Is the long term answer to the Cowboys NT already on the team?

by LeedsCowboys on Feb 14, 2012 11:54 AM CST

Sorry to bring this back up and I know we have touched upon the subject at

Looking for a Nose Tackle in Free Agency ...

I have seen several posts and read in various threads about the Cowboys making moves for some of the big name FA nose tackles, or taking a NT in the 2nd round, but perhaps we already have that player on the roster. I am not talking about Josh Brent who I still see as a back up, but rather about Sean Lissemore. I am sure he has played some snaps in the NT role, he certainly has the size and build at 6-4 and 306 lbs. On the Mothership his bio states

"Lissemore brings a high-motor playing intensity that fits well along a defensive line that also boasts a player known for a similar playing style in Pro Bowler Jay Ratliff."

If the Cowboys eventually move Ratliff to DE, and we either draft a DE in the high rounds or sign a quality DE in FA, with Lissemore at NT surely this would improve our D/L a lot more than spending $20+million plus on a FA NT.

So would Lissemore be a long term solution to be our starting NT without the need to break the bank, or is he better suited to play on the End?

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Lissimore would be more of a rotational compliment to Ratliff and Hatcher.

by Proxy406 on Feb 14, 2012 12:08 PM CST reply actions

Lissemore the answer?

Great question—no one knows but the coaching staff. The DL coach was quoted as saying he should’ve played Lissemore more.

If he could start and play 700 snaps (almost triple his 2011 snaps—would his production increases in line with that to say 6 sacks?) and move Ratliff to end where he’ll be doubled less and take less of a beating, in theory it would help a great deal.

That said, they’re both really 1-gap guys, you still wouldn’t have that big run clogger in there, for better of worse.

by DB23 on Feb 14, 2012 1:53 PM CST reply actions

I would love to see us sign a big NT

an then play Rat and Lissy at the DE spots. They are both athletic and can get after the QB

by Nardfather on Feb 14, 2012 2:36 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Lissy and Brent both tall, too.

Same height, but Brent 20+ LBs heavier.
I advocate NT because it is a great value and frees up our D-Line staff. Plus there is no substitute for having a great anchor, same as @ C.

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by BlueNSilverBlood on Feb 14, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions

Josh Brent is not too tall BlueNSilver

He’s about 6’1" and 320 pounds. That’s a perfect NT size.

I think Brent and Lissemore could form an effective NT rotation. Hopefully enough to push Ratliff to DE.

by Luke. on Feb 14, 2012 6:46 PM CST up reply actions

My fault.

NFL.com had him at 6’2 and Rat/Lissy @ 6’4.
I believe they can, also. And Rat should have a nice few years at DE.

by BlueNSilverBlood on Feb 14, 2012 6:51 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, NFL.com's numbers are almost always wrong.

For the first 2-3 years of Felix career they listed him at 6’0" when he’s 5’10". It also led to dozens of people commenting that Felix was too tall and that RB’s should be shorter, like 5’10"!!

by Luke. on Feb 14, 2012 7:09 PM CST up reply actions

HA! I speak out against NFL.com bios all the time.

But this was my fault

by BlueNSilverBlood on Feb 14, 2012 7:37 PM CST up reply actions

you'd think Brent might be ready to start at NT this season.

he has the size & surely by now his strength is way better.

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 15, 2012 4:48 PM CST up reply actions

Lissemore isn't the size to play NT

The ideal frame for a traditional 3-4 NT is 6’2 and under and about 330+. I’m really high on Lissemore, but the only guy on the roster with that type of frame is Josh Brent. Lissemore is a five-technique that can play around the line thanks to his athleticism, a lot like Ratliff can. However, Lissemore is still far too undersized to play NT. Ratliff is only about average playing that 2-gap role (but a monster otherwise; he only spent about half of his snaps at the two-gap last season and consequentially played his best since 2008), and I strongly doubt Lissemore is going to provide a better option there. Brent is the guy to hope for, and with an actual offseason conditioning program, he potentially could warrant some playing time.

