Pro Bowl Defensive Line

[Galian Beast]

I ate crow last year after what happened to our defensive line.

In the offseason prior to last season, I made the claim that we didn't need to upgrade the defensive line. I said that a defensive line of

Ware - Hatcher - Ratliff - Spencer

Would take this defense and put it over the top.

The fact is these are aging guys, who for one reason or another, could not be counted on week in and week out, or couldn't be counted on at all. They were expensive guys who not just year to year but from a global cap point of view weighed down the team, but did not anchor it.

That defensive line should have been the strength of the team, but it turned out to be a major weakness.

I'm glad these guys are doing well (not so much the guy we kept so far, but give him time), but I don't regret moving on. I'd rather move on a year or two early than a year or two too late. This defense is going to look like the Chicago Bears defense when Marinelli was there pretty soon.

The year before Marinelli became the defensive coordinator for the Bears they were 21st in the NFL in points allowed and 17th in yards allowed. (Note that they had also lost Urlacher for the year). They were able to turn things around pretty quickly. The biggest problem we have is the fact that we don't have edge rushers. I think our defensive tackles are pretty good as is, but we have to upgrade the edges.

I think that can be Lawrence and I think it can be Spencer (for this year anyways).

There is no use looking back at Ware, Hatcher, and Ratliff. They're gone, and that while not the most tasteful thing in the world, is still a good thing. It might be hard to acknowledge that when they have success elsewhere, but remember when we needed them to have success here, they didn't. Remember that they're all 30+ guys, and they weren't the future here. We're building that future now.

With McClain, Lee, Carter, and Durant... we can have the linebackers that the bears had. With some investments we can have a defensive line that is just as good too. The Bears picked up Julius Peppers in free agency, they picked up Israel Idonije as an undrafted free agent.

 

[Risen Star]

Yeah, guys. Just remember all those times when Ware didn't have success here. A team can only put up with so much.

And Hatcher? Sure he had double digit sacks last year but we needed more and he came up empty.

Time to turn that page and start building our future with George Selvie, Jeremy Mincey and Nick Hayden.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I think we need to draft good, young talent on defense like we did on offense.

It's amazing that our offense is so good considering almost everyone is homegrown talent and very young. Look at all the major contributors on offense.

position --- name --- age --- homegrown/not

QB --- Romo --- 34 --- homegrown (HG)
RB --- Murray --- 26 --- HG
RB --- Dunbar --- 24 --- HG
RB --- Randle --- 22 --- HG
WR --- Dez --- 25 --- HG
WR --- T.Will --- 25 --- HG
WR --- Harris --- 27 --- HG
WR --- Beasley --- 25 --- HG
TE --- Witten --- 32 --- HG
TE --- Escobar --- 23 --- HG
TE --- Hanna --- 25 --- HG
LT --- Tyron --- 23 --- HG
LG --- Leary --- 25 --- HG
C --- Fred --- 23 --- HG
RG --- Martin --- 23 --- HG
RT --- Free --- 30 --- HG

That's not including young guys we drafted like Devin Street who haven't made a contribution yet. It's amazing how young everyone is. And everyone was either drafted by Dallas or acquired via undrafted free agent. Only free agents who actually played on other teams in real games are OG Bernadeau (28) and FB Clutts (29). Even OT Parnell (28) was claimed off the Saints practice squad and never played a real NFL game anywhere else.

If we can do the same thing with our defense, we'll be very good. Of course, I'll take guys like Rolando McClain (only 25) since he's so good, so young, and never got a fair chance anywhere else. But I'd prefer to keep it all homegrown. No more crazy big money free agent contracts for guys like Brandon Carr or (going further back) Joey Galloway. Spend money on your own guys only if they're worth resigning. (Tyron - yes, Claiborne - no).

We have some good, young players on defense I'd like to build around. None of them are superstars yet, but some of them have a lot of potential:

CB: Moore, 24
CB: Scandrick, 27
S: Church, 26
S: Wilcox, 23
LB: McClain, 25
LB: Carter, 26
LB: Lee, 28 (pushing his luck)
DT: Crawford, 24
DE: Lawrence, 22

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Yeah, guys. Just remember all those times when Ware didn't have success here. A team can only put up with so much.

And Hatcher? Sure he had double digit sacks last year but we needed more and he came up empty.

Time to turn that page and start building our future with George Selvie, Jeremy Mincey and Nick Hayden.

"Let it go. Let it go. Can't hold me back anymore."

Shout out to @WoodysGirl

 

[Clove]

Disagree with Ware. I don't care how well Ware did, he was our own home grown hero and we just spit him out like trash. If this team did this to Witten, there would be a city riot.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Need Lawrence to be a productive DE and need to draft another.

 

[waving monkey]

Disagree with Ware. I don't care how well Ware did, he was our own home grown hero and we just spit him out like trash. If this team did this to Witten, there would be a city riot.

I know that Ware is legend but he was starting to slid. His is doing good and I'm glad for him but time to move on.

 

[Clove]

I know that Ware is legend but he was starting to slid. His is doing good and I'm glad for him but time to move on.

