Lacking in depth at these positions

[Kolemmitt]

I agree that DT depth could be an issue, but I think 3T is a much bigger concern. The 1T is only going to be playing about 50% of the snaps and I think going from Hayden to McClain to Bishop is not that big of a drop off. The 3T is one of the key positions in this defense. I think Crawford is an excellent starter and McClain can spell him for 20 snaps a game, but if Crawford has to miss any significant time, McClain is a substandard starter and we only have guys that have never played a snap in the NFL after that.

 

[CyberB0b]

I agree that DT depth could be an issue, but I think 3T is a much bigger concern. The 1T is only going to be playing about 50% of the snaps and I think going from Hayden to McClain to Bishop is not that big of a drop off. The 3T is one of the key positions in this defense. I think Crawford is an excellent starter and McClain can spell him for 20 snaps a game, but if Crawford has to miss any significant time, McClain is a substandard starter and we only have guys that have never played a snap in the NFL after that.

I think that's where Hardy's versatility comes into play. Assuming he is on the field for more than 6 games.

 

[xwalker]

QB
DT
Safety
If we loose Romo
If we loose Wilcox or Church
If we loose Hayden or McClain
We're screwed.

Weeden yikes
Heath yikes
Bishop ?
Hoping some of this gets thresh out this summer

Yes, most teams are screwed if their starting QB is out. I'm hopeful that Vaughan can beat out Weeden and be OK if he had to play 1 game. If Romo was out long term they're screwed and there are very few backups on any team that even if they Cowboys had that player would really resolve the problem.

Dez getting injured is probably bigger issue than Safety and definitely a bigger issue than Nick Hayden getting injured.

I don't know if Jones will get reps at Safety in TC or not. If he does, then he would likely be the backup FS. Heath did start almost a full season. With a better pass rush and better surrounding players he could survive for a few games. The CB/Safety Corey White is another option. He has good physical ability. It's difficult to know if his issue with the Saints was RR's wacky scheme or something else. If Jones and Scandrick are the starting CBs, Carr might be an option to play some FS.

The have several options at DT. Hayden or McClain being out is not a big problem. Crawford being out would be the biggest issue, but if that happened after Hardy's suspension, they could use Hardy there on passing downs. Don't overlook Ken Bishop at the 1tech or Chris Whaley at the 3tech. Both have talent. Bishop was already strong than Hayden last year as a rookie from a tiny college. He is also quicker. He just needs experience. Whaley looked terrific in college game footage but fell though the draft because his injury would prevent him for doing anything as a rookie. They have a few other options. Jack Crawford's best game last season was at the 3tech spot. Coleman has really good talent but had issues being a professional as a rookie. Kracken has already been on him about being serious this off-season. Mincey can also move inside on pass downs.

All teams have some positions that are thin. Overall, at this minute the Cowboys have about as much depth as I can remember for any season. That could change if they have multiple injures in training camp, but as of this minute the depth looks reasonably good.

 

[theogt]

Okay, let's exclude QB from the equation. That's true of every team.

As for safety, I don't think there's much drop off from the starters to the backups (which is more a knock on the starters, than the backups), plus there's the ability to move B. Jones to safety if necessary, which would be an upgrade if anything. Safeties don't tend to miss a lot of playing time either. So, that position is no real concern to me.

That leaves DT. The position is thin and talent deprived, with several unheralded players that have an opportunity to leave a mark. We've known that for months. But I'm not going to fret over being at a point where there's only really one position group on the entire team with a lack of proven depth.

 

[TonyRomo17]

Think the team will be fine without Hayden lol

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think we are in pretty good shape at DT. There are certain guys at every position group that can not be replaced if they go down but in general, I like the group of players we have at DT. There is a lot of position flex on the DL right now.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

QB
DT
Safety
If we loose Romo
If we loose Wilcox or Church
If we loose Hayden or McClain
We're screwed.

Weeden yikes
Heath yikes
Bishop ?
Hoping some of this gets thresh out this summer

No offense man but 90% of the teams out there if they lose their starting, franchise, QB they're screwed.

There really aren't many teams out there with back up QBs just waiting to be amazing starters if the franchise QB goes down.

Do you think that NE feels fantastic about Jimmy starting for Brady? I doubt it.

What happens in Denver is Peyton goes down?

How about the Packers? You think they're looking forward to rolling with the back up there if Rodgers goes down?

Listing the QB is almost always a waste of time because most of the time you're simply going to be screwed without your starter. It's rare anyone is going to have a really quality QB just sitting on the bench, because if they were that good they're not going to be sitting on someones bench, when they could be starting somewhere else.

The rest I can see where you're coming from and agree with you but you're not going to have perfect depth at every position on a team anymore. At least not the type of depth people always seem to be screaming for because FA makes it impossible to have the type of depth people loved seeing in the 90s.

 

[Craig]

Jones may end up taking a safety spot even if wilcox and church are healthy.

 

[ShiningStar]

Weedon needs to go and once again Dallas has got to find its future QB or see if Vaughn is the guy or a servicable back up. I dont care either way, get on the road to discovering it. Weedon wont help us in the long run.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

You're right. I can't imagine what position we'd be in if, God forbid, Hayden went down.

 

[JD_KaPow]

QB
DT
Safety
If we loose Romo
If we loose Wilcox or Church
If we loose Hayden or McClain
We're screwed.

Weeden yikes
Heath yikes
Bishop ?
Hoping some of this gets thresh out this summer

Just FYI, the word is "lose", not "loose".

Safety might not be too bad, if Jones gets significant work there. (It would still be a thin secondary overall, though).
The drop-off from Hayden to, well, anyone, simply can't be that steep.
I think we're really thin at WR as well.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

If you lose your starting QB, you are usually screwed no matter what. If not, then your starting QB wasn't very good or you made a horrendous judgment in starting that QB over the better backup.

I am far more worried about Crawford getting hurt than Hayden. Hayden is very replaceable and if Crawford plays at the pace he was last year, he's the most underrated player on this team by far. He was really, really fantastic last year. Just outstanding. And we can't replace him at this moment.

I'm guessing if we lose Church or Wilcox, we'll insert Jones. I'm not fanatical about our safeties, haven't been since 2003.

For now, I'm more worried about the LB's. Thinking that Wilson will step right up like Hitchens did last year is a bit optimistic. I have zero confidence that Sean Lee will stay healthy. And there's no guarantee that Lee will return to his old form anyway.





YR

 

[jaybird]

Just FYI, the word is "lose", not "loose".

Safety might not be too bad, if Jones gets significant work there. (It would still be a thin secondary overall, though).
The drop-off from Hayden to, well, anyone, simply can't be that steep.
I think we're really thin at WR as well.

Duh! TXS