Starting Positions on Defense

[xwalker]

Very few starting positions have a player that is "in ink" as the starter.
- All others are either in pencil or completely unknown.

DLaw, Gregory and Diggs are the only ones I would put in ink and the exact roles of DLaw/Gregory are unknown with the 4-3/3-4 hybrid defense.

• FS: Kazee but health is a big question mark.
• SS: Wilson looked decent but he'll be re-evaluated by the new DC.
• Outside CB: Diggs and either Brown or Joseph.
• Nickel CB: If Joseph gets the starting job on the outside, then Brown compete with Lewis.
  • Brown has always won the Nickel job over Lewis.
• Off Ball LB: 2 spots are up in the air between 4 players.
  • The hybrid defense makes it hard to predict exact roles.
• 4-man DE / 3-4 OLB: DLaw and Gregory.
• 3-4 DE: Urban at 3-4 DE is the only one close to being a certainty.
• 3tech DT: Could be 1 a several players. Hill or Gallimore most likely.
  • It is really 2 positions because they often play two 3techs on passing downs.
  • At least we know it will NOT be Crawford...
• 3-4 NT: Fans think Bohanna is a lock, however...
  • New Coordinators like to have have as many veterans on the field as possible.
  • More veterans speed up the learning curve for implementing the new scheme.
  • Don't be shocked if Trysten Hill gets the start.
  • Despite what fans believe, Hill is very strong.
  • On run plays, Hill got more attention from blockers than anyone last season.
  • He was often double-teamed even when playing 3tech or 3-4 DE.

 

[Carson]

I believe we see a lot of Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis early on

 

[jazzcat22]

Trystan Hill haters won't like this.
Then again they never like anything.

Hill was having a decent start last season until his injury. I still have not seen much as to his recovery this year.

 

[HungryLion]

Trystan Hill haters won't like this.
Then again they never like anything.

Hill was having a decent start last season until his injury. I still have not seen much as to his recovery this year.

I don’t hate Trysten Hill


That being said. While he showed improvement last year. He still had a long way to go development wise.

he is also coming off a major knee injury.

We just don’t know what we can expect from Hill. He is a total question mark.

he could be anywhere from good to awful this season.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I believe we see a lot of Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis early on

I came top say the same thing...I don't know if they're starting by years end but they will be starting this season off for sure. I see no scenario where the rookies start over them.

 

[Bobhaze]

Very few starting positions have a player that is "in ink" as the starter.
- All others are either in pencil or completely unknown.

DLaw, Gregory and Diggs are the only ones I would put in ink and the exact roles of DLaw/Gregory are unknown with the 4-3/3-4 hybrid defense.

• FS: Kazee but health is a big question mark.
• SS: Wilson looked decent but he'll be re-evaluated by the new DC.
• Outside CB: Diggs and either Brown or Joseph.
• Nickel CB: If Joseph gets the starting job on the outside, then Brown compete with Lewis.
  • Brown has always won the Nickel job over Lewis.
• Off Ball LB: 2 spots are up in the air between 4 players.
  • The hybrid defense makes it hard to predict exact roles.
• 4-man DE / 3-4 OLB: DLaw and Gregory.
• 3-4 DE: Urban at 3-4 DE is the only one close to being a certainty.
• 3tech DT: Could be 1 a several players. Hill or Gallimore most likely.
  • It is really 2 positions because they often play two 3techs on passing downs.
  • At least we know it will NOT be Crawford...
• 3-4 NT: Fans think Bohanna is a lock, however...
  • New Coordinators like to have have as many veterans on the field as possible.
  • More veterans speed up the learning curve for implementing the new scheme.
  • Don't be shocked if Trysten Hill gets the start.
  • Despite what fans believe, Hill is very strong.
  • On run plays, Hill got more attention from blockers than anyone last season.
  • He was often double-teamed even when playing 3tech or 3-4 DE.

I think the secondary is going to be very interesting to watch in jockeying for starting roles. With Joseph only playing in about 15 college games, I expect a learning curve to be there. He’s got raw talent but he also has a ton to learn. And the receivers at this level are light years ahead of the guys he covered in college. I think he’ll be good but probably not immediately.

The slot corner battle will also be interesting between Brown and Lewis. Brown has been quietly better than most realize but Lewis had started to really develop last year. Should be a fun competition to watch.

 

[fivetwos]

Between rookies, one year deal guys and underperformers vs salary.....I cant think of one single guy on this defense that isn't playing for their job this season (Diggs may be the lone exception).

I think that may be a very good thing. Finally, some fire.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Trystan Hill haters won't like this.
Then again they never like anything.

Hill was having a decent start last season until his injury. I still have not seen much as to his recovery this year.

I don’t think the issue with Trysten Hill was ever that he couldn’t turn into a productive Cowboy.

But is that really the best use they could come up for a second round pick? Based on how his career has gone, he’d have to do a lot to make that up

 

[conner01]

Trystan Hill haters won't like this.
Then again they never like anything.

Hill was having a decent start last season until his injury. I still have not seen much as to his recovery this year.

