Positional importance

[RustyBourneHorse]

Absolutely. I still just think of a NT as a 350 guy in a 3-4 but times have changed. Maybe I need to rethink the importance.

Even in the 4-3, you still need a 1T/NT to collapse the pocket and push the oline back, as well as stopping the run. Let's say we line up Parsons and Sam Williams on the right. Wouldn't it be easier on them if we have a Vita Vea to swallow up two olinemen? Of course! That's because it would free one of them up for the QB. Thus, they get an easy sack. Or, it makes Diggs' job easier too because the pass will be horrid.

 

[john van brocklin]

I don't think there's anyone who would challenge you on that. I'll be honest... the Eagles look to have a formidable team from top to bottom but I wouldn't be scared because Philly doesn't have the QB even if they have a nice roster. Just hope they don't turn their 6 picks in the first two rounds over 2023 and 2024 to get a QB.

You got that right !

 

[kskboys]

Hmmm? I totally get your point but I don't think most teams even have NT anymore. I totally agree with what you're saying but having DTs that are good make the traditional NT obsolete.

No, most teams do.

Your DT's must be great, not just good, to get by w/o a NT.

Start watching the playoff teams, especially the final 4. They almost always have NT's. Cincy has one that might be the best in the game in Reader, and he was instrumental in their super bowl run. Rams have two in AShawn and Greg Gaines.

Next two: Champ game losers: SF: DJ Jones. Good NT. KC: Nnadi. Good NT.

Your info on the NT position isn't correct. Even if they only play 2 downs, you'll lose in the playoffs if you don't have one.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

and there's not a NT in the league I'd take over Jalen Ramsey or a young Revis. But your point on the interior DLine collapsing the pocket is spot on!

I'd probably take Vea over Ramsey if it means we also get Diggs. Vea and Diggs are would be so deadly that a team would have two bad options to choose.

 

[kskboys]

and there's not a NT in the league I'd take over Jalen Ramsey or a young Revis. But your point on the interior DLine collapsing the pocket is spot on!

Cincy was in the super bowl in large part because of their NT.

 

[SuperBowlz]

No, most teams do.

Your DT's must be great, not just good, to get by w/o a NT.

Start watching the playoff teams, especially the final 4. They almost always have NT's. Cincy has one that might be the best in the game in Reader, and he was instrumental in their super bowl run. Rams have two in AShawn and Greg Gaines.

Next two: Champ game losers: SF: DJ Jones. Good NT. KC: Nnadi. Good NT.

Your info on the NT position isn't correct. Even if they only play 2 downs, you'll lose in the playoffs if you don't have one.

Let me go do a little reading. I lived in NJ and got tons of Eagles news and I know they didn't have a NT in there SB. Be patient with me cause I'm not the type to pound my chest on how correct I am. I can take an "L" on a message board! Let me get a little more educated on NTs before I claim I'm right or wrong. Cool brother?

 

[SuperBowlz]

Just spit balling here @RustyBourneHorse ...
I read a list of the top 8 NT in the league and their name recognition isn't close to the top DT's outside of Vea. The teams, in order, are... Packers, Tampa, Denver, Minny, Detroit, Chargers, Pitts, Raiders. None of them did much in the playoffs outside of Tampa, but I admit I'm reaching. Just don't think of Jon Hankins,Sebastian Joseph Day, Dalvin Tomlinson and Alim McNiell as game changers. But I do look at Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Chris Jones, Jonathan Allen, DeForest Buckner as household names.
Please respond but I see NT as more of a specialty position. Especially since all 8 listed are on 3-4 teams which Dallas doesn't run anyway.
Fire away brother. Not trying to be a jerk so I hope you don't take it that way. Just discussing

 

[SuperBowlz]

Cincy was in the super bowl in large part because of their NT.

Ummmmmm. Their QB and star WR disagree

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Just spit balling here @RustyBourneHorse ...
I read a list of the top 8 NT in the league and their name recognition isn't close to the top DT's outside of Vea. The teams, in order, are... Packers, Tampa, Denver, Minny, Detroit, Chargers, Pitts, Raiders. None of them did much in the playoffs outside of Tampa, but I admit I'm reaching. Just don't think of Jon Hankins,Sebastian Joseph Day, Dalvin Tomlinson and Alim McNiell as game changers. But I do look at Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Chris Jones, Jonathan Allen, DeForest Buckner as household names.
Please respond but I see NT as more of a specialty position. Especially since all 8 listed are on 3-4 teams which Dallas doesn't run anyway.
Fire away brother. Not trying to be a jerk so I hope you don't take it that way. Just discussing

I get that. I think NT is significantly underrated. The reason is because fans don't understand their role. Their primary role is to stuff the run and plug the hole on passing plays to keep the QB from running. Mark Holmes talks a lot about it on his channel.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

This position as the rest pretty much can be worked out even by Jerry..........

