Why DT?

[Fla Cowpoke]

I see so many people listing DT high among our needs.

We have Crawford and Thornton to start, which is a very solid pair. We have McClain (I know, hasn't stayed healthy in 2 years), Irving and Crawford can work inside. We also have Whaley and Walker as depth. Heck, even Russell looked better at DT last year than he did outside. Contrast this to DE where our best player is coming off a diskectomy, our second best player is suspended for 4 games and our 3rd best is an unproven backup that we just traded for.

I understand there is a lot of depth at DT in this draft and we might want to upgrade depth, but I just can't see going DT early when we have such a huge hole at DE, S, CB, LB, QB, WR and RB and even OL.

Can someone tell me why DT should be anywhere near the top of the list of needs for this team?

 

[egn22]

Because you just named a bunch of journeymen. TCraw has injury history and Thornton was a solid signing but he's not a Pro Bowler wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.
If we can improve at the DT position it would certainly help.

 

[btcutter]

I see so many people listing DT high among our needs.

We have Crawford and Thornton to start, which is a very solid pair. We have McClain (I know, hasn't stayed healthy in 2 years), Irving and Crawford can work inside. We also have Whaley and Walker as depth. Heck, even Russell looked better at DT last year than he did outside. Contrast this to DE where our best player is coming off a diskectomy, our second best player is suspended for 4 games and our 3rd best is an unproven backup that we just traded for.

I understand there is a lot of depth at DT in this draft and we might want to upgrade depth, but I just can't see going DT early when we have such a huge hole at DE, S, CB, LB, QB, WR and RB and even OL.

Can someone tell me why DT should be anywhere near the top of the list of needs for this team?

Because the closest path to the QB is a straight line from the middle.

Like EPN22 said earlier no one you named in our starting DT is a Pro Bowler or HOFer. You upgrade whenever you have a chance especially if value is there.

 

[CATCH17]

We desperately need someone that can collapse the pocket consistently through the middle.


As long as we play middle school football on offense and defense we need all of the elite talent we can get and right now our DT's are nothing special.

 

[gimmesix]

I see so many people listing DT high among our needs.

We have Crawford and Thornton to start, which is a very solid pair. We have McClain (I know, hasn't stayed healthy in 2 years), Irving and Crawford can work inside. We also have Whaley and Walker as depth. Heck, even Russell looked better at DT last year than he did outside. Contrast this to DE where our best player is coming off a diskectomy, our second best player is suspended for 4 games and our 3rd best is an unproven backup that we just traded for.

I understand there is a lot of depth at DT in this draft and we might want to upgrade depth, but I just can't see going DT early when we have such a huge hole at DE, S, CB, LB, QB, WR and RB and even OL.

Can someone tell me why DT should be anywhere near the top of the list of needs for this team?

DT slipped on my list when we picked up Thornton. I would not, however, be opposed to Dallas taking one even as early as the second because the team might can get a first-round value then because of the depth in this class. So for me, it isn't a question of need as a question of getting a player who can help strengthen the team.

Let's say we don't draft a DE in the first, another 3-tech would allow us at times to go heavy on the line against the run with Lawrence, rookie, Thornton and T. Crawford. Then, on passing downs we could slide him in next to Crawford.

Even if we drafted a DE in the first and a DT in the second, we end up with a bevy of good players to rotate and match up to create lines that can stop the run and get after the passer. I'm not saying that would be my chosen draft path, but I wouldn't hate it.

 

[waving monkey]

what is the defination of "motor" in a Marinelli defense?
Crawford is good but we could do better or equivalent for rotation
Then theres the 1DT we can do better.Rotation rotation rotation
Whaley and Walker really

 

[9darter]

No one should be satisfied with that underwhelming group of DTs.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

To me, even if you call Crawford and Thornton journeymen, that is a hell of a lot better than what we have at SS, OLB(wilber), DE, CB, backup QB, #2 WR, etc.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I see so many people listing DT high among our needs.

We have Crawford and Thornton to start, which is a very solid pair. We have McClain (I know, hasn't stayed healthy in 2 years), Irving and Crawford can work inside. We also have Whaley and Walker as depth. Heck, even Russell looked better at DT last year than he did outside. Contrast this to DE where our best player is coming off a diskectomy, our second best player is suspended for 4 games and our 3rd best is an unproven backup that we just traded for.

