Depth and Injuries!!!

by Coakey on Aug 5, 2011 12:57 PM CDT

The single scariest thing going into this season is the lack of "proven depth" on this team. I'm all for a youth movement but they need to be smart about it.

There is good depth on the D-line (although it is full of average players IMO), should be decent depth at RB, QB and LB, but that's about where it ends.

I have heard play by play of every practice in camp so far and a few things stick out:

Sam Young is very inconsistent, gets blown by one play and holds his own another. I don't know if he is ready to be a swing tackle who sees any significant playing time. Arkin is a nice player but wont be ready to start until next year, when I believe he'll start at RG.

After those two who? Costa, Nagy, Parnell, have to sign someone with a little experience. Costa maybe can play a little. Oh, and did I mention we are counting on Holland to start.

In the secondary, I think Scandrick will hold up, and from what I am reading Church is having a great camp and the coaches feel confident about him. I think he is our starting SS next year.

After that o-my! Ball, Thomas, and a bunch of projects. Wow really scary!!! Injuries are a part of the game, and any team can be derailed by the injury bug. Some however are more prepared than others. I don't know what is left out there free agent wise, and I don't think we really have many pieces to trade, maybe Igor or Choice, but I hope Jerry does something.

A few injuries and were 6-10 all over again. Suggestions??

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I would love for Barry Church to develop into a starter

Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!

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by Archie Barberio on Aug 5, 2011 1:04 PM CDT reply actions

From what I've heard and read it seems like it would not have been the end of the world if he started this year

by Coakey on Aug 5, 2011 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

There is good depth on the D-line(although it is full of average players IMO)

isn’t this an oxymoron.

if you have all JAGs can you also have good depth?

by Fan in Thick and Thin on Aug 5, 2011 1:38 PM CDT reply actions

Isn't it good if the backups play to NFL positional averages?

Where are the historical league-wide stats that backups on squads with acknowledged “good depth” were above average across-the-board?

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Aug 6, 2011 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions

yes

a 6 man d-line rotation of 6 average guys is better than a 6 man rotation of 2 good players and 4 poor players.

Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin

by Biph on Aug 7, 2011 1:47 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't get how fans can think your suppose to proven probowl.players.5deep at every position

Baffles me. You act like we are the only tean like this. Its about coaching just look at the steelers and patriots..

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player

by thebigham on Aug 5, 2011 2:34 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Steelers and Pat have drafted much better

by Coakey on Aug 5, 2011 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions

.. Their depth is the same.

It all comes down to coaching

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player

by thebigham on Aug 5, 2011 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't want ProBowlers.

They’re only popular. Want “good”. Want stars. Want HOFers. Across-the-board, down to the guy riding the pine, every position, every year. Or, or, or… – I’ll hold my breath till I turn blue.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Aug 6, 2011 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions

My suggestion:

draft better. That’s the only way to get decent depth at most positions. Other teams aren’t going to trade their quality depth for guys we don’t want. Free agents worth having aren’t interest in signing to be backups. You want depth, you have to draft it. Our 2009 draft should be this year’s depth, but 3/4 of them are already out the door.

by greatwhitenorth on Aug 5, 2011 2:36 PM CDT reply actions

I agree 100%

by Coakey on Aug 5, 2011 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions

There is no solution

The closest any team can hope for is to draft better (which has already been suggested). However, that drafting “better” means drafting players that 1). are RKG, won’t complain about playing time, won’t ask for more $ if/when they are called upon to play and do well, etc. AND 2). are willing to sit and wait – knowing they have the skill and talent to compete and possibly unseat the incumbent – and listen and learn when they don’t.

There are very few draftees that have the right credentials. The Boys finally started doing that this year. We’ll see how they progress…

by Tyrone Jenkins on Aug 6, 2011 11:49 AM CDT reply actions

most teams are dealing with this as well.

I would love to have great proven depth but its not gonna happen with free agency and salary cap.

"A mind focused on doubt and fear cannot focus on the journey to victory."

by dubious on Aug 6, 2011 12:56 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

u asked for suggestions !

i think the replies are accurate: coaching will have to do for now, because the draft and FA options are gone.

however, the value of draft picks has doubled, since the new cap agreement. teams will covet 1st, 2nd round picks because you get great talent for cheap.

so strategically, do you sell your picks now for RFA (or trades), in hopes to compete now? or build slowly, hopefully assembling the right pieces before the stars of your team age out (or become UFA)?

do you see any RFA that are worth it? og nicks and cb grimes? the reality is that we cannot solve all of the teams weaknesses this year and must just focus on getting better.

having said that … i like waters at og. i would trade, but no one is trade-worthy.

by the_hat on Aug 7, 2011 12:31 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs