Thinking DL and the draft...

[silverbear]

Here's my ratings of the defensive linemen in this draft that intrigue
me:

1st round:

Marcus Spears, DE/DT, LSU-- 6-4, 300 pounds, 4.85 sec. 40... the Boys
are reportedly REAL high on Spears, and I like him too...

Shawne Merriman, DE/OLB, Maryland-- 6-3, 260 pounds, 4.65 sec. 40...
the best "tweener" in this draft...

David Pollack, DE, Georgia-- 6-3, 275 pounds, 4.75 sec. 40... 108
quarterback hurries in his college career... 'nuff said... 35.5 career
sacks...

Late 1st/ Early 2nd round:

Anttaj Hawthorne, DT, Wisconsin-- 6-3, 316 pounds, 4.9 sec. 40... one
of my faves, and the Cowboys paid him some attention at the Senior Bowl
too...

2nd/3rd round:

DeMarcus Ware, DE/OLB, Troy-- 6-4, 250 pounds, 4.65 sec. 40... rising
the draft boards as he puts weight on; entered the offeseason at 235
pounds, now up to 250 and doesn't seem to have lost any speed...
another 3-4 "tweener"... 27.5 career sacks...

3rd/4th round:

Walter Curry, DE, Albany State-- 6-4, 275 pounds, 4.7 sec. 40... a
sleeper from small college ball, where he was dominating... 18 sacks in
2003...

Bill Swancutt, DE, Oregon State-- 6-4, 265 pounds, 4.7 sec. 40... 37
career sacks...

4th/5th round:

Chris Canty, DE, Virginia-- 6-7, 290 pounds, 4.9 sec. 40... 3-4 DE
prospect, dropped because of injury...

Jim Davis, DE, Virginia Tech-- 6-4, 275 pounds, 4.8 sec. 40... the Boys
looked at him at the Senior Bowl...

5th/6th round:

Ronald Fields, DT, Mississippi State-- 6-2, 325 pounds, 4.95 sec. 40...

Albert Means, DT, Memphis-- 6-3, 325 pounds, 4.95 sec. 40... needs to
lose a little weight, but ideally suited for NT...

Anthony Bryant, DT, Alabama-- 6-3, 325 pounds, 4.95 sec. 40... again,
conditioning seems to be his problem...

6th/7th round:

Keyonta Marshall, DT, Grand Valley State-- 6-1, 310 pounds, 4.95 sec.
40...

 

[Cowboy from New York]

I don't like Pollack because of him being undersized. Other than that I think your rankings are dead on save one thing. I have read that Canty's injury is not serious but who knows if that's his agents spin or if the original incident was blown out of proportion. I'm sure he'll go through the grinder at the combine to verify the incident and injury. So his draft ranking is iffy.

 

[Dough Boy]

Silver, where would you place these guys.

Travis Johnson Florida St. 6-5 290 4.70

Shaun Cody USC 6-4 295 4.75

Justin Tuck Notre Dame 6-5 261 4.56

Here's my ratings of the defensive linemen in this draft that intrigue
me:

1st round:

Marcus Spears, DE/DT, LSU-- 6-4, 300 pounds, 4.85 sec. 40... the Boys
are reportedly REAL high on Spears, and I like him too...

Shawne Merriman, DE/OLB, Maryland-- 6-3, 260 pounds, 4.65 sec. 40...
the best "tweener" in this draft...

David Pollack, DE, Georgia-- 6-3, 275 pounds, 4.75 sec. 40... 108
quarterback hurries in his college career... 'nuff said... 35.5 career
sacks...

Late 1st/ Early 2nd round:

Anttaj Hawthorne, DT, Wisconsin-- 6-3, 316 pounds, 4.9 sec. 40... one
of my faves, and the Cowboys paid him some attention at the Senior Bowl
too...

2nd/3rd round:

DeMarcus Ware, DE/OLB, Troy-- 6-4, 250 pounds, 4.65 sec. 40... rising
the draft boards as he puts weight on; entered the offeseason at 235
pounds, now up to 250 and doesn't seem to have lost any speed...
another 3-4 "tweener"... 27.5 career sacks...

3rd/4th round:

Walter Curry, DE, Albany State-- 6-4, 275 pounds, 4.7 sec. 40... a
sleeper from small college ball, where he was dominating... 18 sacks in
2003...

Bill Swancutt, DE, Oregon State-- 6-4, 265 pounds, 4.7 sec. 40... 37
career sacks...

4th/5th round:

Chris Canty, DE, Virginia-- 6-7, 290 pounds, 4.9 sec. 40... 3-4 DE
prospect, dropped because of injury...

Jim Davis, DE, Virginia Tech-- 6-4, 275 pounds, 4.8 sec. 40... the Boys
looked at him at the Senior Bowl...

5th/6th round:

Ronald Fields, DT, Mississippi State-- 6-2, 325 pounds, 4.95 sec. 40...

Albert Means, DT, Memphis-- 6-3, 325 pounds, 4.95 sec. 40... needs to
lose a little weight, but ideally suited for NT...

