Linebacker competition

Cowboyny

Cowboyny

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Eberflus is a former Linebacker Coach. It will be interesting to see how the Linebacker Competition shakes out:

-Sanborn is his Eric Kendricks, will help with the scheme transition. Eberflus has always crossed trained his linebackers to play all positions. Sanborn is no different he can play the Mike, Will or even the Strong Side. Better run defender then in coverage.

-Murray is the big addition to the positional group. Highest paid making over 7 million. Big, athletic, but possesses low level instincts. Think a healthier version of Jaylon Smith, who actually played his best under Eberflus. You would think Murray plays the Mike LB this season.

-Marist-played the majority of the season as the base, strong-side linebacker in run situations. After Overshown went down, he did get some snaps at both the Mike and the Will. The game needs to get slower for him as he plays a little out of control.

-James-they traded up for him on day 3, which showed their strong interest. He showed off his good coverage skills at the senior bowl practices. Kind of like Murray, he struggles with processing. Wonder if he will be more of a nickel linebacker and special teamer as a rookie.

-Let's not forget about Overshown who will be back at some point this season. You would think they ease him back into action, but when healthy he is going to be the team's will linebacker.
 
I think there is some very good potential for this LB group.
We may not see it right away. Especially if Overshown and James are not 100% ready to go game 1.
I think James had some injury concerns but should be ready to go. Unless he is inactive each week.

It will also be interesting what he can get from Clark. And will be curious how many LB's they keep. I am thinking 6, plus Micah as he is still listed as a LB the last I seen.
Though they have been known to keep 5. But that was Quinn and his stupid use of a S at LB.
 
I mean, I guess the optimistic angle finds favor with that select group here.

But from what Ive seen of this group is that Overshown is a good player when healthy.
Liufau has potential.

The rest are FA jags that either didnt perform to their draft slot or are just jags in general. And then the unproven reached for late round rookie.

The infamous since they are Cowboys now and new scenery/coaching will make them what they've never been is In full force again.

Cowboys!
 
Last edited:
Cowboyny said:
Eberflus is a former Linebacker Coach. It will be interesting to see how the Linebacker Competition shakes out:

-Sanborn is his Eric Kendricks, will help with the scheme transition. Eberflus has always crossed trained his linebackers to play all positions. Sanborn is no different he can play the Mike, Will or even the Strong Side. Better run defender then in coverage.

-Murray is the big addition to the positional group. Highest paid making over 7 million. Big, athletic, but possesses low level instincts. Think a healthier version of Jaylon Smith, who actually played his best under Eberflus. You would think Murray plays the Mike LB this season.

-Marist-played the majority of the season as the base, strong-side linebacker in run situations. After Overshown went down, he did get some snaps at both the Mike and the Will. The game needs to get slower for him as he plays a little out of control.

-James-they traded up for him on day 3, which showed their strong interest. He showed off his good coverage skills at the senior bowl practices. Kind of like Murray, he struggles with processing. Wonder if he will be more of a nickel linebacker and special teamer as a rookie.

-Let's not forget about Overshown who will be back at some point this season. You would think they ease him back into action, but when healthy he is going to be the team's will linebacker.
Click to expand...
This position may be really on Eberflus's ability to develop linebackers. Liufau, Murray and Marist all seem to be lacking in instincts. Sanborn seems to be the most instinctual of the group as far as run fits go but isn't as physically gifted, which shows up some in coverage.

I think the scheme Eberflus uses is more Point A to Point B, so maybe he will take most of the processing out of the equation. He wants players reacting, not overthinking. It's simply, your job is to be here, so do your job.

Overshown had some of the same concerns about him, that he was late reading plays, but seemed to overcome that, partially due to his speed in attacking plays.
 
jazzcat22 said:
I think there is some very good potential for this LB group.
We may not see it right away
Click to expand...
I've seen that same exact quote before last season......we're all still waiting to see it.

Jags, over the hill players and inexperienced players comprise this group.....just like last season.

They literally aquired one dawg and hes a wide receiver......we needed more
 
gimmesix said:
This position may be really on Eberflus's ability to develop linebackers. Liufau, Murray and Marist all seem to be lacking in instincts. Sanborn seems to be the most instinctual of the group as far as run fits go but isn't as physically gifted, which shows up some in coverage.

I think the scheme Eberflus uses is more Point A to Point B, so maybe he will take most of the processing out of the equation. He wants players reacting, not overthinking. It's simply, your job is to be here, so do your job.

Overshown had some of the same concerns about him, that he was late reading plays, but seemed to overcome that, partially due to his speed in attacking plays.
Click to expand...
Good points. Both Jaylon/Lve did play better under him.
 
shabazz said:
I've seen that same exact quote before last season......we're all still waiting to see it.

Jags, over the hill players and inexperienced players comprise this group.....just like last season.

They literally aquired one dawg and hes a wide receiver......we needed more
Click to expand...
Big difference to take into account.

Eberflus vs. Zimmer, and the the misused / leftovers / rejects from Quinn.
 
So you are saying:

Overshown/Clark at the Will
Murray/Sanborn at the Mike
Marist/James at the Sam

Is this what you think Dallas will do ?
 
jazzcat22 said:
Big difference to take into account.

Eberflus vs. Zimmer, and the the misused / leftovers / rejects from Quinn.
Click to expand...
The meal may very well turn out excellent but the ingredients dont seem to have improved much
 
Dalmations202 said:
So you are saying:

Overshown/Clark at the Will
Murray/Sanborn at the Mike
Marist/James at the Sam

Is this what you think Dallas will do ?
Click to expand...
I think will will see Sanborn at the Will, Murray at the Mike, Marist on the strongside. When Overshown returns, they have several options who can play the other positions.
 
jazzcat22 said:
I think there is some very good potential for this LB group.
We may not see it right away. Especially if Overshown and James are not 100% ready to go game 1.
I think James had some injury concerns but should be ready to go. Unless he is inactive each week.

It will also be interesting what he can get from Clark. And will be curious how many LB's they keep. I am thinking 6, plus Micah as he is still listed as a LB the last I seen.
Though they have been known to keep 5. But that was Quinn and his stupid use of a S at LB.
Click to expand...
Overshown may not be ready until November or so. Even then, it's in his best interest to heal up this season anyway. If they rush him back and he gets hurt again, I'll be irked.
 
Cowboyny said:
Good points. Both Jaylon/Lve did play better under him.
Click to expand...
The way those two were playing at the end of 2018 vs other times remains quite the enigma.

Notice when it came to the Rams playoff game they got pushed around so bad up front it didn’t matter.

Still havent fixed it but ok. Get them corners Jerry.
 
Pass2Run said:
Linebackers are going to surprise this year. Kenneth Murray can be a player. Sanborn, too, really.
Click to expand...
The only thing we agree on I really think the linebacker room is much improved from the years prior this is the most comfortable I've been and that would include getting overshown back at some point but I like this room I like the fact that the defensive coordinators also a linebacker guru therefore it should be better going forward they're going to try to maximize the efficiency of that group....
 
blueblood70 said:
The only thing we agree on I really think the linebacker room is much improved from the years prior this is the most comfortable I've been and that would include getting overshown back at some point but I like this room I like the fact that the defensive coordinators also a linebacker guru therefore it should be better going forward they're going to try to maximize the efficiency of that group....
Click to expand...
True. I think he'll also help the defensive line against the run. Overall, it'll be a better defense.
 
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