cowboyjoe
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Offseason Position Series: Defensive Line
http://respectthestar.com/2010/03/22/offseason-position-series-defensive-line/
March 22nd, 2010 | by donpotts21 |
How many people tore up their brackets after Kansas lost? Amazing!! Since Kansas won the tourney a few years back, we were all blinded to the fact that Kansas, historically, is a perennial March Madness choke artist. I am in a pool with 49 people, and 28 of them had Kansas winning it all. Another 13 (myself included) had them losing in the finals. Therefore, only EIGHT people had Kansas not in the final game! I have Kentucky winning and amazingly still have a chance to win the pool with two final four teams lost (Kansas, Nova).
But I digress. On to the Defensive Line …
In the previous entries I have analysed the offensive strengths and weaknesses heading into the next season. Today I will focus my attention on the defensive line.
Defensive Ends
Marcus Spears, Igor Olshansky, Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher
Marcus Spears is a restricted free agent who the Cowboys gave an original pick tender too. Spears was clearly upset with it because he received less money than backup’s Hatcher and Bowen. It is unclear what Spears future with the team will be. He is a one-dimensional player, who excels against the run but struggles to rush the passer. Many feel Jerry Jones is sending him a message with the low tender. Time will tell if the message will lead to results.
Stephen Bowen is an interesting player. He is young with a ton of upside. We saw the havoc he can create last season with his 3 sacks and 35 pressures as a situational pass rusher. The Cowboys clearly like his skill set and his role will likely increase this season.
Jason Hatcher is a player who has underachieved in his stint with the Cowboys. He was expected to have a breakout season last year, but injuries and ineffectiveness caused him to start slow. However, as the season progressed, Hatcher’s play improved. The Cowboys clearly like his upside offering him a second round tender.
The unsung hero of the defensive line last season was Igor Olshansky. Coming in and replacing a departed Chris Canty were no small shoes to fill. Olshansky made Cowboy fans forget about Canty real quick. He dominated the line of scrimmage and was a big reason why the Cowboys defense was so dominant against the run.
Positional Strength: 4
Offseason Moves: The Cowboys may look to add another defensive lineman through the draft depending on if anyone decides to sign the restricted free agents. However, do not expect any major moves.
Defensive Tackles
Jay Ratliff, Junior Siavii
Words cannot describe Ratliff’s worth to this team. He was arguably the best defensive player on the Cowboys last season. He excels against the run, and is one of the league’s premier pass rushers from the nose tackle position. At age 28, he is primed for several pro bowl seasons still to come.
The Cowboys also were happy with the play of backup nose tackle, Junior Siavii. He accumulated 29 tackles with 4 QB pressures last season. Although he is better against the run, late in the season he showed some promise as a pass rusher.
Positional Strength: 4
Offseason Moves: Many are predicting the Cowboys will add a nose tackle in the draft to compete with Siavii. I think that would benefit the team. Although Siavii has some upside, the nose tackle position is arguably the most important on this defense. Therefore, you can never have enough depth. Also with Ratliff having end experience do not be surprised if the Cowboys move him outside on some passing downs for a different look.
Next up is the linebackers. Also stay tuned for a second mock draft coming from the Fanball correspondents. In the previous draft, Trent Williams fell into the Cowboys lap at pick 27 and we had to scoop him up. Since he had a solid combine, I would expect him to go earlier this time around. If you have any thoughts about who the Cowboys should select let me know here or on twitter – http://twitter.com/RespectTheStar.
Here’s a clip from the great Curb Your Enthusiasm
http://respectthestar.com/2010/03/22/offseason-position-series-defensive-line/
March 22nd, 2010 | by donpotts21 |
How many people tore up their brackets after Kansas lost? Amazing!! Since Kansas won the tourney a few years back, we were all blinded to the fact that Kansas, historically, is a perennial March Madness choke artist. I am in a pool with 49 people, and 28 of them had Kansas winning it all. Another 13 (myself included) had them losing in the finals. Therefore, only EIGHT people had Kansas not in the final game! I have Kentucky winning and amazingly still have a chance to win the pool with two final four teams lost (Kansas, Nova).
But I digress. On to the Defensive Line …
In the previous entries I have analysed the offensive strengths and weaknesses heading into the next season. Today I will focus my attention on the defensive line.
Defensive Ends
Marcus Spears, Igor Olshansky, Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher
Marcus Spears is a restricted free agent who the Cowboys gave an original pick tender too. Spears was clearly upset with it because he received less money than backup’s Hatcher and Bowen. It is unclear what Spears future with the team will be. He is a one-dimensional player, who excels against the run but struggles to rush the passer. Many feel Jerry Jones is sending him a message with the low tender. Time will tell if the message will lead to results.
Stephen Bowen is an interesting player. He is young with a ton of upside. We saw the havoc he can create last season with his 3 sacks and 35 pressures as a situational pass rusher. The Cowboys clearly like his skill set and his role will likely increase this season.
Jason Hatcher is a player who has underachieved in his stint with the Cowboys. He was expected to have a breakout season last year, but injuries and ineffectiveness caused him to start slow. However, as the season progressed, Hatcher’s play improved. The Cowboys clearly like his upside offering him a second round tender.
The unsung hero of the defensive line last season was Igor Olshansky. Coming in and replacing a departed Chris Canty were no small shoes to fill. Olshansky made Cowboy fans forget about Canty real quick. He dominated the line of scrimmage and was a big reason why the Cowboys defense was so dominant against the run.
Positional Strength: 4
Offseason Moves: The Cowboys may look to add another defensive lineman through the draft depending on if anyone decides to sign the restricted free agents. However, do not expect any major moves.
Defensive Tackles
Jay Ratliff, Junior Siavii
Words cannot describe Ratliff’s worth to this team. He was arguably the best defensive player on the Cowboys last season. He excels against the run, and is one of the league’s premier pass rushers from the nose tackle position. At age 28, he is primed for several pro bowl seasons still to come.
The Cowboys also were happy with the play of backup nose tackle, Junior Siavii. He accumulated 29 tackles with 4 QB pressures last season. Although he is better against the run, late in the season he showed some promise as a pass rusher.
Positional Strength: 4
Offseason Moves: Many are predicting the Cowboys will add a nose tackle in the draft to compete with Siavii. I think that would benefit the team. Although Siavii has some upside, the nose tackle position is arguably the most important on this defense. Therefore, you can never have enough depth. Also with Ratliff having end experience do not be surprised if the Cowboys move him outside on some passing downs for a different look.
Next up is the linebackers. Also stay tuned for a second mock draft coming from the Fanball correspondents. In the previous draft, Trent Williams fell into the Cowboys lap at pick 27 and we had to scoop him up. Since he had a solid combine, I would expect him to go earlier this time around. If you have any thoughts about who the Cowboys should select let me know here or on twitter – http://twitter.com/RespectTheStar.
Here’s a clip from the great Curb Your Enthusiasm