Anthony Bryant, DT, Alabama-- 6-3, 325 pounds, 4.95 sec. 40... again,
conditioning seems to be his problem...

6th/7th round:

Keyonta Marshall, DT, Grand Valley State-- 6-1, 310 pounds, 4.95 sec.
40...

 

[silverbear]

I don't like Pollack because of him being undersized.

35.5 career sacks, 108 career hurries... playing in the SEC...

These are the credentials of a legit pass rusher... so he's "only" 270 pounds, and "only" a 4.7 second 40... both are adequate, in fact, Tony Tolbert was a 270 pounder who ran a 4.7 40... though Pollack is some shorter than Tony was, I see him as much the same kind of player... his scouting reports all seem to say he's held up well against the run, too...

Of all the pass rushers I've looked at this season, this guy looks the most NFL-ready to me... and if the Boys go to a 3-4, welllll, he also has 4 career interceptions, and 18 career passes broken up, indicating he's been asked to drop into coverage at least every once in a while, so he might be able to handle that responsibility during a zone blitz (a staple of the 3-4)...

You're right about Canty's eye injury throwing his draft status into question, but I have read a number of reports that said it isn't too big a deal, long-term... being a fan of the Cavs, I hope that he'll be OK...

 

[silverbear]

Silver, where would you place these guys.

Travis Johnson Florida St. 6-5 290 4.70

Shaun Cody USC 6-4 295 4.75

Justin Tuck Notre Dame 6-5 261 4.56

I see Johnson and Cody as solid second rounders... but they're basically La'Roi Glover types, which is why they're not on my list... not that the Boys couldn't use a skilled backup for Glover, but they NEED to get a more physical presence inside at DT, real bad... they need widebodies who can clog everything up, and that's what I'm focusing on in this draft...

As for Tuck, he'll be a first day pick, late 2nd or early 3rd would be my guess... he almost made my short list, and as I'm sitting here I can't really remember why he was ultimately left off... he looks like the classic tweener that fits real well into a 3-4 scheme, too...

 

[Portland Fanatic]

I see Johnson and Cody as solid second rounders... but they're basically La'Roi Glover types, which is why they're not on my list... not that the Boys couldn't use a skilled backup for Glover, but they NEED to get a more physical presence inside at DT, real bad... they need widebodies who can clog everything up, and that's what I'm focusing on in this draft...

As for Tuck, he'll be a first day pick, late 2nd or early 3rd would be my guess... he almost made my short list, and as I'm sitting here I can't really remember why he was ultimately left off... he looks like the classic tweener that fits real well into a 3-4 scheme, too...

I disagree on Johnson and Sean Cody...they are both late 1st round picks...becuz of the lack of depth on the Dlineman this year they will be gone by 2nd...Tuck might last until mid-2nd...

 

[Dough Boy]

I see Johnson and Cody as solid second rounders... but they're basically La'Roi Glover types, which is why they're not on my list... not that the Boys couldn't use a skilled backup for Glover, but they NEED to get a more physical presence inside at DT, real bad... they need widebodies who can clog everything up, and that's what I'm focusing on in this draft...

As for Tuck, he'll be a first day pick, late 2nd or early 3rd would be my guess... he almost made my short list, and as I'm sitting here I can't really remember why he was ultimately left off... he looks like the classic tweener that fits real well into a 3-4 scheme, too...

I think Cody and Johnson have the potential to be a Kevin Williams type player. He played both DE and DT at OSU. Esp Cody. The knock on him is size to play inside, same as Williams. Cody can add another 15-20 lbs of mass over the next year or two and play at 310 to 315 range. Plus Cody is really suited to play 3-4 DE and 4-3 DT behind Glover. Glover is not getting any younger, and Cody is the best interior pass rusher to come along in the last few years.

 

[Nors]

Pollack would be a tremendous 3-4 OLB. Can play some down as a 4-3 DE -

 

[ddh33]

I have a weird feeling about Pollack, and I can't explain it. I liked the kid in college and thought he was a great player with a high motor. I just don't know how that will translate to the NFL.

One of the kids I'm interested in is Demarcus Ware. He seems like a Jason Babin type to me.

 

[Rack]

I've said this before, I think Pollack is gonna end up being another Grant Wistrom. That's not a bad thing. It's just not a major force as a pass rusher. He's not Terrell Suggs in other words, but still a good player and wouldn't be a bad pick at #20, although I think there will be better players available.

 

[Woods]

Boy do I feel a trade (or two) down coming this draft. . . . Especially if we get a good DT in FA.

With the above list, we could potentially trade down to the 20's and still potentially pick up LB like Pollack, for example (that's where I think we'd play him rather than on the line).

Also, we got get guys like Cody at DE in the 20's.

The only guys on the above list we'd probably miss out on would be possibly Merriman and maybe Spears.

But even guys like D. Ware could fit the bill in the 2nd . . . . I think the key is if we can get the DT/NT we need in FA.

 

[Bobo]

I don't like Pollack because of him being undersized.

Then there has to be several other good de's coming out that you don't like....and several successful de's in the league now that you don't like.

