Pro Bowl Defensive Line

[Doomsday101]

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.

If Witten had 2 seasons of poor production and was making the money that Ware did people would understand why Dallas had to part ways. I like Ware and wish Dallas could have worked out a deal to lower his salary, Ware choose not to and Dallas made a move to release him because of the uncertainty they had on his injuries and 2 season of below avg play. Dallas gets accused to holding on too long and yet when they try to move forward that is questioned as well.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

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.

It's a business. That kind of sentimentality gets you beat. How well he does, and what his production costs you, is all that matters.

Go ahead and look to the things you're looking at when considering candidacy for the Ring of Honor. They have nothing to do with filling out your roster.

 

[perrykemp]

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.

I think it's natural xwalker. Nobody really thought at the beginning of the season that the Cowboys were a Superbowl contender.

Now EVERYONE sees that this team is one of the top 5 teams in the NFL and the biggest missing piece is pass rusher.

Hence, I think's it's not surprising at all that there is a certain amount of lamentation / what-if'ing around Spencer and Ware.

I

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I think it's natural xwalker. Nobody really thought at the beginning of the season that the Cowboys were a Superbowl contender.

Now EVERYONE sees that this team is one of the top 5 teams in the NFL and the biggest missing piece is pass rusher.

Hence, I think's it's not surprising at all that there is a certain amount of lamentation / what-if'ing around Spencer and Ware.

I

I said at the beginning of the season that, unlike last year, this d-line would get better. I still believe it.

McClain, Melton, Spencer, and Selvie all came into the season recovering from injury or suffering from minor injuries. I can see them getting better, recovery wise, and expect them to improve their performance down the stretch as long as they avoid injury.

I can also see Lawrence and Crawford making an impact as the season progresses. Both are talented and will benefit from the group they are playing with right now. Brent may have some kind of impact but I am not expecting anything from him given the time he has been away from football.

Overall, I like this group much better than the group the Cowboys marched onto the field in September 2013. I like the chemistry.

 

[gimmesix]

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

I'm starting to think that needs to be our top priority. If Lawrence pans out, I was leaning toward finding a hard-charging 1-tech in the first round, but I think getting another guy that can put consistent outside pressure is more important than a clogger.

I guess I had hoped (and still do) that Spencer could get back to the point where he's that consistent pressure player, but even if Spencer does, I think we need another who can either push Spencer or replace him, continuing the theme of not paying age.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm starting to think that needs to be our top priority. If Lawrence pans out, I was leaning toward finding a hard-charging 1-tech in the first round, but I think getting another guy that can put consistent outside pressure is more important than a clogger.

I guess I had hoped (and still do) that Spencer could get back to the point where he's that consistent pressure player, but even if Spencer does, I think we need another who can either push Spencer or replace him, continuing the theme of not paying age.

Exactly.

Even if Spencer is back 100% the chances that he'll be here next year, in addition to his age/medical concerns make it pretty risky to rely on him to play opposite of Lawrence come next season.

Right now this defense reminds me of the '91 team, that beat the Bears in the playoffs but lost at Detroit because of secondary issues (Ike Holt) and the lack of a pass rush.

 

[perrykemp]

I said at the beginning of the season that, unlike last year, this d-line would get better. I still believe it.

McClain, Melton, Spencer, and Selvie all came into the season recovering from injury or suffering from minor injuries. I can see them getting better, recovery wise, and expect them to improve their performance down the stretch as long as they avoid injury.

I can also see Lawrence and Crawford making an impact as the season progresses. Both are talented and will benefit from the group they are playing with right now. Brent may have some kind of impact but I am not expecting anything from him given the time he has been away from football.

Overall, I like this group much better than the group the Cowboys marched onto the field in September 2013. I like the chemistry.

Yes they can get better Zimmy, however, we also need to be realistic about where they are right now. Through 7 games the Cowboys are on pace to have the fewest sacks in NFL history (16 game season excluding strike shortened season).

They have to get better to get to the promised land.

 

[Risen Star]

If Witten had 2 seasons of poor production and was making the money that Ware did people would understand why Dallas had to part ways. I like Ware and wish Dallas could have worked out a deal to lower his salary, Ware choose not to and Dallas made a move to release him because of the uncertainty they had on his injuries and 2 season of below avg play. Dallas gets accused to holding on too long and yet when they try to move forward that is questioned as well.

One of those two seasons of poor production was a double digit sack season.

Amazing.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Yes they can get better Zimmy, however, we also need to be realistic about where they are right now. Through 7 games the Cowboys are on pace to have the fewest sacks in NFL history (16 game season excluding strike shortened season).

They have to get better to get to the promised land.

Amen Brother!

 

[Doomsday101]

One of those two seasons of poor production was a double digit sack season.

Amazing.

Yes he started the season off very well but injury once again slowed him up and the following season was poor. I like the guy but hell any other player who was making that money and not producing you guys have a fricken fit. Dallas moved on maybe a season too soon but beats the hell out of cutting loose high dollar players a season too late. Dallas tried to get Ware to reduce the pay with a paycut he did not want to do it, I did not blame him at the time since it was business on the other hand I could not blame Dallas for wanting that contract reduced given the fact Ware was not producing at that level.

 

[Risen Star]

Yes he started the season off very well but injury once again slowed him up and the following season was poor. I like the guy but hell any other player who was making that money and not producing you guys have a fricken fit. Dallas moved on maybe a season too soon but beats the hell out of cutting loose high dollar players a season too late. Dallas tried to get Ware to reduce the pay with a paycut he did not want to do it, I did not blame him at the time since it was business on the other hand I could not blame Dallas for wanting that contract reduced given the fact Ware was not producing at that level.

