Some of my takes on the defense

[darthseinfeld]

- I think Marshawn Kneeland has a chance to be a real contributor this year. They our line is built, we need guys that can be high level run defenders. Kneeland can be that. I can see him getting 500-600 snaps even if he pass rush menu isn't there yet

- Linebacker is pretty dire to me. They have role players, never have beens, might could becomes, and we dont even knows. We have no bankable starters at a position key to this scheme. Our best hope is big growth from Liufau and that they are right on James. Im not taking any hopium on Murray. He has been terrible with two different teams

- Im much more optimistic on Mazi Smith than most. I dont think he will ever live up to being a 1st round pick. However if he continues his improvement over the 2nd half of the season, I think he could be a strong run defender this year. If that happens it would be a major boon. And I think it will

- CB is a great concern of mine. Consider right now we basically have an injured rookie penciled in as our #2 CB. A #3 CB plays about 70% of the snaps. Our likely options look like a 1st round bust who has gotten worse every year, and a 5th round pick from last year who struggled mightily. I really hope Mukuamu and Thomas are considered for that slot role

- Im not that concerned with S. We should have a very good pass rush and I think the S's could benefit in coverage. I dont think we have an adequate SS to replace Wilson, but I do think Thomas or even Mukuamu could replace Hooker. I dont even think Wilson or Hooker need to be replaced. I think they are just kind of mid at this point. However with a strong pass rush, I think thats workable. I dont see Bell as a real option

 

[Cowboy_svt]

dline still sucks which permeates thru everything else

 

[darthseinfeld]

dline still sucks which permeates thru everything else

It doesnt suck. It has areas where its strong and weak. If Im right and Smith continues improving and becomes a solid run defender, that would go a long way

 

[dstew60105]

dline still sucks which permeates thru everything else

It doesn't suck. DE is actually pretty deep.

 

[Cowboy_svt]

It doesnt suck. It has areas where its strong and weak. If Im right and Smith continues improving and becomes a solid defender, that would go a long way

until shown they can stop the run and pressure the QB in the playoffs, it sucks.

Only glimpse of that shown was vs the niners a few years back where they crippled their offense while our offense crippled themselves the entire game.

 

[Cowboy_svt]

It doesn't suck. DE is actually pretty deep.

weve had good DEs and depth there before

Up the middle since Ratliff left weve sucked

 

[stilltheguru]

until shown they can stop the run and pressure the QB in the playoffs, it sucks.

Only glimpse of that shown was vs the niners a few years back where they crippled their offense while our offense crippled themselves the entire game.

A rare poster who realizes its about the postseason and not October

 

[darthseinfeld]

until shown they can stop the run and pressure the QB in the playoffs, it sucks.

Only glimpse of that shown was vs the niners a few years back where they crippled their offense while our offense crippled themselves the entire game.

Ya but that was 3 years, and only two players from that DL roster remain. Its not to say we are better, but you have to hold of an overall assessment until you have recent data.

I would say its unlikely to be a top tier unit overall. But it should be better than the unit from the 2nd half of the season. Which was significantly better than the unit from the 1st half

 

[darthseinfeld]

A rare poster who realizes its about the postseason and not October

Well what can we actually say about the postseason now? Most of the roster DL roster and all of the coaching staff has been churned. We wont have any idea where we stand there until we actually get there. If we do

 

[Cowboy_svt]

Ya but that was 3 years, and only two players from that DL roster remain. Its not to say we are better, but you have to hold of an overall assessment until you have recent data.

I would say its unlikely to be a top tier unit overall. But it should be better than the unit from the 2nd half of the season. Which was significantly better than the unit from the 1st half

for much of my love for Parsons, hes too easily focused on and taken out in the playoffs and theres no other credible threat to double team on the other side unless Sam Williams can focus that flash he showed, but off injury who knows.

Im hopin Mazi has that leap in his 3rd year as DL take time to grow, but im ready to be disappointed. Wish we took another DT in the 1st rd this year though.

LBers being unknown or meh doesnt give me much hope on the run defense.

 

[CowboyFrog]

It doesnt suck. It has areas where its strong and weak. If Im right and Smith continues improving and becomes a solid run defender, that would go a long way

Its a must for this plan to work, this FO is betting on Smith taken huge steps forward for the D to work.

 

[darthseinfeld]

for much of my love for Parsons, hes too easily focused on and taken out in the playoffs and theres no other credible threat to double team on the other side unless Sam Williams can focus that flash he showed, but off injury who knows.

Im hopin Mazi has that leap in his 3rd year as DL take time to grow, but im ready to be disappointed. Wish we took another DT in the 1st rd this year though.

LBers being unknown or meh doesnt give me much hope on the run defense.