Obviously he was not starting to slide. He was injured, and had the heart to play injured. He gave his blood guts and tears to this team. He was a great teammate, excellent in the community, and in a bad scheme. Now we have Marinelli, he would've been great here. But, it is what it is, and how fans are quick to turn on our own is why players should not be loyal to this or any franchise. Fans/Owners aren't loyal, so why should players be.

If I'm Dez or any of the top FA on this team, I go to the highest bidder. No loyalty means no loyalty.

 

[xwalker]

I ate crow last year after what happened to our defensive line.

In the offseason prior to last season, I made the claim that we didn't need to upgrade the defensive line. I said that a defensive line of

Ware - Hatcher - Ratliff - Spencer

Would take this defense and put it over the top.

The fact is these are aging guys, who for one reason or another, could not be counted on week in and week out, or couldn't be counted on at all. They were expensive guys who not just year to year but from a global cap point of view weighed down the team, but did not anchor it.

That defensive line should have been the strength of the team, but it turned out to be a major weakness.

I'm glad these guys are doing well (not so much the guy we kept so far, but give him time), but I don't regret moving on. I'd rather move on a year or two early than a year or two too late. This defense is going to look like the Chicago Bears defense when Marinelli was there pretty soon.

The year before Marinelli became the defensive coordinator for the Bears they were 21st in the NFL in points allowed and 17th in yards allowed. (Note that they had also lost Urlacher for the year). They were able to turn things around pretty quickly. The biggest problem we have is the fact that we don't have edge rushers. I think our defensive tackles are pretty good as is, but we have to upgrade the edges.

I think that can be Lawrence and I think it can be Spencer (for this year anyways).

There is no use looking back at Ware, Hatcher, and Ratliff. They're gone, and that while not the most tasteful thing in the world, is still a good thing. It might be hard to acknowledge that when they have success elsewhere, but remember when we needed them to have success here, they didn't. Remember that they're all 30+ guys, and they weren't the future here. We're building that future now.

With McClain, Lee, Carter, and Durant... we can have the linebackers that the bears had. With some investments we can have a defensive line that is just as good too. The Bears picked up Julius Peppers in free agency, they picked up Israel Idonije as an undrafted free agent.

The Cowboys are currently 6-1. Last year they had the worst defense in the league.

Despite all of that, there are probably still people lamenting the loss of Ware and Hatcher.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Yeah, guys. Just remember all those times when Ware didn't have success here. A team can only put up with so much.

And Hatcher? Sure he had double digit sacks last year but we needed more and he came up empty.

Time to turn that page and start building our future with George Selvie, Jeremy Mincey and Nick Hayden.

You cry a lot.

Much like the O-line the D-line will take time.

It was time to part with Hatcher and Ware.

None of this is to say that we invested all we should have in the D-line. We didn't. But Stephen has mentioned it's the next project. Given that we turned around that unit have faith. Oh and also enjoy being 6-1. Or you could...you know...keep making the same snarky comment. Over and over and over and over and over.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Time to turn that page and start building our future with George Selvie, Jeremy Mincey and Nick Hayden.

You conveniently left off a few names like DLaw, Crawford, Melton......

But then those names don't fit your agenda I suppose.

 

[AKATheRake]

Ware is the only 1 mentioned that we at all miss.

He's got 7 sacks in 6 games so he's having a good season no doubt.

Obviously you don't just replace arguably the best pass rusher of the last 10 years, but his cap hit was too much, durability was becoming an issue and it is what it is at this point.

He's playing for a definite contender and he's getting paid the rate he expects. We needed to rebuild the defense and to do that you need picks and cap room. Ware was our most expensive player on defense. Now we have to look at Carr's contract, that's business in the NFL for you.

 

[waving monkey]

Obviously he was not starting to slide. He was injured, and had the heart to play injured. He gave his blood guts and tears to this team. He was a great teammate, excellent in the community, and in a bad scheme. Now we have Marinelli, he would've been great here. But, it is what it is, and how fans are quick to turn on our own is why players should not be loyal to this or any franchise. Fans/Owners aren't loyal, so why should players be.

If I'm Dez or any of the top FA on this team, I go to the highest bidder. No loyalty means no loyalty.

Oh I agree on loyalty that should be gone once the contract is expired.Jerry got his butt in a sling too many times being loyal to players and it came back
and bit him bad.We have to keep going on nothing stays the same. Best of luck to Ware a great player who will be injured before this season is over,sorry to say.
We couldn't afford him. Keep drafting well.

 

[mldardy]

Obviously he was not starting to slide. He was injured, and had the heart to play injured. He gave his blood guts and tears to this team. He was a great teammate, excellent in the community, and in a bad scheme. Now we have Marinelli, he would've been great here. But, it is what it is, and how fans are quick to turn on our own is why players should not be loyal to this or any franchise. Fans/Owners aren't loyal, so why should players be.

.

He was injured, ineffective, too expensive, and on the other side of 30. You don't keep a player like that. Great for him he's having a nice season but the Cowboys made the right decision and Ware knew it. Let's revisit this in a few years when Ware is a very ineffective player and see if you still want him and that contract on the Cowboys.

