Dallas' Defense: Better To Be Feared Than Loved
by 5Blings on Jun 6, 2009 11:02 AM CDT
Email
Print
Aggression…Ferocity…Toughness
The things that can distinguish a talented defense from a fearsome one.
As I look back on Dallas’ defenses over the last several years, for the most part, the talent has been there. In fact, the talent seems to be getting better every year as Dallas continues to focus its drafts on this side of the ball. Yet, there seems to be that missing ingredient, that innate aggressive mindset which some teams always walk up to the line of scrimmage with. The Ravens, Steelers, Bears and (ugh) Eagles all come to mind, because they bring a type of physicality and passion for not just making a play, but inflicting harm in the process, to every single play. It's also a reputation that they have to live up to.
It would also seem that each of these teams has vocal, passionate leaders in the locker room that inspire that kind of ‘give no ground’ mentality among their teammates. I wanted to break down our defensive unit and see how our players and coaches do when using this intangible as a measuring stick.
The Line: Jay Ratliff is the heart and soul of the defensive front. He’s a high-motor player who is as active as any Nose Tackle in the league. He is undersized for the position but tends to make up for it with his quickness and strength. The front is in transition as we add Olshansky to the rotation and subtract Chris Canty. Guys like Spears, Bowen, Hatcher and others seem nothing more than role/spot players. This group does not possess a vocal leader or someone who could be the rallying point for the defense.
The Secondary: This is an improving unit and 2009 should be no exception. At the same time, this has been a much maligned group and one that hasn’t played up to its talent levels. The secondary is also in transition as it will have a 50% turnover among its starters. The holdovers, Newman and Hamlin are not known for being overly physical, although Hamlin has been known to lay the wood at times. Newman is a true cover corner and plays the role of team funnyman more than anything else. Scandrick and Jenkins are not entrenched enough yet and Sensabaugh is just arriving on the scene, where it would be doubtful he would come in with guns (get it?) blazing.
The LB’s: This is clearly the strength of the defense, with loads of talent and high expectations. Two #1 picks start on the outside, but Spencer is a relative newbie who is surrounded by some question marks. While DeMarcus Ware is, no doubt, the face of the Dallas defense, his talent is as an uncommon speed rusher and does not bring the same kind of meanness and ferocity that a James Harrison or a Joey Porter brings. So while Ware’s individual play may be superior to his peer group, he doesn’t display a zest for punishing his opponents the way some of his contemporaries do. Inside, Bradie James and Keith Brooking comprise the pluggers. Brooking is new and likely will want to get a year under his belt before being more outspoken. James is vocal and serves as the inspirational leader for the defense. While not known for being an enforcer, Brady is as close as we’ve got.
Coaching: Winnie is the head coach (man, it hurts just to type that). He is also the Defensive Coordinator now that Brian Stewart has departed for greener (get it?) pastures. He is flanked by Todd Grantham, Dave Campo, Dat Nguyen and Brett Maxie. It is notable that none of these guys has ever established the tone or even played in an NFL system where a premium was placed on the physical aspect of the game. They may be sound technicians, but they don’t have a background in coaching up the animalistic side of defensive football in the NFL.
The History: When I think of coaches, I remember Tom Landry’s scowl and his lust for the Flex's defensive dominance. Not long ago, Dave Wannstedt ran the show and I seldom saw him smile as he tried to personify the toughness he wanted to see in his players. When I think of linemen, it was cathartic to watch the anger in the way Charles Haley played the game. I remember Randy White and how he set the tone for a defense that was one for the ages. I saw Charlie Waters and Cliff Harris make opponents walk off of the field with snot leaking out of their helmets just for making a catch in “their” middle of the field. In all honesty, few Dallas LB’s come to mind who conjure up memories of a nasty, aggressiveness about them (maybe D.D. Lewis?), and would love to hear some suggestions.
Those players and coaches not only typified hard-nosed football, they inspired the players around them to adopt a similar mindset until it became not just a part of the team, but something the team was known for. That “mythology” or reputation became something they strived to live up to and further enhanced their passion for the big, bone-jarring hit. It goes without saying that the fans loved it too.
To sum up my thoughts here, on this roster, Dallas’ defense looks and feels more like a defense built on speed and scheme than one that is about laying the wood. In order for Dallas to have a truly dominant and feared defense, it will have to find leaders (coaches and players) who can begin to lead the team in that direction.
