My top 5 for the Cowboys on defense

[AsthmaField]

Give me hardy in FA and Bennett at 27

That would be damn nice if they could manage it.

Bennett is my #1DT this year. He's no Donald but Marinelli could do a lot with him. I agree on trying to find a good DE in FA.

With just a couple of free agent pickups, Dallas could have a lot of versatility in this draft. I would really like to be able to go BPA if possible. I think we just draft best that way.

At 27 if Bennett is there, I'd jump on it. If Bennett isn't there, I don't think there will be a DT worth us taking there.

There could be a good corner at 27. I think Kevin Johnson is going to rise up the draft board and by draft time I could see him being a good pick at 27.

Maybe Dallas likes Golden, Dupree, or Orchard enough to take at 27 but they might not think they're worth it. Maybe Fowler or someone slides down to 27.

The only LB that I would want in the first round is Perryman because he is a special player IMO, but Dallas might not like him enough for round 1 (Dallas doesn't like short LB's).

But if Bennett is gone, they don't like any of the remaining DE's, the corners are gone and they don't want Perryman, they might have to go offense in the first. Really, I'd be ok with that for the right player.

La'el Collins is a big, aggressive tackle who I like a lot. He likely won't slide down to 27 but if he did, I'd be ok with it. I just don't want them reaching for a defensive player if there aren't any worth a first round pick left.

Melvin Gordon would probably be worth the 27th pick if Murray isn't still around but I'd rather find one later in the draft. However, if Dallas thinks Gordon is special enough to go round 1, I'm ok with that.

 

[The Realist]

That would be damn nice if they could manage it.

Bennett is my #1DT this year. He's no Donald but Marinelli could do a lot with him. I agree on trying to find a good DE in FA.

With just a couple of free agent pickups, Dallas could have a lot of versatility in this draft. I would really like to be able to go BPA if possible. I think we just draft best that way.

At 27 if Bennett is there, I'd jump on it. If Bennett isn't there, I don't think there will be a DT worth us taking there.

There could be a good corner at 27. I think Kevin Johnson is going to rise up the draft board and by draft time I could see him being a good pick at 27.

Maybe Dallas likes Golden, Dupree, or Orchard enough to take at 27 but they might not think they're worth it. Maybe Fowler or someone slides down to 27.

The only LB that I would want in the first round is Perryman because he is a special player IMO, but Dallas might not like him enough for round 1 (Dallas doesn't like short LB's).

But if Bennett is gone, they don't like any of the remaining DE's, the corners are gone and they don't want Perryman, they might have to go offense in the first. Really, I'd be ok with that for the right player.

La'el Collins is a big, aggressive tackle who I like a lot. He likely won't slide down to 27 but if he did, I'd be ok with it. I just don't want them reaching for a defensive player if there aren't any worth a first round pick left.

Melvin Gordon would probably be worth the 27th pick if Murray isn't still around but I'd rather find one later in the draft. However, if Dallas thinks Gordon is special enough to go round 1, I'm ok with that.

I think Fowler is top 15. Gurley is top of draft guy before the ACL. That's BPA at 27. Peters and DBG are top 10-15 guys if they weren't head cases. Are they worth the risk?

What position does Bennett play for you? 3 behind Crawford. I like him a lot but he is no 1T in this D.

 

[AsthmaField]

I think Fowler is top 15. Gurley is top of draft guy before the ACL. That's BPA at 27. Peters and DBG are top 10-15 guys if they weren't head cases. Are they worth the risk?

What position does Bennett play for you? 3 behind Crawford. I like him a lot but he is no 1T in this D.

Absolutely love Gurley. Minus the injury I think he goes to 10.

Dallas won't touch Peters unless he slides way down and even then I think they'd probably pass. He isn't what they're trying to build in Dallas.

I think Bennett would be in a rotation at the 3-Tech spot but I do think Crawford and Bennett would both get in on passing downs. That's what I had hoped last year with Donald and Melton.

Bennett is just a really athletic DT that is better against the run that most think. Just a good player and I'd like to give him to Marinelli.

