Who are our Defensive Tackles this year?

[john van brocklin]

I know Hatcher is one, but who is the other starter ?
Who are the backups ?
Ratliff is on PUP, Brent is in jail, and Liss was traded...
Should we be concerned ?

 

[Hoods]

I know Hatcher is one, but who is the other starter ?
Who are the backups ?
Ratliff is on PUP, Brent is in jail, and Liss was traded...
Should we be concerned ?

http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/depth-chart.html

 

[Lonestar94]

I think its hayden

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Nick Hayden. Drafted in the 6th round in 2009. Played 2 years for the Panthers and 2 years for the Bengals. Started 10 games in 2010. Has 2 career sacks. Appears to be an okay backup but by no means a starter. Will be our starter until Ratliff comes back, then we'll see after that.

Landon Cohen. Drafted in the 7th round in 2008. Bounced around and played on about 5-6 different teams. Barely played in any games. No career sacks.

Ben Bass. Undrafted free agent last season. I think he was on our practice squad last year. Showed some signs in the preseason. Hatcher made a comment about he won't have his job next year because of Ben Bass.

Then, of course, Jason Hatcher.

 

[Fredd]

Hayden, and yes, there should be some concern

 

[cannonball44]

The only reason the run will be stopped for <4 yards every down is due to Sean Lee and Bruce Carter. Our DL depth has been absolutely ravaged with misfortune

 

[JakeCamp12]

When I see how the DT and Guard situation played out this off season, I ask myself, what did the front office know about the health of Ratliff and Livings and Bern when they drafted Escobar. Did they know that Ratliff was not completely healthy? Did they really trust that Livings and Bern would make it through the offseason and start or challenge to start this year? It seems to me that they took some really large risks in not attempting to find younger college talent in the draft to address these issues. Did they really not have anyone on their board at DT and G that was rated higher than Escobar? I don't have an issue with Escobar as a player and I hope he takes over for Witten at some point, but looking at the roster today with the injuries and lack of a player to play DT and right guard, it seems we could be in trouble by week 3 after teams get film of Free playing guard and having a possible hole at DT. Just seems like some really poor decision making looking at the draft and who we selected and how certain players that were looked to be possible starters never made it on to the field.

 

[perrykemp]

I worry even about Hatcher. At 6-6 295 he is essentially a prototypical 3-4 DE. Moving inside to 4-3 DT will require a different set of skills -- most notably the ability to go belly to belly with Guards and Centers. A 4-3 DT is more of a power player than a 3-4 DE.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Our DL is at a point of desperation and should be the biggest worry on this team at the moment. Sure we have some good coaches on D, but with the age of our DL, they can only do so much.

This situation has to be addressed immediately, and it will take alot of resources at this point unfortunately cause the guys we have are a bunch of nobodies behind TRat, Hatch, Spencer, and Ware of course. Hopefully this season we can survive on bandaids, but we really need to concentrate on longer term solutions.

 

[BAZ]

http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/depth-chart.html

******** that has me worried. Just bring in Richard Seymour for a looksee. What can it hurt?

 

[ThreeandOut]

When I see how the DT and Guard situation played out this off season, I ask myself, what did the front office know about the health of Ratliff and Livings and Bern when they drafted Escobar. Did they know that Ratliff was not completely healthy? Did they really trust that Livings and Bern would make it through the offseason and start or challenge to start this year? It seems to me that they took some really large risks in not attempting to find younger college talent in the draft to address these issues. Did they really not have anyone on their board at DT and G that was rated higher than Escobar? I don't have an issue with Escobar as a player and I hope he takes over for Witten at some point, but looking at the roster today with the injuries and lack of a player to play DT and right guard, it seems we could be in trouble by week 3 after teams get film of Free playing guard and having a possible hole at DT. Just seems like some really poor decision making looking at the draft and who we selected and how certain players that were looked to be possible starters never made it on to the field.

The DT's available at the time of the Escobar selection had 3rd round grades and the OG's had 4th round grades. So they would have been reaching to take these positions in round 2.

A couple of the DT's with 3rd round grades were available in round 3 at the Cowboys two selections. However, Williams had a much higher grade (high 2nd round) and safety (Wilcox) was as much of a need or more than DT.

One of the DT's with a 3rd round grade, Everitt Dawkins, was just released by Minnesota. I have not seen him claimed by another team or placed on a practice squad. Given the high grade they had on him, it seems like the Cowboys would have some interest in Dawkins.

 

[JakeCamp12]

Thanks Three, I don't follow the draft and the player rankings, so this was helpful.

 

[Future]

I worry even about Hatcher. At 6-6 295 he is essentially a prototypical 3-4 DE. Moving inside to 4-3 DT will require a different set of skills -- most notably the ability to go belly to belly with Guards and Centers. A 4-3 DT is more of a power player than a 3-4 DE.

You've got that backwards. Maybe when Rat comes back it will switch, but for the most part, he's going to be playing the shoulder of the guard and trying to get upfield.

I think what we are going to see is a lot of Hayden/Cohen on first and second down to stop the run, and then Bass working in on nickel/pass rushing situations. Honestly, I dont think that will be all that bad.

 

[ThreeandOut]

You've got that backwards. Maybe when Rat comes back it will switch, but for the most part, he's going to be playing the shoulder of the guard and trying to get upfield.

I think what we are going to see is a lot of Hayden/Cohen on first and second down to stop the run, and then Bass working in on nickel/pass rushing situations. Honestly, I dont think that will be all that bad.

I think this coaching staff likes Hayden, Bass and Cohen better than the press/fans. I think they believe Hayden is an adequate replacement for Brent. And if Jason Hatcher is correct, the coaching staff must be really high on Bass.

 

[Vertigo_17]

I think Seymour wants too much $$$, but I sure wish Jerry would make it happen. That would definitely help IMO

 

[Risen Star]

The only reason the run will be stopped for <4 yards every down is due to Sean Lee and Bruce Carter. Our DL depth has been absolutely ravaged with misfortune

Misfortune or neglect?

 

[Nirvana]

I saw a tweet yesterday that the Ravens are looking at Pendleton - thought he looked pretty good myself

 

[iceman117]

I got a feeling Bass will play more than Hayden and be more effective... Hopefully Cohen can give us some quality snaps as well... If Hatcher stays healthy and performs to what he's capable of we will be fine... If not then we have a big problem in the middle of the defense

 

[john van brocklin]

Thanks for the replys folks, I am really nervous now ! LOL
Sounds like we have a bunch of retreads that were not good enough to stick with their original teams.
Mr. Bass, might be a diamond in the rough.
Hope Rat comes back quickly !!!

 

[xwalker]

I worry even about Hatcher. At 6-6 295 he is essentially a prototypical 3-4 DE. Moving inside to 4-3 DT will require a different set of skills -- most notably the ability to go belly to belly with Guards and Centers. A 4-3 DT is more of a power player than a 3-4 DE.

This is not correct.

The 3-tech in Kiffin's scheme plays on the outside should of the Guard and is difficult to double-team. His primary responsibility is to get into the backfield quickly.

The 1-tech in Kiffin's scheme plays between the Center and Guard. His job is to split the double-team with quickness and power (not hold the point of attack like a 3-4 player).

A DE in a 3-4 sometimes plays 1-gap but is often a 2-gap player which is all about power. If double-teamed he is required to hold the point of attack.