Any Big Splashes Left in the Offseason?

Totally off the subject, but Rayfield Wright may finally get into the HOF next year he was voted in as a finalist.

…. Could you imagine Abraham and Ware off the edge!! Wow!!

Why we won’t sign a veteran RT and why Petitti will be the starter this season:
As a diehard Boys fan, i can recognize that we are more than a solid veteran RT (if one even exists) away from the Superbowl. So here are my 6 reasons why we will stick with Petitti:

-Dominant Tackle in college (albeit on the other side)
-Has something to prove (slipped in the draft because of his weight problem, now has it under control and wants to show everyone that they made a mistake by passing on him)
-Playing next to excellent veteran blockers in Rivera and Dan Cambell (hopefully J-Wit will be at that level someday as well)
-Coach is pulling for him to succeed (never a bad thing)
-Has the size, strength, and physical ability (of course, so did Tucker, but that’s a different issue)
-And finally, he doesn’t have to play amazingly well to be considered an improvement over last year, or to be considered less of a dissappointment than Rogers was.

And there you go, that is why we won’t be signing Gragg or Verba or any other vet to be a starter. We might sign a vet to be a backup over Tucker, but that would be it for the Tackle position.

I think they are going to still go after a veteran tackle. That is a glaring weakness that could affect Bledsoe and the offense. Petitti will not be in form to start until geam 9 or 10 and I don’t think Tucker can handle the job.

FS – Veteran would be good, but I think Davis has won the job.
OLB- Upgrade would be nice, bu the success of the defense will be experience and how quickly we can gel.

FS – I think the Cowboys are going to have a veteran guy at least as a backup (but a ST player). I don’t see them going in to the season with Davis starting and no one to play behind him.

RT – I see Dallas looking at the waiver wire or one of the mentioned out of work guys. You can’t have Drew Bledsoe as your QB and then take a risk at RT. It doesn’t make sense with their philosophy. They could have gotten away with it with someone like Q-Car (not suggesting to bring him back, just saying he was mobile enough to compensate for a problem)

WR – I think if Morgan had the talent he wouldn’t be backing up Johnson, he’d be the 3rd guy and playing. The fact they’re playing two different positions is probably because Morgan is playing out of position because of lack of talent. My guess is they want Crayton to win that 3rd spot anyway and Morgan’s making it easy on them. And as Bill says, you can’t just be better than the other players on the team, you have to be better than everyone that’s unsigned. Bill also said, “Morgan should be worried”. if that’s not a shot then I don’t know what is. Morgan doesn’t make it to San Diego I say.

Abraham and Ware? WOW………yeah the opium must have been good. Sure wish it was more than a pipe dream. Imagine the number of Sacks our Defense would record with those two. So you think BP might just go get himself another OLB huh. Probably needs to make this thing work the way he would like. Is Thornton hobbled or is he getting better? Can he play the OLB any better opposite Ware? Honestly I think Bradie James is our weak spot. Move Burnett inside and get another 250+ guy with some good speed for the other OLB.

Hey we gave the Jets Quincy Carter………maybe they can just ship Abraham to us. Q was such a big contributor to their team last year. LOL.

Personally I am against paying money to Gragg or Verba. I think we got some good guards and LA can play RT if needed. Continue to give Petitti time on the field and learning the right side and his footwork and I think that kid can play too.

Rogers looks like the worst pick of the Parcells era. Cut and only contributed in two games over two years. Word is he was often injured in his collegiate career did our scouts miss that? Funny thing is somebody else is going to give him a chance next year and if he is healthy he would have been our starter at RT. It sounds like the team was more upset over his second shoulder surgery and his decision to go ahead under the knife again with the knee.

a little off the topic but i just read that Ferguson might not be ready for the opener. I kno we have Glover in there playing and hes an all-pro, but fergie was brought here to anchor that 3-man front…

I don’t think Abraham is even possible, nor would the Cowboys want him. First of all, he’s a DE not an OLB. He wants too much money and his attitude stinks. He doesn’t show up for big games and that is too much of a liability. We have a good perhaps great front 7. Let’s stick with the people we got. They seem to have a good attitude and are willing to give everything they have to make this team win.

I would like to see someone come in at right tackle, just in case Pettiti struggles. Let’s get rid of Tucker, he’s a liability. Let’s pick up Gragg. The last thing this team needs is for Bledsoe to go down because the RT position didn’t do its job and has to rely on either Romo or Henson. If that happens then Bill and Jerry are going to kick themselves like last year for taking a chance that the young talent will suffice.

This team has a chance to be good. I’d like to see them solidify the RT weakness and then take this team into the regular season.

Speaking of sacks, we could lead the league. Those blitzes looked to open all types of lanes and created a host of problems for Seatle’s ofensive line, which is a pretty good unit. … With Ware walking up to the edge, and in essence having 5 linemen at the line of scrimmage caused problems too. … Ware/Abraham sounds great, but so does Ware/Ellis.

I read Quincy Morgan’s response after the Seatle game. It sounds to me more like an innocent plead for playing time during the preseason so he can showcase his skills. Nothing wrong with a guy anxious to play! I hope he takes advantage of his time too. … The only delema here is that the time the 3rd WR gets to play compared with the 4th WR is a significant difference, especially with this team. Morgan wants to play, and I can’t blame him for that.

Kevin-I like your thought on dumping Tucker and getting Gragg. The difference in salary cap hit would be minimal and I’m a lot more comfortable having an exp backup at RT in case Pettiti doesn’t develop fast enough or stumbles along the way.

John Abraham is not happy with the franchise tag just like NO veteran is.

He wants a long term deal and some guarnteed signing bonus like every other big time player.

The guy would be an OLB. Look at his size and weight.

Now I don’t think we got the cap space and I don’t see us trading anybody we got for him. So personally I don’t see it happening.

However, the guy would be a great addition to this team he is also a Parcells draft pick.

It has been reported that Lance Frazier was pulled from practice this morning in anticipation of a possible trade, but no team or details for whom.

While I agree with some that there will be growing pains with Petitti, HE IS OUR GUY! Although I am now coming around to the realization that we WILL need to sign a vet to at least back him up. Tucker will not cut it in any fashion!

At S we have our backup to Davis and Roy (hey Roy, get off your ass and play right, enough showboating). His name is Beriault. Granted we need some insurance because of Beriault’s knee. Either Scott or Coady would be fine. ( I prefer Scott because he is already a Cowboy)

Piss on Abraham. He is too small for the 3-4, has a bum knee, and won’t show up for big games. (Remember last years playoffs? "ooohhh, I better not play. the field is poopy and I have to protect my knee for free-agency) Keep his prima donna ass as far away from us as possible!

As for Rayfield Wright: IT IS ABOUT FLOCKING TIME HE HAS A LEGITIMATE CHANCE TO RECIEVE THE RECOGNITION HE DESERVES!!!!!!!!!!

Abraham went into the tank before the playoffs last year- NO WAY does BP want him. Pettiti is raw but talented. I think BP will watch real carefull the next game and decide on whether to get some one extra.

I think we will be fine on the right side with getting a solid back up at RT with some experience. The area that conserns me most is the FS spot. Just pick up brock marion and give him a shot. atleast he provides depth.

Brock marion is done………….

Derrick,

I didn’t get the impression from Parcells’ press conference that they were trying to trade Frazier. I think they are trying to work out an injury settlement with him.

I’m a bit tired of the effort made at the dallas website. They have an entire staff of columnists along with direct contact with the team. Yet, I have to stare at the same article for 2 days. How about some news? They should make a better effort to whet the appetites of obsessive folks like myself. This site is the only thing that keeps my football shakes at bay.

Mr Bill,

From what I know, he was pulled from practice so that makes me think that their is a trade involved. Bill at his press conference didn’t make mention of frazier being cut and given an injury settlement, which he would of done if Frazier was cut, so that makes me think a trade is in the works with another team.

Josh,
Have you noticed that they now want you to register to read the columnists at dc.com? I’m telling you, I watched this happen 2 years ago at DMN. They now give us cowboysplus.com for a fee. Like you said with all the laziness their writers show, not to mention publishing nothing more than regurgitated BP press conferences, I’ll be damned if I will pay to go to that site. The mark of a true writer is when you are made to feel like you are actually there. The only guy I have seen covering the Cowboys in years that makes you feel that way is Rafael!

I am becoming more and more concerned about Ferguson. Beriault’s knee is also getting worse it seems. What a blow losing both of them would be.

James,

I’m with you on Ferguson. He’s the key to the 3-4 defense and if he’s not gonna be able to go at the start of the season, the 3-4 might be changed back to the 4-3. This is exactly why I have always said that next year, we have to draft another nose tackle, either wright or Ngatu, if available, this is becoming a big need, since the nose tackle is a key position in the 3-4

There’s a comment on DMN.com that says Bill mentioned they’re in discussions with several teams on Frazier. Looks like he’ll be gone soon. My guess is he’ll be cut soon if they can’t find a partner in the dance.

Regarding the Dallas Cowboys website- It is lame in so many ways but take a stroll to the other official NFL websites. Most don’t have columnists and don’t do anything to flesh out team news, injuries etc. They are just pushing tickets and providing minimum info. They make the Dallas website look well done.

I think what leads to the success of this website is the terrificly insightful lead posts by Rafael and the interest and thoughtful discussion of topics important to the fans. Respectful disagreements are welcome and interesting to read. It is also constantly changing and updating.

I, for one, hope the open post for the games will continue and that a few bad characters haven’t ruined that.

Don S.
Why is it soooo hard for you guys to believe just maybe Crayton is better then Morgan? Its not a knock on Morgan more of how much better Crayton has become over past year. Best hands on a team means something. And again Glenn will miss time this year so who ever is the 4th WR will get to play. BP want Crayton to go in for Glenn from time to time so the #4 will get in.

ALDS
Our biggest hole is going to be QB (the whole group) and the middle of the field on D( which has been a hole there for many many years now) RT and FS will be up and down. Davis is still an upgrade over last year.

