Linebacker roles starting to become defined

[JBell]

When Rivers, Brinkley, and Gachkar were first signed, there was speculation that at least two of them would be starters with the departures of Durant and Carter.

That was an excellent start to the off-season, said no one.

Rolando McClain hadn't been re-signed yet, so the signings were met with groans because all signs were pointing to a downgrade at the defense's strength last season.

Now it appears that all three of those signings were for depth purposes. Exhale. I don't see any of the three even cracking the top 4 LB spots.

The pecking order based off of Eberflus' comments appears to look like this:

1a) Lee
1b) McClain
3) Hitchens
4) Wilson

Hitchens and Wilson are the two most versatile back-ups at the position. Eberflus has said Hitchens and WIlson can play any of the three linebacker spots. That versatility was a big reason they were high on Wilson. It gives you the flexibility to mix and match guys easier in case of injuries (Ahem, Lee and McClain).

After the top 4, you have Gachkar and Brinkley.

Gachkar is the ST ace that has the ability to be a spot starter. He made Dekoda Watson expendable.

Brinkley was signed with the intention of him being a two-down starter in case things didn't work out with McClain, but now he's a luxury two down MLB. Good news is he can contribute on ST, so he's not completely useless with McClain healthy.

After the top 6, you have Rivers, Mark Nzeocha, Kyle Wilber, Cameron Lawrence, James Anderson and Will Smith.

I think only 1-2 guys make the cut from this group. Rivers was signed for the vet minimum, so he's easily expendable if he doesn't show anything in training camp. Nzeocha is intriguing because of his athleticism, but seems like a PS candidate. Wilber's days are numbered because he's not seeing the field in two LB sets and he's useless at DE. I don't know that I would call Wilber versatile, but one thing he has going for him is that he can play multiple positions (SLB and DE). Cam Lawrence is a waste of space.

 

[Alexander]

Cam Lawrence is a waste of space.

The way he blew the screen pass to Desean Jackson against the Commanders was about as bush league of a play as I have seen in a while. He is a fringe dweller that needs to go away.

 

[Teague31]

Watson was cut today

 

[Alexander]

I also do not believe James Anderson is still under contract. I believe he is an unsigned free agent at the moment.

 

[BlindFaith]

When Rivers, Brinkley, and Gachkar were first signed, there was speculation that at least two of them would be starters with the departures of Durant and Carter.

That was an excellent start to the off-season, said no one.

Rolando McClain hadn't been re-signed yet, so the signings were met with groans because all signs were pointing to a downgrade at the defense's strength last season.

Now it appears that all three of those signings were for depth purposes. Exhale. I don't see any of the three even cracking the top 4 LB spots.

The pecking order based off of Eberflus' comments appears to look like this:

1a) Lee
1b) McClain
3) Hitchens
4) Wilson

Hitchens and Wilson are the two most versatile back-ups at the position. Eberflus has said Hitchens and WIlson can play any of the three linebacker spots. That versatility was a big reason they were high on Wilson. It gives you the flexibility to mix and match guys easier in case of injuries (Ahem, Lee and McClain).

After the top 4, you have Gachkar and Brinkley.

Gachkar is the ST ace that has the ability to be a spot starter. He made Dekoda Watson expendable.

Brinkley was signed with the intention of him being a two-down starter in case things didn't work out with McClain, but now he's a luxury two down MLB. Good news is he can contribute on ST, so he's not completely useless with McClain healthy.

After the top 6, you have Rivers, Mark Nzeocha, Kyle Wilber, Cameron Lawrence, James Anderson and Will Smith.

I think only 1-2 guys make the cut from this group. Rivers was signed for the vet minimum, so he's easily expendable if he doesn't show anything in training camp. Nzeocha is intriguing because of his athleticism, but seems like a PS candidate. Wilber's days are numbered because he's not seeing the field in two LB sets and he's useless at DE. I don't know that I would call Wilber versatile, but one thing he has going for him is that he can play multiple positions (SLB and DE). Cam Lawrence is a waste of space.

If they keep 7, Nzeocha makes the squad.

 

[AzorAhai]

If they keep 7, Nzeocha makes the squad.

I think he does as well. Can be a special teams ace and have a year to develop. Unless he has a horrible camp I think he's on the 53

 

[TonyRomo17]

I think Wilson might be better than Hitchens

 

[erod]

Lawrence or Rivers. I think Lawrence because he's excellent on special teams.

Unless one of these rookies shines, and they can't get him to the practice squad.

 

[ShiningStar]

i doubt lee goes the whole season.. And i think its a good bet another will be injured. So you might need a back up and possible starter.

 

[Alexander]

Lawrence or Rivers. I think Lawrence because he's excellent on special teams.

Unless one of these rookies shines, and they can't get him to the practice squad.

I hope they both get cut. Rivers does not offer much beyond vet spot play and Lawrence does nothing well besides ST.

 

[xwalker]

When Rivers, Brinkley, and Gachkar were first signed, there was speculation that at least two of them would be starters with the departures of Durant and Carter.

That was an excellent start to the off-season, said no one.

Rolando McClain hadn't been re-signed yet, so the signings were met with groans because all signs were pointing to a downgrade at the defense's strength last season.

Now it appears that all three of those signings were for depth purposes. Exhale. I don't see any of the three even cracking the top 4 LB spots.

The pecking order based off of Eberflus' comments appears to look like this:

1a) Lee
1b) McClain
3) Hitchens
4) Wilson

Hitchens and Wilson are the two most versatile back-ups at the position. Eberflus has said Hitchens and WIlson can play any of the three linebacker spots. That versatility was a big reason they were high on Wilson. It gives you the flexibility to mix and match guys easier in case of injuries (Ahem, Lee and McClain).

