Where does the secondary now stand?

[CCBoy]

I'm thinking that the cornerback position should still be strong. The roles of both Claiborne and Jones will become pushed upfront.

A group consisting of: Patmon, White, Claiborne, Jones, and Carr

That should be depth and enough quality to be a challenge against almost all teams.

My question now comes to the safety position, and a topic that has almost no discussion this Training Camp.

Where do we stand there?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It probably means little or no "Dime" defense.

 

[Doomsday101]

Wilcox, church, Heath. I would think 4th will come down to special teams play and if Cowboys plan on Jones as a backup alternative at safety

 

[Toruk_Makto]

We are much worse off. Thrusting a now to this point bust, a rookie and a former undrafted free agent into more prominent roles.

I have faith in Mo's ability but not his mentality. Still rooting for him.

Jones is a rookie and will now have to play more through growing pains.

Patmon has fight but he hasn't done it.

Tough loss. But if we were going to lose someone better it be a guy at corner.

 

[CATCH17]

I think we'll be fine against base sets.

3 wide sets and guarding the slot is a bigger concern until somebody shows they can guard the slot guy.


Chip Kelly loves to spam passes to his slot receiver and he'll be doing it even more.

 

[xwalker]

I'm thinking that the cornerback position should still be strong. The roles of both Claiborne and Jones will become pushed upfront.

A group consisting of: Patmon, White, Claiborne, Jones, and Carr

That should be depth and enough quality to be a challenge against almost all teams.

My question now comes to the safety position, and a topic that has almost no discussion this Training Camp.

Where do we stand there?

Two of Patmon, White, Claiborne and Jones will be in the top 3 CBs which is basically a starter (They played Nickel 66% of the snaps last year).

That still leaves 2 of Patmon, White, Claiborne and Jones not getting substantial snaps at CB.

If Jones or White are not top 3 CBs, then they are the top backup Safety. If both are top 3 CBs then the Safety depth is thin; although, it appears that they will continue to get some practice snaps at both positions according to the secondary coach.

The slot CB position complicates the CB issue. White and Jones may be better outside CBs than Patmon but it's possible that Patmon is better in the slot than White/Jones.

My expectation for Claiborne is just to be the best 5th CB in the league.

 

[xwalker]

I think we'll be fine against base sets.

3 wide sets and guarding the slot is a bigger concern until somebody shows they can guard the slot guy.


Chip Kelly loves to spam passes to his slot receiver and he'll be doing it even more.

The base was only about 34% of the snaps last season. The 3rd CB is basically a starter.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

This is a big blow. I thought our secondary had enough talent and depth to be one of the stronger units in the league. I still think we're an average to above average secondary, but Scandrick really put us over the top. This is a blow. It means Carr will probably go back to covering teams' #1 WRs. He's a great #2 CB but struggles against elite WRs. We also lost one of the best Nickel CBs in the league, and although people have high hopes for Patmon, I don't see him being dominant. It puts a lot of pressure on Claiborne to finally play up to his potential and Jones to be a good CB as a rookie, which is no easy task. Having Scandrick took a lot of pressure off of guys. Losing him puts pressure on everyone: Carr to be a legit #1 CB, Jones to not play like a rookie, Claiborne to not be a bust, Patmon to not have a sophomore slump, White to not be like he was in New Orleans.

 

[pancakeman]

Tough loss. But if we were going to lose someone better it be a guy at corner.

If we had lose somebody better it be a guy at corner.
But if we had to lose a corner, it's a shame it was our best one!

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

unproven, but possible playmakers...

D Line will be the key...

 

[casmith07]

I'm thinking that the cornerback position should still be strong. The roles of both Claiborne and Jones will become pushed upfront.

A group consisting of: Patmon, White, Claiborne, Jones, and Carr

That should be depth and enough quality to be a challenge against almost all teams.

My question now comes to the safety position, and a topic that has almost no discussion this Training Camp.

Where do we stand there?

I think the secondary has obviously taken a blow, but I think it will still be steady on this team as long as everyone else stays reasonably healthy.

 

[dwreck27]

I think Lee's loss last year was worst to that unit...

O.scan was good but not a pro bowl difference maker where you will miss his plays... don't get me wrong he was solid as a rock but the way patmon was playing I wouldn't worry

 

[DogFace]

Yes. We will be fine. Bottom line. The D will be much better than last year. The secondary too, as others have said the pass rush will help a lot. And I believe our talent is better in the secondary even without
Scandrick.

 

[conner01]

If we can really improve the pass rush that will help tremendously
Mo has the ability and it's a contract year so if he can stay healthy I think he will be fine
Carr needs to bounce back and Patmon has a tough job in the slot. If Patmon can handle the slot and everyone else stays healthy we should be fine
The most important thing is the pass rush. A good pass rush solves lots of warts in the secondary