I am not defending these guys, but they have to protect what they know to a degree. The writers at dallascowboys.com are obligated to keep secret some things they might know. They do alright there, and it serves us well, otherwise we all wouldn’t be visiting the site. Mickey Spags and Eatman also have much closer relationships to all the coaches and players, and sometimes being true about items that are close to you is hard. Spagnola and dc.com’s beat reporters were very critical of Parcells when he first arrived in Big D, as their writing also suggested that Dave Campo could do the job. Now it seems that there is much respect and admiration for Parcells, as they have got to understand that there is a method to his madness. This site gives us fans a voice and I applaud that, but some bloggers here make it sound like this site will some how “take over” for dallascowboys.com. No need to differentiate fellas, we have both … enjoy it!

If we can find a buyer for Frazier, the question will be: What can we get for him?

James
Losing Beriault wouldnt be a big blow now Ferguson on the other hand would be sad for our D.

Frazier seems to be dealt already, awaiting news on it though.

James
not much.

Maybe I missed it, but what’s going on with Tyson Thompson? Why didn’t he play Monday night vs. Seattle? I sure would’ve liked to see how he performed and see if those flashes of brilliance were merely flashes or peeks of things to come.

Funny, I read EVERTHING that dc.com put out about BP when he first arrived. I noticed no condemnation of him, but plenty of condemnation for Campo. (Partially deserved. The rest of the fault for the Campo years lies with Jerry J and Lacewell!) In fact I would say that dc.com and its writers went out of their way to welcome and play up BP and are still doing so. We must all remember, the journalistic staff at dc.com are the OFFICIAL, i.e. paid publicists for Jerry J’s Cowboys on the internet. That should be fairly apparent to anyone who has gone to that site for a while. That being said, it is superior to other team sites and has won awards for the same.

Steve C.
He is going to play Saturday.

I think if they can get a guy in to be a decent backup at free and strong safety, they will scope Beriaults knee and see if its a minor fix to clean it up and see if they can get him back on the field by week 2 or 3 of the regular season. He is definitely making this team.

I hope so Derrick.

I haven’t seen someone with his spunk and heart for awhile.

Would anyone trade Ellis for Abraham?

I agree…Beriaults stays…….

Big Jim,
R U nuts?

Big Jim-Tempted but I couldn’t do it. Ellis is a great team guy and a solid contributor. Abraham strikes me as a great player at times(when he wants to) and a not so great guy to have locker room wise.

Maybe so, but I’m sure BP can handle him.
I can’t beleive I’m about to say this, but we have some serious depth at DE.
Equivelant draft picks?
Pretty much the same cap hit (once you factor Abrams bounus spread out)?

Just a thought.

Big Jim-I am not real familiar with Abrahams injury history but is seems much more questionable than Ellis, who other than his leg flopping around that one time has been very reliable and steady.

Big Jim,

Parcells now has the defensive line size to do it. It would turn the defense into a strictly a 3-4 defense. Glover or Fergie, I say Ferguson the way Glover has been playing at NT, would probably play some DE to get their reps. … Jets play 4-3 and Ellis would fit in there just fine. Interesting thought.

Not to mention that even with the 4 man line, Parcells has been incorperating the 3-4 scheme, which kind of gives Ellis that “unnatural” edge position without a LB behind him. Something Abraham would be better suited to handle, because of his speed.

Big Jim,
Good thought, bad reality. Only if Ellis just can’t adjust to the 3-4 scheme and his role in it, would I trade him and ONLY for a 1st round draft choice, nothing less. Definitely not for Abraham straight up.

All of a sudden people might be interested in trading guys like Ellis? My how the wind has changed.

I would trade Ellis for Abraham in a heart beat. Problem is the Jets would never entertain such a thing.

You can’t get a 1st round draft pick for Shaun Alexander or Edgerin James, what makes you think Ellis could fetch such a price?

Cash,
Then we’ll keep him for now. Next year I would take less because our rooks will have a years experience and the 3-4 will be installed. Right now he is still too valuable to us to take less than that 1st rounder.. Of course, I ain’t Jerry J, so who knows what might happen.

Derrick,

You are probably right about Frazier. After re-listening to the press conference, this is what I heard:

“Well, Frazier is not on the field now, as you know. Uh! We’re going to try to work some … we’re trying to work something out with Frazier. I don’t … I don’t mean [mumble] with other teams. That’s where we are with him right now.”

Without that ‘mumble’, it seems straightforward. But, the way Parcells talks, that ‘mumble’ could have changed the entire meaning of the sentence.

At any rate, Mosley is reporting that after practice Parcells did say they were speaking with several teams about Frazier.

Steve C.

Basically, Thompson didn’t play because Parcells wanted to see much more of Thomas and (especially) Barber than he had seen against the Cardinals.

With Barber out with a foot infection, Thompson will see plenty of work Saturday, against the Texans.

James,

As soon as Campo was out the door, the DC.com writers began to rag on him. Simultaneously, the fawning over Bill Parcells began. I cannot recall one critical column about Parcells for that entire first year.

As for fault placing during the Campo years, don’t forget Bruce Coslet.

Mr. Bill,

The pause seemed to reflect that he was going to say “not trying to work out an injury”, but in fact work something out “with other teams”. When asked about who was winning the “battle” between Frazier, Jones, and Thorton for 4th CB, Parcells only commented on Thorton and Jones and how they were playing.

Big Jim,

I like Ellis’ play a lot, but for a talent like Abraham (just about a sack a game) I would do it in a heart beat. More so because the switch to the 3-4 defense and the bodies up on the D-line. If we were 4-3, I would probably have to pass, JA is just too small to go there all day. I think its a very good fit for both teams, especially because the Jets haven’t signed him and play the 4-3.

James
Nobody would give us a 1st round pick for Ellis. Ellis is not a pro bowler. He has been an ok player. If I was going to trade Ellis it would be for a WR from Oak, their 3rd or 4th wide out and a 3rd or 4th round pick.

From a pure talent standpoint, I would definitely trade Ellis for Abraham. Abraham is also 3 years younger and is a better fit for this defense. But, with Abraham, you get baggage. He wants truckloads of money, and he seems never to be on the field when important games are to be played.

I don’t think it makes much difference, though, because I doubt that the Jets would be interested.

On the Campo thing, I recall positively Spags calling him a defensive genius. Also saying something to the effect of a Campo coached team could have done just as well as this Parcells coached team (after opening day loss to Atlanta) and lost too. Remember too Spags didn’t support (like) the Quincy Carter starting QB thing, and was critical of Parcells being content with him through that first offseason.

Mr Bill,
You’re right. I forgot about that jerkoff and his 2,000 play playbook!

AW,

Oakland is playing the 3-4 also, they dont want Ellis, he wouldn’t fit their system. Right now if you were to trade Ellis, you’d be lucky to get a third round pick for him.He just turned thirty years old a week and a half ago. He’s a solid player but not a difference maker.

To get Abraham from the jets, it would cost you Ellis, a first round pick and probably a third rounder too. Abraham is a bigtime player, The jets aren’t going to give him away.

Derrick
I know he is not a difference maker, that’s why I would trade him for a young WR not saying Oak would take him.

Derrick,

Abraham isn’t budging here. He wants a long term deal or a deal where the Jets can’t franchise him next year, just like Shaun Alexander’s deal. He may come at a cheaper price than you think, and Ellis fits their system better too. They already have Shaun Ellis, and adding his brother Greg would be a nice compliment. (I know they are not brothers .. I was just kidding) The Jets are considered Super Bowl contenders, and they have to realize how quickly that door can close, and they just can’t waist the opportunity. .. Like already mentioned too Ellis fits their scheme quite well. .. Its interesting to say the least.

I wouldn’t want a young third reciever unless its a guy that has alot of upside. I woud take a third rounder for Ellis right now, Draft picks is what you want, gives you room to wheel and deal on draft day, thats where Philly and the patriots thrive.

Derrick
Oak is deep their 3rd and 4th have big upside. They didn’t need Moss but he is the best in the game.

Oaklands 3rd and 4th reciever could very well be Randal Williams. Do we really want him back?

Derrick, a 3rd rounder for Ellis? Got to be kidding me. Ellis is a 1st rounder in the prime of his career, and will probably have his best season this year. Trading Ellis for Abraham is different than trading Ellis just to trade Ellis. He is probably staying right here in Dallas, but it is interesting to THINK of trading him to the Jets for Abraham. Their situation and ours .. just interesting.

did parcells draft abraham or was that after he left??? i wouldnt trade ellis for abraham, i wouldnt want a guy on my team that wouls rather sit a freakin playoff game then play so he didnt hurt himmself and his free agent market value. beriault is in hes tough and we all know parcells loves tough kids. ellis stays.

James
Oak top 4 are Moss JP, Curry and Gabriel. Curry and Gabriel could start for us now. Williams is the 5th at best and I doubt that.

AW
id rather have TO then moss, to plays hard hes a jerk off but hes better then moss (all around)

EricR
You are too high on Ellis he is not a great player, he is solid but he was picked to high in the first round to be just solid. Nobody would give us a 1st round maybe a low 2nd but I doubt that.

EricR,

Ellis, in his prime, at 30, come on, take off the rose colored glasses, He’s a solid, not great DE in a 4-3 scheme and you think he’s going to do better as an undersized end in the 3-4. By week 6, everyone is going to be ripping Ellis because he’s not getting pressure or sacks on the quarterback. If another team offered a third round pick, I would jump all over it. You’re not going to get a first or second for him, period.

mike
You are out of your mind TO has nothing on Moss, NOTHING. nobody is on Moss’s level. Moss is a game breaker, he should have gotten the MVP his rookie year for what he did. TO is good, he is the either the 2nd or 3rd best WR in the game. Moss last year would come into the game just to get a TD when he was hurt.

How about glover for john abraham???