That is no guarantee that Marinelli and Dallas like him as much as I do though. I do like him but like I said... he's no Donald. There are plenty of others that I'd probably rather have at 27.

 

[The Realist]

I like a Bennett/Crawford combo in nickel but it seems like it would be hard to take a nickel DT in one.

BPA's at 27 to me look like:

Gurley, Gordon, Bennett, Rollins, Davis, Orchard, Golden.

I'm intrigued with the idea of signing McPhee, Spencer, Melton. Draft Carl Davis, CB in 2, and Zach Hodges as future SLB/nickel DE now.

 

[AsthmaField]

I like a Bennett/Crawford combo in nickel but it seems like it would be hard to take a nickel DT in one.

BPA's at 27 to me look like:

Gurley, Gordon, Bennett, Rollins, Davis, Orchard, Golden.

I'm intrigued with the idea of signing McPhee, Spencer, Melton. Draft Carl Davis, CB in 2, and Zach Hodges as future SLB/nickel DE now.

The Cowboys might see it the way you do and not want Bennett in the first. However, no matter which DL Dallas takes in round 1, he's probably going to be a rotational player because Marinelli is going to have at least 8 guys rotating on game day. Lawrence was rotating and Dallas took him not too far below the 27th pick last year.

I like McPhee in FA too.

 

[xwalker]

Absolutely love Gurley. Minus the injury I think he goes to 10.

Dallas won't touch Peters unless he slides way down and even then I think they'd probably pass. He isn't what they're trying to build in Dallas.

I think Bennett would be in a rotation at the 3-Tech spot but I do think Crawford and Bennett would both get in on passing downs. That's what I had hoped last year with Donald and Melton.

Bennett is just a really athletic DT that is better against the run that most think. Just a good player and I'd like to give him to Marinelli.

That is no guarantee that Marinelli and Dallas like him as much as I do though. I do like him but like I said... he's no Donald. There are plenty of others that I'd probably rather have at 27.

Marinelli basically needs 2 starting caliber 3techs. With the rotation and the fact that two 3techs play in passing situations, the 2nd guy will get almost as many snaps as the first guy.

When you say you top DT I assume that means of guys you think will be available...

 

[DBOY3141]

Marinelli basically needs 2 starting caliber 3techs. With the rotation and the fact that two 3techs play in passing situations, the 2nd guy will get almost as many snaps as the first guy.

When you say you top DT I assume that means of guys you think will be available...

Could McClain be the other 3T?

 

[AsthmaField]

Marinelli basically needs 2 starting caliber 3techs. With the rotation and the fact that two 3techs play in passing situations, the 2nd guy will get almost as many snaps as the first guy.

Exactly what I was saying. In a perfect world, I think Marinelli would want two good players at WDE, 3T, 1T, and SDE. I really love that he is approaching the DL that way because I've always thought it is a good idea to rotate guys and keep them all going 100 mph. It is why I said I like a rotation of Crawford and Bennett.

When you say you top DT I assume that means of guys you think will be available...

Correct.

It isn't very cut and dry because I don't think the team wants to spend a first on a 1-tech because 1-techs in this scheme aren't very catalytic and can be found outside the first round. Plus, there aren't just a whole lot of first round prospects who could play the 3-tech spot.

 

[The Realist]

Correct.

It isn't very cut and dry because I don't think the team wants to spend a first on a 1-tech because 1-techs in this scheme aren't very catalytic and can be found outside the first round. Plus, there aren't just a whole lot of first round prospects who could play the 3-tech spot.

With all the talk of how we won't use a first on a 1T how do we explain TB taking Booger McFarland at #15 to play next to Sapp when Marinelli was there?

 

[xwalker]

Exactly what I was saying. In a perfect world, I think Marinelli would want two good players at WDE, 3T, 1T, and SDE. I really love that he is approaching the DL that way because I've always thought it is a good idea to rotate guys and keep them all going 100 mph. It is why I said I like a rotation of Crawford and Bennett.

Correct.

