News: Mailbag: Adding To The Depth At Linebacker? More Catches For Zeke?

[CCBoy]

Mailbag: Adding To The Depth At Linebacker? More Catches For Zeke?
Monday, July 03, 2017 9:35 AM CDT

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2017/07/03/mailbag-adding-depth-linebacker-more-catches-zeke



JASON BROWN
APOLLO BEACH, FL
Why have we not tried to upgrade or at least get depth at the linebacker position? Other than Sean Lee (who fortunately stayed healthy for first time in a season) we have huge question marks and frankly subpar play.

Bryan: In my opinion Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson were two of the best defensive players during OTAs and minicamp. Hopefully you get something out of Jaylon Smith as well as Mark Nzeocha. Going after Washington, Harris or Orr are looked at as upgrades but all have their forms of risks.

David: I think this might be my biggest disconnect with fans, because I’m fine with the linebacker situation as is. Sean Lee is an All-Pro, and I genuinely believe Hitchens and Wilson are two of the more underrated players on the roster. If Jaylon Smith can contribute, that gives you four solid options at linebacker, with a few added bodies for depth. It’s not the best linebacker corps in the league, but I think it’s fine – especially considering how many resources this team needed to use on its pass rush and its secondary...

 

[jazzcat22]

Not sure I agree with the LB situation, as far as depth goes.
Lee, has been healthier lately, but still a bit concerned
Wilson, he played better as the season went on
Smith, needs to see iron the field, still inured as far as I am concerned for now
Hitchens, some depth, and can start if needed

That is 3, possibly 4 LB's

Nzeocha, often injured, and is again, or from some form of knee scope or whatever it was. Can't be relied upon yet
Wilber, the coaches like him, but all I see when he is out there, is confusion at times. ST's play great, LB'er play, I'm not sold

We have 2 possible LB's in TC that may push them, Wacha and Lotuelie, and maybe Lenny Jones, though he is also listed as a DE.
Are they camp bodies, and PS guys, or can they make the team.

They should have drafted a LB in the 7th round at least, instead of another DL in Carrell.

 

[xwalker]

Not sure I agree with the LB situation, as far as depth goes.
Lee, has been healthier lately, but still a bit concerned
Wilson, he played better as the season went on
Smith, needs to see iron the field, still inured as far as I am concerned for now
Hitchens, some depth, and can start if needed

That is 3, possibly 4 LB's

Nzeocha, often injured, and is again, or from some form of knee scope or whatever it was. Can't be relied upon yet
Wilber, the coaches like him, but all I see when he is out there, is confusion at times. ST's play great, LB'er play, I'm not sold

We have 2 possible LB's in TC that may push them, Wacha and Lotuelie, and maybe Lenny Jones, though he is also listed as a DE.
Are they camp bodies, and PS guys, or can they make the team.

They should have drafted a LB in the 7th round at least, instead of another DL in Carrell.

They really only play 2 LBs most of the time. They only play the SLB about 15% of the snaps on average.

Wilber is good enough at SLB if they need Wilson at MLB or WLB.

Hitchens has proven to be good enough. He has limited range in coverage but he is solid and reliable.

Wilson appears to have the ability to play any of the 3 positions and looked good in coverage, albeit in limited snaps.

Lee is Lee.

Jaylon is the wildcard.

Basically as long as 2 of the top 4 are available, they are OK:
Lee
Wilson
Jaylon
Hitchens

On a final note, Nzeocha appeared to have great physical ability in the preseason before getting injured. I don't know if he can ever stay healthy, but he definitely appeared to have the talent to do the job.

It sounds like Lotulelei could at least be a low level starter if needed. He has started 2 games in the NFL. In reviewing his history, I think he gets released because teams tend to want the 6th or 7th LB to be a high upside guy. At 5-11 teams probably see him as having limited upside. He has had some injury issues which didn't help his cause.

