When was the last time Jerry got a quality linebacker?

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I realize with the horrendous play of Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanbon and even Logan Wilson many will view this as a critical need in the off-season. And I agree it is a need. But with just those 2 first round picks and no day 2 picks, the Cowboys will really have to be smart with this draft.

I think the two biggest needs heading into the draft are OT and Edge. For one thing, Fowler, Clowney, and Sam Williams are all free agents. They need bodies and you don't find quality edge rushers in the 5th and 6th rounds. At OT, they have to get a more dependable option than Steele. Steele is an excellent run blocker but he loses too many battles with edge rushers. Should the Cowboys keep Pickens, they won't be able to exploit their greatest assets on offense because Dak is constantly getting hit as he throws. This offense cannot function until they get an offensive line that can give Dak more than 2.2 seconds to throw the ball.

On the other side of the line, the Cowboys defense has only 29 sacks this year. Against the Vikings, who gave up 47 sacks prior to the Dallas game, they had no sacks and very little outside pressure on McCarthy. James Houston, a 5th rotation guy leads the team with 5.5 sacks. That's awful. The Cowboys are 23rd in the league in sacking the QB. It i hard to believe after 14 games that are 9 teams worse than Dallas. This results in the worst pass defense in the league. They are 32nd in yards allowed passing per game which is why QBs like Russell Wilson and JJ McCarthy lit them up.

IMO, OT and Edge are the two priorities in the off-season. After that come LB, S, CB, RB. TE may be a need as well if Schoonmaker leaves via free agency.

Wow...it seems like decades ago that McCarthy put up 3 straight 13-3 seasons coaching in this organization. Was it the front office? Was it McCarthy? Was it Dak? All I know is...there are tons of holes on this team and neither the head coach, nor the organization appear to be able to fix this. And the QB definitely cannot fix it if he's running for his life or they let Pickens walk.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Old and slow as molasses in Dallas.

And still a better option than Murray lol

 

[diamonddelts]

Dexter Coakley

Loved Coakley and rooted for Dat Nguyen.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Old and slow as molasses in Dallas.

gave one crazy pre game speech to get the guys ramped up!!! lol

 

[Rayman70]

R. McClain was a beast. Our defense was different when that dude was playing at his best. We haven’t had that level of difference maker at Lb since then

Remember the Seattle game at Seattle that year? Holy cow he was dominant. Sealed the game with an int. Was a great read by him. Your right, we've never had anyone like him since.

 

[Cowboyfanforlife]

LB is not a valued position. You find those guys in the middle and later rounds unless they're really good prospects. There have only been 2 true LBs drafted in the 1st round in the last 3 drafts combined, and they were late 1st rounders at that. The guys who are great athletes at the position usually get turned into edges. And one of those 2 guys drafted in the 1st, Jihad Campbell, may eventually wind up an edge, too. If you draft someone like Sonny Styles with a 1st, he'd better be a beast if you expect him to make an impact.

You don't reach for a position just because you need one. LB is a position you save cap $ and picks. Unfortunately, McClay's drafts have been so bad that last 4 or 5 years, we can't even get the middle rounds where you find your LBs right.

Smart $$ would be spend our cap and high picks on Edges, OTs, and CBs, and find someone like Kendricks to play LB. Just don't trade or sign a complete jag like Kenneth Murray who has shown the whole world for years that he can't play.

Cant agree here.....LB's are what stop the run and force teams into throwing all day.....just about every superbowl team in history had top rated LB's on defense....we had one......the old fool let him go......if its about value at LBs.....maybe thats a main reason the Defense really falters in the playoffs? money? nah it cant be why its been 30+ years....

 

[diamonddelts]

Remember the Seattle game at Seattle that year? Holy cow he was dominant. Sealed the game with an int. Was a great read by him. Your right, we've never had anyone like him since.

Rolando Mcclain was a magnificent run stopper. A true widebody MLB who was nasty in the middle. Dallas has not had a true thick boned thumper at MLB since.

And every time he finished a tackle I would yell "Mr. McClain" in Hans Gruber voice. Good times.

