OLB Discussion...

[DBoys]

I have been thinking on where the team might head in the draft at least on the first day.

We have two injured players coming back in Kalen and Singleton. Add Burnett into the mix and we have 3 OLB shooting for the spot. I don't know if it makes sense to bring someone else in on the first day.

Burnett really started to come on last year before he got hurt. Kalen showed a ton of promise before he got hurt as well. This defense would utilize his talents since he was a DE.

So here are my predictions...

Remember when BP asked Woody to come back? I think the most glaring need for us is FS guys. I tend to agree with others we will go for a CB/FS guy like Cromartie or maybe even move up for Huff.

I think between Kalen, Singleton, and Burnett we will be good and I don't know if the guys coming out are much better than what we already have.

Thoughts?

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

i agree with what your saying but if we draft someone like Carpenter or Lawson i think the spot will automatically be filled, and not left up for grabs by 3 ppl we arent sure can man that position. Singleton is ok, never does anything good or bad really. Thorton is good at rushing the QB but i don't think hes the long term answer. And Burnett we no almost nothing about.

 

[Dalmations202]

Was last years #2 rounder a wasted pick?

If not, then where do you put him when he gets healthy, if you draft a SOLB with your first pick in the draft.

Since they already have Singleton who they know can at least handle the position, and they draft a 2nd rounder last year to replace him......then wouldn't they be saying that the pick from last year is a bust if they take another one this year? Especially since they have admitted to the problems on the OLine.

I mean, Ayodele, James, and Ware are pretty well locked in, aren't they?

Singleton, Burnett, and Thorton for playing time with a #1 draft pick????

I would expect them to go either CB, or OL in the first if they can't trade down.


<edit>

And I didn't mention playing time for Boiman, who they just gave a $1M bonus.

 

[TheHustler]

Singleton and Thorton don't have the potential to become dominant, they are what they are. Singleton is a servicable starter, Thorton is a situational pass rusher, and Burnett can't seem to get on the field consistently. I'm not giving up on Burnett, but I wouldn't mind adding a Lawson/Wimbley/Carpenter.

The 3-4 is all about LBs, I want as many good ones as I can get. I don't want Shanle anywhere near the football field again.

 

[austintodallas]

Here are the issues with these players...let me know if you disagree.

Singleton - getting older; a little small for the system; not bad but not great; solid depth.

Thornton - bad knees...remember hearing it might be something chronic; would love to see him breakout being a Horn but I have a feeling he's running out of time.

Burnett - just one season under his belt and multiple injuries already; history of injuries in college as well; bit of an attitude problem; not giving up on the guy yet, but the jury is way out right now.

Bottom line is we need to draft a stud to complement Ware and be done with it. Big, mean, nasty OLBs that can get to the QB are crucial to the success of the 3-4. Get Carpenter, Lawson, or Wimbley in here, I don't care which, just do it.

 

[AbeBeta]

Burnett - just one season under his belt and multiple injuries already; history of injuries in college as well; bit of an attitude problem; not giving up on the guy yet, but the jury is way out right now.

There is nothing to indicate that Burnett has an attitude problem. In fact, last season he was noted several times as being the leader of the rookie group. Scouting reports regularly mention his leadership, intelligence, and work ethic.

 

[austintodallas]

There is nothing to indicate that Burnett has an attitude problem. In fact, last season he was noted several times as being the leader of the rookie group. Scouting reports regularly mention his leadership, intelligence, and work ethic.

I seem to remember a series of posts on this board last year describing how Burnett seemed overly obsessed with getting paid.

Also something to the effect that he wasn't thrilled when the Cowboy's called his name on draft day.

These could very well be non-issues but I thought it was worth a mention.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I think between Kalen, Singleton, and Burnett we will be good and I don't know if the guys coming out are much better than what we already have.

Not saying I necessarily agree but i believe this is what Parcels & co. are thinking. Singleton should be back, they signed Boiman and Burnett should be ready at some point to contribute. I dont think OLB is as high on the Boys' list as a lot of fans(including myself at one point) think. They'll surely add a LB at some point but I think it'll be later than most think.

 

[DBoys]

Not saying I necessarily agree but i believe this is what Parcels & co. are thinking. Singleton should be back, they signed Boiman and Burnett should be ready at some point to contribute. I dont think OLB is as high on the Boys' list as a lot of fans(including myself at one point) think. They'll surely add a LB at some point but I think it'll be later than most think.

At least I am not alone I agree that a lot of fans will be suprised.

