Pass Rush

[cml750]

Almost everyone seems to want to draft help for the o-line and we do need some help there however I think our biggest need is to upgrade our pass rush. I see stats saying we do okay in sack numbers but pressure isn't just about sacks. A team that can constantly pressure a QB can force them to make mistakes(ie: interceptions) or bad throws. Way too often, the opposing QB had way too much time to throw. We have to improve our pass rush to take the next step. The Giants pass rush is what got them their last two rings. Just look what Charles Haley did for the 90's team. He rarely had huge sack numbers however he almost always was applying pressure to the QB forcing them to rush their throws. Sacks are nice but a team that can always get in a QB's face will do well whether they sack him or not.

An improved pass rush will do more for this team than any other upgrade. It will make our secondary better because they will not have to cover as long. It will lead to more time of possession for the offense. I seriously hope we draft the best pass rusher available when we are on the clock come draft day!!

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Several threads recently about pass rush...

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232643

 

[xwalker]

 

[Yuma Cactus]

I'd take Bruce Irvin in the 2nd and be happy. Fletcher Cox or Brockers with the #14.

 

[Risen Star]

Well then I think you'll be happy with our 1st round pick because I believe the Cowboys are thinking this way.

 

[Ren]

I think the offense is a easier fix then the D so i'd much rather be great there then average on both sides. Our main focus in the draft should be interior OL i don't think our bargain bin signings is going to be that much better then what we had last season and it was a huge problem last season every time we took the field against a semi competent defense.

Our window to do something is really small and it all hinges on keeping Romo healthy. As much as i would love to see a good defense i don't think that is something you can fix in 1 offseason nor do i want to focus on it if it means rolling the dice on OL like we did last season

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I'd take Bruce Irvin in the 2nd and be happy. Fletcher Cox or Brockers with the #14.

Well if this thread is about pass rushers, Cox has 8.5 sacks in his entire 3 year career in college. I know the general thinking is we want a guy like JJ Watt down there, but Cox is nowhere close to JJ Watt.

 

[Romo_To_Dez]

Seeing QB's have all day in the pocket was frustrating hopefully we will get the right players so that Ware isn't the only rusher that teams mainly respect and fear.

 

[DanTanna]

IMO we need to protect Romo like other teams protect Breeze, Brady and Manning. A really good Dallas OL and we score 14 more points a game. Last year, we lost how many games by 14+?. Yes our D sucked, but our OL was worse and Romo covered it up with his skills.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Well then I think you'll be happy with our 1st round pick because I believe the Cowboys are thinking this way.

Agreed.

I'd love about 4 or 5 more corners, but I think #1 is going to be a front-7 person.

If I had to vote today, it would be Cox.

Then either a center/guard in either rounds 2 or 3, and whatever round they don't select an offensive lineman then it will be an OLB.

Rounds 4-7?

Corners every round.

 

[Yuma Cactus]

Well if this thread is about pass rushers, Cox has 8.5 sacks in his entire 3 year career in college. I know the general thinking is we want a guy like JJ Watt down there, but Cox is nowhere close to JJ Watt.

And that is why I said Bruce Irvin in the 2nd. Not sure if he is a 3 down guy but can rush the passer. I have been leaning toward Mercilus but also not sure about his every down ability so a 2nd rounder on a pure pass rusher is better value IMO (right now). My opinion is subject to change.....

 

[burmafrd]

with the exeption of Ingram there is not a pass rusher I see worth the 14th pick.

Brockers is a bust looking for a place to happen and Cox is not worth that pick either.

 

[jobberone]

Ingram is faster than 4.79. More of a 4.65 guy.

 

[sonnyboy]

Almost everyone seems to want to draft help for the o-line and we do need some help there however I think our biggest need is to upgrade our pass rush. I see stats saying we do okay in sack numbers but pressure isn't just about sacks. A team that can constantly pressure a QB can force them to make mistakes(ie: interceptions) or bad throws. Way too often, the opposing QB had way too much time to throw. We have to improve our pass rush to take the next step. The Giants pass rush is what got them their last two rings. Just look what Charles Haley did for the 90's team. He rarely had huge sack numbers however he almost always was applying pressure to the QB forcing them to rush their throws. Sacks are nice but a team that can always get in a QB's face will do well whether they sack him or not.