 

[Beaker42]

Seriously, when was the last time Jerry took a quality linebacker? Parsons and DWare were technically more pass rushers than linebackers. I suppose one could say maybe LVE and Lee when they were healthy?

We have stated before how bad Jerry is at evaluating safeties, but it's kinda hard to have a good secondary if your linebackers are painfully bad. I think we have a pretty good front 4, but, when you don't have linebackers, it really doesn't matter. And for as bad as our secondary has been, it's kind hard to get takeaways and have an effective secondary when your linebackers are pathetic.

As well as changing DCs (hopefully to Schwartz, Flores, or maybe Haines from the Indiana Hoosiers), I kinda think linebacker needs to be our top priority. We are always razor thin at linebacker in depth, and we almost never have quality linebackers. I would love to see us get Sonny Styles of Ohio State. I think him and Caleb Downs (safety Ohio State) would be a great duo, but I think we really have to do something about linebacker.

You want to know why Detroit and Philadelphia (I hate saying what I'm about to say about Philly) are as dangerous as they are? You want to know why Denver is really good? Their defence has both good pass rush, good NTs (which we now do with Clark and Williams), and good linebackers. I think if we can get our linebackers upgraded with the front 4 we are developing, I think we can be a much better defence, especially if we get one of the DCs I mentioned.

That said, yeah, it's crazy how bad we are at linebacker. Seriously, when was the last time Jerry actually got a quality linebacker?

Sean Lee - Captain Fruzzheeelay and LVE, Lt. Fruhzheeelay.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

When Jimmy came to Dallas, he brought his Miami 4-3. It didn’t deploy conventional linebackers, emphasizing speed rather than size and strength. Jimmy’s ideal linebacker was an oversized safety; consequently, it was less difficult to find personnel to play the position when most of the league was still obsessed with the Mike Singletary prototype.

For Jimmy’s Cowboys, linebackers were largely plug and play. Obviously, the league has evolved considerably over the past 30 years. The Mike Singletary ideal is long gone. But Jerry has never been disabused of the notion that linebackers are “easy to find,” so he seldom commits significant resources to the position.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

When Jimmy came to Dallas, he brought his Miami 4-3. It didn’t deploy conventional linebackers, emphasizing speed rather than size and strength. Jimmy’s ideal linebacker was an oversized safety; consequently, it was less difficult to find personnel to play the position when most of the league was still obsessed with the Mike Singletary prototype.

For Jimmy’s Cowboys, linebackers were largely plug and play. Obviously, the league has evolved considerably over the past 30 years. The Mike Singletary ideal is long gone. But Jerry has never been disabused of the notion that linebackers are “easy to find,” so he seldom commits significant resources to the position.

That explains a lot, and it's an example of Jerry not being able to get with the times.

 

[Cowboyfanforlife]

When Jimmy came to Dallas, he brought his Miami 4-3. It didn’t deploy conventional linebackers, emphasizing speed rather than size and strength. Jimmy’s ideal linebacker was an oversized safety; consequently, it was less difficult to find personnel to play the position when most of the league was still obsessed with the Mike Singletary prototype.

For Jimmy’s Cowboys, linebackers were largely plug and play. Obviously, the league has evolved considerably over the past 30 years. The Mike Singletary ideal is long gone. But Jerry has never been disabused of the notion that linebackers are “easy to find,” so he seldom commits significant resources to the position.

Those significant LB's won 3 chips.......jerry cant figure this out.....yet....give him a few more decades.....

 

[MajesticRey]

Seriously, when was the last time Jerry took a quality linebacker? Parsons and DWare were technically more pass rushers than linebackers. I suppose one could say maybe LVE and Lee when they were healthy?

We have stated before how bad Jerry is at evaluating safeties, but it's kinda hard to have a good secondary if your linebackers are painfully bad. I think we have a pretty good front 4, but, when you don't have linebackers, it really doesn't matter. And for as bad as our secondary has been, it's kind hard to get takeaways and have an effective secondary when your linebackers are pathetic.

