Justin Durant the Playmaker

[robjay04]

Justin Durant can be a guy that can help this defense turn around. He seems to be a fringe player in practice but always shows up for the games and has a way to find the football.

I remember two years ago, hearing about him potentially being a roster cut in training camp but he turned out to be our best linebacker before the injury. This year I even heard talk of him being a surprise cut and he barely saw the field week one but he was our savior in week two.

Injuries will always scare me with this guy but if he is able, he should start and get a full snap count. Lord knows this defense needs playmakers and Durant can be that guy playing next to Lee.

 

[Craig]

I dont recall talk this year a out him being a cut. He was pretty clearly signed to play a lot when ro got suspended.

 

[primetimenrn]

Durant is an X factor this year.

He seems to be able to turn it on and zone in at times. Give the coaches credit because they kept him fresh going into the 4th quarter week 2.

If "the old man" can get his stamina back, he can really help this defense.

 

[Sydla]

He's better than Hitchens, that's for sure.

But I am not sure about painting him as the guy who is going to turn around the D. Way too many holes for one fringe LB to do that.

 

[robjay04]

I dont recall talk this year a out him being a cut. He was pretty clearly signed to play a lot when ro got suspended.

I remember hearing Broaddus or someone else in the local media seeming to believe he has been outplayed in camp, probably before some LB injuries. Regardless, I didn't hear anyone say he looked good.

 

[Idgit]

I do think Broadus might have said it at some point. Just like he said Dak can't throw in camp this year. A lot of times he doesn't get it right, and he doesn't get it close.

2014, Durant was one of our very best defenders. He's a much better athlete than people realize and a smart player. I had just about reconciled myself that he'd gotten old and lost that gear that made him a playmaker, but maybe not. The 4th quarter this week was hopeful.

I like him at WIL, though, and like Lee better at MLB. Lee does appear a bit hobbled right now, so maybe we don't mess with the situation too much, but all things being equal, I think Durant at WIL, Lee at Mike, and Hitch backing up both positions is the way to go until we can add some more talent to the front 7.

 

[DallasDomination]

Isn't it sad that our best lb duo in terms of actual play on the football field was Durant and an animated Mcclain.

Now maybe it'll be Lee and Durant. One can only hope right?

 

[Common Sense]

What bothers me is that we didn't sign Durant sooner. These are the types of veteran signing that we're good at, but the front office has this weird aversion to keeping anyone longer than two seasons, regardless of what kind of dumpster fire lies waiting in the wings. It's baffling.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Nzeocha (sp?) is our best bet at MLB on first and second downs, with Durant the nickel LB. Nzeocha is younger, more sideline to sideline speed, and more physical at the point of attack. Durant is more savvy and better in coverage. I think that would be a great platoon once Nzeocha gets healthy.

 

[drawandstrike]

Personnel decisions by this front office look at the bottom line too much; "Let's cut this vet, we can pick up a cheaper rookie to fill his spot."

You don't do that with play makers. There was another guy, mostly a ST guy who scored TD's for us, including a 99 yd int. of Eli. That guy was a role player, ST. guy, I can't remember his name. Bryan McCann? Not sure. But when we cut him, the the usual suspects were like "Great, he's just a role player, we don't need him, we can sign a cheap rookie!"

Guy was a PLAYMAKER. He was MAKING PLAYS. In a LIMITED ROLE. You know, not seeing the field much but DOING SOMETHING when he was out there.

But hey sure, go ahead! Cut him! Sign some cheap rookie for that limited 2nd/3rd string/ST role. Guys who made plays for this team in limited field time, instead of being rewarded with MORE playing time, get shown the door.

You find a playmaker, you hang on to him. Justin Durant made plays for us. We should have kept HIM and cut some cheap rookies.

 

[JohnsKey19]

He's better than Hitchens, that's for sure.

But I am not sure about painting him as the guy who is going to turn around the D. Way too many holes for one fringe LB to do that.

It's not even close. Durants instincts allow him to make plays Hitchens simply has not shown he can make. The team clearly is slowly bringing Durant along. Ultimately he will probably log 50+ snaps in a few weeks.

 

[AbeBeta]

Personnel decisions by this front office look at the bottom line too much; "Let's cut this vet, we can pick up a cheaper rookie to fill his spot."

You don't do that with play makers. There was another guy, mostly a ST guy who scored TD's for us, including a 99 yd int. of Eli. That guy was a role player, ST. guy, I can't remember his name. Bryan McCann? Not sure. But when we cut him, the the usual suspects were like "Great, he's just a role player, we don't need him, we can sign a cheap rookie!"

Guy was a PLAYMAKER. He was MAKING PLAYS. In a LIMITED ROLE. You know, not seeing the field much but DOING SOMETHING when he was out there.

But hey sure, go ahead! Cut him! Sign some cheap rookie for that limited 2nd/3rd string/ST role. Guys who made plays for this team in limited field time, instead of being rewarded with MORE playing time, get shown the door.

You find a playmaker, you hang on to him. Justin Durant made plays for us. We should have kept HIM and cut some cheap rookies.

Bryan McCann did nothing after he left here. Four different teams in three years. Played maybe half the games.

But yes, front office is stupid because we don't keep a guy who made one play.

 

[mattjames2010]

Durant has been a solid player his entire career.

 

[skinsscalper]

He's better than Hitchens, that's for sure.

But I am not sure about painting him as the guy who is going to turn around the D. Way too many holes for one fringe LB to do that.

That's fair and accurate, to be honest. But no one can deny that we'll take a playmaker at ANY position on D, right now. Durant's pass break up on 4th down was clutch. IF he can come up with a few more of those type pf plays this season, he'll have been worth every nickel paid, IMHO.

 

[btcutter]

Nzeocha (sp?) is our best bet at MLB on first and second downs, with Durant the nickel LB. Nzeocha is younger, more sideline to sideline speed, and more physical at the point of attack. Durant is more savvy and better in coverage. I think that would be a great platoon once Nzeocha gets healthy.

Probably right. I'm disappointed that Wilson isn't playing more. Another wasted pick.

 

[conner01]

Durant has been a solid player his entire career.

He really has. Not a super star but a very solid player

 

[big dog cowboy]

Justin Durant the Playmaker

 

[gimmesix]

Probably right. I'm disappointed that Wilson isn't playing more. Another wasted pick.

Give him another year. Bradie James did nothing his first couple of years, too.

 

[RJ_MacReady]

I like Durant a lot. I liked him in 2014 (he had a great game against Seattle), but that durability factor to a bite out of his retaining price in Dallas. Regardless, he's good, instinctual and athletic. He looked like a beast for Atlanta for the first several weeks in 2015. He needs to be starting instead of Hitchens.
-Hitchens, on the other hand has looked to have regressed every year since his rookie year (Benjamin Button). He was clutch for a 4th rd. rookie in 2014, looked just "okay" in 2015 and doesn't look good at all this year.
-Nzeocha looks like a poorman's Rolando McClain in his very limited action this preseason. He's got size, quickness, closing speed/range and instincts/reaction. Nzeocha was my pet cat from the 2015 draft and will remain so until he proves otherwise.

 

[chagus]

Give him another year. Bradie James did nothing his first couple of years, too.

Yup. Kevin Burnett as well, just developed somewhere else.