GO COWBOYS
Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.
66 comments
|
4 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I agree with your perception of our D,
It’s been some time since our opponents have needed to show true respect for our defense despite it accually being above average in certain areas, there have always been a couple gigantic weak spots they could exploit.
It Will Be Doomsday.........
for the Cowboys if the unit doesn’t excell.They did well lst year and we are all looking for improvement.On paper they should be one of the bestoin the league but we areall holding our breath untill we see it on the field.
The team really improved when Stewart left.We hope the improvement continues.
If our special teams can win the battle of field position for us and the offense can get us leads, this D will be deadly.
by TCB Orange Dino on Jun 6, 2009 11:32 AM CDT reply actions
Straight from Machiavelli...
it’s always better to be feared. Yeah… the Cowboys need to be tenacious and aggressive. They need someone that likes to hit, and I mean consistently. Roy, was that for a while, but who is it gonna be now? Can you name anybody on the roster that can do that right now?
Remember the Eagles playoff game (as if we can forget)? Witten was fighting for a few extra yards to get a first down hurting with an ankle sprain and cracked ribs and he got it. The Cowboys gave up the ball a few plays later, and the defense stunk. I can’t believe Witten’s fire and tenacity didn’t fire the defense up. What’s up with that? Hopefully they have more heart this year having gotten rid of some malcontents.
by beautifultyrant on Jun 6, 2009 11:34 AM CDT reply actions
Witten definitely has that "thing"
…that I am talking about.
"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
If Sensabaugh turns out to be the real deal
and we stay relatively healthy, I think the defense will become elite. I think the players display plenty of tenacity passion when playing, the Steelers game was a great example, and with this unit finally being all of Wade’s guys, I look for it to be a really goog to great unit this season…provided we stay healthy of course because our primary backups are as green as grass.
In Romo we Trust
Let's make sure we keep perspective on what I am discussing
It’s not about statistical effectiveness, it’s not even about good to great, it’s something completely different.
"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
no I understand what you were getting at
and I think the defense can become a defense that is feared throughout the league, that no offense wants to face.
In Romo we Trust
This is what 5Blings is talking about.
This line about coaching: They may be sound technicians, but they don’t have a background in coaching up the animalistic side of defensive football in the NFL.
That sentence says it all.
It usually starts with the HC and/or DC.
Witness this quote from one of Buddy Ryan’s former players:
EX-JET GERRY PHILBIN: Gladiators, man. I played under him at the University of Buffalo and with the Jets. It got mean, cruel. I’ve never seen anyone better at bringing the animal out of you. If you didn’t hit as hard as he wanted, he’d humiliate you in front of everyone. Guys like me loved him, though. He was just so brutally honest.
Gives me chills to read that quote
"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
You're right about the team overall I think...
But Scandrick does lay the lumber every chance he gets. And for all the talk about great leadership that the Boys supposedly lack, I wonder if maybe it’s more a matter of great followers being lacking. I mean, that goes both ways because a great leader will get more people to rally to him, but a lot of those guys (Ratliff, James, Ware, to a certain extent Newman) seem to do a lot of quality leadership-type stuff, both by example and by contagious passion, yet it kinda seems to end with those guys on the field. I just wonder how much of it is the “I’m too cool to follow” attitude that gets in the way of the team.
Not sure any 5'10", 192 pound corner is ever going to be known as an enforcer
…in the manner I am speaking of.
I am talking about anger and a desire to punish the guy across the field.
Case in point, those guys you mention will lead a team cheer that goes like this, “Play fast, play smart, play strong!”.
In Baltimore, Ray Lewis is leading a chant like this, “STOMP ON THOSE MUTHA #$#$%^ SONS OF @#$%$#%^%’s LIKE THEY JUST SLAPPED YOUR MAMA AND CALLED HER A #0!!!”
Both teams will then go out and try to emulate the qualities of their emotional leader.
I’m just sayin.
"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 think it's better to lead by example
rather than vocal emotions. Every player is different in how they approach that aspect of the game.
In Romo we Trust
I think we need to kick more a$$
and SOMEONE has to step up and be that flag bearer. I don’t see anyone on our roster or coaching staff that can do that.
"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
You minimize the effects of a vocal leader.
