Once again, NTs Matter

[RustyBourneHorse]

You said we had Ridgeway to help shut down the run. He never helped us shut down the run. He was cut before the season.

We had the opportunity to pickup Suh and Joseph during the season!!!! Just think about that!!

I think a lot of us were upset about Ridgeway not making the team. Also, I wanted Joseph. I was fine with Hankins though. It was unfortunate that he got hurt, but the point remains. We need to take NT more seriously.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Not really a NT, but he would have been a good signing.

Thanks, we missed some opportunities
Sigh!!![/QUOTE]

Yes, Suh and Linval Joseph are just two examples.

Everything matters

Of course, but our FO has neglected NT for such a long time.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

The egirls got both, while we are still looking for a WR.

Exactly, and look where they are compared to us.

 

[kskboys]

NT is not the issue with this defense. The issue is gap integrity and aggressive linebacker play. The second line of the Cowboys defense is incredibly passive. They don’t shoot gaps or try to beat the RB to the hole. They sit and wait and make drag down tackles. Very few teams have huge NTs and quite a few are playing better run D than the Cowboys.

Yes, it is one of our glaring issues.

Your last sentence is just not true. Most teams have a big NT, and playoff teams are littered w/ them. Rams, Cincy, KC, SF, all of the final 4 from last season have a big NT.

We are one of the very few teams that place no importance on the position.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Yes, it is one of our glaring issues.

Your last sentence is just not true. Most teams have a big NT, and playoff teams are littered w/ them. Rams, Cincy, KC, SF, all of the final 4 from last season have a big NT.

We are one of the very few teams that place no importance on the position.

And games like today and against Houston show that it's going to bite us as usual.

 

[ak47kaehu]

Yup....hanky kept the LBs clean

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Yup....hanky kept the LBs clean

Yup, and we need an upgrade in the draft to get our LBs even cleaner.

 

[kskboys]

feels like we’ve been saying this for a decade at least, they still don’t value the position.

Or understand it.

 

[buybuydandavis]

If we are going to have success, we MUST take NTs more seriously. We need to draft a NT within the first 3 rounds. That will help us shut the run down, and then our pass defence can pin their ears back. Until the Cowboys take NT more seriously, we are going to break down defencively every season because we will be unable to stop the run.

It seemed like we had been moving in the direction of having more 3 man fronts and getting an NT. I thought starting with Osa they were trying to get personnel for a 3 man front. They even use picks for an NT. But not real ones. And then they even waived Ridgeway, their token attempt to improve at DT.

I dunno. If they weren't going to spend on DT this year, I don't know when we can expect them to.

I suppose it is worse going into next year. One less warm body with Hill gone. One pick gone in Ridgeway.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

I think a lot of us were upset about Ridgeway not making the team. Also, I wanted Joseph. I was fine with Hankins though. It was unfortunate that he got hurt, but the point remains. We need to take NT more seriously.

And we need more than 1.

 

[kskboys]

Hankins is a middle of the pack NT, and he looked great here. Because what we have at NT is woefully subpar.

 

[Sydla]

LOL at some of you guys coming around to the reality that our DTs just aren't all that good.

But there's zero question that when Jerry and Stephen ham and egg it at DT again this offseason, you guys will go back to defending their roster building.

 

[Sydla]

Hankins is a middle of the pack NT, and he looked great here. Because what we have at NT is woefully subpar.

Frankly, for next year Osa should be back because he's young and cheap and is a decent situational guy. I'd seriously resign Hankins if he wants to still play.

After that, then it's gut the DT depth chart time. Gallimore is a total disappointment so you can do whatever you want with him. Watkins? LOL.

 

[DanA]

Just before the season started, I started a thread highlighting the importance of a NT. A lot of people here tried to mock me and make me look like a dunce. Yes, they're not as important as a QB. However! We are seeing all season why NTs are critical. We can't stop the run! Teams are running the ball on us at will, which is putting our pass defence at a significant disadvantage. I think we put a dagger in our season when we got rid of Ridgeway. We lost a player that could swallow up blocks and help protect against the run. Then, we also lost Hankins to injury. Where we were strong defencively was we had Ridgeway and then Hankins helping to shut down the run, which then set our pass defence up to attack. That was why Parsons had success before, but is now struggling to get after the QB.

If we are going to have success, we MUST take NTs more seriously. We need to draft a NT within the first 3 rounds. That will help us shut the run down, and then our pass defence can pin their ears back. Until the Cowboys take NT more seriously, we are going to break down defencively every season because we will be unable to stop the run.

I believe the mocking was not for stating that we needed a NT, but rather stating that the position was as important as the QB (or close too). I still feel that's a pretty stupid take.

 

[805BoysInBlue]

I wrote this on another thread...when we lost to the Rams in the playoffs and got gashed by Gurley and a RB who was couch surfing the week before. Ownership was mad and vowed to make changes, nothing happened absolutely nothing. Last year when this team got punched in the mouth and ran all over by the 9ers, ownership once again opened their mouth about addressing this need. Yet they have done nothing but dumpster dive and try to address it late in the draft. This team needs serious help in the interior, LB and CB. I seriously hope this off season the interior of the d line is addressed but I know it won't be because it dosent sell jerseys like drafting a WR or rb or some other flashy position. I hate this owner, he's ruined something I love and it's all cause of his ego.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I believe the mocking was not for stating that we needed a NT, but rather stating that the position was as important as the QB (or close too). I still feel that's a pretty stupid take.

I may have overstepped a bit saying it nearly, but, it is a very important position. We are seeing this season that we can't stop the run without Hankins.

 

[jblaze2004]

don't worry we will start the next season with this being an issue again. Looks like Dan Quinns defense won't more quicker DT's than run stuffing DT's. We don't really care to stop the run. It's not as fancy as getting sacks. The problem is we aren't doing either now.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Hankins is a middle of the pack NT, and he looked great here. Because what we have at NT is woefully subpar.

Now imagine how a top 3 draft pick NT would look.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

don't worry we will start the next season with this being an issue again. Looks like Dan Quinns defense won't more quicker DT's than run stuffing DT's. We don't really care to stop the run. It's not as fancy as getting sacks. The problem is we aren't doing either now.

And that's because we can't stop the run. If you want to sack the QB, stop the run.

 

[805BoysInBlue]

There might be some good free agents hitting the market next year...but hopefully they're willing to take our honest offer