This board is overlooking our needs at linebacker

[zrinkill]

What is this board supposed to do about it?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I thought Wilber played well at SAM or at least a heck of a lot better than I expected. His time on the DL made him very good at taking on and shedding blocks. He is very physical for the position and want to see how well he can run around in those short zones the position calls for. I want to see him jam the TE.

Holloman just makes plays. Forcing fumbles, tackles short of first downs, and interceptions are all game changers that he does on the regular.

Lee is under contract and starting. When healthy he is our most dynamic defender. Better dline keeping OL off him would help. As it stands now the RG or C can handle our NT leaving the other to seek and destroy LB.

Carter is in the same boat. The point of this defense is for the 1T to draw a double team. Single blocking across the front got Hatcher a lot of sacks but it got out LB killed. Carter struggled mightily getting off and avoiding guards. The will is not supposed to take on constant blocks either so I have a hard time getting too accusatory when weakside pursuit is always cut off. He did play well in 2012 so I would like to see him with better help around him rather than replace him quite yet.

Durant was missed last year. He too was hurt most of the year. Cam Laurence tried his hardest but I cannot help but feel Durant would have been less overmatched.

We at least have bodies here. DL and S is much more sparse

Durant/Wilber
Lee
Carter/Holloman

vs

Crawford/Mincey
McClain
Melton/Bass
Selvie

vs

Church
Wilcox/Heath

 

[Deep_South]

What is this board supposed to do about it?

Discuss it, like we do everything else.

 

[zrinkill]

Discuss it, like we do everything else.

It has been ...... how is that overlooking?

 

[noshame]

WR, QB, OL, DL,S LB

All could use work, that's why it's a 3 year plan.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

WR, QB, OL, DL,S LB

All could use work, that's why it's a 3 year plan.

We have starters and depth at QB, WR, and LB.

 

[Wood]

Everyone keeps talking about our needs on the defensive line, and is harping over a perceived need at safety, but much less about our linebacking corps. If you take off the rose colored glasses, we seem to have a stud in Sean Lee, but beyond him, there is a pretty steep drop off in the quality of play overall.

Even if Carter steps up his play then there is still a lot of room to upgrade this linebacking corps in the draft or via free agency. A stud linebacker might significantly upgrade the overall play of this defense....possibly more so than a safety or defensive lineman that we could obtain through the draft this year. My guess is we will take a linebacker early ..... probably in the first three rounds, with the smart money being on round two or three, unless Barr falls to us at #16.

I dont think they overlooked it but rather there are just so many other holes that have been discussed. Realistically you could say Dallas should be taking a look at all of these positions: S, CB, LB, DT, DE, RB, OL, and maybe even WR and QB.

 

[Deep_South]

It has been ...... how is that overlooking?

You know, you are making this a lot more complicated than it actually is.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Best player available at 16... except RB, TE, C or CB.

 

[ceerrece]

I get the feeling that Barr could still be there when Dallas picks at 16th...

 

[yentl911]

I think we have bigger needs than LB. some of the kids had a chance to play at the end of the year and played solid - Wilbur, Holloman.

If we don't do something about this d-line it is not going to matter who is lining up at LB. They will be getting run over by 300 lb lineman everyplay. Anyone think that may be the reason for so many injuries and bad performances? A d-line is critical to the entire D. Let's the linebackers flow to the ball and hopefully can get some pressure on the QB without having to bring the house.

 

[yentl911]

One more thing - I don't think Carter goes from an up and coming playmaker and possible star in the league all of a sudden. He had issues with the scheme change and lack of talent around him. He is going to have a monster year this year - he is perfect for this scheme. Flow to the football and make plays. Perfect for him. Hard to flow when you have O lineman bury the DE or DT in front of them and then get to the second level.

 

[Redball Express]

I don't think its about overlooking the position..

Its just that after the Bobby Carpenters, Carters and Lee selections..

we don't seem to get it right much.

Not to mention Spencer..who only really gave us one good season out of his last 4 for which we paid him very well.

So going after another #1 pick at the position is just scary.

 

[ShiningStar]

Im fine with a LB in the first 3 rounds...as long as its defense, you pretty much cant go wrong...unless youre Jerry.

as long as one of those picks is a TE, than we are golden

 

[iceberg]

What is this board supposed to do about it?

 

[Hoofbite]

Perceived needs at safety?

Yes, it's the board that is overlooking.......haha

 

[Deep_South]

One more thing - I don't think Carter goes from an up and coming playmaker and possible star in the league all of a sudden. He had issues with the scheme change and lack of talent around him. He is going to have a monster year this year - he is perfect for this scheme. Flow to the football and make plays. Perfect for him. Hard to flow when you have O lineman bury the DE or DT in front of them and then get to the second level.

I hope you're right about Carter. I've been hoping we'll get a type of group synergy on the D by replacing the weakest links, or growing out of them, especially at safety. Wilcox and Heath just have to get better, as does Carter, if we're going to get to the playoffs this year.

 

[Zordon]

I've got a theory that he either doesn't want to be playin football or he don't wanna play it for the Cowboys or it's just not his priority right now.

He doesn't like football very much.

 

[BAT]

Trade Claiborne to Miami for Dion Jordan. Jordan can compete at SAM and rush the passer on 3rd downs.

 

[AsthmaField]

I still have a pipe dream that Shazier will slide because 43 LB's tend to slide in the draft, and we are able to get him in the second round.

Put him at WLB, have Lee at MLB, and let Carter and Holloman battle it out for the starting SLB spot.

That would be a terrific set of 43 LB's.