Cowboys Draft 2009: The 'Boys Need Some Backers
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Mar 31, 2009 8:20 PM CDT
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PrintNewsflash: The Dallas Cowboys need linebackers...bad. They need help at both inside and outside linebacker. The starters are set. The ever-improving Bradie James will line up at the strong inside linebacker spot. James will be flanked by his third weak side cohort is as many seasons, newly acquired veteran Keith Brooking. DeMarcus Ware will continue his reign of terror from one outside linebacker spot, while the other side will likely come down to a training camp battle between Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer.
Beyond the starters, the Cowboys are thin. Justin Rogers has been mostly a special teamer. While Matt Stewart has experience in Wade Phillips' system, he has also been out of football for two years. Bobby Carpenter has been enigmatic, and we know next to nothing about Steve Octavien.
Here is a look at the Cowboys' current group of linebackers:
Keith Brooking (6-2, 241)
Bradie James (6-2, 239)
DeMarcus Ware (6-4, 252)
Greg Ellis (6-6, 265)
Anthony Spencer (6-3, 257)
Bobby Carpenter (6-2, 248)
Justin Rogers (6-4, 250)
Steve Octavien (6-0, 238)
Matt Stewart (6-3, 236)
The Cowboys do not necessarily need three new players, but the team has three basic needs at the linebacker position.
1. Wade Phillips' defense has worked best when he has had an athletic, rangy weak inside backer (Brooking in Atlanta, Donnie Edwards in San Diego). Hopefully with the acquisition of safety Gerald Sensabaugh, linebackers will have less coverage responsibilities. Still, the weak inside backer will have to be able to handle himself in space. Keith Brooking is exactly what the Cowboys need at the position, but at 33 he is not the long term answer. The Cowboys will be looking to land a similar player in the draft to succeed Brooking.
2. The Cowboys need another pass rusher. Greg Ellis will turn 35 during training camp. His body is aging and his mouth is growing by the year. Anthony Spencer has showed flashes, but has yet to prove that he can hold down the fort for 16 games. Even with both of those guys on board and playing well, the Cowboys are still thin outside. An injury would be crippling. At the very least the Cowboys need to find a guy who can be a situational rusher. In a dream scenario, the team would probably be elated to find a player good enough to allow the team to free itself of Greg Ellis.
3. Any linebacker the Cowboys draft will have to contribute on special teams. The Cowboys utilize quite a few linebackers on special teams, and as poor as the coverage units were last season, an infusion of fresh blood can't hurt.
Yeah we know. Aaron Curry is the best linebacker in the draft. Unless we want to waste a lot of senseless keystrokes talking about what it would take to trade up into the top 5, I suggest we stick to the guys we can actually have. Here are a few guys the Cowboys may have their eyes on:
Inside Linebackers:
- You would have been teetering on the edge of insanity had you said this last year, but Ohio State's James Laurinaitis could realistically be had with the 51st pick. He didn't blow anyone away in Indianapolis, but the tape doesn't lie. Animal's baby boy can play some ball.
- Darry Beckwith of LSU has been tagged as a player of interest by Dallas. Beckwith has some durability concerns, but he is the rangy, athletic type of player that Keith Brooking is.
- South Carolina's Jasper Brinkley had an outstanding combine. He is probably more suited for Bradie James' position, but may be athletic enough to provide depth at both inside spots.
- Opinions are all over the scale on Ohio State's Marcus Freeman. Some scouts are in love with his athleticism and potential. Others are troubled by his perceived lack of physicality. The recent history of Ohio State linebackers in the draft can't help Freeman.
Outside Linebackers
-Virginia's Clint Sintim is appealing to the Cowboys if for no other reason, the fact that he has played a bit of 3-4. Sintim was however less than impressive at the combine.
- Connecticut's Cody Brown has the skill set to provide some depth at any of the linebacker positions. Brown is a bit raw and may be more of a project than the Cowboys are willing to take on at this point.
- Utah's Paul Kruger certainly looks the part, but virtually disappeared against big-time competition (Alabama, Michigan, Oregon State ,BYU).
-Richmond's Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. has a ton of upside, but has done most of his damage against lesser opponents. Sidbury ran the fastest 40 amongst all defensive linemen at the combine (4.64), and displayed the athleticism to make a successful transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4.
