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Posted by rphillips at 2/23/2011 3:13 PM CST on truebluefanclub.com
Had this discussion with Nick yesterday as we were kicking around the Cowboys' top draft needs. Like most everyone, offensive line, defensive line and safety are probably the top three in some order.
Given the potential mass of free-agent losses at defensive end -- Marcus Spears, Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher should all be unrestricted at some point -- as well as some of the position prospects rated in the early-to-mid first round, it's a spot that could garner some consideration at No. 9.
Here's the question, though: ends in a 3-4 are largely considered (fair or not) worker bees, nothing more than run-stuffers that create holes for the real playmakers in the scheme, the outside linebackers. It's misguided, but there it is.
All that said, is it that important to get an end at No. 9? The guy might be doing his job very well, but the perception could be that he's not living up to his draft status because his sack totals aren't in the double digits. Just ask Spears, a former first-rounder who has pretty much done a thankless job, at least from public perception, the last six years.
The answer is probably this: it depends on need, value and whether Rob Ryan's system can get more versatility out of the position. This much is certain: the Cowboys needed more pass rush from the entire line, and they need to somehow take the pressure off Jay Ratliff in the middle.
Had this discussion with Nick yesterday as we were kicking around the Cowboys' top draft needs. Like most everyone, offensive line, defensive line and safety are probably the top three in some order.
Given the potential mass of free-agent losses at defensive end -- Marcus Spears, Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher should all be unrestricted at some point -- as well as some of the position prospects rated in the early-to-mid first round, it's a spot that could garner some consideration at No. 9.
Here's the question, though: ends in a 3-4 are largely considered (fair or not) worker bees, nothing more than run-stuffers that create holes for the real playmakers in the scheme, the outside linebackers. It's misguided, but there it is.
All that said, is it that important to get an end at No. 9? The guy might be doing his job very well, but the perception could be that he's not living up to his draft status because his sack totals aren't in the double digits. Just ask Spears, a former first-rounder who has pretty much done a thankless job, at least from public perception, the last six years.
The answer is probably this: it depends on need, value and whether Rob Ryan's system can get more versatility out of the position. This much is certain: the Cowboys needed more pass rush from the entire line, and they need to somehow take the pressure off Jay Ratliff in the middle.
