What's Next? Cowboys' LB corps is in dire straits

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THE BIG DOG
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This is a GREAT article about the LB situation. It needs some major additions this off season. And for goodness sake move Bell back to safety please! Must read article.

What's Next? Cowboys' LB corps is in dire straits
Feb 09, 2024
Patrik Walker

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FRISCO, TX — One thing was made evident in 2023 by the Dallas Cowboys' defense, and that's the fact that linebackers do, in fact, matter. Some of the struggles in run defense were attributable to the lack of size in the LBs room, Damone Clark notwithstanding, and a career-threatening injury to Leighton Vander Esch only made matters instantly worse.

With Dan Quinn now in Washington with the Commanders, and Mike Zimmer replacing him as defensive coordinator, it's likely the Cowboys revisit their approach to the linebacker position.

It feels like a foregone conclusion that they will, considering just how prominent linebackers have historically been to Zimmer's defenses in the past.

And that would be welcome news, in my opinion.

Take a look below at where everything stands now, and where it should soon.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/what-s-next-cowboys-lb-corps-is-in-dire-straits
 

Captain-Crash

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The LB corp is nonexistent. LVE will not be back, Overshown might be too light. and the mouth is now a rusher.

LB will be a major concern in the draft. Probably around round 5 or later. "In Jerry, we trust, in Jerry we die"

We need a new TE in the first, the new guy is not looking good.
 

Carson

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They need a complete overhaul on the inside.

Parsons and Overshown are your starting points.

Clark is good depth, Vander Esch cannot be counted on.

Simple fix sign Josey Jewell as your starter, then sign a cheaper vet like Chaisson ($3 million) and draft Junior Colson early and a guy like Tommy Eichenberg or Dallas Gant on day 3.

You can then line up MICAH-JEWELL-OVERSHOWN (Vet to play if Overshown needs more time)

You groom Colson to be your future LB and Clark can eat snaps when needed.
 

Aven8

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They need a complete overhaul on the inside.

Parsons and Overshown are your starting points.

Clark is good depth, Vander Esch cannot be counted on.

Simple fix sign Josey Jewell as your starter, then sign a cheaper vet like Chaisson ($3 million) and draft Junior Colson early and a guy like Tommy Eichenberg or Dallas Gant on day 3.

You can then line up MICAH-JEWELL-OVERSHOWN (Vet to play if Overshown needs more time)

You groom Colson to be your future LB and Clark can eat snaps when needed.
They cannot count on Overshown at all right now. He’s just as green as a new rookie. The exciting thing about Zimm coming on is he will want LB’s.
 

fivetwos

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They cannot count on Overshown at all right now. He’s just as green as a new rookie. The exciting thing about Zimm coming on is he will want LB’s.
I admit I don’t understand it enough to say for sure, but will it not be difficult for the LB play to improve if the DT play does not?
 

Carson

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They cannot count on Overshown at all right now. He’s just as green as a new rookie. The exciting thing about Zimm coming on is he will want LB’s.
No for sure. That’s why I bring a vet player on a one year deal to rotate with Overshown.

You realistically aren’t going to land an elite guy. But somebody to eat snaps and make a few plays is needed
 

Carson

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I admit I don’t understand it enough to say for sure, but will it not be difficult for the LB play to improve if the DT play does not?
Absolutely it would.

Zimmer typically has bigger DTs for his scheme so it shouldn’t be a problem.

The linebackers struggled last season having to shed 2-3 tackles every play
 

stilltheguru

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Sign Patrick Queen (dawg) or trade for another good player that's a dawg. I don't care about Joseph jewell/LVE types.
 

stilltheguru

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I like Queen. But it didn’t take off until Smith was traded to Baltimore.

At $18.5 per year market value don’t expect it
True but sometimes it takes awhile for lbs to click. But yes, it would be risky since he didn't pop until Roquan got there but we are in dire need of real men in the back 7. Queen is an enforcer
 

rambo2

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They need to hit on new linebackers and dtackles. This is a must.
 

stilltheguru

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They HAVE to sign or draft like 3 LB'ers that can play actual NFL football..
Lol still asking for the draft to save us. Yall don't get it. Isn't this the same website that claimed Damone Clark had 1st round talent? Good grief
 

quickccc

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Absolutely it would.

Zimmer typically has bigger DTs for his scheme so it shouldn’t be a problem.

The linebackers struggled last season having to shed 2-3 tackles every play
we already had big Hankins, at some point we cannot keep relying upon one big guy to fix our run D;
it still comes with right players, right coaches, right scheme.
 

kskboys

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They need a complete overhaul on the inside.

Parsons and Overshown are your starting points.

Clark is good depth, Vander Esch cannot be counted on.

Simple fix sign Josey Jewell as your starter, then sign a cheaper vet like Chaisson ($3 million) and draft Junior Colson early and a guy like Tommy Eichenberg or Dallas Gant on day 3.

You can then line up MICAH-JEWELL-OVERSHOWN (Vet to play if Overshown needs more time)

You groom Colson to be your future LB and Clark can eat snaps when needed.
Chaisson is a DE/3-4 OLB.
 
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