The Cowboys need depth at both inside and outside linebacker. While it would be nice to grab a guy who can step right in if called upon, the Cowboys are solid enough at the position to gamble on a player with a high ceiling. Look for the Cowboys to walk out of Radio City Music Hall with a linebacker or three.
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1st
and boy do I agree with you. You can never have enough LB’s when you play the 3-4. Will not be surprised if the Boys draft one with that 2nd round pick. LB, OL & S are the needs!
Please let them have a shot at Barwin
He’s got the highest ceiling. But probably wishful thinking.
Also we need a guy to at least backup Bradie, they need a thumper (McKilliop, Brinkley Joseph) Out of those 3, I think Brinkley has the best shot at being able to backup both inside positions because he’s had to overcome a devastating knee injury and he’s finally back to what he was projected to be. Although Joseph seems like a close 2nd.
Out of the rangy athletes that could fit in with Wade’s scheme to play the position he brought in Brooking for, it looks like Freeman and Beckwith (if he didn’t have such a lengthy injury history). Those two would also benefit the most if we came out of the draft with a big run stuffer at NT to rotate with Ratliff.
Couple other guys worth a mention are Phillips from TCU and Lee Robinson from Alcorn St. later in the draft.
Feb. 27 -- Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.
April 25-26 -- NFL Draft
link?
George Teague, Brock Marion--we need you!
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions
It's Sad . . .
to have 5 first round picks at LB and still feel like you need help at the position. I vote to draft LBs in the middle or late rounds for a change.
He's got the size of a safety it appears
Am I wrong?
Not really...
he might have the height of a big safety, but draft countdown has him at 6’2, 266 and footballsfuture.com has him at 6’2, 267. That’s pretty consistent.
by beautifultyrant on Apr 1, 2009 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions
That looks like linebacker size to me.
Maybe a small OLB but isn’t James Harrison 6’2 as well?
by beautifultyrant on Apr 1, 2009 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions
if this man is really 266 lbs and runs a 4.57
he may end up in the 1st round. If he falls, I’d pray Dallas would take him – Dallas, lacking 1st round fire power, ought to make a strategy of raiding obscure schools for hidden gems in order to get elite talent out of this draft, IMHO
by AustonianAggie on Apr 1, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
oh
George Teague, Brock Marion--we need you!
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions
He looks like a DB.
Here’s a real swim move.
George Teague, Brock Marion--we need you!
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 11:45 PM CDT up reply actions
spin, not swim
George Teague, Brock Marion--we need you!
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 11:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe the scouts
are missing something. I can’t find him in my draft book or footballsfuture.com. Will he even be drafted? If not, maybe the ’boys can look at him as a priority free agent. He looks like if he can play outside or inside LB, maybe a diamond in the rough.
by beautifultyrant on Apr 2, 2009 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Carl your posts have been knocking them out of the ball park.
Tell me the truth… your on blog performance enhancers aren’t you?
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Good Post Carl
There seems to be talent available at linebacker right into the middle and late rounds this year. Some of the names you have already mentioned. Unless a real steal falls to 51 I hope we start elsewhere and pick up a linebacker later. Safety and Oline still scare me more than linebacker. Depth at those positions doesn’t seem to be as good either.
I'm a fan of Beckwith
He can fill Burnett’s spot from Day 1 IMO.
Kanye, you want to be the voice of this generation? Get in line! It goes me, Obamagirl, the Freecreditreport.com guys, then It's a tie between you-and Crocs.
-Stephen Colbert
I think that's the guy I would want too.
Just can’t make up my mind. I’d be happy if they took any of these guys, or even two, or even one and another project guy in the later rounds.
George Teague, Brock Marion, the Roy Williams-of-old: Where are you?
by Aaron Novinger on Mar 31, 2009 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions
NFL.com is funny.
Anybody notice in that ad they have up in the corner they have Romo’s jersey with T.O.’s Bills jersey right under it.
"If your good at something never do it for free." - The Joker
and they're both on sale...lol
George Teague, Brock Marion, the Roy Williams-of-old: Where are you?
by Aaron Novinger on Mar 31, 2009 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions
The Cowboys online store is having a fire sale on Roy Williams and TO jerseys.
