Rebooting the secondary

[Galian Beast]

I have genuine fears that this defense is experiencing a closing window, but I think we need to focus on fixing what we can.

I would stand pat with our linebackers, and hope to get more out of Wilson and Nzeocha next year. I don't think the linebackers have been terrible, just not as good as we had hoped, but there are numerous factors that have played into that. I think they are passable at this point.

The defensive line is worrisome, but we've opened this door and now we must walk through it. Re-sign Hardy to another year, let go of Mincey, sign a replacement for Hayden. Haloti Ngata was traded to the Lions and I'm sure he won't want to re-sign there. He should be a target assuming he isn't franchised and I don't suspect he will be. You draft another edge rusher in the first four rounds.

That brings me to what I think needs our full focus and attention, the secondary. First, I would fire the secondary coach Jerome Henderson and Joe Baker. You release Carr and you do not re-sign Claiborne. You get Scandrick back, you move Jones to full time free safety, and you invest two of the first three draft picks on safety and cornerback.

Your secondary is now Rookie Corner - Jones - Rookie Safety - Scandrick

Wilcox becomes a backup, and maybe you cut Church to help pay for Ngata. You save 6 million in 2016 cutting Carr if you take the whole cap hit at once, or 11 million if you spread it.

This addresses our issues on defense, though we still need to address our issues on offense...

 

[texbumthelife]

I have genuine fears that this defense is experiencing a closing window, but I think we need to focus on fixing what we can.

Closing how? We have talented youth at every position outside of safety. This makes no sense.

I would stand pat with our linebackers, and hope to get more out of Wilson and Nzeocha next year. I don't think the linebackers have been terrible, just not as good as we had hoped, but there are numerous factors that have played into that. I think they are passable at this point.

If Jaylon Smith is there, you take him. Lee and McClain (if back) are wild cards. Hitchens has looked good but a bit streaky. Wilson and Nzeocha are total wild card. You're not fixing anything by relying on that.

The defensive line is worrisome, but we've opened this door and now we must walk through it. Re-sign Hardy to another year, let go of Mincey, sign a replacement for Hayden. Haloti Ngata was traded to the Lions and I'm sure he won't want to re-sign there. He should be a target assuming he isn't franchised and I don't suspect he will be. You draft another edge rusher in the first four rounds.

Lawrence is young and talented. Gregory is young and a potential super star. Crawford is young and already signed. Hayden will be gone. Irving looks like a good find and is very young. Mincey isn't going anywhere, and shouldn't. Ngata? Really? Based on name alone? Have you seen him the last two years? He's done.

That brings me to what I think needs our full focus and attention, the secondary. First, I would fire the secondary coach Jerome Henderson and Joe Baker. You release Carr and you do not re-sign Claiborne. You get Scandrick back, you move Jones to full time free safety, and you invest two of the first three draft picks on safety and cornerback.

Your secondary is now Rookie Corner - Jones - Rookie Safety - Scandrick

Wilcox becomes a backup, and maybe you cut Church to help pay for Ngata. You save 6 million in 2016 cutting Carr if you take the whole cap hit at once, or 11 million if you spread it.

Secondary is definitely our biggest concern, I agree. You're not doing anything to help that concern by starting two rookies and hoping they're better. The Cowboys have to sign a FA corner that fits the scheme. Outside of that there is no reason to bail on Mo. He's mostly done his job. Jones has far more value at CB, particularly if you cut Carr and let Claiborne go. Look for a FS in the draft or FA and let Wilcox back-up Church.

This addresses our issues on defense, though we still need to address our issues on offense...

Honestly, all your plan seems to do is get rid of players you don't like without any reliable replacements. How is that addressing anything?

 

[gmoney112]

I have genuine fears that this defense is experiencing a closing window, but I think we need to focus on fixing what we can.

I would stand pat with our linebackers, and hope to get more out of Wilson and Nzeocha next year. I don't think the linebackers have been terrible, just not as good as we had hoped, but there are numerous factors that have played into that. I think they are passable at this point.

The defensive line is worrisome, but we've opened this door and now we must walk through it. Re-sign Hardy to another year, let go of Mincey, sign a replacement for Hayden. Haloti Ngata was traded to the Lions and I'm sure he won't want to re-sign there. He should be a target assuming he isn't franchised and I don't suspect he will be. You draft another edge rusher in the first four rounds.