 

[Cowboy from New York]

Bobo

The Dallas defense has had its problems with being undersized for some time now and that problem will be magnified if we go to the 3-4.
That being said would I like 6'4" 297 lb Marcus Spears over 6'3" 261 lb Pollack? Hell yeah I do.
I have also read that he lacks speed so that would eliminate him as the rusher coming off the edge in a 3-4 at a linebacker spot.
Parcells wants to go back to his old defensive system of getting guys with size at all positions and punishing people. Spears is made for that, Pollack is not.

 

[Portland Fanatic]

Bobo

The Dallas defense has had its problems with being undersized for some time now and that problem will be magnified if we go to the 3-4.
That being said would I like 6'4" 297 lb Marcus Spears over 6'3" 261 lb Pollack? Hell yeah I do.
I have also read that he lacks speed so that would eliminate him as the rusher coming off the edge in a 3-4 at a linebacker spot.
Parcells wants to go back to his old defensive system of getting guys with size at all positions and punishing people. Spears is made for that, Pollack is not.

Agree...players we will target are Spears, Merriman, Hawthorne...if somehow we could land all three of these guys...wow! 3-4 would be well on it's way!

 

[Bobo]

If we keep the 4-3, I'd have Pollack over Spears at RDE in a heartbeat. If we need size, it's at DT. We need a pass rush, and there's many smaller guys at RDE around the league that are great at rushing the passer.

Pollack doesn't look to have great speed, but there are many guys with high sack totals in the NFL that aren't speedsters. There's a lot more to it than speed, and if you've seen Pollack, you know he can get it done. There may be a few guys in this draft better than him as a pass rush 4-3 DE, but I honestly haven't seen enough of the others to know. What little I did see of a few of the others was unimpressive.

Now if we make the 3-4 switch, it's a whole new ballgame. Who can drop back into coverage? I don't know if Pollack can, and if a team thinks of him as a 3-4 OLB, they'll most likely want to see him in some LB drills. I don't think you can say he won't be a good pass rusher as a 3-4 OLB, that's not what teams worry about when switching a good pass rushing 4-3 end to a 3-4 OLB.

Obviously Spears makes the better 3-4 end, and I like him IF we go to the 3-4. I'd also like Pollack if he turns out to be fit for 3-4 OLB. But in either situation, size really doesn't matter.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

Well put BoBo, Spears would be a 3-4 DE while a tweener type like Pollack would be a Bigger tougher OLB able to come after a QB...

To make it work, we need some vets in FA...A DT (Fergy) a MLB the Ravens guy, forgot his name and a real NFL FS...A vet outside LBer or DE might also be a good idea...

One thing for sure is we will draft bigger, better & tougher on D!

 

[nathanlt]

I see Johnson and Cody as solid second rounders... but they're basically La'Roi Glover types, which is why they're not on my list... not that the Boys couldn't use a skilled backup for Glover, but they NEED to get a more physical presence inside at DT, real bad... they need widebodies who can clog everything up, and that's what I'm focusing on in this draft...

As for Tuck, he'll be a first day pick, late 2nd or early 3rd would be my guess... he almost made my short list, and as I'm sitting here I can't really remember why he was ultimately left off... he looks like the classic tweener that fits real well into a 3-4 scheme, too...

What makes you think Marcus Spears ISN'T a La'Roi Glover type? Dallas needs a fireplug in the middle.

 

[silverbear]

What makes you think Marcus Spears ISN'T a La'Roi Glover type? Dallas needs a fireplug in the middle.

Let's see-- for openers, he plays DE, not DT...

Yes, the Boys need a fireplug in the middle... no doubt about it... but they need lots of other things, too... and if they're serious about going to a 3-4, then they need at least one more big DE, too...

 

[Woods]

Let's see-- for openers, he plays DE, not DT...

Yes, the Boys need a fireplug in the middle... no doubt about it... but they need lots of other things, too... and if they're serious about going to a 3-4, then they need at least one more big DE, too...

I was thinking if we go to a 3-4,

We try to get Pat Williams or Ferguson as the NT, Spears would be the ideal DE, and for depth at NT, we draft a guy like A. Bryant later in the draft. Whether we take Bryant or not, there are several run stuffers available later in the draft who we can use for depth. (I am NOT going to depend on Blade!)

We could still take a guy like Pollack in the later 20's (by trading down and picking up an extra 3rd), and use him at OLB. That's assuming, of course, he can learn to drop back and cover.

 

[Nors]

I was thinking if we go to a 3-4,

We try to get Pat Williams or Ferguson as the NT, Spears would be the ideal DE, and for depth at NT, we draft a guy like A. Bryant later in the draft. Whether we take Bryant or not, there are several run stuffers available later in the draft who we can use for depth. (I am NOT going to depend on Blade!)

We could still take a guy like Pollack in the later 20's (by trading down and picking up an extra 3rd), and use him at OLB. That's assuming, of course, he can learn to drop back and cover.

As some are quick to slam Anthony Bryant due to weight and lack of pass rush. 3-4 NT are asked to stuff 2 and 3 guys in the middle. Look at Traylor, Washington, the SD guy. We are talking 345 pound guys. Bryant to rotate / back up a Pat Williams, Traylor type would be ideal.