Just imagine how good this defense could be

[Doomsday101]

I think we need to slow down a bit in McClain. He has looked good so far, but he has proven multiple times to be a bit of a headcase. If he gets injured, will he have the mental toughness to rehab and come back, or will be back to the couch after a payday this year? Two games is not nearly enough to be counting on him a a cog in this defense for next year. I agree it is a very tantalizing thought that he could finally be realizing his full potential, but IMO he's still a wild card

where was the slow down when people were ripping him and his defense before we even played 1 game? I love it hold your horses don't get excited but it is alright to rip what you don't know. It is truly amazing how that works.

 

[LatinMind]

Looking down the road there is some room for optimism. I would love to see an overload of talent on our Dline; similar to Seattle, Cincy and Carolina.

They have that with

Melton McClain Coleman, Hayden, Bishop, Selvie, Crawford, Lawrence, Mincey, Gardner.

I hope you dont think that these teams were just this deep with the snap of the finger. They started just like this team is starting right now. When Seattle started they were one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

 

[AsthmaField]

I really didn't like our LB corps at all going into the season. McClain's turned it on, for sure (you could always see his athleticism, but he looked winded and sometimes confused in preseason. I've seen little of that the last two weeks). I like Carter at SAM a lot better than I liked him at WIL, and our nickel LB package suddenly does not look bad. I liked the Toomer pickup a lot (which is good, since we lost Holloman). I have been less impressed with Durant (who I was relatively high on last season). But Hichens has been ok, and the thought of adding Lee to that same group (unlikely, I know), makes it look like it might actually be a defensive strength for us soon.

and for his first start, Hitchens didn't play bad at all. No big mistakes, even if he didn't make any big plays.

 

[Szczepanik]

Wilcox is your other safety. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, for this season. When the Cowboys get in a position to bring in a better player, they will.

 

[romothesavior]

I know it's unfashionable to be excited about the Cowboys, and I still think 8-8 would be a good season this year, but.......just imagine if:

1. Rolando McClain continues to improve and buy into his football life, and next year is our stud MLB.

2. Bruce Carter continues to get more and more comfortable on the strong side in this defense, and next year is our steady SLB with his blitz ability.

3. Sean Lee, our most athletic, cerebral, instinctive and big play guy becomes our big play WLB in this defense.

4. Whether it's Spencer, DLawrence, another draft pick, or a proven guy in free agency now that we finally expect to have enough cap flexibility next summer, we locate 1-2 DEs who can actually rush the passer.

In one year, this defense could go from anticipated disaster to better than expected to an actual top 10 unit.
It has required some good gambles, some desperation, and some good fortune, but we have inexpensively and without draft picks found some key components to a front 7 that can stuff the run and make plays. A team can go years and not find a decent pass rushing DE, but if we can get even one guy out there by next season who teams have to account for, this defense could be very good.

It's too early this season to say for sure, but one can definitely see the potential for being very good inside with an elite group of starting LBs.

Great post, and not at all out of the realm of possibility. If we hold onto McClain and Lee comes back healthy, we could have a top notch front seven next year. But conspicuously absent from this discussion is our secondary. Carr/Claiborne have both been huge busts for us. The secondary needs an overhaul and I don't think we have the free agency cash or the luxury of spending high draft picks on the secondary next year.

 

[casmith07]

Yeah, for this season. When the Cowboys get in a position to bring in a better player, they will.

I doubt it. I think they're pretty happy with what they're developing at safety.

 

[cowboys1981]

They have that with

Melton McClain Coleman, Hayden, Bishop, Selvie, Crawford, Lawrence, Mincey, Gardner.

I hope you dont think that these teams were just this deep with the snap of the finger. They started just like this team is starting right now. When Seattle started they were one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

I never said they were.

The point I am making is we need as many impact players on the Dline we can get.

Gardner and Lawrence haven't taken a snap so how can we measure what value they have?? Am I hopeful that they come out and are BIG TIME contributors? Hell yeah!

Hayden is ok, he is consistent vs run, but that's all he gives us. I'm hopeful McClain can push him for the starting spot once he's able to fully heal from his ankle injury.

 

[diehard2294]

So let's just say McClain Carter tear it up the rest of this year.Both are in contract years and Lee is coming off his injury.....your move?

 

[Idgit]

So let's just say McClain Carter tear it up the rest of this year.Both are in contract years and Lee is coming off his injury.....your move?

After all the difficulty he had getting started, McClain's going to give Dallas the right of first refusal for any reasonable deal. We'll get him done if he continues to play at a high level, I expect.

Carter, I don't know. I don't think the team's all that high on him, and replacing a SAM is not the end of the world. I think they'd have him back at the right price. And I'm not all that sure he's in line for a big contract elsewhere. If he plays himself into one, I expect we let him walk and replace his spot in the lineup.

Lee's a no brainer, especially as it's just an ACL he's coming back from. He'll be back, and moved to WIL, where he's a great fit.

 

[diehard2294]

After all the difficulty he had getting started, McClain's going to give Dallas the right of first refusal for any reasonable deal. We'll get him done if he continues to play at a high level, I expect.

Carter, I don't know. I don't think the team's all that high on him, and replacing a SAM is not the end of the world. I think they'd have him back at the right price. And I'm not all that sure he's in line for a big contract elsewhere. If he plays himself into one, I expect we let him walk and replace his spot in the lineup.

Lee's a no brainer, especially as it's just an ACL he's coming back from. He'll be back, and moved to WIL, where he's a great fit.

I did see McClain said there were only a few places he would play and this was one of them. I know Lee is back, I don't see him going anywhere unless his body gives up again. I guess for me it's how this all plays out with Murray and Dez being a FA as well and the salary cap.

Decisions decisions. .

 

[Idgit]

I did see McClain said there were only a few places he would play and this was one of them. I know Lee is back, I don't see him going anywhere unless his body gives up again. I guess for me it's how this all plays out with Murray and Dez being a FA as well and the salary cap.

Decisions decisions. .

It's going to be interesting. Dez will get done early in the offseason, and he'd be franchised, if not. Murray, I think he has a big year and is going to want more money than we want to pay. I think we let him walk unless he takes a sweetheart deal, and he's a good enough player and the right kind of guy...some team will want him at better than a sweetheart deal.

We've also got Harris as an UFA in 2015 and Beasley as a RFA. Plus whatever we do at RT. Lots to get done.

 

[Future]

I think we need to slow down a bit in McClain. He has looked good so far, but he has proven multiple times to be a bit of a headcase. If he gets injured, will he have the mental toughness to rehab and come back, or will be back to the couch after a payday this year? Two games is not nearly enough to be counting on him a a cog in this defense for next year. I agree it is a very tantalizing thought that he could finally be realizing his full potential, but IMO he's still a wild card

Agreed.

Realistically, so is Lee, though for different reasons. The thing with this defense is potential. IF Lee stays healthy... IF McClain wants to play...IF Lawrence is worth his pick...IF Melton is a pro-bowler...IF the young players like Wilcox continue to improve...

There's just a lot of "ifs" that could go either way. We really don't know.