Let's Fix this Defense, Here's How

[xwalker]

I disagree with the fact that they won't be able to find another nickel pass rusher. Teams don't have time or the patience for players who can simply rush the passer. They are a dime a dozen. A lot of good pass rushers will be cut. And I believe a guy on the streets at that point will be better then Boatwright, Rayford, Bush or Wilson.

Humm... So Denver gave Ware 30M because he can play the run?

 

[pacboyX]

I disagree with the comments about Dixon too. I watched several games of his. He got exposed at times playing in the passing big 12, but he has tons of experience.

I rather have a guy on the field who makes plays and AT TIMES makes mistakes too, as long as he makes plays. I am worried with Wilcox, we will simply have a guy who can make some tackles in run game and thats it.

Dixon is a playmaker, and can get better in coverage. He has the physical tools for it.

I was a bit skeptical of Wilcox initially but his decent coverage ability mixed with solid tackling and the new leadership he's showing is something I like in the young safety. Dixon is a tackler..to say he is a "playmaker" is a bit premature. I would hate a church-dixon duo, TEs would have field days.

FS- Wilcox, Hamilton
SS- Church, Wilcox, Dixon

 

[Doomsday101]

From what I read Garrett is saying do not rule out Rolando McClain at MLB. McClain is making big strides and would not be shocked to see him as the starting MLB at the start of the season.

 

[big dog cowboy]

From what I read Garrett is saying do not rule out Rolando McClain at MLB. McClain is making big strides and would not be shocked to see him as the starting MLB at the start of the season.

Wouldn't shock me either.

 

[Doomsday101]

Wouldn't shock me either.

Yeah at 6'4" 259 he has the size to man the middle more so than Durant who does have the versatility to play the Will and Sam position.

 

[morasp]

The Nickel Defensive Line

• RDE should be ..... NOT ON TEAM. No it isn't Wilber. We need to trade, or sign an after cuts young guy who is explosive and can generate some pass rush. Someone in the Victor Butler mode. We don't have an answer on this team. All this guy has to do is rush the passer. That is it! Strictly a nickel pass rusher.
• LDE should be Selvie
• Interior DTs should be Mincey and Melton. With McClain rotating in at times as well.

Linebackers

• Bruce Carter at weak
• Justin Durant in the middle
• Better of Wilber, McClain and Holloman at strong
• Hitchens as backup weak
• Loser of strong competition can be primary backups for middle and strong

The soonest Lawrence could be back is the Saints game. Until then I think Wilber could fill in, he looks pretty quick to me. I'm interested to see what Carter can do as a nickel rusher. It could work out that he and Wilber end up being our nickel DEs. I would definitely throw Crawford in as a candidate for Nickel DT. You didn't mention nickel linebackers but Durant and Holloman would be good candidates.

 

[BlindFaith]

I disagree with the fact that they won't be able to find another nickel pass rusher. Teams don't have time or the patience for players who can simply rush the passer. They are a dime a dozen. A lot of good pass rushers will be cut. And I believe a guy on the streets at that point will be better then Boatwright, Rayford, Bush or Wilson.

Awesome news. I'd like to order 2, make that 3 starting caliber rushers. With a side of pass rushing DT.

 

[DogFace]

From what I read Garrett is saying do not rule out Rolando McClain at MLB. McClain is making big strides and would not be shocked to see him as the starting MLB at the start of the season.

Yes. I believe they are hoping next year they can move Lee to Weak and keep McClain at middle.

 

[burmafrd]

The McClain-Durant question brings me back to the OL last year in training camp.

Remember early on there was some speculation that Frederick might be considered at guard with Costa at center if that pairing overall was better than Frederick at center and anyone else at guard. Frederick turned out to be so good at center that it made the rest of the equation moot and he didn't look as effective at guard as he did at center.

I see the Durant and McClain situation in a similar light. The question isn't solely whether Durant is better than McClain. The question is whether Durant at MLB and someone else at OLB is better than McClain in the middle with Durant outside. McClain isn't an OLB. To me it's a no brainer. You get the two best guys in the lineup. Right now, that would be McClain in the middle with Durant outside. Try Carter as a pass rusher. He and Wilber can rotate there and we need to find a way to get Holloman playing time.

amazing how the costa homers disappeared so fast isn't it? I remember that BS about playing Fredbeard at guard so that the JAG could start.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yes. I believe they are hoping next year they can move Lee to Weak and keep McClain at middle.

Possible should McClain work out for us.

 

[TheCount]

I'm pretty doubtful a not-yet-reinstated Brent and a not-on-the-roster DE will "fix" the defense, and those seem to be the major changes you're suggesting.

 

[TheCount]

amazing how the costa homers disappeared so fast isn't it? I remember that BS about playing Fredbeard at guard so that the JAG could start.