by Scientia on Feb 14, 2012 3:17 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

+1

Believe thay have asked Brent to get even stronger, & bulk up. He is young, still developing, and learning. I too see Brent as the best hope at NT that is already on the roster. .Expect to see a lot more of Lissemore, Brent, along with Hatcher. Looking forward to a full year with the coaches.
jmho .

by 1Bullseye on Feb 14, 2012 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

Lissemore has exciting potential

Hatcher seems to be a backup. Brent is too slow to do much in the NFL.

by the_hat on Feb 15, 2012 12:33 AM CST up reply actions

+1

he certainly has the size and build at 6-4 and 306 lbs

I beg to differ. I don’t want another Ratliff at NT. He and Ratliff should play DE and that’s it. We need to try the traditional 3-4 with a true NT for once with the d-linemen we have moved to DE. I think it’d be the answer to our problem.

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by CodeNamedG on Feb 15, 2012 9:25 PM CST up reply actions

i think lissemore is more a DE

and DT in nickel, he could play some NT, but no full time

by ratware on Feb 14, 2012 7:25 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

+10

by the_hat on Feb 15, 2012 12:33 AM CST up reply actions

Go for Soliai

I think out of all the possible FA moves that getting Soliai would have the greatest impact on our team.

by BluegrassCowboy on Feb 14, 2012 8:01 PM CST reply actions

I would say that Callaway has a pretty good chance of getting a shot

The guy is like 6’ 5" 312 lbs, however I hear he last measured at 320. he has a little more of the bulk to play the NT spot and I hear he is a pretty strong guy. They gave this guy a 3 year contract off the practice squad for a reason. I guess we’ll find out what that reason is soon enough…

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." –Vince Lombardi

by ProBowlFactory on Feb 14, 2012 9:51 PM CST reply actions

PAUL SOLIAI IS THE BEST OPTION AT NOSE TACKLE.....AND HERE'S WHY!!!!!!!

I and several other posters have ‘beat this path’ very hard now for a couple of weeks. NT Paul Soliai at 6’4" and 342lbs-355lbs would drastically improve both our Rush Defense (especially against middle draw plays, 3rd &short plays, & 1st&Goal plays) and our Pass Rush (by collapsing the pocket and not allowing QBs to step up to escape Ware and Spencer’s outside pass rush thereby creating more sacks, strips, fumbles by the opposing QB & interceptions by the secondary and ILBers).

DE/NT Callaway is gonna be a good player. He may be designated as a rotational NT and would give Paul Soliai some needed rest so he could stay relatively ‘fresh’ for the entire game.

Last point: By signing FA Paul Soliai as our new NT, the Cowboys could simply DRAFT the best OT in the draft (and not OG DeCastro). Subsequently, the Cowboys would move RT Tyron SMith to LT, move LT Doug Free to OG, and play our prized-rookie OT at RT. This would save tens of millions for Jerrah who would need to ‘break the bank’ to sign prized Free Agent OG Carl Nicks (who may be franchised by the Saints anyway) !!!

by Pacerman on Feb 15, 2012 11:15 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

moving Free makes zero sense

if he cant play RT then he dont need to be playing in the NFL

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 15, 2012 4:59 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Lissemore is listed as a DE on the mothership. That’s also where he was playing when he made some pretty good plays last season.

Here’s a line for you
6’4"
315 lbs
Good at eating up blocks
Plays the run well

This is the book on Marcus Spears. Some have suggested this in the past, including myself. Due to the fact that he’s no longer a starting DE, why not give it a try. Wade Phillips toyed with the idea a couple of years ago. Wade just never got around to implementing this plan. Spears frequently lined up at the DT slot last season, why not give it a try. A NT rotation of Spears and Brent would put Rat and Lissemore on the outside where they can make some plays.

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by White Wolf on Feb 16, 2012 5:58 AM CST reply actions