Can be had for around 9 or 10 bucks. Wonder if anyone has been unable to resist such a great deal?? LOL
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
Last year, guy lucked out......
because when Julius Jones left, Pacman took his jersey so the jersey was still good. How ironic is that? Maybe we should go after another Williams in the draft ? I’m just joking (bad humor huh?
Sorry, posted too soon.
Julius’ jersey was the same number as pacman’s
but it had J. Jones on the back
Energizer Bunny arrested, charged with battery.
exactly, I used to own one
and who in the hell would want a pacrat jersey anyway…lol!
In Romo we Trust
Maybe this year that number will go to Joe Burton.
George Teague, Brock Marion, the Roy Williams-of-old: Where are you?
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
You mean Joe Burnett?
I’d be happy with that selection.
Feb. 27 -- Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.
April 25-26 -- NFL Draft
Yeah,
I knew Burton looked weird.
George Teague, Brock Marion, the Roy Williams-of-old: Where are you?
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't give Jerry any ideas. LOL
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
Great Post , Carl
I hope we end up with at least 1 OLB and 1 ILB that are both keepers
If I knew that Spencer was going to come on strong, I’d go for the LBs in the mid to late rounds of the draft.
Spags article on the team site says Ellis has already been told he’s not the starter.
As a UVA fan, I like Sintim but I thought he was rated higher than the Cowboys pick, which surprises me. I see him as a solid backup and a developmental player—perfect for the Cowboys needs, but I wouldn’t take him with the 51st pick. Canty had more upside and we all know how that went down. I think Sintim will disappoint as a first or second round selection. I don’t think he was even going to start at UVA until Jeffrey Fitzgerald, Chris Long’s heir apparent, ran into academic problems and transferred to Kansas (?). Clint was slow to materialize in the role but made an impact once he did; he showed flashes of great potential.
Being from Richmond, I also like Sidbury. That cat was crazy good through the playoffs, especially at Appalachian St., but the level-of-competition issue is a legitimate one. Still, I’d be very pleased if he became a Cowboy.
"Oh... Oh, that's giving me a clue. Yeah, ye-yeah, I've got a raging clue right now." Hardly Boy 2 South Park episode, "The Mystery of the Urinal Deuce"
I was StarStruck at TBB/BSR, now...
Hadn't Spencer....
Taken majority of the snaps by the end of the year last year anyways?
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Yes he had...
My comment was not intended as breaking news, it was in response to this article. Carl stated:
…while the other side will likely come down to a training camp battle between Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer.
Perhaps I should have addressed him directly, to point out that it probably wouldn’t be much of a battle. My bad.
"Oh... Oh, that's giving me a clue. Yeah, ye-yeah, I've got a raging clue right now." Hardly Boy 2 South Park episode, "The Mystery of the Urinal Deuce"
I was StarStruck at TBB/BSR, now...
Nah it's cool.
I was really asking a question.
I wasn’t positive if he had or not, but thought that he had.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
The Simpsons
There is a very slim chance than anyone of these 2009 draft picks will help end the playoff drought in Dallas. The biggest obstacle to success is “The Simpson’s”. If you thought Tank, PacMan, and TO were the distractions, Tex has some devalued coastal real estate to sell you.
The Organization needs to step in for the betterment of their celebrity quarterback and end this publicity stunt. Either Joe and Jessica have to be removed from the equation, or Bill Buckner himself needs to be shown the door. Until the Simpson’s, who are the biggest distractions in all of sports, are eliminated, the Cowboys have no chance and the draft is moot.
This is supposed to be a professional organization, but Romo treats it as an audition for the Bachelor.
Doh!!!!!
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
idiot
A Cowboy fan from Dallas residing in enemy terretory since 1990..
Thanks for nothing Jtiner09
Tex’s posts are well written and quite entertaining IMO. I don’t think I have ever agreed with him, and he is often wrong, but Tex has brought more to this blog than your childish one word post.
And it’s spelled “territory”
Game Recognize Game
I mean, that really got out of hand fast.
It jumped up a notch.
It did, didn’t it?