 

[Risen Star]

The NT always has been important.

 

[Doomsday101]

you may have position that are more important but any weakness by a team can haunt their season. GB had one of the worst special teams in the league last season and it was the special teams in post season that cost them as they had a punt blocked and returned for a TD. Clearly some positions are more important but no position is unimportant.

 

[Captain-Crash]

nice discussion and topic. SuperBowlz. good job.

 

[xwalker]

Your list looks about right. I might would change number 5 though.

1. QB
2. Edge Rusher
3. LT
4. CB
5. Center

I just think that a good center helps solidify the entire OL and setting protection. WR’s are becoming more and more replaceable as time goes on, IMO. A lot of guys are coming straight out of college and making an impact. So, years ago, I might put WR at 5, but I don’t see it that way any more.

Frederick was my favorite player of that decade...I've finally given up on the dream that he might come back...

 

[SuperBowlz]

Frederick was my favorite player of that decade...I've finally given up on the dream that he might come back...

No disrespect to Jason Kelce cause he's been 1st team All Pro for a bit but he's a finesse guy and Fredrick was a MAULER who was better than Kelce. He just was and it hurt Dallas losing him.

 

[SuperBowlz]

nice discussion and topic. SuperBowlz. good job.

Just trying to get to September my man. I just try to be respectful and don't pretend I know everything like a lot of people on social media! Be safe.

 

[eromeopolk]

We had a nice thread going about how the NT has become a lot more important in todays NFL. Let's break it down by position and not unit because, for example, a 3-4 OLB is a lot more important then a 4-3 WLB and how a LT is more important then a RG. Positions (RB, FB, TE, LT, LG, C, RG, RT, WR1, WR2, QB, CB, S, WLB, MLB, SLB, (DE-3/4 OLB), DT, NT, K, P)
To save time most (not all) go:
1. QB
2. DE or 3/4 OLB
3. LT
4. CB
5. WR1

These are my ranking of positions:

1. Head Coach - most important position on the team
2. VP of Player Personnel - most important front office position to select...
3. QB - most important player on the field being an extension of the HC
4. RDT - See 1st pick in Cowboys history and best conversion from MLB in Cowboys history
5. RDE - The QB must go down hard
6. C - most important position on the OL
7. LT - see the most important conversion from TE/basketball to LT in Cowboys history.
8. MLB - extension of the DC on the field
9. RCB - got to cover the WR/SE
10. ROLB - got to cover the RB/TE/rush the passer
11. LDE - got to stop the run and rush the passer
12. FS - secondary centerfielder and playmaker
13. LDT - got to stop the run position is basically the same as the NG in a 3/4 D
14. LCB - when you secondary weakest link is strong you have a great D
15. WR/SE - QB has to throw to a no.1 WR/SE
16. LOG - helps the blind side and pull to the strong side
17. SS - must stop the run and cover
18. RT - Run blocker
19. FL - makes the WR/SE great when he can not be covered 1 on 1
20. ROG - run blocker and helps the C keep the defense out of the QB face
21. FB - run, block, catch
22. TE - QB safety valve
23. KR/SR - game changer in the return game and 1st down catch machine
24. LOLB - stop the run and cover the TE
25. K - all he has to do is make kicks which can determine games and championships (see NE)
26. P - hang time and distance to change the field position
27. General Manager - the extension of the owner helps the Head Coach and not is the Head Coach, and Owner.

 

[CowboyRoy]

1-General manager.!!!!!!!
2- Coach.!!!!!!!!
3- Qb.
4- De.
5- Lt.
6-WR 1.
7-CB
8- NT !!!!!!.
9-RB.
10- LB.
My top 10
!!!!!!!!!!= Neglected by our team

I’ll take an elite LB over elite NT. Heck 1tech is more important.

 

[Vtwin]

If you're not strong up the middle, the flashy outside guys, Wr1, CB, even LT, aren't going to be able to get it done. You might not need allpros at DT, Guard and LB but if you don't have solid players at these positions your allpro Wr1, CB and LT won't be able to make up the difference. Pressure up the middle and the inability to slow down the run as well as the lack of our own pressure up the middle has killed us in the playoffs.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

We had a nice thread going about how the NT has become a lot more important in todays NFL. Let's break it down by position and not unit because, for example, a 3-4 OLB is a lot more important then a 4-3 WLB and how a LT is more important then a RG. Positions (RB, FB, TE, LT, LG, C, RG, RT, WR1, WR2, QB, CB, S, WLB, MLB, SLB, (DE-3/4 OLB), DT, NT, K, P)
To save time most (not all) go:
1. QB
2. DE or 3/4 OLB
3. LT
4. CB
5. WR1

If QB is #1 then LT is #2 to protect the most important player.
The list good otherwise