That brings me to what I think needs our full focus and attention, the secondary. First, I would fire the secondary coach Jerome Henderson and Joe Baker. You release Carr and you do not re-sign Claiborne. You get Scandrick back, you move Jones to full time free safety, and you invest two of the first three draft picks on safety and cornerback.

Your secondary is now Rookie Corner - Jones - Rookie Safety - Scandrick

Wilcox becomes a backup, and maybe you cut Church to help pay for Ngata. You save 6 million in 2016 cutting Carr if you take the whole cap hit at once, or 11 million if you spread it.

This addresses our issues on defense, though we still need to address our issues on offense...

If we release both Carr and Claiborne we'll be signing a DB before the draft. The position flex of Byron allows us to target either a safety or CB. Then we'll go BPA at DB somewhere in the first few rounds.

I think our signings on defense will look like Hardy, a DB, and a 1-tech. I also expect it to be a defensive heavy draft. As much as I'd like another WR, I think we'll be targetting defense early and often, with a RB in there somewhere. Unless of course there's a WR sitting there by far BPA. We just need some more talent on D, especially in the secondary.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Joey Bosa in the first, Jayron Kearse in the second. That would be possible with first overall pick

 

[LocimusPrime]

I have genuine fears that this defense is experiencing a closing window, but I think we need to focus on fixing what we can.

I would stand pat with our linebackers, and hope to get more out of Wilson and Nzeocha next year. I don't think the linebackers have been terrible, just not as good as we had hoped, but there are numerous factors that have played into that. I think they are passable at this point.

The defensive line is worrisome, but we've opened this door and now we must walk through it. Re-sign Hardy to another year, let go of Mincey, sign a replacement for Hayden. Haloti Ngata was traded to the Lions and I'm sure he won't want to re-sign there. He should be a target assuming he isn't franchised and I don't suspect he will be. You draft another edge rusher in the first four rounds.

That brings me to what I think needs our full focus and attention, the secondary. First, I would fire the secondary coach Jerome Henderson and Joe Baker. You release Carr and you do not re-sign Claiborne. You get Scandrick back, you move Jones to full time free safety, and you invest two of the first three draft picks on safety and cornerback.

Your secondary is now Rookie Corner - Jones - Rookie Safety - Scandrick

Wilcox becomes a backup, and maybe you cut Church to help pay for Ngata. You save 6 million in 2016 cutting Carr if you take the whole cap hit at once, or 11 million if you spread it.

This addresses our issues on defense, though we still need to address our issues on offense...

Wilcox cant tackle and takes bad angles. He has 27 tackles on the year. Church leads the team with 77 tackles. So i definately wouldnt cut church and leave wilcox. No sir.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Yep, keeping Wilcox over Church would be really dumb. I would like to see them resign Claiborne, cut Carr and we would have Claiborne and Scandrick at corner with Patmon in the slot. Jones and Church starting with Wilcox as the backup.

As mentioned above, take a look at Jayron Kearse in the second, all depends on how high we are drafting.

I really don't see us resigning Hardy and resigning Mincey. Maybe one or the other. Depends on where we spend in other spots.

 

[black label]

When wilcox is on the field we are playing with 10 men on defense

 

[Alexander]

The window has to be open to ever get closed.

 

[Alexander]

Secondary is definitely our biggest concern, I agree.

LOL

Yes, let's draft another in the first. Spend a billion gazillion on another. Worked so well last time.

 

[RS12]

Byron Jones and Scandrick are the only two in the back seven who are safe. Everyone else open to serious scrutiny.

 

[Macnalty]

Not so sure Henderson and Baker have had the talent to work with these last couple of years. I am not so down on the coaching on defense. The offense being viable will cover lots of warts and cause opposing team to take chances that they would not of done with our backup QB's. I saw the job Rod did last year with really bottom of the barrel talent for defense, he is amazing when he has an offense to contribute as that 12th man.

 

[Alexander]

Byron Jones and Scandrick are the only two in the back seven who are safe. Everyone else open to serious scrutiny.

Scandrick returns next year. That is one corner.