AW
so i see you hate bledsoe and your on moss’s jock. why do you consider someone who takes plays off then a guy who will block. being a wr doesnt just mean you run and catch passes. you have to block fo your rb and other wr, both of which moss does sparringly at best. i hate to with a passion but IN MY OPINION to is better

mike
I don’t hate Bledsoe but he is not good anymore period. I will be pulling for him this year because I’m a cowboy fan. Let me tell you something about TO first the 49ers gave him away for a 2nd round pick. Moss is the highest paid WR TO is no where close plus Oak give up the 7th pick in the draft for Moss when they didn’t need a WR. Moss wins games just be being there. Minn didn’t want Moss anymore and everybody knew it and still got a high lst round pick and a good LB for him. Moss can get 10 TD half sleep

yah moss has won alot. last time i checked he has the same super bowl rings as owens. and i think owens was in a super bowl as well hmm.

since 98 moss has 9142yds 15.9 avg 90td’s 7 fumbles
since 98 owens 8616yds 14.6 avg 83tds 6 fumbles

wow your right hands down and owens played behind rice for a few years as well so your therory about hands down better is deffinetely wrong

Raf,
You might be on to something with Abraham.It is not all about
money i think he wants out of N.Y..I don’t think he likes playing
in Donnie H. 4-3 since he is not a prototype 4-3 end.He is much
more suit to a B.P. 3-4 and he was certainly more effective in it.

AW,mike,

I wouldn’t want either one of these two ‘CANCERS’ on my team. They are both ‘I’ guys, its all about them, not the team.

Boths players make great plays, but great players make their teams better, and neither MOSS or T.O make their teams better.

Micheal Irvin is a great player that makes his team better by his playing ability, leadership,his willingness to go accross the middle and take the hit to make the tough catch, his willingness to block on running plays downfield and his work ethic.He doesn’t complain about his teammates or coaches like Moss and T.O. All these traits make the team better.

T.O does alittle more than Moss when it comes to Micheal Irvins traits, but both are CANCERS, period.

Becker,

NO, its all about the money with Abraham.

thats the way most guys are. i wish we had another irvin on our team.

On the Monday Night game vs. Seattle, I saw something I haven’t seen since the late 90s on the Dallas sideline. The players looked like they are friends, they were laughing, having a good time, especially the guys on D. Maybe not this year, but this D is going to be big. If we can get a QB and some big young WRs this could be a team to be reckoned with.

The only person we have to blame for the years of futility pre Parcells is for Jerry Jones, thinking he was a football guy. For last year I blame Parcells because despite what Jerry Jones thinks we all think we know Parcells is calling the shots. And believe me I give Parcells kudos for his first season here, and I hope we have one this go around.

i wuld take harrison over either moss or TO any day of the week, Harrison never complained last year when he lsot yardage because Manning was spreading the ball around. Harrison is the top overall receiver

No reciever in the league, other than Moss, commands a double team every time they step on the field.

I wouldn’t trade Glover for Abraham, esp with Fergunson injured. But Ellis for Abraham I would do straight up if money wasnt involved. We can’t pay Abraham so I can’t really see us getting him. The Jets know how talented he is and won’t give him up for cheap. Plus the guy’s going to come to his senses when he realizes he’s on a good team capable of 10 wins. Ellis is good, but has never reached double digit sacks. Abraham has twice and is 3 years younger.

Derrick,

You are nuts to even consider a 3rd round draft choice for Ellis. That kind of statement makes me think you are very young and know nothing about football. Ellis had his BEST season last year, that kind of indicates he is in the “prime” of his career. His roll on this team will be that of “pass rush specialist”- Parcells has said as much, and Parcells expects his sack #s to go up this year as well. Parcells’ words, not mine, so go tell him about how Ellis isn’t going to do better as an “undersized DE”. … Maybe my glasses are red, but MY EYES ARE OPENED, maybe you should try that. Jump at a 3rd rounder for Ellis? Foolish boy.

cash
thankfully jerry jones admitted his mistake and got us the tuna, last year there were way to many injuries and in 2003 i think we over achieved by 2 games or so. your right though i think in another draft year if we get some good wr and a young franchse qb which i dont think the young 2 are, hope im wrong. we could be the class of the nfc again for a few years.

yah i wouldnt trade ellis for a third either 2nd maybe. ellis is more then a pass rusher, good against the run, and a good teammate. you dont dump team leaders, not smart.

just a thought here: j abraham is undoubtedly a great pass rusher, but why would he be a better fit in the 3-4? While everyone says that Ellis is undersized at 6’6", 271 lbs., Mr. Abraham is listed at 6’4", 256 lbs. Ellis is quite a bit bigger than John!

mike,

My point exactly. You don’t dump a player like Ellis for future draft picks. Period. Now if it were April, and a team was offering a good deal for Ellis maybe another discusion, but not right before the season. Trading him for Abraham is a whole nother topic.

I agree with you too on the WR debate. Owens leaves everything on the field, and as a player, a teammate you have to respect his effort game in and game out. What he did last year was great for sports, great for football, and great for the Philly fans. He sure showed me that he wants to win.

rparr,

Abraham would play the OLB position.

bill parcells is on IN THERE OWN WORDS on nfl network right now. i dont know if this is a rerun or not but its pretty funny and it gives another look of what parcells is all about

EricR,

I’m nuts? you’re the one here talking about making Ellis an OLB, now thats nuts. Believe son, I forgot more about football than you, have you actually played the game? Why dont you tell me what is the responsibilities of the DE’s in the 3-4 defense, do you know?

Here, I’ll explain it for you….
The 3-4 DEs tend to weigh around 290-310, and many are former 4-3 DT/DE “tweeners”. They must be able to play the run well. The 3-4 DE is responsible for the B and C gaps in the running game and lines up in the 5-technique position, so he is head-up on the OT. It’s tough for a 3-4 DE to pick up as many sacks as a 4-3 DE, because a 3-4 DE doesn’t have the freedom to go willy nilly upfield. He has to protect the LBs in order for the 3-4 to work.

Ellis value is as high as it’s going to be this year, he is 30 years old and from now on the value will fall.Teams are not going to give you a first or second round pick for him, period. Look at this last offseason, Indy couldn’t get that for their running back, James and he was a first round pick.Teams dont want to give up early draft picks anymore.

 Do you know where the pass rush comes from in the 3-4 defense?

Here, let me help you out there too
3-4 OLBs are the playmakers of the D. They get the glory of picking up sacks on the QB. They must have strong pass rush skills and be able to drop into coverage. If the 3-4 OLBs are unable to consistently apply pressure on the QB, the D is very vulnerable in the passing game. They tend to weigh around 245-270, and many are former 4-3 DE/OLB “tweeners”. Many 4-3 DEs are not suited to playing 3-4 OLB because they lack the ability to play in space. The more agile 4-3 RDEs, such as the Jets’ John Abraham (6-4 256), are able to play both 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB. Many 4-3 OLBs are not suited to playing 3-4 OLB because they lack the pass rush skills and the ability to go toe-to-toe with an OT. Examples of solid 3-4 OLBs are the Patriots’ Willie McGinest (6-5 270) and the Steelers’ Joey Porter (6-2 248)

And when you listen to Parcells, just remember, it what he doesn’t say and what says between the lines, not what he does.I have no doubt that bill has no faith in Henson, what so ever, he doesn’t think he’s able to play at the NFL level and that Romo is the better QB,but he doesn’t like him as the backup to Bledsoe either.I think that a VET QB is going to be brought in.

I wonder if anyone would give a 3rd for Ellis. I think the Eagles would, KC would, and Green Bay would.

Derrick,

First of all, once again Parcells said TODAY that even with his 4 linemen set he is using the “3-4 principal”. He said it TODAY, and I uttered that explanation BEFORE the preseson started. When Ellis and Ware are outside 3 DL, Ellis is essentually playing OLB because Dallas is using the “3-4 principal”. Too hard to understand for you?… Again Ellis had his BEST year last season, that usually indicates the player is in his “prime”. In fact Ellis was in the top 8 players at disrupting pass plays. If you think that merrits a 3rd round choice you need the lesson sonny boy.

… and Derrick thank you so much for proving my point. If OLB get the sacks, and as you say, “Itâ€â"¢s tough for a 3-4 DE to pick up as many sacks as a 4-3 DE”, then Parcells must be really stupid when HE said “(Ellis’s) sack numbers should increase this year”

More DE talk.

Ellis is not “essentially playing OLB” because we are using the 3-4 principal. What that means is, even though there is a four man front, Ellis is lined up directly over the tackle instead of outside. Greg Ellis is not, will not, and has never even had a wet dream about being an OLB in this NF of L.

Now, I see our starting DE’s of the future – which isn’t too far away – being Canty, Spears, and Ware (occasionally).

Shouldn’t we get something for Ellis while we can? We don’t want to find ourselves in Darren Howard position.

You tell me Mr Teacher:

If there are 5 players on the defensive line and the team is playing the “3-4 principal”, what are the respocibilities of the 2 outside players? OLB or DE? … Tell me please. I need to learn.

No need for sarcasm!

There are not five players on the D line, there are four. You may have noticed Ware “cheating up” to the line in that formation giving the appearance of 5 players (just watch old footage of LT). But Ware could easily drop back into coverage. In that formation, you also see the 2 remaining LB’s cheating sideways.

It’s the same principal with Roy Williams. Is he considered a linebacker on a safety blitz because he’s only 5 yards off the line of scrimmage?

A problem with us having Abraham that we may not have thought of is this: Both he and Ware are best suited to playing the weak side. With both of them here, who would get moved to the strong side? And what if prima donna Abraham didn’t want to move? That would be a really expensive platoon system at WOLB my friends. Not to mention a large locker room headache.

Alright…Troy, Michael and Rayfield will be up for Canton this year. No way the bums on the committee put in all 3! I think Troy will be the only one in this year.

Also…I’m wondering why we didn’t put Rogers on IR.

Big Jim,

Sorry I wasn’t talking to you. Derrick.