 

[TheHustler]

I seem to remember a series of posts on this board last year describing how Burnett seemed overly obsessed with getting paid.

Also something to the effect that he wasn't thrilled when the Cowboy's called his name on draft day.

These could very well be non-issues but I thought it was worth a mention.

Something about growing up a 49er fan I think.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I've honestly thought about the Cowboys sorta of standing pat at the OLB position and NOT selecting anyone on the first day.

I don't expect that to happen. But it wouldn't shock me either if it did.

 

[TheHustler]

I've honestly thought about the Cowboys sorta of standing pat at the OLB position and NOT selecting anyone on the first day.

I don't expect that to happen. But it wouldn't shock me either if it did.

If the value isn't there, I don't have a problem with that.

 

[ddh33]

I truly think that Dallas has the luxury of taking the best player available. I don't think they will reach to fill any position.

If a LB is the best player when they make the pick, I won't be surprised by it. After all, you can always use more LBs.

At the same time, I wonder if the LBs here are as bad as they've been made out to be. Singleton was very solid, if unspectacular. Boiman has proven that he can play. Burnett was going to be a star last preseason. He had injury trouble, got moved around a lot in the defense, and now he's a bust? I'm not giving up so fast. Heck, even Fowler and Shanle can play a role on this team.

Like I said, I could easily see a LB being the pick, but I could see Dallas passing too.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I kinda agree with you, however, I hope we do not trade up.....

 

[skinsscalper]

I agree with Crazy, I hope we do anything but move up. Interesting points made by all, though. To be honest, the ONLY two drafts that the Cowboys picked the player I thought they would were the drafts that we took Williams (damn that trade down made me wanna puke for about 30 minutes) and when we took Newman. Last year, I thought for sure we would take Merriman (I was thrilled we took Ware ,because that's who I was hoping for, but I just knew we would take Merriman). This year, I have my hopes set on Lawson, but I'm going to go with the averages and say they don't take anyone I'm thinking of.

SS

 

[ddh33]

As soon as we start debating the possibility of bypassing LB, the Ranch says that a LB has caught Dallas' eyes. I'm not a member so I have no idea who.

 

[Stash]

I have been thinking on where the team might head in the draft at least on the first day.

We have two injured players coming back in Kalen and Singleton. Add Burnett into the mix and we have 3 OLB shooting for the spot. I don't know if it makes sense to bring someone else in on the first day.

Burnett really started to come on last year before he got hurt. Kalen showed a ton of promise before he got hurt as well. This defense would utilize his talents since he was a DE.

So here are my predictions...

Remember when BP asked Woody to come back? I think the most glaring need for us is FS guys. I tend to agree with others we will go for a CB/FS guy like Cromartie or maybe even move up for Huff.

I think between Kalen, Singleton, and Burnett we will be good and I don't know if the guys coming out are much better than what we already have.

Thoughts?

I see the point you're trying to make and I do agree with certain aspects of it.

However, I think the problem for Dallas is that they have 3 guys that currently don't equal one.

Singleton is an experienced vet who is not a good fit for the 3-4. He's good in coverage, but he's undersized and provides no pass rush.

Thornton has shown flashes of pass-rush ability but he's still a converted DE with little experience at linebacker.

Burnett has also shown flashes of being a player, but he started off slowly and then got injured, further slowing his development. The Cowboys still don't know what they have with him, or if they can count on him.

As for safety, I think it's Huff and that's it. Only the truly special safeties are drafted in Round 1 and Huff is the only one that qualifies as special.

Cromartie may be a good corner, but there's no guarantees he's worth #18 after his injury. There's also no guarantee that he or Henry could easily transition to the FS position making any such move a big risk.

 

[skinsscalper]

As soon as we start debating the possibility of bypassing LB, the Ranch says that a LB has caught Dallas' eyes. I'm not a member so I have no idea who.

The player is Thomas Howard. They are speculating a trade down and gaining a couple of extra picks, picking Howard at the trade down spot.

SS

 

[ddh33]

The player is Thomas Howard. They are speculating a trade down and gaining a couple of extra picks, picking Howard at the trade down spot.

SS

Thank you. I'm not completely sold on the fit in this scheme, but he does have a ton of athletic ability, and he should be right around that 6'3 240 mark. That's Burnett's size, I believe.

 

[Paniolo22]

BPA. If it happens to be a Lber, so be it. If it happens to be Huff, Ngata, Williams, Carpenter, Lawson, Whitner, Justice or anyone else under the sun, they need to take the BPA or if they can trade down.....a LITTLE.