My hope as far as someone that can either take pressure off Parsons, or more likely that advantage of all the attention he gets is actually Fowler. He has productive over his career when he has been teamed with a major threat. Williams is an enigma to me right now. Outside Parsons he is the most talented rusher we have. It's just how will he respond coming off that knee injury. I have more faith in Ezeiruaku, who is less talented but more technically sound, then Williams

With Smith, I don't think you see that big leap. Dont think you ever will. I think he will be more of a Derrick Nnadi. Im more confident than most that settles into that role this year. He plays hard, and you dont hear about bad practice habits like with Guyton. So I see the improvement he showed the 2nd half of the season continuing. But I also limitiations to what he will be. He might be this generations Marcus Spears. But if thats the case, then at least we have someone with good size and strength in the middle. Thats at least a start

 

[darthseinfeld]

Its a must for this plan to work, this FO is betting on Smith taken huge steps forward for the D to work.

Thats my guess too. They really didn't look much at big DT's in the draft process. I think Collins was the only one in the 30 list

 

[Cowboy_svt]

My hope as far as someone that can either take pressure off Parsons, or more likely that advantage of all the attention he gets is actually Fowler. He has productive over his career when he has been teamed with a major threat. Williams is an enigma to me right now. Outside Parsons he is the most talented rusher we have. It's just how will he respond coming off that knee injury. I have more faith in Ezeiruaku, who is less talented but more technically sound, then Williams

With Smith, I don't think you see that big leap. Dont think you ever will. I think he will be more of a Derrick Nnadi. Im more confident than most that settles into that role this year. He plays hard, and you dont hear about bad practice habits like with Guyton. So I see the improvement he showed the 2nd half of the season continuing. But I also limitiations to what he will be. He might be this generations Marcus Spears. But if thats the case, then at least we have someone with good size and strength in the middle. Thats at least a start

Fowler is a nice pure pass rusher but hes a huge liability on run downs, so hes gonna be an on/off kinda guy.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Fowler is a nice pure pass rusher but hes a huge liability on run downs, so hes gonna be an on/off kinda guy.

I think thats where Kneeland gets alot of snaps. For better or worse, I think Kneeland is going to have a big role in the line

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

Agree on both Kneeland and Mazi. Big guy positions are some of the hardest transitions from the NCAA. They've simply out bigged everyone their entire lives and figuring out technique and leverage takes time. Kneeland reminds me a little of D. Lawrence, and while you're right Mazi will never live up to the #1, I think he'll have a long NFL career.

The linebacker core is atrocious. All of my hopes are pinned on the development of Liufau and that D. Clark can turn his career around under Eberflus's tutelage. I'm not holding my breath on either and I've got a feeling it'll be a rotating door squad through out the season.

 

[fivetwos]

weve had good DEs and depth there before

Up the middle since Ratliff left weve sucked

Right, I figured that’s what you meant.

I don’t at all see how that DT room is good enough, but management doesn’t see it that way because they have out a big contract to an average player, so they figure they are in good shape.

Saw that coming miles away.

 

[Gambit]

Linebacker is pretty dire to me. They have role players

Which is more than we have had. We've improved the depth there, but without Overshown their isn't a stud starter yet, let's see what the LB whisperer can do. Possible a vet like CJ Mosely or Kendricks is brought in later in camp too.

CB is a great concern of mine.

It's my biggest concern. Jad we kept Lewis Id be less concerned, but as we stand 3 starting caliber CBs have gimp knees. We've no bonafide Slot, unless you count Bland. Bit then you make your outside weaker. I would love to see Thomas lock down that spot, and I'm pulling for him hard. His skill set fits what Flus wants out of the Slot CB. I still think a veteran is possible late in camp.

Im much more optimistic on Mazi Smith than most

We share this sentiment. I know it'll be rookie year and not to expect much from Toia, but I'm excited for what he brings to the table from a pure block eater. Inexplicably this is a position Dallas doesn't value. Not a lot out there just now that offer much help either. If Reader comes available maybe they look, but I doubt it.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Which is more than we have had. We've improved the depth there, but without Overshown their isn't a stud starter yet, let's see what the LB whisperer can do. Possible a vet like CJ Mosely or Kendricks is brought in later in camp too.



It's my biggest concern. Jad we kept Lewis Id be less concerned, but as we stand 3 starting caliber CBs have gimp knees. We've no bonafide Slot, unless you count Bland. Bit then you make your outside weaker. I would love to see Thomas lock down that spot, and I'm pulling for him hard. His skill set fits what Flus wants out of the Slot CB. I still think a veteran is possible late in camp.


We share this sentiment. I know it'll be rookie year and not to expect much from Toia, but I'm excited for what he brings to the table from a pure block eater. Inexplicably this is a position Dallas doesn't value. Not a lot out there just now that offer much help either. If Reader comes available maybe they look, but I doubt it.

If Smith becomes what I think he will (Derrick Nnadi) we need another 3T. Players like Nnadi play 40% or so of defenders snaps. You are gonna play two DT's in B gaps most of the time. Nolen was my guy this year. Didnt happen. I think they need to drop a top 60 on a 3T next year

 

[stilltheguru]

Well what can we actually say about the postseason now? Most of the roster DL roster and all of the coaching staff has been churned. We wont have any idea where we stand there until we actually get there. If we do

The main players are still the same. Micah, osa, diggs bland. You go the way of your highest paid guys/star players. Unless Murray, sanborn,elam,mazi,liafau turn into a star player nothing will change because the stars are weak/soft and fold when things get tough