I do understand what you are saying. What you are eaplaining is a LB shift from the 4-3 defense. Parcells did actually have 5 players on the line, on a few plays 6 players were lined up on the line. Also, on a 4-3 LB shift formation, both DEs are outside the shoulder of the OTs and the OLB is even split further out. Parcells said himself that the Boys were playing with the “3-4 principal” .. now I am not going to sit here and say Ellis is a LB. THAT would be foolish, but ON SOME PLAYS his responcibilities are that of an OLB. The Cowboys are obviously vulnerable at times in this set and have to blitz well and disguise well .. from what I saw the other night Seatle’s offensive line looked confused, as LBs and Ss came free into the offensive back field. .. In a very comparable blitz, the ILB came to the line in between the DE and NT, and Beriault blitz that gap. If you wouldn’t call the ILB a DT, then the same principal applies to Ellis. Sure there is no doubt Ellis will rush the passer the majority of the time from this set, and it really doesn’t matter what you call him (OLB or DE), but instead of lining back and walking up, he is setting up at the line.

Derrick,

“Believe son, I forgot more about football than you”

Wouldn’t that mean EricR knows more than you?

So, five months ago, this team had virtually no DEs besides Greg Ellis, who is coming off a solid, near Pro Bowl year. Canty, Ratliff, Johnson and Spears are rookies and Spears is hurt. Coleman, Ogbogu, Carson, Coleman, et al… are a shade below journeymen in the NFL. Of this wholly unproven group, you guys think Ellis is the guy to leave and only because he’s a bit more of a 4-3 end than a 3-4 end or OLB? You’d do this – at the beginning of the season – to just nab a 2nd rd pick or probably a low 3rd? Numerically, what would Ellis’ absence equate to? An extra 30 yds of rushing per game and probably an extra 3 completed passes per game? Less .43 sacks per game? Probably the difference between the 14th ranked D and the 23rd? Thereabouts?

Why not go whole hog and deal Glover and Ellis? I’m serious. The rationale for dealing Glover is stronger than dealing Ellis. You could get significantly more for Glover. If Ellis is out of place in the 3-4, then Glover is to a greater degree. If Ellis is old, then Glover is older. Glover is a more coveted ball player, you could get more. If you have ultimate confidence in rookie OLBs and DEs in a new league and new scheme, then you should have exponential confidence in big strong young DTs to just simply occupy Gs and Cs.

There’s just something simple here… veteran experience is to be coveted, playmakers need to be on the field, don’t fall in love with fun schemes at the expense of sense. Capable and potential aren’t equitable. Capable is better.

Also, on the play when Ware stripped the ball in the pocket, did Ellis lead the LT inside away from th eplay? Was that a good play on Ellis’ part, or was it just a standard stunt called by Zimmer, that the LG should be quick enough to nullify? I don’t know. I do know Ellis went inside and the LT followed leaving Ware able to zoom around the LG.

Agreed, all DE’s drop into coverage at some point, some DT’s too.

I’ve been thinking though, if we are going to run both odd and even fronts, we are basically going to rotate 8 guys. Canty, Glover, Furguson, Spears in front of Abraham, Dat, Burnett, Ware supplemented by K Thor, Bradie James, and K Coleman, looks much better to me than having Ellis – and I really like Ellis.

James, good point on the weak/ strong side situation. I would guess Abraham would move to strong being the more experienced player.

Of course it’s all hypothetical anyway, but I bet the Jets would do the deal.

micheal,

Rogers is on IR. He was cut, cleared waivers and is put on IR until he is able to pass a physical after the operation to his knee and shoulder. Jerry will work out an injury settlement and when he passes a physical, he’ll be cut. Thats how it works.

We’ll see if their is a cowboy bias this year.All three aren’t getting in. Rayfield for sure will get in, finally. He’s way over due.
Maybe troy

Joey, agree with your points as well. Could you imagine being JJ and have this discussion mean $50 mil to you? That’s where it really gets fun!

EricR. Derrick.

Can we put some sort of a cap on this Ellis OLB/DE thing? How about this – the first time Ellis Defends/misses/knocks down/intercepts a pass more than 6 yards up from the line of scrimmage then we all send smiley faces to EricR. ONLY IF HE ISN’T IN ZONE BLITZ COVERAGE. If not then Derrick you get sincere written kudos from EricR.
I would like to hear different stuff. Let’s talk about NT. We only have One with experience in a 3/4 and he hasn’t practised since the beg of August. What the hell do we do about that………

Alanatdot,

Thats one position I’m really worried about since we changed to the 3-4 and really have no viable backup at that position that can play alot of downs. Ferguson is a really big part of the 3-4 defense. I think we are going to have to draft another nose tackle next year, either Wright or Ngatu if there to back up and learn the position to spell and eventually take over for ferguson.

AlanTdot,

NT? Did you see Glover play the other day. Does anyone watch the games? Or do fans just shoot from the hip here? Glover looked like Pro Bowler. .. A Pro Bowl NT!!

Joey,

Gosh thank you for you! Excellent points!

Allright y’all want something new.

Pats just released Safety Antwaun Edwards. Are we interested?

EricR.
Saw the game.
My point is that where will that rotation go if we go back to playing Glover 90% of the defensive snaps? R-o-t-a-t-i-o-n.
and if Glover goes down, We are left with career journeyman Leo Carson, and a guy who’s claim to fame is that he shares a nickname with an all time great.

No Alan you said we had one with expierence, meaning Ferguson, “the injured guy” you were referring to. Glover was a Pro Bowl NT in New Orleans, and looked awesome the other night. So what are you talking about?

Derrick,

I think the Cowboys will be drafting a little furter away from those guys, we are looking at Watson maybe even Harris? But Harris seems like a stretch in a 3/4.

Joey,

On the ware strip and recovery, ware was lined up standing outside of Ellis, on the snap, Ellis didn’t take rush inside rush on Jones, Seattle ran a stunt on the Line where the Guard pulled to block Ware, to little success, and they never ran that play again.

I’m not looking to go out and see what you can get for Glover or Ellis, and in fact as far as schemes go, I’d wish we would stay with the 4-3 as with the players we now have, I think we are better suited to play the 4-3 than the 3-4. But if we are staying in the 3-4 and isn’t Glover in the final year of his contract, why not trade him if someone makes an offer since he wont be back next year anyway, and I think the same with Ellis, I dont think he’ll be back next year either.. I dont think this team will make the playoffs because it will take atleast half the year for the players to get the scheme down to know what they are suppose to do.

AlanTdot,

Do you think Carson going to make the team, I figured he would be odd man out on the line.

I’m was looking at Ellis,Glover,Canty,Coleman,Ratliff,ferguson,Spears making the team on the line.Johnson and Van hoy on practice squad

EricR.
Glover was an NT in NO? So Johnson beside him was what… the DE? So he averaged 10 sacks per year in those five years as a NT? Okay. Sure. Whatever you say.
Glover does not have significant experiance playing NT. Ferguson does. That is not to say Glover won’t excel at the position, he is the best D lineman the Cowboys have. But his DT Tendancies are something that even he needs to work on. We want Glover around for a long time so having him work at NT for too long may lead to Injury probs a la Haley. WHo will back him up? What if Ferguson will be in and out all year and never really gets to his top playing ability?

Big Jim,
I can’t see us being able to afford giving Abraham enough moola to satisfy him. I don’t want to see him here, as vicious as the lineup would be. IMO he is a selfish pussy. About Antwaun Edwards, hmmm, can we afford the guy? Figure BP would probably like him, being that he’s coming from little Bill.

Derrick,
I assume you are refferring to Ngata of Oregon. He would be a GREAT draft choice, but we have to keep in mind that he is a junior this year. He may not declare early.

Derrick,
Who else would add depth at the NT position if not Carson? ratliff? I haven’t heard much about him. Spears? But that creates a prob of depth in a different area. Fergusons’ ankle better come around because that rotation is gonna be important for a team whos’ LB’s are learning on the job in a 3/4.

James,

Yeah,Ngatu of Oregan, didn’t realise he was only a junior, loved to have that monster at nose tackle anchoring the line for ten years.Hope he has a good year, great size ,power and he can move for a big man, although he had a knee injury.

AlanTdot,

I dont know what Bills going to do if Ferguson misses alot of time, hope he get healthy and stays that way,otherwise we may have to play more 4-3

Love this Headine
Tagliabue: Panthers unaware of players’ steroid usage.

Yeah.

They used the Sergent Shultz response from hogans hero’s
I SEE NOTHING, I HEAR NOTHING,NOTHING….repeat

They were unaware were they. Now that’s a very good joke.

Alan,

Glover was a Pro Bowl NT for the Saints. Yes. Yes and Yes. He was.

Joey2Zs,

Exactly so. Ellis is worth much more to us than we could ever get for him in any trade for draft picks. Teams rarely relinquish high draft picks for anybody. A third-round pick would hardly recompense us for the loss. I don’t think a second-round pick (if we could get that) would either.

EricR,

Whenever Ellis (or Ware or anyone else) drops his hand to the ground, he is considered a defensive lineman for that play. In fact, if any player comes up to the line of scrimmage and puts his hand on the ground, he is considered a lineman for that play. That’s why they call it a 3-man, 4-man, 5-man, or even a 6-man formation. If, and only if, Ellis begins a play in a two-point stance, could he ever be considered a linebacker. When any lineman gets up at the start of the play and drops into coverage, it is part of a zone blitz, a staple of any modern 3-4 defense. That does not make him a linebacker, any more than it did LAST YEAR, when Ellis occasionally did just that.

Alan,

Parcells knows that, too, citing his nose tackle-playing days in New Orleans and Oakland.

“It’s not like he hasn’t done it,” Parcells barked. “I think he was a Pro Bowler down there in New Orleans.”

…. but hey, what do I know.

Guys, guys, guys…..

You’re desperate to trade this for that, and this other for that… Aren’t you guys seeing the big picture?