He should be highly motivated being a contract year
To me heart is all he needed to be a solid player
He has the raw talent

 

[conner01]

Between rookies, one year deal guys and underperformers vs salary.....I cant think of one single guy on this defense that isn't playing for their job this season (Diggs may be the lone exception).

I think that may be a very good thing. Finally, some fire.

Dlaw too
But mostly because of contract
Gallimore is pretty safe
And most of this years rookies
But lots of guys are playing for contracts for sure and a few for their careers
This defense should be easy to motivate with so many playing for their future

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Dlaw too
But mostly because of contract
Gallimore is pretty safe
And most of this years rookies
But lots of guys are playing for contracts for sure and a few for their careers
This defense should be easy to motivate with so many playing for their future

I think he means starter job. There are scenarios where Jaylon outplays Micah and keeps him on the bench. Unlikely, but not implausible

 

[john van brocklin]

Very few starting positions have a player that is "in ink" as the starter.
- All others are either in pencil or completely unknown.

DLaw, Gregory and Diggs are the only ones I would put in ink and the exact roles of DLaw/Gregory are unknown with the 4-3/3-4 hybrid defense.

• FS: Kazee but health is a big question mark.
• SS: Wilson looked decent but he'll be re-evaluated by the new DC.
• Outside CB: Diggs and either Brown or Joseph.
• Nickel CB: If Joseph gets the starting job on the outside, then Brown compete with Lewis.
  • Brown has always won the Nickel job over Lewis.
• Off Ball LB: 2 spots are up in the air between 4 players.
  • The hybrid defense makes it hard to predict exact roles.
• 4-man DE / 3-4 OLB: DLaw and Gregory.
• 3-4 DE: Urban at 3-4 DE is the only one close to being a certainty.
• 3tech DT: Could be 1 a several players. Hill or Gallimore most likely.
  • It is really 2 positions because they often play two 3techs on passing downs.
  • At least we know it will NOT be Crawford...
• 3-4 NT: Fans think Bohanna is a lock, however...
  • New Coordinators like to have have as many veterans on the field as possible.
  • More veterans speed up the learning curve for implementing the new scheme.
  • Don't be shocked if Trysten Hill gets the start.
  • Despite what fans believe, Hill is very strong.
  • On run plays, Hill got more attention from blockers than anyone last season.
  • He was often double-teamed even when playing 3tech or 3-4 DE.

Nice break down as usual X

 

[Praxit]

Trystan Hill haters won't like this.
Then again they never like anything.

Hill was having a decent start last season until his injury. I still have not seen much as to his recovery this year.

..did he say, Hill? .....I'm so, .....phreaking pissed. .....

 

[fivetwos]

Dlaw too
But mostly because of contract
Gallimore is pretty safe
And most of this years rookies
But lots of guys are playing for contracts for sure and a few for their careers
This defense should be easy to motivate with so many playing for their future

DL may be gone no matter what considering his upcoming cap figures. If he shows he doesn't have much left, that'll limit his options and leverage.

Gallimore entered my mind as well, but he will get buried on the depth chart if he doesn't play well early on.

Either way....if most of these guys arent motivated this year, I dont know if they ever will be. I expect to see a fiery defense that plays as a unit....something we have been missing for a very long time.

 

[quickccc]

Very few starting positions have a player that is "in ink" as the starter.
- All others are either in pencil or completely unknown.

DLaw, Gregory and Diggs are the only ones I would put in ink and the exact roles of DLaw/Gregory are unknown with the 4-3/3-4 hybrid defense.

• FS: Kazee but health is a big question mark.
• SS: Wilson looked decent but he'll be re-evaluated by the new DC.
• Outside CB: Diggs and either Brown or Joseph.
• Nickel CB: If Joseph gets the starting job on the outside, then Brown compete with Lewis.
  • Brown has always won the Nickel job over Lewis.
• Off Ball LB: 2 spots are up in the air between 4 players.
  • The hybrid defense makes it hard to predict exact roles.
• 4-man DE / 3-4 OLB: DLaw and Gregory.
• 3-4 DE: Urban at 3-4 DE is the only one close to being a certainty.
• 3tech DT: Could be 1 a several players. Hill or Gallimore most likely.
  • It is really 2 positions because they often play two 3techs on passing downs.
  • At least we know it will NOT be Crawford...
• 3-4 NT: Fans think Bohanna is a lock, however...
  • New Coordinators like to have have as many veterans on the field as possible.
  • More veterans speed up the learning curve for implementing the new scheme.
  • Don't be shocked if Trysten Hill gets the start.
  • Despite what fans believe, Hill is very strong.
  • On run plays, Hill got more attention from blockers than anyone last season.
  • He was often double-teamed even when playing 3tech or 3-4 DE.

One of my wonders is How Quinn is going to entwine both base 3-4 to nickel 4 man front in these giving series.

- The Mike Nolan utter disaster aside, a vet loaded team probably could grasp and adjust to the scheme change up quicker and throughout than a young- rookie like team as
we seem to be more assembling.
With such youth movement on this defense, and very iffy vet support, that’s one reason why I think it’s gonna be shaky turbulence early on for at least much of the first half.