And you talk about loyalty. Ware wasn't loyal either when it came to money. Give me a break.

 

[tecolote]

Disagree with Ware. I don't care how well Ware did, he was our own home grown hero and we just spit him out like trash. If this team did this to Witten, there would be a city riot.

I love Wit but if he was offered that much money elsewhere I would not care if he left.

 

[gmoney112]

Obviously he was not starting to slide. He was injured, and had the heart to play injured. He gave his blood guts and tears to this team. He was a great teammate, excellent in the community, and in a bad scheme. Now we have Marinelli, he would've been great here. But, it is what it is, and how fans are quick to turn on our own is why players should not be loyal to this or any franchise. Fans/Owners aren't loyal, so why should players be.

If I'm Dez or any of the top FA on this team, I go to the highest bidder. No loyalty means no loyalty.

"Hey guys, since my usual agenda of hating on the team for their record, and hating on Romo for no reason at all will look really stupid right now, I'll just transition to hating on management because it's en vogue."

Everyone loved Ware but it's a business and there's a salary cap. I guess you're also forgetting the loyalty they showed Dez with his off the field issues, Tyron with his family issues, Spencer with his rehab, Rolando with his history, Okoye with his medical condition, etc.

Yep, no loyalty at all.

Your shtick is old brah, give it up. Or at least remove it from your backside.

 

[BAT]

I ate crow last year after what happened to our defensive line.

In the offseason prior to last season, I made the claim that we didn't need to upgrade the defensive line. I said that a defensive line of

Ware - Hatcher - Ratliff - Spencer

Would take this defense and put it over the top.

The fact is these are aging guys, who for one reason or another, could not be counted on week in and week out, or couldn't be counted on at all. They were expensive guys who not just year to year but from a global cap point of view weighed down the team, but did not anchor it.

That defensive line should have been the strength of the team, but it turned out to be a major weakness.

I'm glad these guys are doing well (not so much the guy we kept so far, but give him time), but I don't regret moving on. I'd rather move on a year or two early than a year or two too late. This defense is going to look like the Chicago Bears defense when Marinelli was there pretty soon.

The year before Marinelli became the defensive coordinator for the Bears they were 21st in the NFL in points allowed and 17th in yards allowed. (Note that they had also lost Urlacher for the year). They were able to turn things around pretty quickly. The biggest problem we have is the fact that we don't have edge rushers. I think our defensive tackles are pretty good as is, but we have to upgrade the edges.

I think that can be Lawrence and I think it can be Spencer (for this year anyways).

There is no use looking back at Ware, Hatcher, and Ratliff. They're gone, and that while not the most tasteful thing in the world, is still a good thing. It might be hard to acknowledge that when they have success elsewhere, but remember when we needed them to have success here, they didn't. Remember that they're all 30+ guys, and they weren't the future here. We're building that future now.

With McClain, Lee, Carter, and Durant... we can have the linebackers that the bears had. With some investments we can have a defensive line that is just as good too. The Bears picked up Julius Peppers in free agency, they picked up Israel Idonije as an undrafted free agent.

You tend to eat crow quite a bit. Gotta admire your tenacity tho.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

He was injured, ineffective, too expensive, and on the other side of 30. You don't keep a player like that. Great for him he's having a nice season but the Cowboys made the right decision and Ware knew it. Let's revisit this in a few years when Ware is a very ineffective player and see if you still want him and that contract on the Cowboys.

And you talk about loyalty. Ware wasn't loyal either when it came to money. Give me a break.

Yep. I hate losing Ware but it had to be done. We cut ties with a lot of guys over the years. On the O-line it was a complete rebuild. We got rid of guys like Flozell, Bigg, Colombo, Gurode, Kosier, heck even Larry Allen. And the O-line was horrible for a few years. You're gonna be horrible if you get rid of a bunch of experienced guys. But it was necessary.

Same thing happened in the secondary. We still need some work but we're definitely on the right track. The WR position went from a bunch of vets to the young core we have now.

The only real veterans on offense are Romo and Witten. I don't think it's that they were more loyal to Witten than Ware. I think it was just that Witten was more affordable and they didn't have a replacement. Eventually Witten will be gone and he should be gone if we're trying to get younger.

I'm happy with the moves we made on offense and defense. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate Ware. We just had to move on.

 

[jrumann59]

When you follow Better a year or two early than year or two too late you will have couple seasons of rueage. But at least you are developing his replacement. and the salary cap gets cleaned up. Ware is in good place but it was time, I personally think he would have clashed with Ro Mac, ware is a nice guy, and that is his problem he would have felt out of sorts with the swagger this team has now.

 

[sbark]

Which other Cowboy greats played for other teams at the end............Tony Dorsett, Emmitt........it happens, life of the NFL
****
The Key for the Cowboys is to draft well enough (McClay) so that plug and play replacements are waiting in line......so that salary cap can be managed and then also stockpile draft picks via trades or compesentory picks.........