The Return Of Brent and Lawrence

[Cebrin]

So far this year this defense has without a doubt, far exceeded its expectations. Coming off another 8-8 season, it was given a lot of the blame, being one of the worst in NFL history. So bad in fact, that we were one of very few teams to produce such effective numbers offensively and fail to make it to the post season.

Flash forward to the off-season and things seem like they're not going to get any brighter in Dallas. We draft yet another offensive lineman in the first round of the draft, as well as trade our second and third pick for a second rounder by the name of Demarcus Lawrence. Johnny Football was out of the picture and the choice of two picks for Claiborne, was still a bad taste in all of our mouths.

As if it couldn't get any worse. Our beloved HOF sack machine Demarcus Ware heads for Mile High Stadium. Jason Hatcher joins the Racial Slurs. Sean Lee goes down yet again and Spencer is not set to return as soon as we'd hoped. Then our last line of hope in Lawrence, the guy we mostly snubbed but hoped for the best with, breaks his foot in training camp. There is no way we'll make it out of 2014 alive.

Now here we sit, freshly off a convincing win not only against the defending Super Bowl champs but, against the then 19-1 twelfth man! 5-1 now looking back, feels like it should be 6-0. If only Romo would have dusted off the arm a little more before game day. Our offense has kept on ticking, sitting at fourth in scoring while Demarco Murray and the second coming of The Great Wall Of Dallas are set to make history.

The biggest surprise of all though, is this defense that no one knew. A banged up, bruised and left for dead batch of forsaken kids, told by everyone that they will not succeed. Sitting proudly at eighth in total points allowed, fans everywhere don't know whether to get excited or wait for the other shoe to drop. These lost boys have suddenly become a company of men.

Now, if that improvement defensively isn't enough for you well, our Golden boy Lawrence is back at practice and says his foot "Feels great!" Josh Brent is set to return and one could only expect that this kid should have a massive chip on his shoulder, with his choice in returning to football after such a horrible tragedy.

It has seemed that these Cowboys have done okay in pressure but lack an effective pass rushing specialist. Well, Brent is a big, strong boy who can close the gap for the run and force double teams and Demarcus Lawrence had great success in college at getting to the quarterback. After the slow and dreadful down fall of our defense last season, perhaps this year, we're only going up. (*knocks on wood*)

 

[Carolina Cowboy]

I think you just nicknamed our defense. The Island of Misfit Toys....

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I don't know about what to expect from Brent. I've never really been that impressed with his play when he was on the field. Granted, that was in the 3-4 so who knows what he can do. But he isn't in football shape. I personally think he's going to have a hard time finding time here. But if he's depth than that alone is a nice upgrade.

 

[Zman5]

I don't know about what to expect from Brent. I've never really been that impressed with his play when he was on the field. Granted, that was in the 3-4 so who knows what he can do. But he isn't in football shape. I personally think he's going to have a hard time finding time here. But if he's depth than that alone is a nice upgrade.

Go watch the Seattle game from 2012. He was double teamed and he consistently got a push. Seattle OLine couldn't move him. He was very impressive. If he can play near that level again this year, he'll have bigger impact on this defense than Lawrence.

 

[Cebrin]

I don't know about what to expect from Brent. I've never really been that impressed with his play when he was on the field. Granted, that was in the 3-4 so who knows what he can do. But he isn't in football shape. I personally think he's going to have a hard time finding time here. But if he's depth than that alone is a nice upgrade.

Somehow I remember a lot of people saying the same thing about Ro McClain. Funny what good coaching will get you!

 

[Joe Realist]

at least it's depth.

 

[Yoshimitsu]

Brent commands double teams. Before he got into his troubles I was encouraged by his play. He couldn't be moved. He's althletic for his size. This guy will give us some punch up the middle in the late season push.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Somehow I remember a lot of people saying the same thing about Ro McClain. Funny what good coaching will get you!

Well Rolando wasn't about good or bad coaching. Rolando had problems he was going through. The guy was a ex-top 10 NFL pick.

Go watch the Seattle game from 2012. He was double teamed and he consistently got a push. Seattle OLine couldn't move him. He was very impressive. If he can play near that level again this year, he'll have bigger impact on this defense than Lawrence.

I'm speaking on more of his whole body of work. And once again, that was a different defense. I'm not saying he won't amount to anything. I'm just not expecting much. I don't think eh's the player Mincey or Crawford are right now. Especially having taking time off from football. I'm rooting for him just not expecting much.

 

[waving monkey]

I am expecting some heft on goal line defense at the very least

 

[Zman5]

I'm speaking on more of his whole body of work. And once again, that was a different defense. I'm not saying he won't amount to anything. I'm just not expecting much. I don't think eh's the player Mincey or Crawford are right now. Especially having taking time off from football. I'm rooting for him just not expecting much.

He played NG then, but as the 1 tech in this defense, he's going be asked to do pretty much the same thing . That is to take on double blocks and get a push or hold ground at the minimum and let the others make a play.

There were reports by his teammates who all thought he looked good physically. I guess we just have to wait and see how he does when he gets on the field.

 

[Bullflop]

Brent was never a threat as a pass rusher, although he was powerful and managed to get significant push on those opposing him. He's stout against the running game, which is something that this DL would certainly find extremely useful. I'm thinking if he's able to return to his former conditioning, he'll see enough action to factor into our plans for the playoff push and possibly beyond. At his best, he'll never be elite but he's solid enough to matter.

 

[mldardy]

I don't know about what to expect from Brent. I've never really been that impressed with his play when he was on the field. Granted, that was in the 3-4 so who knows what he can do. But he isn't in football shape. I personally think he's going to have a hard time finding time here. But if he's depth than that alone is a nice upgrade.

I just look at Brent as another body to rotate on the dline.

 

[Cebrin]

Brent was never a threat as a pass rusher, although he was powerful and managed to get significant push on those opposing him. He's stout against the running game, which is something that this DL would certainly find extremely useful. I'm thinking if he's able to return to his former conditioning, he'll see enough action to factor into our plans for the playoff push and possibly beyond. At his best, he'll never be elite but he's solid enough to matter.

"Brent is a big, strong boy who can close the gap for the run and force double teams"

True, and I never stated Brent was a pass rusher. Only Lawrence.

 

[Cebrin]

I just look at Brent as another body to rotate on the dline.

I look at him as someone closer to the line of scrimmage than Ro McClain who is good getting to the runner.

 

[Bullflop]

True, and I never stated Brent was a pass rusher. Only Lawrence.

Be assured my post wasn't directed at anyone, yourself included -- only expressing my thoughts, nothing more. Actually, I hadn't read many of the posts that preceeded mine. It's really nothing critical -- that's not my style. In fact, I'm honestly pretty much in agreement with what you posted. Are we cool now?

 

[mldardy]

I look at him as someone closer to the line of scrimmage than Ro McClain who is good getting to the runner.

I just hope all of our players on defense are still healthy by time D Law and Brent get back. I want to see this defense at as close to full strength as possible.

 

[AshyLarry06]

Honestly, before Brent got in all that trouble, he was making an impact mostly against the run but ALSO surprisingly against the pass, too. IMO, losing the guy was a HUGE blow when all that **** happened bc i really thought he had turned a corner in his play and become something close to a force at times at the DT spot...

 

[tecolote]

There is no way the Cowboys would have gone to all that trouble to get Brent back on the field if they thought he was just another guy.

 

[jrumann59]

Hell I will be stoked when Carter comes back and D-Law.

 

[Zman5]

Middle of our defense with Crawford, Brent and Ro would be a lethal combo. That will allow others to play better as pass rushers.