Did you see last week when they listed the top ten Cowboys? How Irvin was ranked #3, ahead of guys like Emmitt & Troy.
How Jerry Jones talked about Michael’s importance to the team, saying that Irvin taught EVERYBODY how to win?
Yes, guys like Michael Irvin lead by example (with things like their practice habits).
But they also lead by getting in guys faces when they screw up. Or by rallying the troops during the game. They are also VOCAL leaders too.
You discount that aspect of the game and in that you are wrong.
Another player from the ‘U’ was just like Michael on another team. Whereas Reggie White was the greatest player on the Eagles back in the day, his teammate, Jerome Brown, was considered to be the ‘spiriutal leader’ of the defense.
All successful teams need at least a few ‘Vocal’ leaders on the team. Not only to ‘lead by example’ but also to lead their teammates in more of a vocal manner.
Think about the cities the teams I mentioned represent...
Philly, Chicago, Baltimore, Pittsburgh…
These are all tough, blue collar, lunch pail towns with a history of appreciation for that style of defensive play.
The teams begin to emulate their cities and their fans.
I think Dallas has become a finesse organization with a similar approach to defense.
"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
has become???
Cowboys have always been considered a finesse team, you must be too young to remember different.
In Romo we Trust
I don't think they were finesse when Lilly, Manster, Harris and Waters were playing
Did you?
"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
Absolutely
What do you think the Flex Defense was?? It was nothing but finesse. In fact, it was the first zone/prevent scheme.
Res firma mitescere nescit
Step out of scheme for a moment
Were those players finesse players?
Is “finesse” what comes to mind when you think of those players?
"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
Ware is a finesse player in my mind
I can’t recall a big hit he has put on a QB. Even with all those sacks, nothing jumps out?
Can you recall one?
"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 can think of plenty, too many to count
Ware is anything but finesse. I remember the lick he laid on P Manning a few years ago was brutal.
In Romo we Trust
Unless they back it up
a la the Playmaker.
"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
Think about this
How different would 44-6 have been if dawkins wasn’t amping up the team. Did you see him on the sidelines he got me wanting to kick some cowboy butt. That kind of energy is contagious but someone has to start it. Who do we have?
What the French?! Toast!
Whoa Nelly!
I know you meant that in jest!
I got your point.
:-)
"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
Geez-too many posts
That was in response to
" I think it’s better to lead by example
rather than vocal emotions. Every player is different in how they approach that aspect of the game."
by Realist Larry on Jun 9, 2009 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions
The person Ware should try to emulate is...
… Michael Strahan. Strahan wasn’t really tough on his teammates, or feared by them, but he was always firing them up, always encouraging them to be better. He was the vocal leader of that team and made the players around him better. It wasn’t just the defense he was encouraging either, he was the leader of the entire team.
I just don’t see Ware as a “I’m going to kick your ass if you don’t play better!” kind of guy. And that’s ok, he just needs to figure out the best way he can help our team. Emulating a HOFer like Strahan would be a good place to start.
Agreed
Ware will always be one of the nice guys. He’ll never be a force in the locker room that creates fire. He’s just more reserved and lets his play do the talking for 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
I thought we were getting to the point of being feared last year
we laid some serious wood om the bucs, redskins, steelers and giants. We outhit the steelers. However, as always, the safety position let us down in baltimore. And that kinda ruined our run. Then I don’t remember anyone aside from Bradie doing anything against philly.
Really?
I dunno.
The bucs and Redskins had anemic offenses and probably feared our cheerleaders. I don’t think the defending champion Giants nor the Steelers were thinking, “uh oh, those Cowboys are going to come in here and give us a bloody nose”.
Nope, I highly doubt it.
"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
regardless of them thinking it
we did it. We absolutely physically hammered the steelers offense for the first 54 minutes or so. We had more big hits that game than any i can remember. And we were similarly dominant against the giants the week after.
I think you're dismissing too many new players.
Olshansky is a mean SOB. He’s also one of the strongest. He and Rat, combined with Spears are all reaching their peak. This line won’t take shit from no one.
Brookings comes with tons of experience and a handful of Pro Bowls. He’s quite experienced in the scheme and WILL provide a measure of leadership that Zach did not feel comfortable excerting.