Yeah, I stabbed a man in the heart.
I saw that. Brick killed a guy. Did you throw a trident?
Brick...
I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. You should find yourself a safehouse or a relative close by. Lay low for a while, because you’re probably wanted for murder.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
I'm starting to see Tex coming around
I notice more blame being shifted towards the Simpson family — and I’m okay with it.
Everything's looking up, Milhouse!
by accidental innuendo on Apr 1, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
I would think that Romo would've already married her if he really wanted to.
George Teague, Brock Marion, the Roy Williams-of-old: Where are you?
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions
He's not Jesse Campbell.
George Teague, Brock Marion, the Roy Williams-of-old: Where are you?
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions
I like McK, but I'm beginning to think that he may not fit Wade's scheme.
He’s a tackling machine and all, but I would think he’d be brought in to backup Bradie instead of Brooking.
George Teague, Brock Marion, the Roy Williams-of-old: Where are you?
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't agree
I think McKillop would be best suited to play the weak side behind Brooking. A kid like McKillop could play in any scheme really since like you pointed out he’s simply a tackling machine.
In Romo we Trust
I have been on the McK bandwagon since I first started reading about LBs.
Haven’t heard much about him and he’s seemingly stuck with a midround grade.
Thinking about it more, it would be awesome to have a guy who can backup both spots. I have no idea who could replace Bradie should he go down. I would think that Brooking would slide and take over the radio helmet and either Crapenter, McK (whatever rookie ILB), or Matt Stewart would slide into his spot.
George Teague, Brock Marion, the Roy Williams-of-old: Where are you?
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Nothin personal Terry
I just can’t find enough tape on McKillop yet.
I gave up torture for Lent. Between now and Easter plagiarists will be humanely euthanized.
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Apr 1, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions
thats cool
Obviously I don’t need tape after watching him live for the past two years.
In Romo we Trust
Laurinaitis
I don’t think he would fall to Dallas, but I don’t think he’s Bobby Carpenter for anyone getting sick of the idea of another Ohio State linebacker.
The dude is a very intense player and I never pictured him as a soft player.
Plus I don’t think that the Doomsday Device has been banned from the NFL yet.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
I don't think he's going to go to Dallas...
But he’s not going to go in the top 20 either.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
You better go look at more tape and check out the mocks while your at it...
He is a top 20 pick…Regardless, he won’t make it out of the first round. Laurinaitis is the 4th best LB in this draft behind Aaron Curry, Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing. Laurinaitis is the only projected ILB so he will probably got a 3-4 team and most definately a first round selection.
He might...
But I have watched him plenty and I have also read plenty of mock drafts, and I’ve seen him all over the map.
But then again I’m not a draft expert like yourself. I don’t work for the Dallas Cowboys or any type of sports program.
I’m guessing you are, with all of your elite wisdom as well as the magic eight ball that says whether something will or will not absolutely happen.
Plus, I’m sure scoring 4 TD’s for Polk High is really all the creditinials you need.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Anything can happen...but, he won't be anywhere near the #51 pick
It would be nice, but it’s just not happening.
BTW
I don’t think any expert had Brady Quinn falling past Miami a couple of years ago, but it still happened.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Exactly.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
I've looked at a bunch of mocks lately,
NFL DraftCountdown, Mel Kiper’s, Todd McShay’s, Charles Davis’, Pat Kirwan’s, Steve Wyche’s, and these other 4:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock
And only one of these mocks, Steve Wyche’s, has Laurinaitis going in the top 20. He has him going at 20 and that mock is almost a month old. The majority of the mocks don’t even have him in the first round. I think it’s a very good chance that he falls to either the end of the 1st round or even into the 2nd.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
DraftCountdown hasn't updated there site since March 9th....
and I think this was before his Pro Day when they ranked him the first pick in the 2nd round. Laurinaitis may not be a top 20 pick, but his is one of the few and best ILBs in this draft. He won’t fall out of the first round! NE is all over him from what I been hearing. You guys are living a pipe dream if you think he will slip all the way to #51…lol
I don't think he'll last until 51,
but he could make it to the second round.
This might suprise you, but mock drafts have the tendecy to be wrong from time to time.