- If I’m the opposing offense that’s hearing this- I’m going no huddle often, to bring possible confusion and winded fatigue vs our young pups,.. until they prove that they can more handle it.
Do we start 3-4 base in effort to established run defense, make distance and downs longer - en route to more 3rd and longs.. obvious pass downs defended, ..and 3rd and outs ?

- I recall Quinn’s comments early in his just hired on days, as we’d like to able to " play fast "
Playing instinctively and disciplined without no confusion or hesitation, - something that was just opposite in Nolan dayz.

The 3-4 is supposedly gonna be the “base “ look, but 60%-70%, we’ll be in a four man front ?
We’ll be “ Nickel” set most of the times ? .. I just wonder how this all will play out.

 

[buybuydandavis]

• 3-4 NT: Fans think Bohanna is a lock, however...
  • New Coordinators like to have have as many veterans on the field as possible.
  • More veterans speed up the learning curve for implementing the new scheme.
  • Don't be shocked if Trysten Hill gets the start.
  • Despite what fans believe, Hill is very strong.
  • On run plays, Hill got more attention from blockers than anyone last season.
  • He was often double-teamed even when playing 3tech or 3-4 DE.

Good to hear about Hill getting doubled a lot last year. All I remembered was him getting washed out a lot.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Trystan Hill haters won't like this.
Then again they never like anything.

Hill was having a decent start last season until his injury. I still have not seen much as to his recovery this year.

I am not a fan of hill, not because he can't play. he has all the tools, its that he is very immature and needs attitude adjustment.....if he matures and shows he loves to play he has all the right tools....

he had a "decent" start. nothing to write home about and it shows how bad our defense was, when we defend somebody that had a "decent" start.

 

[quickccc]

Strong Safety –
as of now Kearse is inserted as starter. Much could be about Donovan’s offseason surgery recovery on his knee. Kearse has always been a limited fringe player (ala Dorian Thompson role)
Though he maybe wasn’t always in proper position in coverage, much of that could be due to his inexperience as he only finally saw considerable time in 11 games.
(of all things Thompson was actually starting the season over Wilson) but no doubt about Wilson’s knack for creating big plays -whether a monster fumble hit (ala vs RB Cook) , a QB strip (vs Wentz)
..or an INT (two in 2020) – we really those kind of playmakers. Hopefully more game experience adds up to more consistency and even possible leadership

Free Safety – Cowboys are banking that in shorts-shirt, Kazee is on course for full recovery. Even healthy he’s decent to average in coverage and tackler but he’s another that
has a knack for coming up with INTs, whether tipped or under cutting the inside route.

Achilles tendon tend to be very tough injuries to recover-regain previous forms in the NFL. But is it outta the question?
Also who will backup Kazee at FS ?
Rookie Israel Is no lock to make the team. Per pre draft his physicality has been in questioned.
i had thought for sure that Lewis would've been in contention

Right CB – I can’t see Brown ascending to being solid enuf starter for a full 17 game period. I think the better outside WRs will eventually be able to spin him silly and take advantage of his questionable
coverage skills and ball location.
This scheme is supposed to be zone oriented, so off the ball and in certain situations where he’s facing forward to QB, he could come up with some big plays
but if he gets hip to hip up field .. Yikes !

Only because he's vet, and rookie CBs need adjustment period to NFL, could i see starting the season with Brown. .before he's eventually challenged and replaced by one of the rookies Fat Joseph or
Bright.

LCB- Diggs' ball hawk mentality, growing coverage skills and limited 1-year experience early on makes him the lead CB for the time being. i only worry if he can match single handed vs top tier elite or pure speed merchant WRs of the NFL in coverages that he'll surely face this year - ala Tyreek, Hopkins, Ridley, Jefferson, Evans, DJ Moore, Henry Ruggs, and McLaurin

 

[jazzcat22]

I am not a fan of hill, not because he can't play. he has all the tools, its that he is very immature and needs attitude adjustment.....if he matures and shows he loves to play he has all the right tools....

he had a "decent" start. nothing to write home about and it shows how bad our defense was, when we defend somebody that had a "decent" start.

Not defending him, just saying what the truth is. Yes the jury is still out. But you can’t say he can’t play. Just like I can’t say he can play.
However he played decent, not great but decent until his injury, that is on film. I can say that. When you look at the entire defense and how they played, yes he had a decent start.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Not defending him, just saying what the truth is. Yes the jury is still out. But you can’t say he can’t play. Just like I can’t say he can play.
However he played decent, not great but decent until his injury, that is on film. I can say that. When you look at the entire defense and how they played, yes he had a decent start.

he has to get his arse in gear. there is a lot of competition for his position with the likes of Bohanna, Watkins, Urban, Odi, Gallimore, Hamilton, I assume we keep 5 DT and 5 DEs....that would be a long group....so he maybe on the bubble for the 5th spot....since I think Gallimore, Bohanna, Urban, Odi are top 4.