I understand there is a lot of depth at DT in this draft and we might want to upgrade depth, but I just can't see going DT early when we have such a huge hole at DE, S, CB, LB, QB, WR and RB and even OL.

Can someone tell me why DT should be anywhere near the top of the list of needs for this team?

We dont have another legit inside rusher for sub packages. If we drafted a DT high, very good chance he plays 60% of defensive snaps

 

[darthseinfeld]

To me, even if you call Crawford and Thornton journeymen, that is a hell of a lot better than what we have at SS, OLB(wilber), DE, CB, backup QB, #2 WR, etc.

Wouldnt call either a journeyman by a long shot. Thornton however isnt likely to see the field much in Nickel and Dime

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Because you just named a bunch of journeymen. TCraw has injury history and Thornton was a solid signing but he's not a Pro Bowler wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.
If we can improve at the DT position it would certainly help.

Exactly.

If either of the starters is injured and out for any length of time this part of the defense is screwed.

They desperately need another player there.

I'm thinking a 2nd rounder.

 

[bodi]

I am thinking 3 rd



2 rd is for SS Joesph

 

[CATCH17]

what is the defination of "motor" in a Marinelli defense?
Crawford is good but we could do better or equivalent for rotation
Then theres the 1DT we can do better.Rotation rotation rotation
Whaley and Walker really

Crawford is good agreed but we need someone that stands out.

Ratliff was an absolute monster for us. That's the type of guy we currently need.

Someone that just shoots the gap and can get to the QB.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

To my knowledge we don't have any Defensive Tackles that even remotely sniff the pro bowl.

That tells me that we should be able to upgrade if we want to.

This also happens to be a draft that seems to be DT Strong.

Also add in that Rod likes to rotate players a good deal so even if you invest in one in the middle or late rounds, they still have a chance to take away a job from some of the other rotational players on the roster...aka be better players.

Ignoring taking a DT because you Crawford and Thornton would be kind of silly.

This is not a position where we would be trying to draft a replacement for Martin and Collins at OG...because neither Crawford or Thornton are in the same class as those.

 

[casmith07]

The sooner everyone here begins to realize that this team simply does not value the DT position the way you do, the sooner you can focus on other things.

 

[waving monkey]

Marinelli valued Sapp

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Marinelli valued Sapp

And they also draft Booger McFarland in the first after they already had Sapp IIRC.

 

[casmith07]

Marinelli valued Sapp

Bygone era of football.

 

[Floatyworm]

IMO..the problem has always been when they moved T. Crawford to DT. Should have been left on the strong side DE. We need game changers @ DT. That's what made Tampa's D so good. You had game wreckers in Sapp and McFarland. We trot out Nick Hayden.

Heck I'm thinking even Thornton is a just a JAG. Until this team takes getting studs @ DT seriously...this team is gonna get worked over.

They really need to take a page from the Panthers when they took Star Lotulelei and Cecil Short in the 1st and 2nd round. Totally solidified their D.

 

[Alexander]

I see so many people listing DT high among our needs.

We have Crawford and Thornton to start, which is a very solid pair. We have McClain (I know, hasn't stayed healthy in 2 years), Irving and Crawford can work inside. We also have Whaley and Walker as depth. Heck, even Russell looked better at DT last year than he did outside. Contrast this to DE where our best player is coming off a diskectomy, our second best player is suspended for 4 games and our 3rd best is an unproven backup that we just traded for.

I understand there is a lot of depth at DT in this draft and we might want to upgrade depth, but I just can't see going DT early when we have such a huge hole at DE, S, CB, LB, QB, WR and RB and even OL.

Can someone tell me why DT should be anywhere near the top of the list of needs for this team?

Every position on this team is a need save a small handful of areas.

When you have a great group at DT in this draft it would be extremely idiotic to pass on it.

Good teams constantly look for ways to improve the roster. Not count on the unreliable (like McClain), the marginally talented (Whaley, Walker) nor expect extreme versatility from players who should be devoted to their regular roles (Crawford, Irving).

That is what Dallas has done for years, counted numbers.

Oh, that meeting room looks a little crowded, let's pass and go after numbers.