Shocking.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
exactly
all three USC LBs will go before Laurinaitis for sure. He might slide more than most people think
In Romo we Trust
That's who...
alot of people have NE picking with their first pick.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Matthews come from a very good bloodline too.
Uncle-Lineman in NFL and dad was LB. I know that doesn’t necessarily make him a sure-fire thing, but he does have the pedigree.
Matthews is everywhere on the field in the games I've seen of him.
He’s gonna make a good pro for whatever team takes him.
Cleveland ought to trade down from no. 5 and pick him up. The can prolly get 2 SC LBs outta the deal if they worked it right. Talk about team chemistry!
George Teague, Brock Marion--we need you!
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 2, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Could be....
If it were me I would go with Laurinaitis. He is a very smart, instinctive player Belicheck loves.
I know it's not fair......
but I’m a little leery of all OSU linebackers right now. A lot of the ones that have come out recently have done okay but not spectacular for what they are hyped up to be.
yes he will Boyz
Matthews is a much better prospect than Laurinaitis…you’re Buckeye rose colored glasses really have you tainted..he’s not as good as you think he is.
I’m willing to bet McKillop turns out to be a better pro.
In Romo we Trust
McKillop....LMAO!!
He couldn’t hold Laurinaitis jock..C’mon…
Laurinaitis is projected to be a 1st round pick so he is doing something right. And yes, he is a better LB than Matthews.
yeah, just like Barbie will be starting soon huh??
Wasn’t Barbie a 1st rd pick too? Yeah a bust, lol.
I’ll be sure to remind you when both Matthews and McKillops outproduce Laurinaitis in the pros.
In Romo we Trust
Just too bad neither are better LBs than Laurinaitis.....
Terry hating on the OSU LBs…..gotta love it..
Comparing McKilliops who is projected to be a 5th or 6th rounder to a first rounder is laughable
The cowboys didn’t even talk to him at the combine.
I’m not saying if he is there in the later rounds not to draft him, but he will be a player that will need time to develop. I think we need a ILB to start in 2010, because Brookings is not the answer beyond 2009.
You don't know...
That Laurinatis is better than Matthews bro.
They both played Division I ball on excellent programs and they are both slotted around the same spot in alot of mock drafts.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Both are good no question about it, but Laurinaitis is the guy I would want
to play the ILB in our defense. The point was really not comparing Matthews to Laurinaitis, even though I think Laurinaitis is the better or the two, but Terry’s agument comparing McKillop to Laurinaitis.
you also want Barbie to start..enuff said
BTW, McKillop isn’t a projected 5th or 6th rounder, try 3rd or 4th at the very lastest
In Romo we Trust
you're wrong
and I’ll be sure to remind you when he gets picked higher and also when he outproduces your overrated Lauraniatis in the NFL
In Romo we Trust
Even if, by chance he makes it to the second round he will be one of the first picks..
Still we have ZERO chance at drafting him unless Jerry plans on moving up to the top of the 2nd. Would I like it…..hell yes, do I think it will happen, no way…
Plus...
If NE is smart they wait and see if they can get him in the second round.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
haha
Nah, Roy would have ended up giving the dude a horsecollar somehow.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
I'm not trying to nitpick, Glory...
really. But you said
Even with both of those guys [Ellis, Spencer] on board and playing well, the Cowboys are still thin outside. An injury would be crippling. At the very least the Cowboys need to find a guy who can be a situational rusher. In a dream scenario, the team would probably be elated to find a player good enough to allow the team to free itself of Greg Ellis.
If an injury would be crippling, then even in the dream scenario, wouldn’t we want to keep Ellis? Just trying to provoke thought, not take a potshot.
I didn't think that was a potshot at all.
That’s actually a really good comment.
I don’t think Carl was referring to let go of Ellis this year though. Or maybe I’m just reading between the lines.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Ellis is going to be nothing more than a 3rd down player this season if he is around at all
Maybe we can trade him on draft day as part of a package to move up.
Well, if Lawrence Sidbury really is turning in times like 4.6 in the 40
I’d think he’d be great on special teams and a stud at OLD in the making
by AustonianAggie on Apr 1, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Sidbury
had 7 solo sacks last year and 2 the year before.
