrence and Wilbur will all be better. Could see another player in the draft. Health and experience will make this unit better then last years.

In the Secondary, we have 5 Safeties that either haven't proven they can play or have question marks about their abilities to play within the scheme. We have two high dollar CBs who don't fit the scheme. That's the weakest part of the defense IMO.