Vela: Part II: Should The Cowboys Take the Rusher or the Corner?

[Manwiththeplan]

We need to get another consistent pass rusher on the outside. Spencer is NOT getting it done.

We're also getting no inside push on most downs. Our d-line has been getting gutted vs the run and adding another big body there will improve the defense more than an OLB.

 

[JonJon]

Peterson is a once-in a decade type player. I'd much rather have the next Deion Sanders than the next Greg Elis. Give me Peterson every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

 

[JeffInDC]

Part II: Should The Cowboys Take the Rusher or the Corner?
Posted by Rafael at Monday, November 29, 2010

Looking for the biggest area of need to spark a 2011 turnaround? Look on defense.

I'm well aware of the offensive line's needs, and want to see several o-linemen taking in next year's haul, and high. But I'm going to return to the question I posed in this morning's story, because the biggest reason this team is 3-8 right now, where it was 8-3 at the same point a year ago, can be laid on the defense.

The offense is actually scoring slightly more than it did in '09, despite the age and injuries to the line. It's points per game average under Jon Kitna is 23.8, slightly more than the team's average under Tony Romo. Kitna's guys have averaged 32 points per game since Jason Garrett replaced Wade Phillips as head coach.

The defense is another story:

* Points per game allowed, 2009: 15.6, 2nd overall
* Points per game allowed, 2010, 27.4, 30th overall

For more... http://www.cowboyszone.com/2010/11/part-ii-should-cowboys-take-rusher-or.html

I say take the Pass Rusher and go back to the 4-3. My 2011 Dallas Cowboys starting D would like like this:

RE - D. Ware
DT- Olshansky (he is a good run-stopper)
DT- Ratliff (he is the prototype "3" technique DT)
LE - DaQuan Bowers, Clemson

WLB - Lee
MLB - Bradie
SLB - Spencer (actually does a good job at this now)

CB - Jenkins
SS - Church
FS - Mark Barron, Alabama OR Rahim Moore, UCLA
CB - Newman or Scandrick (let them compete)

That would be a PERFECT Tampa-2 Defense with the ability to generate a pass rush with just the D-Line (like Minnesota and Chicago do).

 

[Randy White]

Prince Amukamara for the win!!

Overhyped.. believed me.

 

[Randy White]

is one of my favorite players in this draft. I'd be thrilled if the Cowboys end up with him because, in my opinion, he's the best pass rusher in the draft. Having said that, for the Dallas Cowboys' roster as it's currently structured, there's no doubt I'd take Patrick Peterson over Quinn. Don't get me wrong, I think that in the long run, Quinn is going to be a better player than Peterson, but the most immidate impact would be provided by Peterson. This draft is full of edge rushers that could play OLB in the 3-4, but not 6'1 CBs with the skills that Peterson has.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Give me Patrick Peterson... IF he's there.

Can you give a brief description of Patrick Peterson for those of us who do not know much about him? : Much appreciated.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I say take the Pass Rusher and go back to the 4-3. My 2011 Dallas Cowboys starting D would like like this:

RE - D. Ware
DT- Olshansky (he is a good run-stopper)
DT- Ratliff (he is the prototype "3" technique DT)
LE - DaQuan Bowers, Clemson

WLB - Lee
MLB - Bradie
SLB - Spencer (actually does a good job at this now)

CB - Jenkins
SS - Church
FS - Mark Barron, Alabama OR Rahim Moore, UCLA
CB - Newman or Scandrick (let them compete)

That would be a PERFECT Tampa-2 Defense with the ability to generate a pass rush with just the D-Line (like Minnesota and Chicago do).

Not bad. I wouldn't mind this at all. We'd have a hell of a DL rotation too.

 

[Randy White]

Peterson is a once-in a decade type player. I'd much rather have the next Deion Sanders than the next Greg Elis. Give me Peterson every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

I disagree with that. Peterson is not " once in a decade " type player. As a matter of fact, he projects as a FS long term, more than CB. However, for now, he's a hell of a CB. He still gets beat at times, which is why he's not a " once in a decade player ", but that doesn't mean he can't be a pro bowler and an impact player for the Cowboys.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I disagree with that. Peterson is not " once in a decade " type player. As a matter of fact, he projects as a FS long term, more than CB. However, for now, he's a hell of a CB. He still gets beat at times, which is why he's not a " once in a decade player ", but that doesn't mean he can't be a pro bowler and an impact player for the Cowboys.

Just off the bat I want to say that I am not comparing Peterson to Deion.

However if your definition is that if he gets beat at times means he is not a once in a decade player...than no CB was a once in a decade player as every CB gets beat at times....yes even the best shut down corner ever got beat at times when he played.

 

[casmith07]

I take Patrick Peterson. No doubt about it.

Thank you...good lord this guy is the best Cornerback prospect since Charles Woodson.

 

[casmith07]

I disagree with that. Peterson is not " once in a decade " type player. As a matter of fact, he projects as a FS long term, more than CB. However, for now, he's a hell of a CB. He still gets beat at times, which is why he's not a " once in a decade player ", but that doesn't mean he can't be a pro bowler and an impact player for the Cowboys.

Projects more as a FS? From whom?