The guy plays at RICHMOND. Aside from the scary mascot (the spider) on his helmet, not much beyond his workout numbers and athleticism jumps out at me as intimidating. If the guy hasn’t shown it on the field thus far (and remember, he plays at RICHMOND and plays Richmond’s schedule, not Florida or USC), tell me again why we would be drafting him?
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Just to play devils advocate...
Because I really don’t know that much about the guy, but if someone is talented, they are talented.
From what I’ve read, he would be a project, but I don’t honestly care about the size of the school.
Sonoma State produced the greatest Cowboys offensive lineman of all time.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Fair question
I think I just continue to subscribe to the Jimmy Johnson school of drafting and the credo that ‘historical on-field performance is the best indicator of future performance at the next level’.
Your Larry Allen reference is interesting but I am not sure what it proves. Allen was a force at Sonoma, as evidenced by his game tape and how he dominated at the small school level. My point was that Sidbury hasn’t done that and if not for his triangle numbers, many people wouldn’t know his name. Maybe Sidbury becomes the next great NFL pass rusher. It’s possible, but I was pointing to the fact that there isn’t ample empirical evidence to suggest that it is likely.
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One more thing...
Are you saying you wouldn’t take a guy who dominated the SEC over a guy who dominated in Division III? I think quality of competition has to be factored in.
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oh don't get me wrong.
Like I said… I’m JUST playing devils advocate. I toally agree on quality of competition.
You’re probably right. They better be dominating at a low level.
But then again, there is a reason that he has been invited to work out for numerous NFL teams and that he’s been projected in the first 3 to 4 rounds. Someone is seeing something.
Know what I mean?
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
LB
I doubt it is our first pick just based on the quality of players at need positions projected to be available at #51.
Dallas doesn’t need a starter anywhere except potentially NT if they want to move Ratliff over to base end. Dallas does, however, need depth at multiple positions.
In no particular order, they are;
OT
S
CB
LB
NT
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I agree with Carl..ILB and OLB is a BIG need....
The problem is where we draft we won’t be able to address it this season. The reason why Carpenter won’t be going anywhere.
you think only good players
are drafted in the first round?? There will be plenty of ILB and OLB that can be had in middle rounds some of which will be better than Barbie I’m sure.
In Romo we Trust
not at all, but we need a impact ILB, not a project that could take 2 or 3 years to develop..
There aren’t too many middle round LB’s that can come in and play a 3-4 ILB positions without some time to develop. If your asking me do we need a stud, sure do. We can’t be tooling around anymore with old LB’s anymore.
I actually think there are a few ILB prospects after the second round
McKillop, Brinkley, Franz Joseph, Jason Phillips, Joshua Mauga should all be available in rounds 3 thru 5. A lot of candidates to choose from. And they will all have a couple seasons to develop (if they need to) as long as Brooking and Bradie are still the starting ILB’s.
Feb. 27 -- Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.
April 25-26 -- NFL Draft
+1 McKillop
"They’re just dogs."
by Carl Shelton Hates Dogs on Apr 1, 2009 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions
-1 McKillop
A good football player but not a good athlete.
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I'll take a good football player
over a good athlete any day if I had to pick bretween the two.
In Romo we Trust
why do we need an impact ILB??
We already have our starters and Brooking has at least two good years left. I think we need to draft an ILB who will take a few years to develop and take over for Brooking in a few years.
In Romo we Trust
Are you serious about Brookings?? lol
He is a one year fix Terry….and probably won’t be much of a fix at all. I bet you he doesn’t fair any better than Zach.
I disagree
He’ll be an upgrade over Thomas for sure and I see him playing at least two more years.
In Romo we Trust
Boyz.....
I’m in a holding pattern. Cautiously optimistic on whether he’ll be an upgrade. I tend to agree with you but maybe we’ll be pleasantly surprised-LOL
After having just watched a couple of last year's games on NFL Replay
I notice that Zach had big hits, but didn’t wrap up and a guy like Steve Breaston was able to squirm for more yards.
Being a lankier 6’2", 240+, I would think Brooking will offer different fundamentals to that same position. He plays to make the tackle, not just stick his head in there like Ram-Man.
George Teague, Brock Marion--we need you!
