My ONLY concern on defense is

[Woods]

our back-up NT to Fergy. (I had this same concern several months ago as well, though this is nit-picking given that our defense appears stacked.)

It seems that either Pepper or Stanley will be the primary back-up. My guess is that Stanley still needs a year in the weight room before he can really contribute.

Do you think we try to upgrade this position via a trade, or do we go with Pepper? I think Pepper would be fine playing a limited number of snaps per game, but if Fergy misses any extended period of time, we could really be in a bind.

Can our current back-up NT get the job done for an extended period of time if Fergy is out, in your opinion?

 

[Doomsday101]

our back-up NT to Fergy. (I had this same concern several months ago as well, though this is nit-picking given that our defense appears stacked.)

It seems that either Pepper or Stanley will be the primary back-up. My guess is that Stanley still needs a year in the weight room before he can really contribute.

Do you think we try to upgrade this position via a trade, or do we go with Pepper? I think Pepper would be fine playing a limited number of snaps per game, but if Fergy misses any extended period of time, we could really be in a bind.

Can our current back-up NT get the job done for an extended period of time if Fergy is out, in your opinion?

I think Johnson will do a good job

 

[Clove]

A well deserved concerned.

 

[bobtheflob]

It is a concern, but I'm really happy that our biggest concern on defense is out backup NT. No team has good depth at every position on defense, but we come as close as any.

 

[conner01]

dt's and nt's are slow to develope. they have to learn their responsibilities and they are never strong enough when they come into the league. johnson and stanley will be fine as rotation guys with fergy but we do need fergy to stay healthy. stanley will eventually be a good player

 

[Hiero]

I think Stanley could be the NT of the future, with Pepper getting more snaps this year. Stanley in college showed teh ability to get to the qb at times and be physical in hte middle with the run game. Parcells has a good history with nt's in the later rds and I think Stanley will be a good fit.

 

[EastDallasCowboy]

I'll forever laugh when I see the name Montavious Stanley because of that phone call between him and Jones/Parcells on draft day played on the Ticket.

 

[theogt]

I'll forever laugh when I see the name Montavious Stanley because of that phone call between him and Jones/Parcells on draft day played on the Ticket.

Hell I made him my avatar because of that conversation.

 

[EastDallasCowboy]

It was greatness, wasn't it?

 

[StonetheCrow77]

I'm not that concerned, unless Fergy gets hurt... the back up players won't get a lot of snaps... they will suplement Ratliff, Spears and Canty in the middle in nickle situations to generate more of a pass rush and take Fergy out... he'll get some rest there... the other off snaps should be sparse... maybe 10 snaps...

 

[Cbz40]

Hell I made him my avatar because of that conversation.

I was tempted.

 

[theogt]

It was greatness, wasn't it?

It made my offseason.

 

[TEK2000]

I seem to remember Parcells during a Press Conference talking about how he was pleased with how Pepper Johnson has progressed and has been playing.

Hopefully he'll be a viable sub for Fergy to give Fergy a few plays off.

If our offense moves the ball and defense shuts down offenses as they have thus far... our defense will never be on the field long enough to get tired. BUT that's just a dream.

 

[Cbz40]

I think Johnson will do a good job

I agree Dooms Johnson and Stanley both will be OK....we just need to give them some time.

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree Dooms Johnson and Stanley both will be OK....we just need to give them some time.

If Fergie did go down for an extended period Dallas still has the people to play a bit more 4-3 if need be but I do like Johnson. I'm excited about the prospect of this defense and what they will do this year.

 

[The30YardSlant]

The Cowboys should sign John Daley

 

[dbair1967]

I am not concerned much about backup NT, but until I see proof on the field we can do it consistently, getting a good pass rush is absolutely problem numero uno in my eyes...we havent done it well for years and its DEFINITELY the main reason for so many blown 4th qtr leads under Zimmer's watch for 6 seasons

I think we have the potential to do it, and its encouraging to some extent that we've hardly blitzed at all in the preseason...however the flip side of that is when we basically rush 4 guys we still arnt getting there...the first teamers got no sacks vs New Orleans or SF, and niether of those teams has what anyone would consider a "good" OL

David

 

[Cbz40]

The Cowboys should sign John Daley

as a NT????? Maybe so, could work, his breath would inebriate the person lined up in front of him.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

our back-up NT to Fergy. (I had this same concern several months ago as well, though this is nit-picking given that our defense appears stacked.)

It seems that either Pepper or Stanley will be the primary back-up. My guess is that Stanley still needs a year in the weight room before he can really contribute.

Do you think we try to upgrade this position via a trade, or do we go with Pepper? I think Pepper would be fine playing a limited number of snaps per game, but if Fergy misses any extended period of time, we could really be in a bind.

Can our current back-up NT get the job done for an extended period of time if Fergy is out, in your opinion?

I agree. If he goes down we could be in deep problem.

I'm hoping this situation is rectified with a nice early draft pick come next April.

 

[The30YardSlant]

as a NT????? Maybe so, could work, his breath would inebriate the person lined up in front of him.

Or he could just take a 9-iron to Casey Rabach's cranium