Big picture explanation: Bill Parcells doesn’t want a 3-4 Defense. He wants to have a Defense that can respond well to what he faces on the field. Is that so hard to understand? The change to the 3-4 has more to do with the chance of finding those big speedsters to roam the edges as OLB’s than those coveted 4-3 Ends. But Parcells also knows (Well, I can bet a vacation for everyone in this blog to Mexico that he knows) that with Ellis and Glover he can also put a 4-3 to better respond to what’s being displayed on the other side if the 3-4 doesn’t work. Or even a 5-2! Just like we saw on Monday. And what the Hell! Even the 2-5 the Pats dispayed in the Super Bowl, though we would be real short on LB’s…

So, please, stop talking about trading this or that, because that would remove some of that flexibility this team has earned, which BTW, I think is the one Parcells wants, in the end.

OK here I go I will do my best to explain this. If you shift the 4 man defensive line over to the right, and the LB corps to the left, with the LOLB walking up to the line, you do have the spacing of a 3-4 defense. You play with the “3-4 principals”, as Parcells said today, and the spacing of the 3-4, but it is not a 3-4? I never suggested that Ellis play man to man against a RB or a TE in coverage, THAT would be silly, but I suggested that Ellis will have the OLB roll in a 3-4 defense in zone blitz coverages. A limited roll to take up snaps from the OLBs. Had on the ground, up in the air, touching his toes, when Ellis is outside the OT opposite Ware with 3 DL between them, and Dallas is zone blitzing … they are in a 3-4 defense.

Kudos Chandus! Not only flexability, but the confusion of where is e, and where the blitz is coming from, and the young talent that is here, has already shown some tremendous upside to both Ellis and Glover. I saw Glover one on one and it was a C “trying” to block him. They are going to see less double teams, and make their play even better. Glover looked awesome!!

EricR.
NO plays a 3/4? Okay. Sure. So Glover got 17 sacks one year as a NT. I think I will just not reply to you anymore. The pounding you take over the Ellis OLB stuff has made you a touch sensitive.

Alan,

Glover played NT for the Saints. What more do you want from me. Look it up!

Did a little research on FS Antuan Edwards (even learned to spell his name).

Seems he was released by the Dolphins for no reason, and now by the Pats with no explanation. Sounds like substance abuse suspension to me.

That’s not a good option for us – if true.

Flexibility everyone flexibility, like Chandus said. Right now we have a very flexible defense much in the style of New England. Ellis will have a pretty good year as will Glover. Lots of attention will be given to our young outside linebacker. This can only disrupt a offensive line. If you have 5 quality pass rushers on the line of scrimmage how many double teams are you gonna see. The offensive will have to keep a TE and a RB in the backfield to guard against our pass rush. If our defense continues to improve week in and week out. What team is going to want to play us. Yeah we may have some vulnerable spots, but how many more would we have without Ellis and Glover or two most proven defensive linemen.
I might be wrong and the two could be packaged dealt, but I doubt it.

EricR,

I have reviewed the entire tape for our defensive fronts. I saw 3-man lines and 4-man lines. I often saw 5 men at the line of scrimmage, and even 6 once. But, never did I see Ellis in a 2-point stance. Nor did I once see 5 down linemen. Those extra players on the outside were always in 2-point stances. They are otherwise known as linebackers. None of them were named Ellis.

If there were ever 3 down linemen between Ellis and Ware, Ellis was in a 3-point stance and Ware in a 2-point stance. That makes their roles … like … DIFFERENT.

What is everyones take on a rumour I heard (the guy I heard it from could not remember his source, possibly radio) about Beriault. If this is true, Coady was signed to replace Beriault because The ’Boys plan to cut him (IR/then settlement etc) because of his knee. If true, it would really suck. Beriault is a fine young stud with balls and heart. He should not be put in the same category as “hangar queen” Rogers! If there is any substance to this of course.

AlanTdot,

Sorry, but EricR is right. Glover did infact play NT during his first 3 years with the Saints. He recorded 25 sacks during that period. He was moved to three-technique after Haslett took over. I also failed to see any post where EricR stated that Ellis would be playing OLB. He simply said that his duties will be similar when we go zone blitz.

I highly doubt we will see Ellis or Glover traded this season. We shouldn’t be so quick to write them off either. Ellis is not THAT old for a DE. It’s not like he’s a pure speed rusher with aging wheels.

On a side note, hi everyone. Long time reader, first time poster here.

Hey,
Go check out the boys/eagles article on NFL.Com. May Chris Collinsworth is a freakin moron. I hate that guy almost as much as theismann.

Eric,

Give up the Ellis for OLB, please. Mr Bill is right, Ellis never lined up in anything resembling the OLB position…never. Give up the freakin’ thread. You are obviously young, but have shown a decent football knowledge…go on to something else.

Anyone who mentions trading Ellis or Glover THIS year is an idiot, period. Next offseason…maybe, but highly doubtful.

Alan…Glover did make the Pro Bowl as a NT in the 3-4 with NO. They switched to the 4-3, primarily to give Glover and the other DT (forgot his name, but a monster) more flexibility and Glover made the Pro Bowl again. But Eric is wrong about 3 years in the 3-4, he only played one year in the system. And Glover is quoted as saying he’s much more comfortable in the 4-3. But I digress.

First of all, Glover played NT in spot duty. You guys try, and think hard about a man named Norman Hand. Glover got his sacks in the 4-3 next to Hand, who weighs about 850lbs and is the quintessential NT. OK?

ERic, if you know so much, why is everybody disputing your claims? But don’t worry, Einstein found that difficult as well. Something else to chew on, I don’t particularly care for snide responses and veiled insults in response to my posts either.

Beriault comes, Beriault goes… big deal. It’s no more sad that he gets cut than anyone gets cut. The guy is a tall skinny injured SS? Who needs that? If he ever got on the field to replace Roy, we’d be in big, big trouble. He’s a slower, less savvy Lynn Scott. whoopdidoo. He didn’t lay the wood on those hits, Monday night. He just hit them with all he could muster from a 209lb frame. Roy Williams would’ve injured those receivers, the balls would’ve popped out and we’d see alligator arms from them from then on. Roy also wouldn’t have pass interfered with that long near completion to the TE like Beriault did, Roy would’ve picked it clean, or broken him in half. All that said, I’d like to see Beriault on the P.S. learning how to play FS, because he does seem like a football player in need of a position. Being “Bill Bates II” isn’t a position.

Man, we finally get some serious depth on the D-line and we want to trade it away. You guys have got to be kidding. We need to keep this group intact, not just this year, but 3-4 years down the road. We can build a great team around this group.

As for next years draft, I almost wish we could have one more losing season so that we could have one more stellar draft. What I want to see if the Boys in the SB not a perrenial first round loser in the playoffs.

Glover started at NT in 98 and 99 for the Saints. Norman Hand did not join the team until 2000. He posted 10 sacks in 98, and 8.5 in 99. He also managed 6.5 in 97, mainly coming off the bench. His 17 sack season was the same year Hand arrived, which of course is no coincidence. He IS better suited for the 4-3, but he should be fine in this system. Check the PFW archives if you have any doubts about that information.

I still don’t think either of them should be traded this season.

Joey,

 First, Beriault is faster than Lynn Scott in all aspects who is the guy on the bubble, not Beriault.Beriault can bring it, he’s not mustering all he can with a big hit, he has it. Scott is a journeyman, thats not a word that gives you confidence if the coach refers to you as.Second, Beriualt was a four year starter at ball state, wasn’t injury prone there, its the two a days of the NFL training camp where the wear and tear comes on the knees and there’s lots of players that once they get through the camp, their fine. But, maybe Beriault could get the knee scoped and they can clean it up and will only miss the first couple of weeks of the season, I think thats what the cowboys will look into.Third, there wasn’t any pass interference on that call, the ball was tipped by Keith O’neil before tha ball got there and Beriault wasn’t able to get the interception, he was there in position to get the pick if it wasn’t tipped.Fourth, you have to stop drinking the ROY WILLIAMS koolaid, he has gotten a free pass far too long with this team, did you see the whiff on the safety blitz in the first quarter when he missed the tackle on the running back instead he was trying to going for the big hit on the one yard line.That seems to be a constant occurance with roy, too busy trying to make the big hits all the time. Start playing like a pro bowl safety for a change instead of trying to be a ESPN highlite film, that wont get you into Canton.Make the Tackles you’re suppose to make and stop reading your press clippings.Ware was the player of the game and Beriault was just behind.Not too bad if your rookies are the stars of the game, hope that continues.

Fighter,

I never said Glover played 3 years in the 3-4 at NT, just that he played and played well enough to be Pro Bowl selection. … Oh and older mature adults like yourself call people “idiots” when you disagree with someone.

Reigh,

Thank you.

Mr. Bill.,

Thank you for doing the research. You prove what I am saying. With 5 men on the line and Ellis and Ware outside the OT shoulder, the spacing is that of a 3-4 defense. Parcells said yesterday that even with these fronts the “principal” is of a 3 man front. … Look at tapes of New England last year. Against Indy, they used a nickel defense (with 5 DB), but played a 3-4 scheme using a DB as a LB. The spacing and scheme were the 3-4, but the personell was the nickel. So if I said that the 5th DB played LB, I guess I would be wrong about that too. Sometimes in the NFL you play your defensive style and cheat a little personell wise to get the match ups you want. Opposite of the position I described with Ellis, the DB will blitz less and cover more. It is still the 3-4 defense. Here is what Parcells said yesterday, “The 4 man fronts we are using includes 3 man front principals.” So then when the Cowboys line up 5 players on the line, who are the LBs “in principal”? If its Ware, Coleman, Glover, Canty, and Ellis, in “principal” who are your LBs?

Glover played NT for Oakland as well.

EricR:

I do think you’re incorrect about Ellis, he was playing in those 4 and 5 man fronts on Monday, but as a DE, the ones in 2-point stances were Ware and Ogbogu. Which BTW, if continues making sacks like on Monday, will make Parcells hesitant to cut him. And that’s what I said in his due moment, that we would see Ogbogu playing as an OLB in pass rush sits before Ellis.

