Starting defensive line

[gimmesix]

With Spencer being franchised, it appears the starting line will be:

Ware, Hatcher, Ratliff, Spencer

Hatcher earned a starting spot with his play the past two years and is a good fit for the 3-technique. Ratliff has been playing NT pretty much since he was drafted, so even though I think the 3-technique would be better for him, he has proven ability to play the 1-technique.

Crawford will likely end up backing up Hatcher, and possibly playing some at RDE in place of Spencer when Dallas wants to go big.

Lissemore will likely end up backing up Ratliff.

That leaves us needing either two backup ends, or a backup rush end and a backup tackle (if Crawford ends up primarily at RDE).

 

[speedkilz88]

They have a few young guys also (plus Marcus Spears - for how long?):

Rob Calloway 1 Tech
Brian Price 3 Tech
Ben Bass tweener 3 Tech/SDE similar to Crawford

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

What I like about this is that it allows people to move around. There is a ton of position flex.

 

[perrykemp]

With Spencer being franchised, it appears the starting line will be:

Ware, Hatcher, Ratliff, Spencer/QUOTE]

So in other words the same defensive line as last year.

My guess is they would be one of the oldest defensive line in the NFL.

 

[Risen Star]

So in other words the same defensive line as last year.

My guess is they would be one of the oldest defensive line in the NFL.

They'd have to be. An old, declining DL with no quality depth. Maybe Crawford emerges but when you start mentioning guys like Calloway and Ben Bass as youth behind your starters, you got a real problem.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Add a first or second round DT to that lineup, and a weakness suddenly becomes a strength.

 

[perrykemp]

Add a first or second round DT to that lineup, and a weakness suddenly becomes a strength.

Sure. They already have $30-40m dedicated to just those 4 guys... roughly 1/4th to 1/3rd over the entire cap.... let's see if we can make 1/2 of the cap just by adding a 1st round pick to the mix.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

They'd have to be. An old, declining DL with no quality depth. Maybe Crawford emerges but when you start mentioning guys like Calloway and Ben Bass as youth behind your starters, you got a real problem.

Give me a break. The average age of Rat, Spencer, Ware, Hatcher, Liss, and Crawford is 28. Add in a rookie and it falls to 27.

 

[perrykemp]

Give me a break. The average age of Rat, Spencer, Ware, Hatcher, Liss, and Crawford is 28. Add in a rookie and it falls to 27.

Didn't realize Crawford was starting.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Sure. They already have $30-40m dedicated to just those 4 guys... roughly 1/4th to 1/3rd over the entire cap.... let's see if we can make 1/2 of the cap just by adding a 1st round pick to the mix.

Huh? A first round rookie's salary cap hit is minimal, maybe 2 million or so.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Didn't realize Crawford was starting.

People get way too fixated on the "starting" lineup. The 4-3 is all about having a solid rotation.

 

[Risen Star]

Give me a break. The average age of Rat, Spencer, Ware, Hatcher, Liss, and Crawford is 28. Add in a rookie and it falls to 27.

The average age of the starting DL, which was the quote, has to be around 30.

 

[gimmesix]

They have a few young guys also (plus Marcus Spears - for how long?):

Rob Calloway 1 Tech
Brian Price 3 Tech
Ben Bass tweener 3 Tech/SDE similar to Crawford

Would be nice if one of them works out for us, but I'm not counting on it.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

The average age of the starting DL, which was the quote, has to be around 30.

Yes, it is. And that analysis is so simplistic it borders on trivial.

 

[Risen Star]

Yes, it is. And that analysis is so simplistic it borders on trivial.

There's nothing trivial about it. Our starting DL next year is old and in decline. That's an issue and factoring in the ages of spare parts like Lissemore doesn't lessen the need there.

 

[Rogerthat12]

They'd have to be. An old, declining DL with no quality depth. Maybe Crawford emerges but when you start mentioning guys like Calloway and Ben Bass as youth behind your starters, you got a real problem.

I think they will definitely draft a 3 technique DT to add to the mix.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

There's nothing trivial about it. Our starting DL next year is old and in decline. That's an issue and factoring in the ages of spare parts like Lissemore doesn't lessen the need there.

I will say that, yes, if we stand pat, our line is somewhat old. But I doubt we stand pat, so it's a ridiculous discussion.

 

[gimmesix]

Add a first or second round DT to that lineup, and a weakness suddenly becomes a strength.

I don't consider the line a weakness. Age is an issue we'll have to address over the next few years, but I think we have good group of six linemen.

Obviously, we'll have to see how they pan out in a four-front, but Hatcher was almost a Pro Bowler last year (and will be more free to rush the passer in this scheme) and Spencer was added to the Pro Bowl because of his big year while injuries slowed up Ware and Ratliff.

Injuries are always a concern, so we need to keep building the line, but if this group is healthy, it's a pretty solid starting line. I actually think this group of linemen are better build for this defense than they were for the 3-4.

 

[Idgit]

I think they will definitely draft a 3 technique DT to add to the mix.

We will. But for now, the idea is to complain about the age of the DL while it averages out to an old number. After the draft, we can switch to complaining about how it's a mix of 'old' and 'untested.'

 

[Risen Star]

I will say that, yes, if we stand pat, our line is somewhat old. But I doubt we stand pat, so it's a ridiculous discussion.

It's a ridiculous discussion to state our projected DL next year, guys that we will be heavily invested in, are all old and in decline?

I suppose you can't say Spencer's in decline yet, but any long term deal he signs will include years where he most definitely will be a declining player.

This is an issue. It needs to be addressed now, not later. The problem is our OL is in even worse shape and we blew our resources last year on a couple of cornerbacks. We got 6 picks and no FA money this year. It's going to be tough to do.