It wasn't just Costa. There's a long history of guys hanging on for dear life on failed, inferior prospects. Especially on the oline, where it's usually very obvious when someone simply doesn't have the talent - How many words were wasted on Nagy, Brewster and Arkin?

Oline is one of those positions that's easy to judge upside relatively quickly, it doesn't take 3 years to figure out if a guy has bad feet or just bad technique.

 

[DallasEast]

Interesting thread. IMO Marinelli should go away from his familiar 4-3 Under and play more 4-3 Over, like Seattle, and focus on stopping the run FIRST and foremost. And continue to stress creating tunovers. The pressure would have to come from the edges instead of inside and our DEs are nothing special so I am actually advocating something a bit out of the box, play a variant of the nickel D as your base.

<snip>

Marinelli needs to think radically to make this bunch of castoffs and injured players (mentally and physically) not just average but playing at a high level.

I may have some differing opinions about player configuration, but the rest I agree with 100%. It is what I have started advocating for as well if Marinelli cannot get better execution out of his base scheme.

 

[CCBoy]

I like your plan, and I pretty much agree with it all.

Here's one question for you, though -- where DOES Spencer fit in when he returns (if he isn't ready to go Week 1)? I already have a handle on where Scandrick goes upon his return.

Where both Anthony Spencer and Rolando McClain go to: 'Leader of the Pack.'

 

[sbark]

If I read between the line of what Garrett says about McClain at MLB........its that he can recognize what the offense is trying to do and can get people in position----that was a big factor of Lee also---get people in position presnap almost as much as the physical part of it. Its what Darren Woodson was able to bring.......Its always been said McClain was a film room guy and knows the game. Have never heard it stressed on Durant as a strength.

 

[Doomsday101]

If I read between the line of what Garrett says about McClain at MLB........its that he can recognize what the offense is trying to do and can get people in position----that was a big factor of Lee also---get people in position presnap almost as much as the physical part of it. Its what Darren Woodson was able to bring.......Its always been said McClain was a film room guy and knows the game. Have never heard it stressed on Durant as a strength.

True but then McClain has played the MLB position before so it is not new to him even though this defensive system maybe new to him. I think the best case scenario is to get a big thumper like McClain in the middle.

 

[Idgit]

From what I read Garrett is saying do not rule out Rolando McClain at MLB. McClain is making big strides and would not be shocked to see him as the starting MLB at the start of the season.

I'm kind of surprised the way this is being forecast that more people aren't just assuming McClain ends up the starting MLB. I think that's what's going to happen, and it sort of looks inevitable when you hear how much they like him and how they--both Jason and Jerry--talk about the big plays he's capable of providing. He's just playing into shape slowly, and I bet he moves forward after the game this week and we see Durant encroaching on some of Carter's snaps as a result.

 

[Idgit]

The McClain-Durant question brings me back to the OL last year in training camp.

Remember early on there was some speculation that Frederick might be considered at guard with Costa at center if that pairing overall was better than Frederick at center and anyone else at guard. Frederick turned out to be so good at center that it made the rest of the equation moot and he didn't look as effective at guard as he did at center.

I see the Durant and McClain situation in a similar light. The question isn't solely whether Durant is better than McClain. The question is whether Durant at MLB and someone else at OLB is better than McClain in the middle with Durant outside. McClain isn't an OLB. To me it's a no brainer. You get the two best guys in the lineup. Right now, that would be McClain in the middle with Durant outside. Try Carter as a pass rusher. He and Wilber can rotate there and we need to find a way to get Holloman playing time.

This is exactly how I see it, too.

amazing how the costa homers disappeared so fast isn't it? I remember that BS about playing Fredbeard at guard so that the JAG could start.

Amazing? Hardly. I suspect it has largely to do with this being a defensive thread, and with Phil Costa no longer being on the roster any longer. But if you'd like to discuss the topic in a relevant thread at some point, I'd be happy to debate it with you some more. Absent any actual 'Costa homers,' that'll probably have to do if you need a fix.

 

[perrykemp]

I'm not n love with Durant at MLB.

I watched Durant play a bunch in Detroit (I live in Michigan and the Lions game is always on) and I'll have to be honest I barely noticed him.

I keep hearing great things about him in camp this year, however, I worry he is going to be the guy I saw in Detroit and to a less extent last year in Dallas -- averaged 80 tackles or so per season, really no big plays to speak of (0 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 4 passes defensed) his two years in Detroit. Add to the fact he is going to be 29 this season and was injured last season and I'm left with HOPING that player I am hearing about in camp is the new Justin Durant -- who is for the first time in his 8 year NFL career going to be an impactful player who makes a difference.

The Cowboys desperately need players who can make a difference so I am crossing my fingers.

 

[noshame]

11 men to the football, everything else will take care of itself.