I think it is good to see Jones play on the perimeter. This way it forces our hand to play him there and find out where he belongs.

But it is far from being a crucial need we have to spend a first rounder on.

Unless of course, we find the next Deion. You know, like we did before.

 

[Galian Beast]

Closing how? We have talented youth at every position outside of safety. This makes no sense.

If Jaylon Smith is there, you take him. Lee and McClain (if back) are wild cards. Hitchens has looked good but a bit streaky. Wilson and Nzeocha are total wild card. You're not fixing anything by relying on that.

Lawrence is young and talented. Gregory is young and a potential super star. Crawford is young and already signed. Hayden will be gone. Irving looks like a good find and is very young. Mincey isn't going anywhere, and shouldn't. Ngata? Really? Based on name alone? Have you seen him the last two years? He's done.

Secondary is definitely our biggest concern, I agree. You're not doing anything to help that concern by starting two rookies and hoping they're better. The Cowboys have to sign a FA corner that fits the scheme. Outside of that there is no reason to bail on Mo. He's mostly done his job. Jones has far more value at CB, particularly if you cut Carr and let Claiborne go. Look for a FS in the draft or FA and let Wilcox back-up Church.

Honestly, all your plan seems to do is get rid of players you don't like without any reliable replacements. How is that addressing anything?

We have no talent at corner or safety. Even Scandrick is just passable. Certainly don't know why people are so high on Claiborne this year, except they've gotten too used to sub average play. Our two best linebackers might not be in our future either. Our best defensive end is on a one year deal, Crawford is underperforming, and Lawrence and Gregory haven't shown any indication that they are the players of the future.

Ngata can stop the run, which is something we desperately need here. Huge upgrade over Hayden even if he isn't the same guy he was years ago.

Your response seems like it is coming from someone who is still riding preseason hype. It hasn't come to fruition and that is at the minimum worrisome.

The seahawks played talented rookies in the secondary and they were able to flourish. Sometimes you have to make changes and take risks. Part of this teams biggest problem is that it is so risk averse and unwilling to give young guys a chance.

 

[mattjames2010]

LOL

Yes, let's draft another in the first. Spend a billion gazillion on another. Worked so well last time.

Dumb stance. All because we "failed" last time doesn't mean we shouldn't address the corner position again like we did in the past.

We get rid of Carr and Claiborone, we have to sign a vet and look to the draft for a CB. So, unless you have some innovative way of getting players, we'll be going that route.

 

[Alexander]

Dumb stance. All because we "failed" last time doesn't mean we shouldn't address the corner position again like we did in the past.

We get rid of Carr and Claiborone, we have to sign a vet and look to the draft for a CB. So, unless you have some innovative way of getting players, we'll be going that route.

Find me a SB winning franchise that committed those kind of resources to the position paying off. I await your reply.

 

[mattjames2010]

Find me a SB winning franchise that committed those kind of resources to the position paying off. I await your reply.

Patriots.

That was easy. Unless that doesn't count because they gave an extreme payout for one year rather than long term?

Either way, I'd rather you try and tell me why it couldn't ever work. I'd also like for you to actually give an alternative.

More armchair GM, I'm guessing or more whining but not alternative solutions being thought up.

 

[Alexander]

Patriots.

That was easy.

Bust after bust draft pick until they won a title after hiring mercenaries with Revis and Browner.

Okay.

Their undefeated team, right now hardly has a group comprised of first rounders and upper shelf free agents.

 

[mattjames2010]

Bust after bust draft pick until they won a title after hiring mercenaries with Revis and Browner.

Okay.

Their undefeated team, right now hardly has a group comprised of first rounders and upper shelf free agents.

You said show you a Super Bowl team, I just showed you. They went big in FA to secure their secondary.

So, I'm awaiting your brilliant solution to fix our secondary. Not the draft, not FA, so what do we do? This is funny. Haha

 

[The Natural]

Need to pick up some corners in the mold of Josh Norman. Long, athletic guys that actually cover.

 

[perrykemp]

Joey Bosa in the first, Jayron Kearse in the second. That would be possible with first overall pick

Joey Bosa's dad was a 1st round pick defensive lineman in the NFL.

Joey Bosa's dad was an unbelievable bust.

Just saying.