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 2, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I said that and continued to say that all last year, but many disagreed.
Anyone that watched him last season saw that he was pushed off the ball at will.
how old is Ray Lewis?
It seems to me a lot of fans wanting to sign him this off season.
In Romo we Trust
Wooo woooo
Please lets not compare Ray Lewis and Brookings.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Agree Airforce......
it’s not so much about age, but injury history, wear and tear on your body etc. Don’t confuse all those with age alone.
Why is Brookings only a 1 year fix?
I sure don’t see the humor in someone saying he’s good for 2 years, if nobody can win the job from him. In fact I think that has more validity than assuming one of our rookies beats the guy out.
Boyzfan, you need to be more realistic about the NFL. First it was LOL at the idea that Sensy would be the starting SS this season, now it’s LOL about the very real possibility the Brookings can hold down the starting ILB spot for 2 seasons.
Feb. 27 -- Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.
April 25-26 -- NFL Draft
Just not sold on a 33 yr old, turning 34 LB....
If I’m not mistaken he had injury problems in Atlanta. The point is Atlanta didn’t want him for a reason. Brookings probably has one more solid year left in him, the reason why I said he is a one year fix. We have to stop with these old retreads at ILB. Sh*t or get off the pot with Carpenter, or draft a starter next year and deal with the growing pains.
I think you are mistaken
I don’t think he’s missed many games as pro.
I say get off the pot because if Carp ever starts, sh*t is what our defense will become.
In Romo we Trust
I think we would struggle
to find a player NOT better than Barbie…
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wait a minute.
How can you endorse trading Ellis and then say keep Bobby Carpenter?
Dallas is just as thin at OLB as they are ILB.
That’s totally contradicting the reason you’ve wanted to keep Bobby PLUS Ellis is at least someone you can get 8-10 sacks out of.
That makes completely no sense.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Don't try to argue using common sense
It doesn’t work.
Feb. 27 -- Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.
April 25-26 -- NFL Draft
Both positions are thin I agree....
especially when you consider Ellis is probably playing his last season here. I would try to trade him to a team like Miami while he still has some value, then draft a backup OLB this year.
Next year, maybe there is a better crop of ILBs to choose from. We would have a first round pick also.
Either way you look at it, we have to find a OLB to backup Spencer and maybe a starting ILB over the next two drafts.
Hey Carl!
Your post is the headline at SI.Com.
Go down to team pages and the title of this column is the first thing you see. Congrats.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Indeed! Congrats Carl!
Check it out at the top of the page. Very cool.
"Oh... Oh, that's giving me a clue. Yeah, ye-yeah, I've got a raging clue right now." Hardly Boy 2 South Park episode, "The Mystery of the Urinal Deuce"
I was StarStruck at TBB/BSR, now...
I like the Blog GD,
just remember you are beating out the boys at BSPN, DMN, and SI.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
CONGRATS
"They’re just dogs."
by Carl Shelton Hates Dogs on Apr 1, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Who are (were) you?
I’ve mixed too much beer & wine tonight to figure it out.
lol
lmao
rofl (but not literally rolling)
George Teague, Brock Marion, the Roy Williams-of-old: Where are you?
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 1, 2009 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions
That's what I'm trying to figure out.
Who was he?? And who is that cute dog?? LOL
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/users/Carl20Shelton20Hates%20Dogs
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
LB NEEDED
we do need LB, but I don’t think it’s a huge pressing need
OL, S, and CB
"They’re just dogs."
by Carl Shelton Hates Dogs on Apr 1, 2009 4:54 PM CDT reply actions
If you find that other dominant edge rusher at OLB, CB is in great shape.
Does anybody consider the Steelers corners to be in the same league as the Eagles corners? No. But the Eagles don’t have anything to compare with the dastardly duo of Harrison and Woodley, now do they?
I certainly haven’t given up on Spencer yet but you have to admit Jenkins and Scandrick have shown more so far than Spencer has in the way of being ready to start whether Spencer has been plagued by the injury bug or not. And I don’t think it’s a reach to expect three more solid-to-great years out of Newman. So how is CB a greater position of need again than either ILB or OLB?