Eric,

I am not calling you or anyone else an idiot, per se. The idea of trading our two best DL because we’ve got some great potential in some rookies is idiotic, though.

However, you have shown an inate ability to keep pressing home a point that not only does no one agree with you, that has never been hinted at by the coaching staff, and has not even been practiced is idiotic. We’re just tired of the argument…please refrain.

Cash
You are so right about Moss, and he still get TDs. There is a reason he is the highest paid WR.

Derrick

Moss does make his team better his first season his team was 15-1 and the only reason they didn’t go to the super bowl is because he got hurt in that game. Him being in Oak is giving them a chance of getting in the playoffs. Moss could make Bledsoe look good.

Mike
Nobody would take TO over Moss at the same price.

Fighter15
Ellis is not a great player nor will he be. I would trade one of them for a young WR.

Derrick
Are you sure Beriault is faster than Lynn Scott becaues Beriault is not that fast? and if he is than Scott must be slow.

Chandus,

I think it was understood that Ogbagu would be playing there. If you recall I said Ellis would be outside the OT opposite Ware with 3 “pluggers” in between them. I called that position OLB, which many people disagree with, but regardless of what you call that position, he was in fact doing that. It eats up some of the OLBs plays, and that was my original point of how to get the % playing time for all of Parcells’ “best players”. I never said Ellis is a LB or will play there full time or will ever take on all the responcibilities of a LB. I suggested that he played the OLB as a pass rusher, and occasionally drop back into coverage on zone blitzes. When you talk 3-4 and zone blitzes there is some gray area with the technicality of terms and positions because the parts are interchangable. But like I stated the spacing and the idea is of the 3-4.

Fighter:

Ok, what is the reason for you to think that a move of Ellis to LB wouldn’t work? He’s got speed (enough speed to get himself around the Tackle), power to move the pile and is a willing tackler. And you know something, he can take some weight down for next season and work some more on pure speed, which is the main reason of why I don’t see him moving there this season, at 270 pounds would be a liability covering even a TE. Time and time again you guys’ve been mentioning McGinest as the best OLB-DE, well, he’s older than Ellis and is the same size, so age, isn’t a concern here. McGinest does have the edge that he’s been playing that way since his rookie year, but you know what? The guy that teached him is coaching Ellis now, so a move isn’t out of question. But it just won’t happen this year. Next, maybe.

Aw,
So you’re saying that Moss only makes your team better the first year, OK, I’ll bye that. I guess that explains the playoff feutility of the Vikes since 98.

Gee, I thought they lost the game because Gary Anderson missed his only field goal of the season at the end of the game, but I guess I’m wrong there too…..

People, Yes Glover played some Nose tackle eight years ago, but the position has changed since then, NT’s have to be aleast 310-325lbs to take the double teams to be affective in the 3-4 now.players on the offensive line have increased dramatically in the last ten years, making the nose tackle a much bigger guy to handle that position in todays game, and Glover is better suited to play the 4-3 tackle and shoot the gap because of his quickness.

AW,

I tend to agree…it just won’t be done this year. Once Canty, Spears, Ware, Ratliff, and Johnson have a year under their belt and can prove their production (as opposed to their current potential) I’m all for it.

However, like someone else pointed out, his value is much higher on our squad than his trade potential. He’s worth a lot more to us than a third rounder. No one is gonna give us a first. A player trade may be possible, but it better be a starter for a starter…not some young potential guy like Morgan.

AW:

And you’re one of the only guys (if not the only one) in here that posted that we made a mistake by drafting Ellis, that we shoud’ve drafted Moss. All those numbers look right, but I wouldn’t want him still, for all the reasons people has described above.

Your opinion on Ellis is incredibly short sighted, it’s obvious for me that the only thing that moves you, is stats, and that there’s no room for leadership, run support and QB’s pressures, which are the ones that make Ellis a better than good player.

Fighter,

I was talking about trading for Abraham, someone else brought up the Ellis thing.

… Its just some people revert to name calling and insults when their arguements are lost, or twist people’s words here to make points. I have been wrong many times here, and educated by this football community. The fact is Ellis and his roll has been a prominent discusion here. I appreciate fellow fans opinion, probably more so when they disagree with me. .. If everyone agreed this blog would be boring.

I’d love the trade for Abraham, but don’t see the Jets biting. The franchised the guy…not something you do with a guy that you want to get rid of.

I promise to never lower the argument to name calling. Just want you to give it a rest. When Ellis starts playing in a two-point stance and drops back into coverage on a non-zone blitz, I’ll be the first to sing your praises.

Yikes,

I pose John Abraham as a fantasy target because Dallas needs another OLB and the grinding of familiar axes resumes regarding Ellis, his place and his possible trading.

I’m a lot more interested in this question: The weak spot right now in the front seven is SOLB, because Al Singleton is a prototype 4-3, Tampa Bay-style, Jimmy Johnson style, play-five-yards-off-the-ball LB. Bradie James also does not impress me as a long term answer at SILB, but at least there is the option of Shanle and even Fowler, who both have good qualities and strong recognition skills. (The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced Burnett’s future role is the WILB, as a replacement for Dat.)

Now, are there any Carl Banks-type OLB out there? Guys who are big and who excel at mashing TEs and shutting down any outside runs to their side? Because THIS is the player the Cowboys really need to make the 3-4 work, given their current personnel. I’ll admit, I’m at a loss as to who they could find to fill this role, but keep in mind that Mike Vrabel was considered a bust before the Pats picked him up and he’s been excellent in this role for them. Another Vrabel could make this defense jump.

Any suggestions anyone? Any tweeners who are failing as 4-3 DEs, but who might welcome being plugged into a 3-4?

Ellis was in the top 8 among DL that disturbed passing plays (sacks and pass defelections combined). Ellis had his BEST season last year, and has been a good player throughout his career. I have made this point many times, but Ellis and Ware compliment each other. Spears, Canty, Glover, Ware, and Ellis .. they all make each other better. .. I will bet Ellis has his best season this year (10+ sacks) .. and Dallas will be among the league leaders in sacks. .. but hey what do I know. Let’s trade the guy for a 3rd rounder.

Aw,
Here’s the NFL combine that compares Beriault and the Number One rated Safety, Brobney Pool…..
Beriault had the fastest short shuffle among all safeties

1. Brodney Pool, Oklahoma (6-1, 207)
Did not work out at the combine. He ran his 40s in 4.53 and 4.55. Had a 39-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-8 long jump, 4.30 short shuttle and 7.19 three-cone drill. Played defensive back and running back in high school. Played, but did not start, as a freshman for the Sooners in 2002. Started the past two seasons with nine combined interceptions. He has outstanding athletic ability and could play cornerback if needed. Pool is an instinctive player but not a great tackler. He is very good against the pass and has ball skills. Pool has a chance to be a Pro Bowl player. He’s young, turning 21 just after the draft.

9. Justin Beriault, Ball State (6-2¾, 204)
Had a complete workout at the combine. Ran his 40s in 4.52 and 4.57, had a 39½-inch vertical jump, 11-foot long jump, 3.80 short shuttle, 10.82 long shuttle, 6.92 three-cone drill and did 14 reps. A three-sport athlete in high school with football, basketball and baseball on his resume. Beriault was a four-year starter at Ball State (45 games).He’s a good tackler and a hard hitter. He had a good workout at the combine and should be a valuable special-teams player

Derrick,

Nice comparison!

Rafael,
I can’t think of anyone that would fit the description you gave either.But you’re right. There probably is someone out that could be the next Vrabel. One thing about BP, if that guy exists, he’ll find him.

Josh,
I just finished reading the Collinsworth article. WE wont make the SB or win the division this year, but we DO have a shot at the playoffs and for sure a winning record. “The Cowboys are playing the tough AFC West and will be lucky to win one of those games”, he says. Yes, the schedulemakers did not do us any favors this year, but I definitely agree with you Josh; COLLINSWORTH IS A RETARD!

Why not Burnett at SOLB?

Alan,

He’s working there right now and I think he’ll be starting there this year, and sooner rather than later. But he’s not the really huge guy you ideally want heading up over tight ends, though he looked really smooth in coverage. He played most of his time inside in college and I think that’s where his long term future lies. But you’re right, there’s nothing “wrong” with him playing outside on the strong side. I just don’t think it’s his best position.

Rafael I’ll take the challenge, I looked into 4-3 teams with pass rushers with good heights (over 6-2) and with less weight than 260 pounds.

The Bears have a couple of guys (Michael Haynes and Adewale Ogun) who may be better suited as OLB in a 3-4, but I can bet that Chicago would want an arm and a leg for one of them. They also have a MLB, Hunter Hillenmeyer, who’s a pass rusher, he’s 6-4 and has room to add weight (he’s near 240).

John Engelberger (LDE) of Denver.

Gary Stills (LDE) of Kansas.

Robert Mathis of Indianapolis, but they wouldn’t trade him for an arm or a leg, they would like something close to a kidney or a lung.

Jim Maxwell (OLB) Giants. He’s 6-4, 242 and real young (2nd year). But the Giants would prefer to eat something real ugly than just give us another weapon. They also have Reggie Torbor and Carlos Emmons as OLB’s.

Bobby McCray (RDE) from Jacksonville.

The mentioned Abraham from NY…

R-Kal Truluck of Green Bay.

I won’t even mention the guy in Washington that is in the same terms as Abraham in NY, it would be like having T. O. with a star on his helmet…

Travis LaBoy, Tennesse, 6-3 and 253, but he was a 2nd rounder last year…

Lance Johnstone of Minesotta might be the best prospect I’ve see, he had 11 sacks last year, he’s 6-4 and 250, and has experience playing OLB, as he played there in Oakland. And they drafted Erasmus James for something, so he might be tradeable. He’s 32, though.

And that’s about it, there might be some more, if you take into account 3-4 teams, but I guess they would be less comfortable with trading guys that fit their scheme.

