Smaller, quicker MLB's vs. Bradie and Akin

[hendog]

Wade has had a history of having some smaller, faster middle linebackers. I think his defense relies on speed more than Parcells did. Do you think we'll add a mlb thru FA or the draft. I'd love to replace Akin with Lance Briggs.

 

[sago1]

Briggs would cost too much. I do think there are several good ILBs & hope the Cowboys draft one. I'd like to see us use our 22nd pick on one of the best CBs in either McKelvin or Rodgers-Cromartie and then trade our 28th to Atlanta for their 37th & 48th in the 2nd round; we'd have to send them back our 61st but that's okay. With those 2 picks I'd grab WR Mario Manningham & RB Chris Johnson. In the 3rd round I'd grab ILB Jerod Mayo if he still there or Rivers. If we can't get a trade with Atlanta done, I'd still trade our 28th to any team for their 2nd & 3rd round picks. In either case we'd still end up with a total of 5 picks on the first day.

 

[Future]

Bobby Carpenter is a pretty fast LB...

 

[The Panch]

I definitely think we need a faster linebacker core. Today's day and age relies heavily on stopping the pass moreso than stopping the run and that makes lighter LB's more efficient in pass coverage with their speed and agility. You look at teams like Indy and they got linebackers that are 5'10 and weigh 220, but get the job done. That's the direction we're going and you have to be at that level to stop the elite teams which all rely heavy on their air attack(Indy, NE, GB, and us). Especially with the stadium we play at/will play at.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

I definitely think we need a faster linebacker core. Today's day and age relies heavily on stopping the pass moreso than stopping the run and that makes lighter LB's more efficient in pass coverage with their speed and agility. You look at teams like Indy and they got linebackers that are 5'10 and weigh 220, but get the job done. That's the direction we're going and you have to be at that level to stop the elite teams which all rely heavy on their air attack(Indy, NE, GB, and us). Especially with the stadium we play at/will play at.

If you put Ernie Simms and Gary Brackett on this team, they will be only 3rd down contributors. In any 3-4 those ILB's have to be able to shed blocks from Guards. And that wont happen. Burnett is more than serviceable in the nickel and dime.

 

[The Panch]

If you put Ernie Simms and Gary Brackett on this team, they will be only 3rd down contributors. In any 3-4 those ILB's have to be able to shed blocks from Guards. And that wont happen. Burnett is more than serviceable in the nickel and dime.

I wasnt referring to our 3-4 scheme in particular, but the plus of having lighter and faster linebackers who are good in coverage which is something we lack.

 

[THUMPER]

Roy Williams would be a smaller, faster MLB than those guys. Just sayin 'zall.

 

[cwbyfan72]

dexter coakly anyone?

 

[Mr Cowboy]

You can't get much smaller LBs than the one's we had with Dat, Dexter and Al, when he first came from TB.

 

[HardHittingRoy31]

Wade has had a history of having some smaller, faster middle linebackers. I think his defense relies on speed more than Parcells did. Do you think we'll add a mlb thru FA or the draft. I'd love to replace Akin with Lance Briggs.

Maybe the draft but FA has nobody really.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Wade has had a history of having some smaller, faster middle linebackers. I think his defense relies on speed more than Parcells did. Do you think we'll add a mlb thru FA or the draft. I'd love to replace Akin with Lance Briggs.

Examples please? Because if you're talking about Donnie Edwards, I think he played at 236. Burnett is in the 230s. James is in the low 240s. Ayodele is in the low 240s. I just don't know that 10lbs make that much of a difference.

Besides I'm not sure why folks want to replace Bradie. He had an outstanding year.

Ayodele was solid. I can accept that the 'boys can't have steak at every position. And it wasn't like him being on the field was hurting more than ehlpeing.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

ehlpeing.

Burnett is 235, but it's a struggle for him to put on that weight, and keep it on, and the last I saw Donnie Edwards listed, he was like 229

 

[The Panch]

I can accept that the 'boys can't have steak at every position.

True, but...you have to take your weaknesses and turn them into strengths and our linebackers in coverage are as much of a liability as Reeves and Williams.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

btw, I wouldn't mind signing Michael Boley to replace Akin

 

[EPL0c0]

Wade has had a history of having some smaller, faster middle linebackers. I think his defense relies on speed more than Parcells did. Do you think we'll add a mlb thru FA or the draft. I'd love to replace Akin with Lance Briggs.

Want that? Trade for Oakland's Thomas Howard. The guy is better than either James or Ayodele.

And to think, he was available when we drafted Bobby Carpenter.

Career stats:
Carpenter: G-29/GS-1, Tackles-37, PDef-1, Sack-1.5, INT-0
Howard: G-32/GS-31, Tackles-205, PDef-12, Sack-1, INT-6

Also by comparison last 2yrs
James: G32/GS-32, Tackles-202, PDef-8, Sack-3, INT-1
Ayodele: G32/GS-30, Tackles-141, PDef-6, Sack-1, INT-2

He's a player that brings speed and ability to the middle of the LB corp. I *WISH* Dallas would trade for him.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Burnett is 235, but it's a struggle for him to put on that weight, and keep it on, and the last I saw Donnie Edwards listed, he was like 229

Oh shut up, B.S. It's morning and I'm allowed a typo or two.

True, but...you have to take your weaknesses and turn them into strengths and our linebackers in coverage are as much of a liability as Reeves and Williams.

Ask yourself this, how much did Ayodele or James hurt the team in coverage this year? 2006, I think there was a litany of things we could've pointed to. I don't know if we can do that for 2007. And with both signed for another three years, at least. I wouldn't look for a replacement until next off season.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Oh shut up, B.S. It's morning and I'm allowed a typo or two.

 

[theogt]

Burnett's been listed in the 220s since last camp.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Examples please? Because if you're talking about Donnie Edwards, I think he played at 236. Burnett is in the 230s. James is in the low 240s. Ayodele is in the low 240s. I just don't know that 10lbs make that much of a difference.

Besides I'm not sure why folks want to replace Bradie. He had an outstanding year.

Ayodele was solid. I can accept that the 'boys can't have steak at every position. And it wasn't like him being on the field was hurting more than ehlpeing.

230-240lbs is a small linebacker. Especially in a 3-4 where a linebacker takes on linemen. 10lbs can make a big difference. Ware lost 8 pounds, and that was considered a hugh drop in weight for him and supposedly made a big difference in his ability to move.

As for replacing Bradie, I don't see a need right now. Now, Ayodele is a position I would keep an eye on. Maybe with Carpenter, a FA, or even a draft pick. I would like Burnett in that position, but he is like Williams. He is a biscuit shy of a MLB! :laugh2:

 

[zeromaster]

I could see replacing Ayodele, but not James at this point. We don't need steak, but something better than basic would be nice. CB and WR are still bigger needs, IMO.