 

[Nightshade]

I get the impression most on here think that the Cowboys are moving back to a 4-3 with all the pass rusher comments. I don't think they're moving back to a 4-3 after all the've invested in the 3-4. Most of the pass rushers that are high on the draft boards are 4-3 defensive ends. The Cowboys can't use em in our scheme. And like Brainpaint said. There's no way I want Jerry to waste a pick on a 3-4 defensive end. Just re-sign Spears please and Thank you.

Naw we could use O-line, CB and Safety. A stud inside linebacker would be awesome too but there aren't any Rolondo Mcclain's this year. I don't think Peterson will be around when we pick unfortunately. So here's hoping they trade down cause for what we need the talent's not there outside of one of those stud CB's falling to us. I think extra picks would be great in the 2nd round.

 

[DCBoysfan]

is one of my favorite players in this draft. I'd be thrilled if the Cowboys end up with him because, in my opinion, he's the best pass rusher in the draft. Having said that, for the Dallas Cowboys' roster as it's currently structured, there's no doubt I'd take Patrick Peterson over Quinn. Don't get me wrong, I think that in the long run, Quinn is going to be a better player than Peterson, but the most immidate impact would be provided by Peterson. This draft is full of edge rushers that could play OLB in the 3-4, but not 6'1 CBs with the skills that Peterson has.

I selected pass rusher to answer the OP question,but I did see Peterson play twice this year including this past Sat. and he was quite impressive.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I get the impression most on here think that the Cowboys are moving back to a 4-3 with all the pass rusher comments. I don't think they're moving back to a 4-3 after all the've invested in the 3-4. Most of the pass rushers that are high on the draft boards are 4-3 defensive ends. The Cowboys can't use em in our scheme. And like Brainpaint said. There's no way I want Jerry to waste a pick on a 3-4 defensive end. Just re-sign Spears please and Thank you.

I think all the "4-3" talk is wishful thinking.

I prefer the 4-3, but it's not going to happen any time soon. There seems to be a feeling in this thread and others that if enough talk about it, then Jerreh will take the hint.

I think those folks are wasting keystrokes.

Up until this year this wasn't a bad defense, and to gut it for another scheme seems short-sighted. Bring in another safety, another ILB and DE along with maybe another corner and it will be competitive again.

No sense tossing the baby out with the bath water.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Yea where is all of this 4-3 talk coming from? I've heard or seen anything to suggets we'll be going back to it.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I think all the "4-3" talk is wishful thinking.

I prefer the 4-3, but it's not going to happen any time soon. There seems to be a feeling in this thread and others that if enough talk about it, then Jerreh will take the hint.

I think those folks are wasting keystrokes.

Up until this year this wasn't a bad defense, and to gut it for another scheme seems short-sighted. Bring in another safety, another ILB and DE along with maybe another corner and it will be competitive again.

No sense tossing the baby out with the bath water.

You know I think we are sticking with the 3-4 but I do have to wonder if Garrett wants to move back to a 3-4 and he can convince Jerry to let him.

I have no clue how JG leans in his idea of what Defense would fit better.

It also may come down to who they think is the best hire for DC. We do know that at one time JG wanted Capers but I don't know if that was because he liked the 3-4 or figured if they were going to stay with the 3-4 he was the guy he liked for it.

It is curious to see what happens. If JG is hired as the full time HC (as many of us think) and who will be hired on as DC.

If it happens the DC might give us a clue as to what to expect in the draft depending on if they are a 3-4 or 4-3 guy.

I just know I would hope we could get someone better than Paul P as DC.

 

[wileedog]

Up until this year this wasn't a bad defense, and to gut it for another scheme seems short-sighted. Bring in another safety, another ILB and DE along with maybe another corner and it will be competitive again.

I would get a true space-eating NT and move Ratliff to DE. I think that's almost as important at this point to stay with the 3-4 than the ILBers and doing something about Spencer's under performing arse.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I would get a true space-eating NT and move Ratliff to DE. I think that's almost as important at this point to stay with the 3-4 than the ILBers and doing something about Spencer's under performing arse.

I mentioned that as a possibility in another thread.

But there has to be some stud NT sitting there (talking about if we took on in the first round over DB or Olineman).

However there might be someone they like later in the draft to team up with Brent and in turn move Ratliff to the DE.

So it depends if there is a NT they really like and it also depends on what we do with our 3-4 DE FAs...we have 3 that will be DE.

 

[Randy White]

Just off the bat I want to say that I am not comparing Peterson to Deion.

However if your definition is that if he gets beat at times means he is not a once in a decade player...than no CB was a once in a decade player as every CB gets beat at times....yes even the best shut down corner ever got beat at times when he played.

Fair enough. I should have made myself more clear. I should have said he gets beat often enough NOT to be a " once in a decade " type of player, although that implies he gets beat often, which is NOT the case. That's one of the reasons why some project him as a FS in the long term.

Still, let me say it again so I won't be, ehem, " misquoted ": I think he's a hell of a CB and would take him over any other player in the draft for the Cowboys right now.

 

[wileedog]

I mentioned that as a possibility in another thread.

But there has to be some stud NT sitting there (talking about if we took on in the first round over DB or Olineman).

Yeah I wasn't implying we needed to use the high first on a NT. You can usually find a decent one in later rounds. And although while I'm a big proponent on getting more help for the lines I would have trouble using a top 5 pick on a 3-4 DE as well, unless he was a beast.

If the two CBs don't fall to us I would think about trading down for more picks. We have more than enough holes to use them on.