I’d be fine with drafting three linebackers with two of them being candidates at ILB. S and OL are just as pressing needs. DL should also be addressed even though Olshansky’s signing means DE is fine. I think CB and WR are positions you only draft for early if a player at either of those positions is by far and away the best player available.
Even if Brooking can buck the odds and perform as well as he did for Wade a long time ago, how long will such a ressurection act last? Two years top? I’d be happy with one solid year from him, call it a win, and still have a replacement lined up to compete for his job next season. It’s all over for Barbie; Jerry’s just waiting for some empty-headed Ken to offer anything of substance for him. ILB is a position of need now.
Annnnnnnnd
lets not forget though that the Steelers are also in possesion of one of the best safeties in the league.
but I do know what you’re saying.
I think safety play is more important right now then CB.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Well, at least the safety position is in slightly better shape than it was.
If you can rush the passer with two absolute monsters off the edge, you could probably get by with having absolute candy-colored assclowns in the secondary a lot of the time. Think of the young bucks that were manning the Giants secondary when they went on their run. Obviously, those young guys were peaking at just the right time but their job was made infinitely easier by having an unstoppable pass rush breathing down the QB’s neck.
Speaking of the Steelers, Romo’s biggest passing play against them came when the Steelers got slightly cute and decided to drop Harrison and Woodley into coverage instead of just blitzing them. Not to be outdone, though, we all know what happened the next time the Steelers called that same coverage in a similar situation. Mr. Brenda Warner certainly remembers.
But yeah, having a great safety like Polamalu is even more important than an OLB just because the football gods don’t seem to crap out nearly as many Polamalus as they do talented edge rushers.
Wait Mick...
The Eagles have one of the most creative defensive masterminds of our time. Jim Johnson has always been one of the best at dialing up blitz packages that QB’s have not seen and finding ways to create pressure. He also preaches the value of getting pressure from his DT’s and that’s why you seldom see big sluggish DT’s in Jim’s defenses. He then finds CB’s who have fluid hips and ball skills (imagine three Orlando Scandricks) to take advantage of ill advised and off target throws caused by the pressure.
I hate the Eagirls, but pressuring the QB has NEVER been a shortcoming of Jim Johnson’s.
That said, I understand your point; finding a bookend to pair with Ware that can generate double digit sacks and draws some help from a back or TE on the other side would limit what opposing offenses could do to us.
I look at who that might be at #51 and nobody jumps out as a better prospect than Spencer was.
By the time #51 rolls around, lots of unexpected things will have happened that we can then take maybe advantage of.
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Agree.
LeBeau and Jim are 1 and 1A for me as far as defensive minds go.
What I was trying to get across is that Pittsburgh was just as if not more capable of giving opposing QB’s a hard time despite not having nearly as many quality corners as the Eagles. But I probably could’ve used a better comparison than the Eagles who are indeed always able to pressure the passer because of a great creative scheme and finding players that fit well into it.
It is, has been and always will be a valid point
A great pass rush can make even crappy corners look good.
I think you could randomly pick 2 BTB’ers to play CB for Pittsburgh and they wouldn’t bee seen as a liability.
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Paul Kruger
First of all long time Blogging the Boys reader first time post.
I live in Utah and I am a Utah Utes season ticket holder. I was at or watched every Utah since Kruger has been on the team and although the stats may not reflect it. Paul had his best games in the biggest games! So I have to disagree with with Carl on his evaluation of Paul.
It should also be note since we are looking for leadership on the team Paul is a great leader. His weakness is strength he needs to get stronger.
by UtahUte CowboyFan on Apr 2, 2009 11:14 PM CDT reply actions
Yeah I kind of thought that too...
Even though Kruger didn’t blow up the stats sheet against Bama, he was in the backfield every game.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Did you see much in Sean Smith?
George Teague, Brock Marion--we need you!
by Aaron Novinger on Apr 4, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Sean Smith
Sean is the REAL DEAL can play S or CB but I think he is a better CB. Also Brice Mclain the other Utah CB in the draft would be a great late pick he ran a 4.28 at the pro day. At times he has trouble reading the depth of ball but he was solid and he is faster than Smith.
by UtahUte CowboyFan on Apr 5, 2009 12:09 AM CDT reply actions
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