Lastly, Hamlin has been the QB in the secondary for the past 2 years. Year 1 brought a Pro Bowl and a 13-3 record. Year 2 was sabatoged by injuries and suspensions. You can tell guys all day long, but when you’ve got Keith Davis and a few rookies out there, nothing you can say will make Killer more talented or the rooks any more experienced.
This year will not lack for leadership. Further, they’ve all got a chip on their shoulders. Great enviromnent to see some swagger coming back.
Lastly you’ve got Campo. A VERY vocal and demanding coach. He’ll be Winnie’s enforcer. Further, most of the coaches have quite a few skins on the wall as ex-D-Coordinators and head coaches. No lacking experience or discipline. And lastly, you should remember that Wade Phillips was Buddy Ryan’s DC in Philthy.
I think your looking through clouded lenses not wanting to see this group as reaching it’s prime. This may very well translate to the best D in Big D since Doomsday.
Res firma mitescere nescit
Yeah, I think that's wishful thinking
The first two guys you mention haven’t played a down for this team and you’re suggesting how they will play and lead. There’s nothing but hope to support that theory, so no, I’m not being dismissive, I’m being empirical.
There is nothing to suggest that the previous iterations of this defense will suddenly change. And just a thought about Campo; assistants start to take on more of the qualities of their boss than the other way around.
"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
Past performance, not hope
I get the feeling you “hope” they don’t…or at least are dismissive of their past. Igor & Brookings were team leaders and led their units, Brookings for nearly a decade, Igor for the past 5 years. That’s empirical.
And to say assistants will take on the qualities of the boss is based on what? From everything seen or read, Campo is a fiery as ever. Same for DL & LB coaches, especially Herring.
Res firma mitescere nescit
When Wade was the DC in Philadelphia
it was mostly a figurehead position.
The players got their ‘attitude’ (along with thier X’s & O’s) from Buddy Ryan.
5Blings makes a good point in this post.
Along with the players and the scheme, the ‘attitude & philosphy’ of the defense is what matters most of all.
That has been a tradition in Chicago forever. Back in the 70’s (when the Bears were terrible) Doug Buffone tells the story of being congratulated in the locker room in Detroit by HC Abe Gibron.
“But we lost the game” said Buffone.
“Yeah, but we knocked five Lions out of the game” replied Gibron.
The Bears didn’t win much back then (mainly because of their crappy offense) but the defense always put a licking on the other teams offense.
Regarding the 46 defense, it all started with a philosphy:
1. Pressure. Buddy Ryan was going to send as many men as it took to pressure the offense and keep them off balance.
and
2. Get to the QB. As Doug Plank said: “The 46 defense, it’s main purpose was to get to the QB . . . and then, let’s see how good the second team QB is.”
Like DB Leslie Frazier said: “Our whole deal was to attack, attack attack. That’s the way Buddy had us trained.”
Things like toughness and agression (along with the complex X’s & O’s) were the cornerstones of that defense.
No such thing as moral victories
…but seeing our guys lay out their opponents on a regular is just plain fun and makes seeing your defense play on Sundays that much more exciting.
"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'm concerned that this post is right on
This defense has more than enough talent to match any defense in the NFL. We had more sacks than anyone. We are stout enough against the run. And we finally have a secondary that can cover people.
But, despite the sacks, did we actually punish any opposing QBs? Did anyone fear us coming after them?
Spencer actually had one of the more vicious sacks a couple years ago when he whipped Eli Manning to the ground and caused him to sit out with a shoulder problem. And Nate Jones sent Brett Favre to the sidelines with a well-times blitz. Some of the most vicious hits often come from LBs, safeties, or CB who get clean shots based on deception and good timing. I think we’ll see plenty of these dialed up by Wade this year.
A team’s defense we might emulate if we aren’t all fire and brimstone is the Patriots. You don’t think of their defense from their Super Bowl years as all that punishing, though Richard Seymour was a load. But they were very effective in stiffling other teams. Maybe knowing signals helped them.
Personally, I would love for our D to knock the snot out of McNabb, Manning, and Campbell, among others. But I"m still waiting to see it.
I agree with 5Blings...
I don’t see this DEF that any OFF would fear and I would love to see it.
But I must add….
We don’t really need to be feared; we just need turnovers, great plays at the right time, and stop the bad plays on 3rd down. That is what this DEF is really lacking.
Of course if you ARE feared, then all those things would come. But I’m just saying….