It isn't very cut and dry because I don't think the team wants to spend a first on a 1-tech because 1-techs in this scheme aren't very catalytic and can be found outside the first round. Plus, there aren't just a whole lot of first round prospects who could play the 3-tech spot.

I see Marinelli's preferred DT rotation as primarily a 3 man rotation where the top 3 get almost even snaps and the 4th guy gets far fewer snaps. The 3 players would consist of two 3tech types and one 1tech type.

 

[xwalker]

With all the talk of how we won't use a first on a 1T how do we explain TB taking Booger McFarland at #15 to play next to Sapp when Marinelli was there?

What people (including Stephen Jones) mean when they say the Cowboys won't draft a 1tech in the 1st is that they won't draft a player that is limited to playing as a 1tech in the base defense and then comes off the field on passing downs. There are players that play the 1tech position in the NFL that can also play the 3tech position. Suh plays a lot of 1tech. Obviously the Cowboys would draft that type of player.

McFarland at 300 pounds was not some big (320+) run stopping 1tech that came off the field on passing downs.

 

[AsthmaField]

I see Marinelli's preferred DT rotation as primarily a 3 man rotation where the top 3 get almost even snaps and the 4th guy gets far fewer snaps. The 3 players would consist of two 3tech types and one 1tech type.

I don't necessarilhey disagree with that. If he had two 3techs that were really good and a 1tech that was, he could let the the #2 3tech sub in for the #1 3tech and in the nickle let the #2 or #1 3tech sub for the #1 1tech, giving a better pass rush.

Really, it is too simplistic to say he wants two at each position because Marinelli will sometimes put a DE inside to rush, like Mincey, and he can even go heavy in short yardage situations where his 3 tech is out.

However, without getting too involved an explanation, saying Rod wants 2 guys for each spot conveys the general idea that I was trying to get across... that he wants a DL heavy on rotation and not just 4 really good guys with a big dropoff to the reserves.

 

[AsthmaField]

What people (including Stephen Jones) mean when they say the Cowboys won't draft a 1tech in the 1st is that they won't draft a player that is limited to playing as a 1tech in the base defense and then comes off the field on passing downs. There are players that play the 1tech position in the NFL that can also play the 3tech position. Suh plays a lot of 1tech. Obviously the Cowboys would draft that type of player.

McFarland at 300 pounds was not some big (320+) run stopping 1tech that came off the field on passing downs.

Very accurate. Well said.

 

[Idgit]

Give me hardy in FA and Bennett at 27

You like Hardy for us in FA? That surprises me. I agree he's a good fit both in terms of skill and his situation making him more affordable, but it's tough to get past his baggage.

 

[xwalker]

You like Hardy for us in FA? That surprises me. I agree he's a good fit both in terms of skill and his situation making him more affordable, but it's tough to get past his baggage.

Hardy would be my top target as a free agent if he is acquitted in his upcoming trial.

He might be a little crazy and I think he was involved with a crazy woman, but I have not heard of any ongoing problems with him.

He's the best pass rusher in FA, IMO. I think he is better than JPP.

 

[visionary]

You like Hardy for us in FA? That surprises me. I agree he's a good fit both in terms of skill and his situation making him more affordable, but it's tough to get past his baggage.

The team has to do its due diligence but if you are willing to go with Brent then you can't sneeze at hardy considering the talent level difference

 

[AsthmaField]

The team has to do its due diligence but if you are willing to go with Brent then you can't sneeze at hardy considering the talent level difference

I agree. Frankly, I love the guy's talent and if the team decides to make a run at him then I will completely trust their judgement on Hardy. This staff has proven they know what they're doing in relation the team's character.

 

[Idgit]

The team has to do its due diligence but if you are willing to go with Brent then you can't sneeze at hardy considering the talent level difference

I agree. Frankly, I love the guy's talent and if the team decides to make a run at him then I will completely trust their judgement on Hardy. This staff has proven they know what they're doing in relation the team's character.

I like the guy as a player a whole lot, too. And he's a great fit for us. As teammates go, I think his reputation is very good in that CAR locker room. I guess it remains to be seen how the league will look on him after his trial is completed.