An improved pass rush will do more for this team than any other upgrade. It will make our secondary better because they will not have to cover as long. It will lead to more time of possession for the offense. I seriously hope we draft the best pass rusher available when we are on the clock come draft day!!

After our FA signings, I can't pin point a single need above all others. In no particular order........Interior OL, Pass Rusher, Safety.

The more difficult question for me is how exactly do we address the pass rush.
For Safety it's easy, draft a Safety. Now is there a cover safety they like worthy of a top 100 selection? Who knows.
OL is also easy and there's plenty of good prospects from selection 14 thru 100 who could help.

But I don't know which direction they should or will go to upgrade the front seven with the pass rush in mind.
Do you draft and OLB to compete and perhaps replace Spencer? Not sure I like this idea for a few reasons.
Do you draft a 3-4 DE who you project as a pass rush threat? OK, but that's a tough call.
Do you take a NT which frees up a move of Ratliff to DE. Never been in the Ratliff to DE camp, but I can see the sense in it.

I think Decastro at 14 is our best play to improve the team.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Agreed.

I'd love about 4 or 5 more corners, but I think #1 is going to be a front-7 person.

If I had to vote today, it would be Cox.

Then either a center/guard in either rounds 2 or 3, and whatever round they don't select an offensive lineman then it will be an OLB.

Rounds 4-7?

Corners every round.

Cox only gives me question marks. I know he had a pretty good combine, but if I take a DE at #14, he better be close to JJ Watt.

Cox is not even in the same universe as Watt in college production and Watt even did alot better than Cox at his combine. I value a DE with his skill set, but not at #14, hes just not as good (and if we actually pick him, I hope I'm wrong).

And that is why I said Bruce Irvin in the 2nd. Not sure if he is a 3 down guy but can rush the passer. I have been leaning toward Mercilus but also not sure about his every down ability so a 2nd rounder on a pure pass rusher is better value IMO (right now). My opinion is subject to change.....

Problem is the draft is so thin in pass rushers after the first round, whereas in the 2nd and 3rd round there are several guys who can play DE well in the 3-4.

If we wanted a pass rusher and DE out of the draft, it would be alot safer for us to go outside pass rusher at #14 then 3-4 DE later cause that just fits this draft better.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Cox only gives me question marks. I know he had a pretty good combine, but if I take a DE at #14, he better be close to JJ Watt.

Cox is not even in the same universe as Watt in college production and Watt even did alot better than Cox at his combine. I value a DE with his skill set, but not at #14, hes just not as good (and if we actually pick him, I hope I'm wrong).

I'm not thrilled with Cox either... I just view him as the least of the "evils" at #14 other than DeCastro.

I'd be happier with a trade down and not have to pick anyone at #14.

 

[Risen Star]

Agreed.

I'd love about 4 or 5 more corners, but I think #1 is going to be a front-7 person.

If I had to vote today, it would be Cox.

Then either a center/guard in either rounds 2 or 3, and whatever round they don't select an offensive lineman then it will be an OLB.

Rounds 4-7?

Corners every round.

I seriously think we'll go BPA, but we'll favor the positions you mentioned in the first three rounds should there be similar ranked players on the board.

About the only curveball I might expect is going TE in round 2 again.

 

[Risen Star]

I'm not thrilled with Cox either... I just view him as the least of the "evils" at #14 other than DeCastro.

I'd be happier with a trade down and not have to pick anyone at #14.

You drafted Cox in the Melsy, Mike. So you're forever married to him.

 

[gimmesix]

I think Decastro at 14 is our best play to improve the team.

I agree if simply for the reason is I don't see an end/OLB at 14 who isn't some sort of risk.

I'd rather take a risk on a pass rusher in the second round if DeCastro is there for the taking in the first.

 

[Eddie]

Get some big bodies on the DL who can disrupt. It's not about another pass rushing OLB.

Get a few DE's and NT's who can move the LOS backwards.