I think fear creates a mystique of sorts
It makes opponents jittery. They get tight. They lack confidence.
I think it makes it that much easier to cause turnovers and make timely plays when the guy opposite you is playing out of fear.
"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
If I played with Rat and Ware when they SmAsH down on the ground after a sack, I would get pumped up.
Bradie James gets all wild after a big play or hit. That would pump me up too. I think that guys like these, are just coming into their own as vocal leaders. They’ve all been on the team for about the same amount of time and the greater the pride is for being a main cog on the Dallas D, the meaner they’ll play.
In the secondary, I’ve seen our top corners (Newman, Scandrick, and Jenkins) all lay the wood. Hamlin is still the Hammer and we get to see what Sensabaugh can bring.
This is a young D and the leaders should soon begin to step forward. I don’t buy into needing some coach to yell in their face to make them “animalistic”. That’s not to say that such a coach wouldn’t help, but the quality should grow from an urge to win, an urge to dominate.
"Grow where you are planted."
Way too many people are fixated on 'Yelling.'
There’s much more to great coaching than whether or not a coach is a "yeller.’
Buddy Ryan wasn’t a ‘yeller.’ He used sarcastic comments to make a point. He was basically a ‘soft spoken’ guy.
Coaches are, first and foremost teachers. Like any other teacher, they all have differing ‘styles’: Some are loud, some are quiet. Some are disciplinarians. Some aren’t. Some are really effective. Some, not so much.
Reread this quote from one of Buddy Ryan’s former players:
EX-JET GERRY PHILBIN: Gladiators, man. I played under him at the University of Buffalo and with the Jets. It got mean, cruel. I’ve never seen anyone better at bringing the animal out of you. If you didn’t hit as hard as he wanted, he’d humiliate you in front of everyone. Guys like me loved him, though. He was just so brutally honest.
There’s nothing about ‘yelling’ here. Just a coach helping to bring out what is inside a player.
When you say that the quality (being anamalistic) should grow from an urge to win and dominate, you are correct, but also missing the point made by Gerry Philbin, one of the great pass rushers of his time: Some coaches (like Ryan) are MUCH better at bringing that out of a player than others.
Essentially, that’s a coaches (and teachers job): to get the best out of his players.
Marie Lombardi sometimes had to tell people this about her husband Vince:
“If he (Vince) is on your case, then that means that Vince sees something inside of you. Potential greatness. If he’s ignoring you, then you’re in trouble, cause basically that means you aren’t worth getting upset over to him.”
Yelling isn't a requirement...in fact, sometimes it backfires
But given this team’s lack of intestinal fortitude during late season swoons, maybe some yelling is in order?
Not that I expect it from Winnie, but the reserved, stoic, “we’ll get it worked out” approach hasn’t exactly set the world on fire for one of the league’s most talented teams, now has it?
"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
Truly
What’s more fun than watching your favorite defender just hurl his body into an opponent and then seeing that poor slob (Eagle, Giant, Redskin, etc.) crumple into a heap?
That, whether we want to admit it or not, is one of the things that separates this great, uniquely American sport from Soccer, Basketball and Baseball. The amount of vicious contact on every single play is cathartic, awe-inspiring and majestic.
I LOVE THIS GAME!!!
"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
Here, here Blings!
"Grow where you are planted."
by Aaron Novinger on Jun 9, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions
This team lost a lot as far as attitude/perception on D when Roy Williams starting whiffing like David Ortiz .
The last time this team’s D was feared was when Roy Williams was hitting people. It’s those big hits that fire guys up and get into the other team’s heads.
I used to notice 1-2 passes a game dropped by the opponent after RW layed someone out. I don’t know what happened to him, but he was the ‘enforcer,’ and it worked. Receivers didn’t want to go across the middle against him, and dozens of passes were dropped by WR’s with their eyes on a swivel. It often led to turnovers, too.
I agree with the people that there is a vocal side to leadership-we’ve had THAT debate enough-but I really think in this example as brought up by 5Blings, it’s more by example.
Unfortunately, I don’t see anyone on this team capable of doing that-no Randy Whites or Charles Haleys-but they could still be a very good D.
As a side note, did some posts here get taken out? Nice job 5Blings laying some wood on another (unnamed) poster earlier, nice to see someone else standing up and not willing to take the personal attacks.