My guess is that Lucas Wacha is destined for the practice squad; although, he was a tackling machine in college. He measured in about the same size as Barry Church:
Wacha 6013, 225
Church 6014, 222

 

[jazzcat22]

They really only play 2 LBs most of the time. They only play the SLB about 15% of the snaps on average.

Wilber is good enough at SLB if they need Wilson at MLB or WLB.

Hitchens has proven to be good enough. He has limited range in coverage but he is solid and reliable.

Wilson appears to have the ability to play any of the 3 positions and looked good in coverage, albeit in limited snaps.

Lee is Lee.

Jaylon is the wildcard.

Basically as long as 2 of the top 4 are available, they are OK:
Lee
Wilson
Jaylon
Hitchens

On a final note, Nzeocha appeared to have great physical ability in the preseason before getting injured. I don't know if he can ever stay healthy, but he definitely appeared to have the talent to do the job.

It sounds like Lotulelei could at least be a low level starter if needed. He has started 2 games in the NFL. In reviewing his history, I think he gets released because teams tend to want the 6th or 7th LB to be a high upside guy. At 5-11 teams probably see him as having limited upside. He has had some injury issues which didn't help his cause.

My guess is that Lucas Wacha is destined for the practice squad; although, he was a tackling machine in college. He measured in about the same size as Barry Church:
Wacha 6013, 225
Church 6014, 222

And this is why I only have them keeping 6 LB's, that formation they use with 2 LB's, and how a few can play multiple positions. however, I still wish they would have drafted a LB for that 6th spot. Or to push that 6th spot more so than those on the roster.
I am fine with Nzeocha, he did look as if he was making a move to play more. But his injuries concern me still.

I am actually fine with the 6 LB's, but wilber. But he is great on ST's, and can make a few plays as a role player, just not high on him as a full time LB. never was. Even at DE he did not impress me all that much. But ill root for him no matter what.

 

[Pants]

a lot (in the LB corp), depends on Jaylon...if that guy is healthy and can show some of what he did at ND, then the LB group potentially just became VERY good and cam make up for other deficiencies on defense such as lack of experience in the secondary...it is all about that extra second or two to give as much time to the DL to apply pressure....

 

[CCBoy]

a lot (in the LB corp), depends on Jaylon...if that guy is healthy and can show some of what he did at ND, then the LB group potentially just became VERY good and cam make up for other deficiencies on defense such as lack of experience in the secondary...it is all about that extra second or two to give as much time to the DL to apply pressure....

I agree. Linebackers are the glue for this defense.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Could you imagine Lee,Orr, and a healthy Smith. Good lord

That would be the best linebacking corp in the NFL

 

[xwalker]

And this is why I only have them keeping 6 LB's, that formation they use with 2 LB's, and how a few can play multiple positions. however, I still wish they would have drafted a LB for that 6th spot. Or to push that 6th spot more so than those on the roster.
I am fine with Nzeocha, he did look as if he was making a move to play more. But his injuries concern me still.

I am actually fine with the 6 LB's, but wilber. But he is great on ST's, and can make a few plays as a role player, just not high on him as a full time LB. never was. Even at DE he did not impress me all that much. But ill root for him no matter what.

Wilber would only be an option at SLB which is about 15% of the snaps. That would likely only happen if only 2 of Lee, Wilson, Hitchens and Jaylon were healthy.

 

[LocimusPrime]

https://thelandryhat.com/2017/07/03/dallas-cowboys-sign-linebacker-zach-orr/

I cowboys!

 

[jobberone]

We are good at present at LB. You're always looking for the next starter. Churn the bottom no matter how good it is. Now is the time to do it.

 

[BAT]

https://thelandryhat.com/2017/07/03/dallas-cowboys-sign-linebacker-zach-orr/

I cowboys!

Orr and that congenital spine plus coming off a potential career ending neck injury is risky. But only 25 and coming off best season. Washington may be older but the health concerns are not issue it's the rust and off field stuff. Both are playmakers. Would sign one for sure just comes down to what is needed more ILB or OLB.