After the top 4, you have Gachkar and Brinkley.

Gachkar is the ST ace that has the ability to be a spot starter. He made Dekoda Watson expendable.

Brinkley was signed with the intention of him being a two-down starter in case things didn't work out with McClain, but now he's a luxury two down MLB. Good news is he can contribute on ST, so he's not completely useless with McClain healthy.

After the top 6, you have Rivers, Mark Nzeocha, Kyle Wilber, Cameron Lawrence, James Anderson and Will Smith.

I think only 1-2 guys make the cut from this group. Rivers was signed for the vet minimum, so he's easily expendable if he doesn't show anything in training camp. Nzeocha is intriguing because of his athleticism, but seems like a PS candidate. Wilber's days are numbered because he's not seeing the field in two LB sets and he's useless at DE. I don't know that I would call Wilber versatile, but one thing he has going for him is that he can play multiple positions (SLB and DE). Cam Lawrence is a waste of space.

There is really no way to know where Wilson ranks. They paid decent money to Gachkar and Brinkley. If healthy, Rivers is probably ahead of a rookie.

FYI - James Anderson is gone. The the roster on the Cowboys website is not accurate.

I don't really care who is #4, just who makes the 53 and how many they keep. It will likely come down to a choice of something like keeping a veteran like Rivers or a young player like Nzeocha.

Lee
McClain
Hitchens
Wilson
Gachkar
Brinkley
If they keep 7, then Rivers or Nzeocha with Wilber being a long-shot.

Cam Lawrence has no chance, IMO.
Will Smith and Keith Smith are PS eligible.

 

[Staubacher]

I honestly don't feel great about the LB corps, given the fragility of Lee and McClain

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Brinkley is gonna go in for Lee when he goes down. I'd bet money on it

 

[ThreeandOut]

I honestly don't feel great about the LB corps, given the fragility of Lee and McClain

That's why they took Wilson. He can play both spots.

 

[Staubacher]

That's why they took Wilson. He can play both spots.

Not at the same time

 

[Bluefin]

Brinkley was signed with the intention of him being a two-down starter in case things didn't work out with McClain, but now he's a luxury two down MLB. Good news is he can contribute on ST, so he's not completely useless with McClain healthy.

Jasper Brinkley doesn't look like an option to help on special teams. IMO.

He was not a regular doing it last year with the Vikings.

Brink will turn 30 in July and will be competing against fellow 'backers like Andrew Gachkar and Damien Wilson for a role on teams.

As long as Rolando McClain is healthy during the season, I don't think Brinkley will be on the game day 46 man active roster.

If they keep 7, then Rivers or Nzeocha with Wilber being a long-shot.

Cam Lawrence has no chance, IMO.

I read that Mark Nzeocha was held out of drills today due to his college ACL injury.

While he seems to have made a remarkably fast recovery and will probably be cleared to practice at the onset or during training camp, Nzeocha might be placed of NFI as a precaution.

 

[JBell]

I honestly don't feel great about the LB corps, given the fragility of Lee and McClain

I was actually thinking the opposite. LB is arguably the deepest position on the roster.

Our base defense is the nickel, so we're only trotting 2 LB's out on the field about 75% of the time. If one of Lee or McClain gets hurt, you have to feel confident with Hitchens in there after what he displayed last season as a rookie.

And if God forbid, Lee and McClain are both out at the same time, we'd still have Hitchens and Wilson (or Gachkar/Brinkley/Rivers) logging the majority of snaps at LB. You can do a lot worse. Like Cameron Lawrence.

Jasper Brinkley doesn't look like an option to help on special teams. IMO.

He was not a regular doing it last year with the Vikings.

Brink will turn 30 in July and will be competing against fellow 'backers like Andrew Gachkar and Damien Wilson for a role on teams.

As long as Rolando McClain is healthy during the season, I don't think Brinkley will be on the game day 46 man active roster.



I read that Mark Nzeocha was held out of drills today due to his college ACL injury.

While he seems to have made a remarkably fast recovery and will probably be cleared to practice at the onset or during training camp, Nzeocha might be placed of NFI as a precaution.

Brinkley has the skillset to be a good special teams player. He blocked a punt that was returned for a TD in a game last November.

Brinkley is gonna go in for Lee when he goes down. I'd bet money on it

Brinkley is not a WLB.

 

[Staubacher]

Intelligent post

I was actually thinking the opposite. LB is arguably the deepest position on the roster.

Our base defense is the nickel, so we're only trotting 2 LB's out on the field about 75% of the time. If one of Lee or McClain gets hurt, you have to feel confident with Hitchens in there after what he displayed last season as a rookie.

And if God forbid, Lee and McClain are both out at the same time, we'd still have Hitchens and Wilson (or Gachkar/Brinkley/Rivers) logging the majority of snaps at LB. You can do a lot worse. Like Cameron Lawrence.


Brinkley has the skillset to be a good special teams player. He blocked a punt that was returned for a TD in a game last November.

Brinkley is not a WLB.

 

[Awakened]

Brinkley's contract: 2 year, $4.5 Million, with $1.25 Million signing bonus. $750,000 of his first year base salary is guaranteed. Total $2M guaranteed. He'll definitely make the team.

Gachkar's contract: 2 year, $5.2 Million, with $1.2 Million signing bonus. Base salaries $1M first year, $3M second year. Total $1.2 Million guaranteed. He's likely to make the team at least one year.

Those contracts aren't peanuts, especially Brinkley's. They're planning on using those guys.

 

[theogt]

The pecking order based off of Eberflus' comments appears to look like this:

What did Eberflus say?