What about moving Al Singleton to ILB?

[sago1]

It appears Singleton is coming back (no indicaiton Cowboys don't want him back) and we trying to resign Fujita (believe he good backup). I do think Cowboys will use 1st pick on OLB--giving us 3 guys at SOLB (draft rookie/Singleton/Fujita) with Ware/Thornton at SOLB.

Anyway, my thought is instead of going after FA MLB/ILB Sam Cowart (6-2,245 born 2/26/75) to play ILB, can Singleton (6-2,250 born 8/7/75)--AND ALREADY UNDER CONTRACT--make move to ILB? Singleton's a solid vet player whose good against the run/also pass coverage & he provides stability/experience until Burnett healthy/develops into a starting ILB.

Is there any reason why Singleton can't make this move?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I doubt he's physical enough.

 

[speedkilz88]

I have yet to see his replacement on the outside. He definitely isn't a pass rusher, but after his injury they failed to find anyone capable of containing the outside run.

 

[Doomsday101]

I have yet to see his replacement on the outside. He definitely isn't a pass rusher, but after his injury they failed to find anyone capable of containing the outside run.

I agree and think he is a better player than what many credit him for. I consider him to be a solid player, not a star player but a player who will consistantly do his job. Once he went down Dallas run defense suffered

 

[Portland Fanatic]

I will be surprised to see Al do anything but be a back up....and his salary is high for that, but he is a good insurance policy...and yes policies are worth having when making a run.

If we landed Wimbley or Lawson....having Singleton and hopefully Fugita as backups is a real nice luxory.

 

[TheHustler]

Singleton/Fujita on the inside, hope Burnett steps it up and takes the OLB spot.

 

[Cowboy Junkie]

I think that Singleton is a decent player but I think in this Defense the linebacker spot has to be play makers ...Singleton is not a play maker

 

[TheHustler]

I think that Singleton is a decent player but I think in this Defense the linebacker spot has to be play makers ...Singleton is not a play maker

You can't expect everyone to be a playmaker. Singleton is a solid vet in a LB core with two 2nd year starters and two spots open.

 

[Cowboy Junkie]

You can't expect everyone to be a playmaker. Singleton is a solid vet in a LB core with two 2nd year starters and two spots open.

If you want a dominating defense they have to be....
If you look at the Steelers for an example , All there linebackers are playmakers....
My opions on the 3-4 Derfense is that the Linemen do not have to be playmakers just keep the Oline off the linebackers , then the linebackers make the plays..

 

[Nors]

We are purging the aging, smaller players on the defense.
Singleton is what he is and at $2M Salary not likely in our plans forward. He'd get killed ILB in a 3-4.

Lets see what we do in FA - and the draft at OLB.
Burnett will also get a bigger role this year.

 

[theogt]

If you want a dominating defense they have to be....

Not exactly. I don't know if you remember, but the loss of Singleton was felt pretty hard by the defense. Singleton-type guys are critical to cap-era teams. Sure it'd be nice to stack playmakers but thats not possible.

 

[Doomsday101]

If you want a dominating defense they have to be....
If you look at the Steelers for an example , All there linebackers are playmakers....
My opions on the 3-4 Derfense is that the Linemen do not have to be playmakers just keep the Oline off the linebackers , then the linebackers make the plays..

I would not consider Clark Haggans LB for Pitt a playmaker he is a solid player but does not put up outstanding numbers they are average at best

 

[Portland Fanatic]

We are purging the aging, smaller players on the defense.
Singleton is what he is and at $2M Salary not likely in our plans forward. He'd get killed ILB in a 3-4.

Lets see what we do in FA - and the draft at OLB.
Burnett will also get a bigger role this year.

Burnett needs to come in camp at about 245 and start from the begining at ILB/Dat's position. I think he can be really good there. Great athlete with great speed.

 

[conner01]

al is no where near 250 lbs, and is way to small to play inside. he is listed at 236 but likly closer to 230 lbs

 

[LucaBrasi]

I would not consider Clark Haggans LB for Pitt a playmaker he is a solid player but does not put up outstanding numbers they are average at best

Got to have 4 bad muthas playing lb in a 3-4. Haggans had 9 sacks in 13 games. I would consider him a playmaker. Nobody on the Cowboys had that many. We have 3/4 of the secondary, a solid d-line. Get me 2 lb's, a fs, and a young nt and this defense will be playing in late January.

 

[TheHustler]

If you want a dominating defense they have to be....
If you look at the Steelers for an example , All there linebackers are playmakers....
My opions on the 3-4 Derfense is that the Linemen do not have to be playmakers just keep the Oline off the linebackers , then the linebackers make the plays..

They are also all established veterans that know their roles. We need veteran leadership there.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

It appears Singleton is coming back (no indicaiton Cowboys don't want him back) and we trying to resign Fujita (believe he good backup). I do think Cowboys will use 1st pick on OLB--giving us 3 guys at SOLB (draft rookie/Singleton/Fujita) with Ware/Thornton at SOLB.

Anyway, my thought is instead of going after FA MLB/ILB Sam Cowart (6-2,245 born 2/26/75) to play ILB, can Singleton (6-2,250 born 8/7/75)--AND ALREADY UNDER CONTRACT--make move to ILB? Singleton's a solid vet player whose good against the run/also pass coverage & he provides stability/experience until Burnett healthy/develops into a starting ILB.

Is there any reason why Singleton can't make this move?

Singleton wouldn't hold up in the middle, Dat Nguyen had to retire because he wasn't big enough. It's a tough demanding position, that's why it's held in such high regard when you talk about guys like Singletary, Lewis, Butkus etc.

 

[Cowboy Junkie]

They are also all established veterans that know their roles. We need veteran leadership there.

True , but Pitt drafts these guys and then fuse them in with the others they had and just keep cycling through them...
Now that more and more teams going to the 3/4 it will be more of a challenge to find these excellent tweener types...
I think teams like Pitt were ahead of every one becuse when all the Tampa defenses were there the smaller linebackers were in vogue and so they had there pick of the bunch...

I feel whether in FA or the draft this has to be addressed....

 

[Cowboy Junkie]

Got to have 4 bad muthas playing lb in a 3-4. Haggans had 9 sacks in 13 games. I would consider him a playmaker. Nobody on the Cowboys had that many. We have 3/4 of the secondary, a solid d-line. Get me 2 lb's, a fs, and a young nt and this defense will be playing in late January.

I agree with your post 100%
and thanks for Haggans info...
He and Singleton are not in the same class....
I think Singleton is a good NFL player but not in this defense

 

[Billy Bullocks]

This defense is about to really turn the corner.

Just wait until we get a pass rushing OLB opposite of Demarcus Ware...then we can run the 3-4 to it's fullest potential. Right now everyone knows that Ware is coming, we gotta keep teams off guard with another presence.

Ferguson needs to be what we signed him for. And we need to add some depth. Pepper Johnson looked to be a Parcells favorite. Our DE's seem to be set for the considerable future.

James stepped it up tremendously. We need another ILB. Our secondary could be very VERY good next year. Henry needs to stay healthy.

We are 2 LB's, a backup NT, and probably a FS from being very dominant.