Linebacker?

[RoyTheHammer]

Reasonable answer. However it is not, IMO, ridiculous to consider this:

1. Lee has a history of not playing thru the season. He's Pro Bowl when healthy though.
2. McClain is a whim away from not playing for whatever reason and he takes time to get ready albeit not as long as some think. He's inconsistent.
3. Wilber is a starter type here but in reality he's a backup and situational player and core STs
4. Gachkar see above although he's more a backup and ST
5. Hitchens is still unproven after last year which I'll chalk up to sophomoritis. He is starting material with an asterisk.
6. Everyone else is unproven as well.

We ARE thin at LB. And CB. And S. You can add in DL although I suspect it will be adequate this year....marginally so.

It's a shame you can't have 8 starting quality players on the roster at every position, isn't it?

 

[CCBoy]

It's a shame you can't have 8 starting quality players on the roster at every position, isn't it?

There one goes...that's what one gets with off base housing in the picture.

 

[Killerinstinct]

LB position is one of the groups that has had adequate resources thrown at it but is still not a strength.

We just need a couple of them to come through.

Lee is great when healthy
Mcclain shows flashes but seems uninterested at times and is constantly in trouble.
Wilber hangs on despite never being a major player.
Wilson has potential but looked lost when out there last year.
Gachkar not really sure why he is here other than ST I guess. I can't remember him making a play all year.
Jaylon Smith boom or bust depending on his knee.
Hitchens showed promise his rookie year but looked slow and out of place much of last year.
Nzeocha who knows what he can do? His measurables are off the chart but he was a smaller school player who has yet to see the field


Right now there are a ton of unknowns. This position group could end up being awesome or could end up being a bust. It would be awesome if we end up with so many of them taking steps forward that the problem ends up being too many good ones to get enough playing time and that very well could happen.

 

[jobberone]

It's a shame you can't have 8 starting quality players on the roster at every position, isn't it?

How have you been?

Don't start on me. We need a better SAM and depth. Hitchens may step up.

 

[jobberone]

Again, ridiculous. You could basically critique every position, every team like that.

If any of the vets were cut is there any doubt they would get picked up and make a team? The two 2nd year guys at the end of the depth chart would likely as well, but of course they are unproven.

Ok Chief.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Hmmfff.. Kevin Smith looked good at LB last season but now they have him listed as a FB instead....pffftt?

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

LB is probably their best depth position on defense.



http://www.cowboysown.com/forums/sh...OTAs-Produces-Disturbing-Early-Warning-Signal

SLB 51 Wilber, Kyle 12/4... 53 Nzeocha, Mark 15/7.....45 King, Deon CF16.. 48 Harris, J SF16
MLB 55 McClain, Rolando. 59 Hitchens, Anthony 14/4 57 Wilson, Damien 15/4 54 Smith
WLB 50 Lee, Sean 10/2..... 52 Gachkar, A U/SD......... 56 Akunne, D SF15

Best depth on this defense doesnt say a whole lot. On top of that the players behind the starters are very raw and still developing. A lot hinges on Damien Wilsons growth and Jaylon Smith being able to get back from injury. Right now I dont see lb as strong position. For our starters we have one pro bowl caliber player when healthy, one above average 2 down player, and one borderline starter. The backups are good special teams players and are ok when thrust into the lineup.

 

[waldoputty]

lee - borderline pro bowl
mcclain - above average
hitchens, gachkar - average starter
wilber - sort of starter
smith - probowl talent if he recovers
everyone else - unproven

 

[therock1982]

Nzeocha.

Is it really that hard to Google a guy to get his name right? Have some class.

come teach me some

 

[School]

After essentially redshirting recovering last year, Nzeocha is interesting.

Nzeocha stats are amazing for 232lb (reportedly 240lb now) - almost as fast as Jaylon Smith:
40 Low: 4.46 40 Time: 4.56 40 High: 4.67

Somebody asked Broaddus who he thinks could turn some heads this year and the first name he mentioned was Nacho. Think he mentioned Wilson as well.