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Line of Succession
Changes Could Be Coming To D-Line
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: This is the seventh of an 11-part series that analyzes each position on the Cowboys roster, providing a quick look back before addressing the needs of each spot on the field and how it can improve heading into the 2011 season. Today we examine the defensive line.)
Pressing Matters: Change could be coming to the defensive line.
No other position on the Cowboys' roster has this many key players scheduled for free agency. The D-Line has three: starting defensive end Marcus Spears and rotation ends Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher.
The next terms under a new collective bargaining agreement have not been reached, but all three would be unrestricted free agents under the previous system that required only four accrued seasons. The Cowboys were able to sign all three to one-year contracts last offseason due to the 2010 uncapped rules (six accrued seasons for eligibility), which kept them as restricted free agents.
Without Spears, the Cowboys would need a new full-time starter. Without Bowen and Hatcher, they'd have to replace their top two rotation players in the base 3-4 scheme. And Bowen was also a regular in the nickel package's four-man line.
2010 Evaluation: One constant - past, present and future - is Jay Ratliff, who reached his third consecutive Pro Bowl. Ratliff's numbers dipped in 2010 (3.5 sacks, zero tackles for losses) due in part to frequent double teams, but he remained the line's most consistent player.
There has been speculation that Ratliff might move to defensive end (his initial position with the Cowboys) to maximize his production, particularly if the team loses some combination of that aforementioned trio. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said Ratliff "is a defensive tackle for us." Given the versatility and complexity of Ryan's 3-4 scheme, however, it wouldn't be shocking to see Ratliff move around a little in certain situations.
A strained calf land Spears on injured reserve for the final eight games, ending an 88-game appearance streak. The former 2005 first-round pick has been an underrated run stopper despite playing only first and second downs. Bowen took his place at left defensive end, finishing with 1.5 sacks and 14 quarterback pressures (third on the team).
Starting right end Igor Olshansky (48 tackles, four pressures) played in all 16 games, but injuries to Spears, Hatcher (strained groin) and rookie Sean Lissemore (high ankle sprain) depleted the line intermittently throughout the year.
Overall, the defense's pass rush was inconsistent, but the run defense improved under interim defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. Their final eight opponents had fewer yards (743 from 991) and a fewer yards-per-carry average (4.1 from 4.4) than the first eight.
Need More From . . . : Josh Brent, because that would mean the 23-year-old took a step forward after a very solid rookie season. The supplemental seventh-round pick arrived only a week before training camp, yet worked his way into the rotation and adequately spelled Ratliff for about 10-12 plays per game.
Brent (6-2, 315) is a different type of nose tackle than Ratliff, relying more on power than quickness. But Ryan will find a way to use both if Brent earns more time, particularly with so many veterans possibly leaving and creating the need for new playmakers.
Upgrades Needed: Defensive line could be a high draft priority, particularly with so many prospects rated in the top half of the first round. The draft could occur before the start of free agency if an NFL lockout drags on, so the Cowboys might not know the futures of their impending free agents by late April.
Ratliff and Brent could presumably form a solid nose tackle rotation, but obviously defensive end could be a significant need - preferably one who's solid against the run but versatile enough to aid Ratliff in the pass rush.
Position Analysis:
Jay Ratliff - Strongest link to the D-Line, and offenses subsequently tried to take him out of games. Still a difference-maker and a team leader.
Marcus Spears - Not an elite pass rusher but a good run-stopper, and that's a must for 3-4 ends. Cowboys let Chris Canty leave in 2009; is Spears next?
Igor Olshansky - The only key lineman signed long-term besides Ratliff and Brent.
Stephen Bowen - Had begun to thrive as a rotational pass rusher but was forced into starting role when Spears got hurt.
Jason Hatcher - Former 2006 third-round pick has terrific natural ability; injuries set him back in 2010.
Josh Brent - Impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic and improvement.
Sean Lissemore - Seventh-round pick had injury trouble during rookie season. Drafted because of his versatility.
Alex Daniels - Also has played fullback; spent most of the year on the practice squad.
Clifton Geathers - Signed late in the season. Like Daniels, will need a strong preseason to push for a roster spot.