It sure would be nice if one of these young bucks can be the Search&Destroy dude that RW1 was.
"Grow where you are planted."
by Aaron Novinger on Jun 9, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably
their heads were on swivels, if that even sounds right, and not their ‘eyes’. You get my drift.
Wow, great post 5Blings
Very well stated and thought out. I couldn’t agree more with the premise of your post.
But I have to disagree in regards to where this “innate, aggressive mindset” comes from. While it certainly helps to have players who embrace and employ this “animalistic” approach to defense, I think it usually has to come from a coaching staff that embodies the physical approach in every way.
I think it’s safe to say that as long as Wade is around, we won’t have the pleasure of seeing an animalistic defense anytime soon.
But there is no doubt: Dallas’ defense can ‘out-talent’ anyone.
Unfortunately, games are most often decided by who has the most heart, determination and will to win—categories in which the Cowboys come up woefully short.
You may be right...
However, it will be interesting to see if the Ravens lose their swagger with Rex Ryan gone. Many would say Ray Lewis is “that guy” for them and that he is the kind of emotional focal point that transcends coaches.
I don’t claim to know how it happens (coach, player, city, whatever). I only know that it does.
"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
And I'd like it to happen in Dallas!
"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
And you're probably right...
There probably are a small handful of players that can have that affect on an entire defense, and Ray Lewis is certianly one of them.
It’s one of the reasons I wanted to the Cowboys to sign him this offseason: to bring some kind of tenacity to this team. Glory wrote a great article dissecting whether or not that was even possible (rent a leader), but I was certainly in the camp that thought Ray Ray could do it.
by Starred4Life on Jun 11, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Do you think a Free Agent can walk into a new locker room and do that in year 1?
I tend to think not, just because the trust building process takes longer than one training camp.
"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
In the Cowboys' case, yes
To me, it seems the Cowboys’ defense is filled with a bunch of guys just dying to rally around/follow somebody.
Bradie James always seems like that he’s gonna be that guy, but he just doesn’t back it up with his play consistently enough to be “that guy.” He’s good, no question; leaders—at least the likes of which your’re talking about—tend to to be great players.
While D. Ware certainly has the production to be “that guy,” that just doesn’t seem to be in him—and that’s not a slam on Ware, not at all.
I think Ray Ray comes with enough earned cred that the guys would’ve fell in line quickly.
by Starred4Life on Jun 13, 2009 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions
What about Ratliff?
You don’t read too much about him.
Does he have the kind of personality that would allow him to be more of a catalyst for bringing the pain?
What about Todd Grantham? What’s his demeanor?
"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'm so glad you brought up Grantham.
My buddy is a die-hard Browns fan (I guess you’d have to be die-hard) and he really liked Grantham. When I’d watch games with him, we’d crack up about how Grantham was gonna blow his top. He’s a real RA RA/Do YOUr F’ing JoB kinda guy from what I saw. My favorite guy on Cleveland’s coaching staff—bar none.
I like that he’s with the DLinemen. Maybe he and Rat key off on each others’ intensity.
"Grow where you are planted."
by Aaron Novinger on Jun 10, 2009 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions
So do you think he can be himself in a coaching (Winnie's) environment where the leader is so laid back?
Truthfully,
I’m not all that pleased that we don’t have a DC, because I think that demeans the leadership role of the head coach. Can you imagine Jimmy Johnson taking both roles?
"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
Romeo Crennel wasn't a loud guy, at all.
In fact, he was much like Coach Wade. Remember, that Winnie the Pooh—though “oh, bother”ish—still worked hard to get his honey, even taking on swarms of bees.
With Grantham having a year of comfortably in Big D, perhaps he will open up more.
"Grow where you are planted."
by Aaron Novinger on Jun 12, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Animalistic
If we can’t be as animalistic as we fans would like because of coaching and personel, perhaps we are more suited to and can be like a well oiled, relentless, inevitable machine, i.e. the terminator.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Blogging The Boys
Related FanShots on Blogging The Boys
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Sore loser Bully Ray spits beer in the face of Brandon Jacobs
- Anthony Shadid followed the Green Bay Packers, with love, from a distance
- Concussions on kickoffs were cut in half in 2011
- ESPN exec’s tip for Jon Gruden: Recognize when not to speak
- Report: Several teams (and leagues) interested in Randy Moss
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