As well as changing DCs (hopefully to Schwartz, Flores, or maybe Haines from the Indiana Hoosiers), I kinda think linebacker needs to be our top priority. We are always razor thin at linebacker in depth, and we almost never have quality linebackers. I would love to see us get Sonny Styles of Ohio State. I think him and Caleb Downs (safety Ohio State) would be a great duo, but I think we really have to do something about linebacker.

You want to know why Detroit and Philadelphia (I hate saying what I'm about to say about Philly) are as dangerous as they are? You want to know why Denver is really good? Their defence has both good pass rush, good NTs (which we now do with Clark and Williams), and good linebackers. I think if we can get our linebackers upgraded with the front 4 we are developing, I think we can be a much better defence, especially if we get one of the DCs I mentioned.

That said, yeah, it's crazy how bad we are at linebacker. Seriously, when was the last time Jerry actually got a quality linebacker?

Jerry doesn’t evaluate any players, why we putting the blame on him? It’s that McClay guy.

 

[Rayman70]

Answer to the opening thread topic is this:The last time we had a great linebacker is just about the same time period as when Jerry was able to make dookie without his adult diapers.

 

[TwentyOne]

Seriously, when was the last time Jerry took a quality linebacker? Parsons and DWare were technically more pass rushers than linebackers. I suppose one could say maybe LVE and Lee when they were healthy?

We have stated before how bad Jerry is at evaluating safeties, but it's kinda hard to have a good secondary if your linebackers are painfully bad. I think we have a pretty good front 4, but, when you don't have linebackers, it really doesn't matter. And for as bad as our secondary has been, it's kind hard to get takeaways and have an effective secondary when your linebackers are pathetic.

As well as changing DCs (hopefully to Schwartz, Flores, or maybe Haines from the Indiana Hoosiers), I kinda think linebacker needs to be our top priority. We are always razor thin at linebacker in depth, and we almost never have quality linebackers. I would love to see us get Sonny Styles of Ohio State. I think him and Caleb Downs (safety Ohio State) would be a great duo, but I think we really have to do something about linebacker.

You want to know why Detroit and Philadelphia (I hate saying what I'm about to say about Philly) are as dangerous as they are? You want to know why Denver is really good? Their defence has both good pass rush, good NTs (which we now do with Clark and Williams), and good linebackers. I think if we can get our linebackers upgraded with the front 4 we are developing, I think we can be a much better defence, especially if we get one of the DCs I mentioned.

That said, yeah, it's crazy how bad we are at linebacker. Seriously, when was the last time Jerry actually got a quality linebacker?

- The wolf hunter was a first round pick not too long ago.
- I know jaylon was bust and risk pick but nethertheless we invested a 2md rounder for him. Since your questioning Jerrys investement into the position
- Lee also was a 2nd rounder
- we spent some for the guy who was a beast at MLB but never had his head into football for more thsn a half of a season. What was his name? Rolando McClain ?! Came by a trade from the Raiders.
- overshown was a 2nd rounder

Thats just a 1 minute brainstorm by myself. I am sure there are a lot more.

i am pretty sure we value the lb position. That doesnt mean i think jerry has any clue at evaluating talent at that position or any other that has to do with any kind of sport.

We also had Quinn as dc who valued hybrid lb/safties way more. That because of his schematic approach. You cant blame Jerry for not taking lbs during his stint here.


Now that all those LB werent premium LBs during there career is something that is purely Jerrys fault. But heck look at all our other positions, this problem we do have everywhere on our roster.

Thats what you get with an incompetent gm.

 

[vlad]

Seriously, when was the last time Jerry took a quality linebacker? Parsons and DWare were technically more pass rushers than linebackers. I suppose one could say maybe LVE and Lee when they were healthy?

We have stated before how bad Jerry is at evaluating safeties, but it's kinda hard to have a good secondary if your linebackers are painfully bad. I think we have a pretty good front 4, but, when you don't have linebackers, it really doesn't matter. And for as bad as our secondary has been, it's kind hard to get takeaways and have an effective secondary when your linebackers are pathetic.

As well as changing DCs (hopefully to Schwartz, Flores, or maybe Haines from the Indiana Hoosiers), I kinda think linebacker needs to be our top priority. We are always razor thin at linebacker in depth, and we almost never have quality linebackers. I would love to see us get Sonny Styles of Ohio State. I think him and Caleb Downs (safety Ohio State) would be a great duo, but I think we really have to do something about linebacker.

