Is R. McClain the key to defensive success?

[CyberB0b]

I thought he really set the tone for the defense last year, but struggled late with injuries and conditioning. Moving Lee to the Will is dependent on McClain being able to stay in there. I don't think I trust Rivers or Brinkley to have the type of impact McClain had physically. What do you think?

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Very much looking forward to Ro after a full year and offseason of football activities.

He's been lost in the shuffle given our other defensive additions...but his impact cannot be overstated. He is as talented (if not more so) than Lee and has a physicality you can't teach.

Cannot wait to see this defense play football this fall.

For once I won't be dreading when the offense heads off the field.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

He is the Key...until he gets hurt, or is not healthy, or has some other issues or....(insert other excuse here).

 

[JBell]

We have so much depth on defense (did I really just type that?), and particularly at LB, that we can afford to lose Ro and still be ok.

Last year he was much more important because we had no depth behind him.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think Ro is key to the defense as the MLB. Should he be forced to miss any time due to injury I think would move Hitchens inside before I would put Lee in the middle. However I feel Brinkley is capable of handing the job if called on

 

[xwalker]

Very much looking forward to Ro after a full year and offseason of football activities.

He's been lost in the shuffle given our other defensive additions...but his impact cannot be overstated. He is as talented (if not more so) than Lee and has a physicality you can't teach.

Cannot wait to see this defense play football this fall.

For once I won't be dreading when the offense heads off the field.

Who are the starters in the Nickel?

 

[Future]

I think the key is having one of either him or Lee active for every game. Both drastically change the nature of our LB corps.

 

[EMMITTnROY]

Between McClain, Lee, Hardy, Gregory, Lawrence, Crawford, Hitchens, Scandrick, Carr and Jones, we have a lot of talent all of a sudden on the defensive side of the ball. As long as they stay healthy, we are set.

So to answer your question, I think health is the key to defensive success.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Who are the starters in the Nickel?

At first blush it appears it'll be Hitch and Lee. Just like you saw Bruce sometimes in there ahead of Ro last year.

Though Ro has shown (flashback to Seattle) that he can cover and make plays in the secondary. You don't go top 10 in the NFL draft if teams think you can only play 40% of defensive snaps.

Do we try and rest Lee and play him less? And I have no idea as to the coverage ability of the bevy of guys we signed or Wilson from the draft.

LB will be as interesting as any position to watch in TC.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I thought he really set the tone for the defense last year, but struggled late with injuries and conditioning. Moving Lee to the Will is dependent on McClain being able to stay in there. I don't think I trust Rivers or Brinkley to have the type of impact McClain had physically. What do you think?

In that case, Hitchens would slide over to MLB and one of backups would start at SLB. Heck, if we're lucky the rookie(Wilson) may move up the depth chart and be a key "swing LB"

 

[tyke1doe]

I think many people/Cowboys fans underestimate Ro because he seems mentally unstable, but he is a blue-chip linebacker when he's not injured or dealing with non-football related issues.

If he is healthy and motivated, watch out. This defense will be lights out (assuming our pass rush improvements). Ro is THAT good. He just had to get out of that black (sink) hole called Oakland.

 

[Bullflop]

I think Rolando McClain is only ONE of the keys to defensive success. Many of them are required on any defense.

I don't think there's any question but what he's a tone-setter, though. Lee is another one when he's healthy.

Hopefully, we'll add several more this season, especially on the defensive line and in the secondary.

 

[bark]

It will be fun to see RO and Lee on the field at the same time. The question is what is the over/under on the number of games that actually happens.
I'm going with 8 and I fear that is high.

 

[Questfor6]

He's definitely the key in run support, watch the Houston game and you can tell when he was in and when he wasn't.

 

[CyberB0b]

In that case, Hitchens would slide over to MLB and one of backups would start at SLB. Heck, if we're lucky the rookie(Wilson) may move up the depth chart and be a key "swing LB"

I don't like that, at all. I think you get problems when you start shuffling players around. There is enough depth now where you shouldn't have to force guys to change positions.

 

[AzorAhai]

No he's not the key. The defense played its best late last season where he was barely a factor. The pass rush was the key as it will be this year.

 

[John813]

Who are the starters in the Nickel?

My guess is Gach and Lee.

 

[CyberB0b]

My guess is Gach and Lee.

Gach isn't a starter unless there are some injuries.

 

[visionary]

He is "a" key along with Lee, DL, and safety play

 

[texbumthelife]

I don't even think he is the most important linebacker, let alone the key to the defense. I think Sean Lee is a superior player to McCLain when healthy. I think he offers more versatility and his ability to settle into the the WLB role is the single biggest question for the defense.

All that said, the pass rush is the key to the defense this year.