PFW: Johnson could spark new looks on Cowboys' D-line

[Gryphon]

Source: RotoTimes.com

Tank Johnson has reportedly been the most improved member of the Cowboys since the end of last season, and the staff has raved about his progress, according to Pro Football Weekly. He is not a great fit as a nosetackle in the 3-4, but he understands the scheme much better and could push his way into receiving the bulk of the snaps this season.

Our View: He should easily surpass the two sacks he reached with the club in 2007, and could challenge his career-best mark of five, which he set with the Bears in 2005.

 

[Gryphon]

Johnson could spark new looks on Cowboys' D-line
Source: www.profootballweekly.com

Jerry Jones recently echoed what we have heard since May: that NT Tank Johnson is the most improved returning Cowboy since the end of last season. The defensive staff quietly, then openly, raved about Johnson’s improvement following a so-so half season after arriving from Chicago. Johnson might not be a classic fit on the nose in a 3-4, but he’s understanding the scheme and how he fits much better, we are told, after an offseason of development and could push his way into receiving major snaps. The team has used Jay Ratliff, last season’s breakout D-lineman and starting nose tackle, at end, hoping to use the two together. We also hear that DE Jason Hatcher has made enough improvement to warrant more snaps. So, who loses out? It could be Marcus Spears, who has made surprisingly few big plays since coming to the team as a first-round draft pick in 2005.

 

[rikolai]

Spears would and should be the odd man out in that foursome.One of the many busts of "draft and football guru" Bill Parcells while he was here.

 

[Teague31]

time to unleash the beast

 

[Pick6TerenceNewman]

Source: RotoTimes.com

Tank Johnson has reportedly been the most improved member of the Cowboys since the end of last season, and the staff has raved about his progress, according to Pro Football Weekly. He is not a great fit as a nosetackle in the 3-4, but he understands the scheme much better and could push his way into receiving the bulk of the snaps this season.

Our View: He should easily surpass the two sacks he reached with the club in 2007, and could challenge his career-best mark of five, which he set with the Bears in 2005.

Another year of camp and Tank should make a run at a ProBowl season.

 

[sago1]

Glad to read that both Johnson & Hatcher have stepped their game up. If Johnson has improved to the point he takes significant snaps & generates 3+ sacks, that really improves our inside rush. Hopefully his ability to stop/slow down our opponents run game is also just as effective. Freeing up Ratliff to also help at DE with the improved Hatcher not only gives us quality depth at both DE/DT positions but also sounds like either/both of them will seriously challenge Spears.

Will see if Spears steps up in play in TC/preseason games or loses out to Ratliff or Hatcher. Since Spears also got practice snaps at DT, can't help wondering if he could be moved permanently to backup DT, if he gets beaten out by Ratliff.

 

[CowboyWay]

Just imagine if he breaks out and starts collapsing that pocket to where the qb has to take an extra step or two back. Ware will be unstoppable flying around the tackles to put pressure on him.

Ware could have a monster year

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Tank is huge and I hope he plays the same

 

[Wezsh0T]

Man...what an awesome line:

Ratliff - Tank - Canty

With Hatcher and Spears as backups...

If the improvements are true, we have the makings of a dominant line. Add in an improved LB crew and revamped secondary and this could be an awesome defense.

Nevertheless, I think we've kind of been high on the defense the last two years as well yet it has been the offense that has surprised. Will this be there year that the defense reaches its potential? Let's hope so...

 

[Eskimo]

The only thing I'll say about our reclamation projects is that we should sign them to 3 year deals at the very least to get good value on the ones we hit on. We ran into a problem with Columbo on his extension and we may run into the same problem with Tank now.

We may be learning, though, as Adam Jones new contract is for 4 years.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Another year of camp and Tank should make a run at a ProBowl season.

Hahaha. You've got to be kidding me. An 3-4 NT is rarely going to make a PB, let alone an undersized 3-4NT. Also with the talent we have on defensive there is no way any of our defensive linemen make the Pro Bowl anytime soon.

Not enough numbers to go around for all.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Just imagine if he breaks out and starts collapsing that pocket to where the qb has to take an extra step or two back. Ware will be unstoppable flying around the tackles to put pressure on him.

Ware could have a monster year

That has been a problem of ours. We dont have much of an inside push. Ware and Ellis are good coming from the edge, but we never really have seemed to get much pressure from collapsing the pocket, even the past year under Wades aggressive scheme.

 

[masomenos]

Just imagine if he breaks out and starts collapsing that pocket to where the qb has to take an extra step or two back. Ware will be unstoppable flying around the tackles to put pressure on him.

Ware could have a monster year

Oh man, don't tease me with such ideas...Ware would break the sack record

 

[gambit187]

Spears better hope a guy like Marcus Dixon does not show up, because if he does Spears could be trade bait. IMO

 

[Disturbed]

...Nevertheless, I think we've kind of been high on the defense the last two years as well yet it has been the offense that has surprised. Will this be there year that the defense reaches its potential? Let's hope so...

We need to get Roy off the field (weak link) for this defense to really be dominant. Teams scheme to target our weakest link -- Roy Williams is a huge liability, and we will continue to have problems until we get someone else back there that can cover.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Like most media sources, they don't understand that Dallas doesn't play your typical 3-4 scheme using a 2 gap technique. By not using the 2 gap technique, it allows "smaller" D-Linemen like Tank and Ratliff a chance to suceed.



YAKUZA

 

[AbeBeta]

the guy who we hear this about each year always seems to get cut....

 

[kilz]

July 12, 2008
Jerry Jones recently echoed what we have heard since May: that NT Tank Johnson is the most improved returning Cowboy since the end of last season. The defensive staff quietly, then openly, raved about Johnson’s improvement following a so-so half season after arriving from Chicago. Johnson might not be a classic fit on the nose in a 3-4, but he’s understanding the scheme and how he fits much better, we are told, after an offseason of development and could push his way into receiving major snaps. The team has used Jay Ratliff, last season’s breakout D-lineman and starting nose tackle, at end, hoping to use the two together. We also hear that DE Jason Hatcher has made enough improvement to warrant more snaps. So, who loses out? It could be Marcus Spears, who has made surprisingly few big plays since coming to the team as a first-round draft pick in 2005.

 

[Stash]

I'm thinking about a line consisting of Ratliff, Johnson, and Hatcher for passing downs.

 

[burmafrd]

I would LOVE it if either Hatcher or the Rat put spears on the bench.