Derrick
No Moss makes this team better as long as he is there. He makes QBs better, he could make Bledsoe look like a good QB again. That game was close and came down to a field goal because Moss got hurt if he didn’t it wouldnt have came down to that. The Vikes haven’t been as good because Moss can’t play D. When you have a bad D and you score quick with Moss it hurts as bad as it helps. With a bad D you need to have long drives.

Problem here is this: Parcells and Jeff Ireland must know all this names and still they haven’t pulled anything, so they must know something we don’t or they simply don’t think they’re worth what those teams are asking for, which BTW, that makes me think of what player or players are we willing to part ways? This is all a huge mess…

Fighter15
I see what you are saying but the reason I would trade one of them now is because we could get more now then later for them

Chandus,
If JI and BP have a plan in mind can we assume at this point in the pre-season it is for a back up, not a starter? Is the surprise rookie starter going to be Burnett? He was looked at as a 1st rounder by a lot of teams and maybe Parcells is saying he is real worried about the position because he doesn’t want Burnett to get too cocky. Reports say Burnett is grabbing the cheese with both hands and is quite a talker.

Chandus
Ellis is a solid player, Moss is a stud a game breaker. We should have taken Moss yes. Why didn’t we take Moss that is because of The Playmaker. If he would have never got in trouble Moss would be a Cowboy. For being that high of a pick that Ellis was he should be a all pro. He wasn’t a good pick at that spot because nobody else would have taken him there. He was a safe pick. He had 9 sack last year, that is solid not great. Ellis is a good role player someone has to get sacks and lead a team. Stats don’t just move me but stats don’t lie. If he was a stud too it wouldnt be as big of a deal. And I’m not the only one that feels Moss shouldn’t have been picked over Ellis.

I agree, Rafael—OLB is the key question. Otherwise, the defense could be pretty salty, especially by midseason.

I would be amazed if the team made a big trade for a starter at this point, although it could happen. I just do not see an effective RT falling from the sky, and any FS we get now will be a castoff that cannot contribute on others’ special teams, either. Not much to pick from. I also see potential for Beriault to become a player, although his balky knee is slowing this down. However, we certainly never heard Parcells question his desire, even when he had to miss practices, and he criticized his play against Seattle, just like he did Ware’s. This guy makes the team, and is being counted on. Bill does not want him smelling the cheese yet.

I have been following the arguments, and just do not see the perceived need for a QB right now. Henson is clearly a third. Bledsoe will be expected to do a lot of play action and fling the occasional deep one to loosen the defense. He should be able to do this. Parcells understands enough football to know he does not want a team that depends on the quarterback to carry the team. Teams that have tried, with quarterbacks that had better statistics and prettier schemes and mechanics (Marino, Fouts, et al.), have mostly failed. He wants a team that wins with defensive pressure and offensive toughness, more like the 92 Cowboys, 85 Bears, or 72 Dolphins. Romo is good enough for a backup on a team that cannot make the Super Bowl this year in any event. If Bledsoe gets hurt and Romo cannot cut it, this just makes the draft pick better next year, and everyone learns something.

I also do not see the need for another WR this year. By midseason, if he learns to block effectively and consistently downfield, look for Crayton to start opposite KJ, sending TG to slot receiver. This will move TG back to his originally intended role (before AB disappointed), and will allow him to use his speed and skills against nickel corners, as he did two years ago. Morgan needs to step it up against Houston, but he can be valuable in case any of the others get injured, which, as has been pointed out often, is likely.

Clearly, Parcells has been stockpiling for this move to the 3-4 for awhile. All the marginal recent 4-3 players—Coleman, K. Thornton, Carson, Shanle, Fowler, O’Neal, Ogbogu—have chances in this scheme. Many of these were picked up as FAs or off other’s practice teams. On the other hand, James still stinks, and will get cut or traded for a conditional pick. Dat’s days are numbered, whether Burnett moves there next year or Fowler takes the position outright later this one. Here is my thought—why not try Ogbogu at the other OLB this year? Small DE, decent rusher, some quickness, worth a look. It is clear to me that position will be at the top of the wish list in next year’s draft, in any event. Solid, coordinated defense is much more important in this scheme than a mega-talented QB or WR, whose roles will be not to lose the game through stupid decisions, broken routes, or missed blocks. OL depth, on the other hand . . .

Ellis is not going to play OLB, do you think one day BP is going to look at Ellis and say hey get in there and play OLB. If he was going to play OLB he would be doing it now.

Any news on the preposed Frazier trade?

If we had drafted Moss, Aikman might still be playing today.

By the way, look for a loss against Houston. Parcells will want to find some players again, which is not always conducive to winning stategizing. He will want to see if the brighter lights in the last game were random or if they can be sustained, and will look at some of the marginal players to see what they have to contribute in games rather than practices. PLayers who only practice well need to go to the practice squad, not wasting roster spots.

cowboy bert
Glenn has always started for us. AB was the third WR. But he should be the third WR maybe that would help him play a full season.

We could move Ware to the SOLB for now and Burnett to the WOLB until we find the guy for the strong side. Ware could keep up with the TE. Question is, does Burnett have the ability to rush the passer from the weak side, we know Ware does.

Cash
thank you but I dont know if he would still be playing today but he wouldnt have went out the way he did.

Cash
I wouldn’t move Ware but Burnett needs to be on the field.

I would have taken Moss as well. In fact I was screaming at my TV when they passed on him. A good coach young in his career would have made him even better too. Moss over Ellis, no question, but killing Ellis for that choice isn’t fair either. The guy is good, and has great character, not good character, great! Moss was a no doubter pick in my mind even more because the Boys needed a WR desperately that year. I would have loved to see him with a star.

AW, the key word was intended. If Newman sucks this year and Aaron Glenn starts in his place, that does not change the fact AG was intended to by the nickel corner when the team signed him. Bryant was intended to start, and played his way out of the lineup by not running precise routes, blocking, and doing all of the other dirty work winning football demands. If he catches a million balls in Cleveland this year and still doesn’t block, Cleveland will still suck, and Crenel will bounce him out, too, even if he makes every highlight reel on every single Sportcenter.

I think Shanle is the story at LB this preseason. He may start. As for the group as a whole they are smallish for a 3-4 defense, and it has to worry Parcells. Burnett, Dat, Ware, and Shanle may the best 4 out of the group. I agree with AW and Burnett has to be out there, he will get some reps at OLB. When Dallas goes to the 5 or 6 man line, I think a DE will eat up some snaps for that SOLB spot.

cowboy bert
Glenn was the starter from the start Glenn was "intended "to play. They didn’t tell Glenn he was going to be the third WR. AB should have started Glen is a third WR and has been for a long time. If AB was the intended starter he would have started some games.

Everthing I’ve read is that when a nickle CB is needed it will be Newman in the slot not AG.

Newman is going to move to the slot when AG comes in.

EricR,

So then when the Cowboys line up 5 players on the line, who are the LBs â€Å"in principal”? If its Ware, Coleman, Glover, Canty, and Ellis, in â€Å"principal” who are your LBs?

That’s not a difficult question to answer. The guys with their hands on the ground are called linemen. Those standing up are called linebackers. That is the position they play for that particular play. They have completely different roles and responsibilities. That has nothing to do with 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, or 10-1. So far, Greg Ellis has played ‘lineman’ on every single play, while Ware has alternated between ‘linebacker’ and ‘lineman’. There is nothing close to any similarity in their responsibilities, except when Ware takes on Ellis’s role as a down lineman. The reverse, so far, has never been true.

cowboy bert:

Ogbogu trained some OLB in Training Camp, back in Oxnard, but not much later was moved again to DE, there might be 2 reasons for that:

1) Ogbogu is a liability covering a TE, a RB or a FB. Or

2) Parcells saw something he liked, and wanted to play with it with the doors closed to the public eye.

I think that there’s some truth to both statements, otherwise we wouldn’t had seen him lining up in a 2 point stance on Monday and making 2 sacks.

Exactly, Chandus. I wouldn’t be surprised to see all of the old busts (except James) play significant roles this year. Parcells has been sandbagging. That does not mean all the busts will star, or even be adequate—they will just be the best available. Next year and the year after, all bets are off, and I would expect the roster to churn, especially if the team can keep finding 6th and 7th round picks and rookie free agents with solid chances to contribute, as appears to have happened this year. If this team makes the playoffs, it will only be due to the current weakness of the NFC compared to the AFC. With another solid draft and some key acquisitions, that team will have a chance to be really good, and the team the year after could become great if they continue to add pieces that mesh well.

This just in from the Jaguars website. The ’Boys have traded an undisclosed 2006 daft pick to Jacksonville for PK Seth Marler. Marler spent all of last season on IR with of all things a quadriceps injury. BP confirmed in his press conference that we would have a kicker from Jacksonville come in , possibly in time for Saturdays game.

Mr. Bill,

OK, I’ll draw it up for you:

   O O O O O
 Y X X X Z
        X X

The Y player is Ware. If Eric Ogbagu plays the Z player in this formation he is a ROLB. Same formation and the same exact play is called, but Ellis replaces Ogbagu and he is a DE? I got you. .. If they are playing this formation with the “3-4 principal”, I don’t see how you don’t consider the Z player an OLB.

Woops my diagram didn’t work. My point is you have the same spacing, same formation, the same play called, and the same position, but on one play the player is a DE and the other he is a LB. That makes sense?

James,

Thanks – Marler news.

I hope Bierault recovers and makes the team. I think that kid could be a nice backup SS and FS and maybe move Roy to Linebacker during nickel and let Beirault play FS or put Beirault at the LB. I also think he would fill Keith Davis spot on Special Teams. The kid hits hard.

Wonder what Bill wants for Lance Frazier. I am surprised he did not trade one of the other sophomore CBs. I thought Frazier looked better than some of the other guys we drafted. Maybe he is just trying to stock pile 6th and 7th round picks to rebuild our entire offensive line. LOL.

I know Hunter was a conditional pick to the NY Jets. Since he got cut, what after a week what is our pick for that trade do we still get one?