You want to know why Detroit and Philadelphia (I hate saying what I'm about to say about Philly) are as dangerous as they are? You want to know why Denver is really good? Their defence has both good pass rush, good NTs (which we now do with Clark and Williams), and good linebackers. I think if we can get our linebackers upgraded with the front 4 we are developing, I think we can be a much better defence, especially if we get one of the DCs I mentioned.

That said, yeah, it's crazy how bad we are at linebacker. Seriously, when was the last time Jerry actually got a quality linebacker?

it took like a decade and jettisoning a super elite pass rusher to finally get a DT, then he went hog wild... so maybe we can trade Ceedee and get a LB and trade Tyler Smith for a safety

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Jerry doesn’t evaluate any players, why we putting the blame on him? It’s that McClay guy.

He makes the final call, though Will McClay needs to look for better linebackers.

 

[MikeT22]

Micah was an outstanding linebacker at Penn State. That's the last one we drafted high. In my view he's still a better linebacker than true edge. He's a linebacker that can play edge on a pitch count very effectively.

And he was an afterthought too. Only took him after the 3 CBs were gone and even then we traded down first.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

- The wolf hunter was a first round pick not too long ago.
- I know jaylon was bust and risk pick but nethertheless we invested a 2md rounder for him. Since your questioning Jerrys investement into the position
- Lee also was a 2nd rounder
- we spent some for the guy who was a beast at MLB but never had his head into football for more thsn a half of a season. What was his name? Rolando McClain ?! Came by a trade from the Raiders.
- overshown was a 2nd rounder

Thats just a 1 minute brainstorm by myself. I am sure there are a lot more.

i am pretty sure we value the lb position. That doesnt mean i think jerry has any clue at evaluating talent at that position or any other that has to do with any kind of sport.

We also had Quinn as dc who valued hybrid lb/safties way more. That because of his schematic approach. You cant blame Jerry for not taking lbs during his stint here.


Now that all those LB werent premium LBs during there career is something that is purely Jerrys fault. But heck look at all our other positions, this problem we do have everywhere on our roster.

Thats what you get with an incompetent gm.

Well, exactly, because they act like they're the smartest people in the NFL. Then they're all shocked when things go up in flames.

 

[MikeT22]

Jerry doesn’t evaluate any players, why we putting the blame on him? It’s that McClay guy.

Yeah its a joke he is the GM, not only with input but the final say.

 

[Pass2Run]

Seriously, when was the last time Jerry took a quality linebacker? Parsons and DWare were technically more pass rushers than linebackers. I suppose one could say maybe LVE and Lee when they were healthy?

We have stated before how bad Jerry is at evaluating safeties, but it's kinda hard to have a good secondary if your linebackers are painfully bad. I think we have a pretty good front 4, but, when you don't have linebackers, it really doesn't matter. And for as bad as our secondary has been, it's kind hard to get takeaways and have an effective secondary when your linebackers are pathetic.

As well as changing DCs (hopefully to Schwartz, Flores, or maybe Haines from the Indiana Hoosiers), I kinda think linebacker needs to be our top priority. We are always razor thin at linebacker in depth, and we almost never have quality linebackers. I would love to see us get Sonny Styles of Ohio State. I think him and Caleb Downs (safety Ohio State) would be a great duo, but I think we really have to do something about linebacker.

You want to know why Detroit and Philadelphia (I hate saying what I'm about to say about Philly) are as dangerous as they are? You want to know why Denver is really good? Their defence has both good pass rush, good NTs (which we now do with Clark and Williams), and good linebackers. I think if we can get our linebackers upgraded with the front 4 we are developing, I think we can be a much better defence, especially if we get one of the DCs I mentioned.

That said, yeah, it's crazy how bad we are at linebacker. Seriously, when was the last time Jerry actually got a quality linebacker?

Linebacker and safety. Good chance at hitting on plug and play impact types at those positions. And this draft has them.

Get another pass rush specialist type and go CB, RB and maybe even back to LB.