Changes Could Be Coming To D-Line
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: This is the seventh of an 11-part series that analyzes each position on the Cowboys roster, providing a quick look back before addressing the needs of each spot on the field and how it can improve heading into the 2011 season. Today we examine the defensive line.)
Pressing Matters: Change could be coming to the defensive line.
No other position on the Cowboys' roster has this many key players scheduled for free agency. The D-Line has three: starting defensive end Marcus Spears and rotation ends Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher.
The next terms under a new collective bargaining agreement have not been reached, but all three would be unrestricted free agents under the previous system that required only four accrued seasons. The Cowboys were able to sign all three to one-year contracts last offseason due to the 2010 uncapped rules (six accrued seasons for eligibility), which kept them as restricted free agents.
Without Spears, the Cowboys would need a new full-time starter. Without Bowen and Hatcher, they'd have to replace their top two rotation players in the base 3-4 scheme. And Bowen was also a regular in the nickel package's four-man line.
2010 Evaluation: One constant - past, present and future - is Jay Ratliff, who reached his third consecutive Pro Bowl. Ratliff's numbers dipped in 2010 (3.5 sacks, zero tackles for losses) due in part to frequent double teams, but he remained the line's most consistent player.
There has been speculation that Ratliff might move to defensive end (his initial position with the Cowboys) to maximize his production, particularly if the team loses some combination of that aforementioned trio. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said Ratliff "is a defensive tackle for us." Given the versatility and complexity of Ryan's 3-4 scheme, however, it wouldn't be shocking to see Ratliff move around a little in certain situations.
A strained calf land Spears on injured reserve for the final eight games, ending an 88-game appearance streak. The former 2005 first-round pick has been an underrated run stopper despite playing only first and second downs. Bowen took his place at left defensive end, finishing with 1.5 sacks and 14 quarterback pressures (third on the team).
Starting right end Igor Olshansky (48 tackles, four pressures) played in all 16 games, but injuries to Spears, Hatcher (strained groin) and rookie Sean Lissemore (high ankle sprain) depleted the line intermittently throughout the year.
Overall, the defense's pass rush was inconsistent, but the run defense improved under interim defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. Their final eight opponents had fewer yards (743 from 991) and a fewer yards-per-carry average (4.1 from 4.4) than the first eight.
Need More From . . . : Josh Brent, because that would mean the 23-year-old took a step forward after a very solid rookie season. The supplemental seventh-round pick arrived only a week before training camp, yet worked his way into the rotation and adequately spelled Ratliff for about 10-12 plays per game.
Brent (6-2, 315) is a different type of nose tackle than Ratliff, relying more on power than quickness. But Ryan will find a way to use both if Brent earns more time, particularly with so many veterans possibly leaving and creating the need for new playmakers.
Upgrades Needed: Defensive line could be a high draft priority, particularly with so many prospects rated in the top half of the first round. The draft could occur before the start of free agency if an NFL lockout drags on, so the Cowboys might not know the futures of their impending free agents by late April.
Ratliff and Brent could presumably form a solid nose tackle rotation, but obviously defensive end could be a significant need - preferably one who's solid against the run but versatile enough to aid Ratliff in the pass rush.
Position Analysis:
Jay Ratliff - Strongest link to the D-Line, and offenses subsequently tried to take him out of games. Still a difference-maker and a team leader.
Marcus Spears - Not an elite pass rusher but a good run-stopper, and that's a must for 3-4 ends. Cowboys let Chris Canty leave in 2009; is Spears next?
Igor Olshansky - The only key lineman signed long-term besides Ratliff and Brent.
Stephen Bowen - Had begun to thrive as a rotational pass rusher but was forced into starting role when Spears got hurt.
Jason Hatcher - Former 2006 third-round pick has terrific natural ability; injuries set him back in 2010.
Josh Brent - Impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic and improvement.
Sean Lissemore - Seventh-round pick had injury trouble during rookie season. Drafted because of his versatility.
Alex Daniels - Also has played fullback; spent most of the year on the practice squad.
Clifton Geathers - Signed late in the season. Like Daniels, will need a strong preseason to push for a roster spot.