Jon
Frazier was in the 4th spot early in camp but now he is in the 5th , 6th or even the 7th spot.

I’m sure Parcells would take a ham sandwich for Fraizer if he could get it. We only signed him off somone elses practice squad last year.

Eric R,
No problem on the Marler news, I was in the right place at the right time today.

Jon,
Unfortunately Frazier has been cut according to cowboysplus.com. No takers apparently. As for Hunter, since he did not make the Jets opening day roster; we will recieve a 6th round pick in 2007.

James, that 6th was more than he was worth. He lasted there, what, a week? Somebody in NY must owe Parcells, or they never would have given up a pick that easily.

EricR,

I understand exactly what you are trying to say, with or without a diagram that shows up properly. But, it doesn’t make any difference what the diagram looks like. If a player puts his hand on the ground, he is playing that play as a defensive lineman. If, on the other hand, he comes up to the line and begins the play in an upright stance, for that play, he is a linebacker.

When Ware comes to the line of scrimmage, sometimes he puts his hand on the ground, sometimes he doesn’t. He is a hybrid DE/OLB. When Ellis comes to the line of scrimmage, he ALWAYS puts his hand on the ground. He is a defensive lineman. Period. Until he does otherwise, that’s just way it is.

Let me put it another way. Sometimes Ware and Ellis have the same responsibilities, as defensive ends in a 4-man front. But, Ware never takes on Ellis’s responsibilities as a defensive end in a 3-man front, and Ellis never takes on Ware’s responsibilities as an OLB in any front. It just hasn’t happened. Nor is it ever likely to happen this season. If it does, I will acknowledge your brilliance.

Jon,

Frazier was, at best, #5 at corner, and the other candidates are better special-teams players. When a player is that far down on the depth chart, he had better excel at special teams. He didn’t. So, he was expendable.

They had hoped that some other team might give up something for him. But, they obviously were not able to whip up any competition between two or more teams. Not enough to wheedle a draft pick out of one of them. So, they let him go now, which gives him a chance to latch onto a team that might have had a little interest, just not enough to surrender a draft pick.

I expect that he will not clear waivers. Then it is up to him to make a good impression with only 1 preseason game to go.

it sounds to me like parcells is trying to trade ogbogu. hes saying that he will play somewhere in the nfl and he knows teams are interested in him.

jon
i agree i hope beriault makes the team, he does have heart yu can deffintetly tell that

Mr. Bill,

Fair enough. I just see Ellis as the same type of player as Ogbagu, as Parcells has called them both “specialty players”, “outside rushers”. Jerry Jones also stated Ellis is not a “plug the whole” type player. .. My original comments were more geared towards how Parcells would get his “best players” out on the field with the 70-75 percent figure he was targeting. The idea was for Ellis to eat up some of those OLB snaps by occasionally lining up at OLB. Still maybe not the prototype SOLB, but he may be the “best player” the Cowboys have to offer there, especially on pass rushing downs, as he is the most proven edge guy at cutting the corner. Dallas still needs to add size at LB, and especially add depth to OLB position. If Zimmer impliments some of the Steelers aggressive type 3-4, I think Ellis can manage that SOLB spot on a part time basis. Look at his 4.87 speed compared to the Steelers OLB:

Alonzo Jackson – 4.85
James Harrison – 4.85, 4.90
Clark Haggans – 5.04
Joey Porter – 4.68

This was the best defense in the league last year. Haggins, the Steelers starting SOLB, is slower than Ellis, but very effective in his roll. .. Time will tell. …… Bloggers have also argued that Ellis will be less effective this year, that the OLB are the sack artists in the 3-4 defenses, thus deminishing his production as Ellis will be playing the 3-4 DE. Yet Parcells has said a couple of times that Ellis is his best proven edge rusher, and even stated that Ellis will be more productive this year. Well they can’t have it BOTH ways. …… You and I just disagree on the terms used for that position, and I appreciate your reasoning, it makes sense. I just think that when a 3-4 “principal” is used, then that position is more OLB than DE. No biggie. Thanks for your explanation.

EricR,

I have to disagree here on one point.

Parcells called Ogbogu a ‘specialty’ player. He did not do that with Ellis.

Here is my transcript of the last press conference, where Parcells discussed Ogbogu. I believe the questioner was Mickey Spagnola, but I’m not certain.

Question: When you start lookin’ … uh … analyzing rosters, what to you analyze Ogbogu as? Linebacker? Defensive end?

Parcells: I look at him as a ‘specialty’ player. Very much a ‘specialty’ player. Um. Look it! Ogbogu will play in the National Football League this year. There’s people that are interested in him. You know. I know that. Uh. … That’s just to kind of give you an idea a little bit. I’m gonna do this, but I’m not doin’ it with everybody, and I’m leavin’ here in about a minute. I’ll just give ya an idea. This goes back to what … uh … the question was about, what’s the … Babe was askin’ about the recourse that you have. What worries you about a disaster. Really, our best three outside rushers are Ware, Ellis, and Ogbogu. As we stand right this minute. OK? So, that gives him on a value that maybe you wouldn’t … OK, now the other thing about Ogbogu is he can play on kickoff return, for a defensive kinda lineman like. You know, he can do some special … a FEW special teams things. Now, he’s not an all star, but he can get by OK and be productive. So that’s another thing that usually you don’t get from guys that size that you take to the game. So, that’s another little quality I like. Two, he has matured a great deal personally — see — in the last two or three years, or since he has been with the Jets — light years since then. And uh, he’s got a lotta stability in his life. His personal. He knows where he’s goin’ in this world now. He’s got some business things goin’ well for him. I mean, he’s kinda got his … he’s rock solid, OK, as far as that goes. And uh, that’s important too, because I kinda know what I can get from him.

Question: Can he stand up and play that outside lineback spot?

Parcells: Well, I’d hate to have to do it forever. Alright? But yeah, maybe he could get ya’ out of a game. Yeah! Yeah, I think he could do it. That’s what’s part of this deal. That’s why I worked him both positions this summer. But I look at him more as a specialist, than I do … uh … anything else.

Question: So, he’s in a category by himself, basically?

Parcells: I would say he’s one of the few guys, yeah, that are exactly in that category.

It seems obvious, at least to me, that Parcells placed Ogbogu in that ‘specialty’ category, because pass rushing (plus a little special-teams work) is about all that Ogbogu can do in this new defense. That is not the case with Ellis.

Based on Parcells’ responses here, I would say that from a roster standpoint, he is trying to figure out if he can afford to get rid of his third-best outside rusher, or whether he needs to keep Ogbogu on the roster, just in case something happens to one of those other two, when that is nearly all Ogbogu can do. My guess would be that if the team can work a decent trade for him, they will take it. Otherwise, Ogbogu just might be on the final roster.

Mr. Bill,

Earlier during training camp, Parcells called Ellis his “feature rusher”. “I want him to be one of my featured rushers with gas in his tank,” Parcells said of Ellis. “I think that happens, then his sack total will go up and his pressure total will go up. That’s what I’m interested in having happen.” – Now that doesn’t sound like the 3-4 “plug the whole” DE type player, but more of an off the OT’s shoulder type pass rusher. It may also suggest that Ellis would be a 3rd down “featured” player, but remember Ellis was one of the best 1st down players in the league last season, and I am quite sure Parcells knows as much.

he aslo said they would be in the nickle 50%, meaning the 4-3 front and then ellis would be in there, at de. i think thats what hes meaning.

mike,

I think he said 33%, but I could be wrong. What I saw Monday night was some 4 man fronts, and also 5 man fronts with the 3-4 rules being applied. Ellis didn’t play much so you really can’t tell how much he will play outside in the 5 man fronts, but Parcells exacted my thoughts when he said that these fronts are being played with the “3-4 principal”. When Ellis lines up outside the OT in a 5 man front and the 3-4 defensive rules are applied, is he a LB or a down lineman? I think there is a gray area there because the way the 3-4 has revolutionized the terms for LB and DE, sometimes they intertwine and players are “in between” positions, hence we have what we call “tweeners”.

Eric:

Parcells already is quoted as saying that he’s going to play the 42 from 40% to 50% of the snaps. The 30 you’re talking is the strange 4-3 he wiches to place on the field, yes, in the core, is a 3-4 Defense, but turns into 4-3 or 5-2, depending on the yardage the Offense needs to go. I think that Parcells mentioned the increasing stats of Ellis in those schemes, 4-3, 5-2 and 42, well I’m reading between the lines… Again, flexability, which is the role Ellis and Ogbogu will play. Ellis playing RDE in the 3-4, playing RDE or LDE in the 4-3 and playing LDE in the 42. And Ogbogu playing OLB in the 3-4 and RDE in some 42 and 4-3, as the 1 and 2 punch with Ware.

Chandus,

“I know my nickel is probably going to be between 33, and depending on who we play, 40 percent of my defense,” Parcells added. “So, I’m trying to decide on the other generally 60 percent, whether it’s going to be 30-30, 50-10, 40-20, three-man (front) as opposed to four-man.”

I believe a lot of people read into the mediots assumptions of this defense, I think they said the 50% thing, and everyone assumes too that the nickel will be 4-2, but Parcells can play the 3-3 too, as he did in previous seasons here.

Parcells said that some of the 4 man stuff will be the 3-4 “in principal”. One of the predominate things about the 3-4 is that one or more LB will walk up to the line of scrimmage. Pittsburgh employs a very agressive style 3-4 that puts plenty of players near the line of scrimmage, at the point of the snap people just explode off the line, some coming and some going. I compare it to a firecracker, with debris flying everywhere, in every direction. The idea there is offenses never know where the blitzes are coming from, and the Steelers have had unbelievable success using it. .. This is why I think that at some point, Ellis will lift his hand and become the “Clark Haggins” of our scheme. Right now they are all learning, plus Parcells doesn’t want to tip his hand, but look around at this team .. Is there a better option than Ellis?

what has micheal irvins nickname again!!