I skimmed that.

Tell me again how a double digit sack season is "poor production".

And exactly how would you define the current production from the collective crap we have at the position now?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Yes they can get better Zimmy, however, we also need to be realistic about where they are right now. Through 7 games the Cowboys are on pace to have the fewest sacks in NFL history (16 game season excluding strike shortened season).

They have to get better to get to the promised land.

What's really shocking though is the number of sacks the Rams have through 6 games– 4 sacks.

And look at their collection of talent.

 

[perrykemp]

What's really shocking though is the number of sacks the Rams have through 6 games– 4 sacks.

And look at their collection of talent.

Sacks are down across the league. Everything is 3 step drop and let it go these days.

 

[Doomsday101]

I skimmed that.

Tell me again how a double digit sack season is "poor production".

And exactly how would you define the current production from the collective crap we have at the position now?

He picked much of that up early in the season but as the season wore on Ware was not producing pure and simple and the following season was poor. At over 10 mill a year you kind of expect more production and we were not getting that. In big game Ware was nonexistent in those games.
No doubt the DL needs help and I think Dallas will address it more, they did take Demarcus Lawrence in this past draft and clearly need to add more but at least it will not be a bunch of over 30 year old guys making big money.
Most understood this team needed an overhaul and that is what is taking place and if you did not notice they are 6-1 and while DL is not getting sacks they are making plays and winning the 3rd down battles and with it being a younger group they have a chance to improve.
I also believe it will be an area that will continue to be addressed. The current moves were not all about this 1 season a season I might add many of you expected 4 to 6 wins and now you want to complain as normal. Go for it, you are very good with the crying BS even in the 6-1 season what a JOKE

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I skimmed that.

Tell me again how a double digit sack season is "poor production".

And exactly how would you define the current production from the collective crap we have at the position now?

Fair or unfair (injuries), D-Ware had only had 8.5 sacks his last 24 games as a Cowboy. I would say, like Doomsday101, that was "poor production."

 

[Yakuza Rich]

We can't be afraid to trade down in the draft and acquire more picks to help build the D-Line. I think today's 4-3 schemes have to be different than they were about 5 years ago. The DE's have to operate a bit more like OLB's because they are going to be asked to rush the passer and then come out and help out on the perimeter on WR screen passes. I think the days of a the Simeon Rice type of DE's in the 4-3 are pretty much over or at least you will need the other DE to play that OLB/DE style.

And I think that puts an emphasis at the DT position. I feel we have a keeper in Crawford. But, we need to stock up at that position since it is so crucial in today's NFL. I can see keeping Melton another year (he's so-so, but is getting back into football shape and is cheap) and I like what Terrell McClain is doing. Hayden is just a body and hopefully gets replaced after this season.

As far as the DE's, I think Selvie is just very solid, but not going to give you that pass rush you need. Spencer needs to get his legs under him, but I can't imagine there is much tread left on the tire. So it really comes down to finding DE's in the draft and hoping that Melton and McClain keep improving and that we stay healthy.

I will say that I feel far better about our LB's than I ever thought we would. I think it makes Lee expendable or at the very least if we have to keep him, it could potentially make for a great LB corp with Lee-McClain-Carter-Hitchens-Durant. And Church has far exceeded my expectations at safety. The less holes he have at other positions means the more we can focus our efforts and draft picks on the D-Line.





YR

 

[Risen Star]

Fair or unfair (injuries), D-Ware had only had 8.5 sacks his last 24 games as a Cowboy. I would say, like Doomsday101, that was "poor production."

I think that's complete nonsense and he's proving it to be in Denver. I think I'm talking to a couple guys who want to audition for the team's PR department.

This was a still elite edge rusher and the Cowboys should have shown more patience.

If they can rationalize keeping the abortion that is Brandon Carr on this team they certainly could have and should have done it with Ware.

Odds are you will never see another one like him in your lifetime.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I think that's complete nonsense and he's proving it to be in Denver. I think I'm talking to a couple guys who want to audition for the team's PR department.

This was a still elite edge rusher and the Cowboys should have shown more patience.

If they can rationalize keeping the abortion that is Brandon Carr on this team they certainly could have and should have done it with Ware.

Odds are you will never see another one like him in your lifetime.

I did qualify my statement by stating that fairness might not be at play in Ware's situation. He could have helped this team but it's a moot point.

And, I do agree that Ware is a one-in-a-lifetime talent but I disagree that he is still elite. Good, but not elite. If he ends up with 12-plus sacks at the end of the season, I'll humbly retract my statement.

 

[Clove]

If Witten had 2 seasons of poor production and was making the money that Ware did people would understand why Dallas had to part ways. I like Ware and wish Dallas could have worked out a deal to lower his salary, Ware choose not to and Dallas made a move to release him because of the uncertainty they had on his injuries and 2 season of below avg play. Dallas gets accused to holding on too long and yet when they try to move forward that is questioned as well.

If Witten was hurt for 2 years and playing, he'd be a hero. The truth hurts pal.

 

[Doomsday101]

If Witten was hurt for 2 years and playing, he'd be a hero. The truth hurts pal.

Not if he was not producing pal. I don't know of any player who is making a big pay check that fans do not expect production pal. Fans love Aikman but towards the end it did not stop them from booing him. I like Ware would love to have kept him but given the injuries, age and contract if he was not willing to take a cut then Dallas did what was best for the team and Ware did what was best for Ware. I don't blame either.