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Hitting A Wall
LBs Could Use A Shot In The Arm
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: This is the ninth in an 11-part series analyzing every position on the Cowboys' roster, providing a quick look back before addressing the needs of each spot on the field and how it can be improved heading into the 2011 season. Today we examine the linebackers.)
Pressing Matters: The Cowboys appear to have at least solid players in all four starting linebacker spots. Between the four starters, no one did anything to make it obvious the team must move on without him. The problem is, as a unit overall, the linebackers didn't make a big enough difference for the defense.
DeMarcus Ware is a game-changer at one outside position, but his counterpart, Anthony Spencer, was largely quiet for entire games. Just last week, though, new coordinator Rob Ryan talked him up as a dominant force opposite Ware. However, the numbers suggest differently - Spencer's own statistics, and the defense's regression as a whole. On the inside, both Keith Brooking and Bradie James are smart players who are capable of doing their jobs, but the instances of either going above and beyond for an outstanding play are few and far between.
James has been a starter for the Cowboys since 2005, while Brooking represents the latest in a string of free agents who have been brought in as complements, beginning with Akin Ayodele and Zach Thomas. James is 30 now and Brooking is 35, and the Cowboys have a promising young guy waiting in the wings in Sean Lee, and possibly the chance to draft a difference-maker in April. In a 3-4 scheme, linebackers are supposed to be the primary playmakers, so either fresh talent must be the catalyst for what has become a stale position, or Ryan has to bring new wrinkles to make the unit dominant again.
2010 Evaluation: While many of the other defensive elements took a step backward, Ware stepped up his production last season, finishing with 15.5 sacks, the most in the league and the second-highest total of his career. Even with all the double-teams Ware draws, and the attention Jay Ratliff warrants in the middle of the defensive line, Spencer was a non-factor in too many games. He was held without a sack for a stretch that lasted half the season and, despite being thought of as a run-stuffer, his tackles for loss dropped as well.
On the inside, Brooking and James played valiantly through some injuries for most of the season, and both continued their impressive ironman streaks, the second- and third-longest in the league, respectively. But neither is the athlete they were once. Injuries seemed to combine with the increased playing time forced upon both by the lack of a trustworthy nickel 'backer, slowing them down further. The Cowboys had hoped either Lee or 2009 third-rounder Jason Williams could take on a third-down role, but neither was ready. Lee's slow start was caused by nagging injuries, while Williams turned out to be a flop who was let go at midseason.
Though linebacker isn't the deepest position on the roster, the Cowboys did get some useful snaps from Victor Butler, spelling Ware and Spencer, and got special teams contributions from several others.
Need More From ... : Spencer. The question is, does he have much more to give? From a pass-rushing standpoint, it would seem not, as he averages only 4.0 sacks per year for his career, even with Ware drawing so much attention on the other side. In some ways, having such a great rusher hurts the Cowboys' chance for sacks, because quarterbacks tend to get rid of the ball earlier. But there's no reason Spencer can't be more disruptive, either supplying hurries or getting his hands on more passes.
As a run defender, he needs to do a better job of setting the edge. Teams were too often able to make big gains around his outside shoulder.
Upgrades Needed: If the Cowboys don't think it's time to make a change in the starting lineup, the nickel set is beyond due for some improvement. That would mean Lee develops as a pass defender, and either Spencer fixes his rushing game or the Cowboys find someone who can get to quarterbacks to regularly replace him on third downs.
Position Analysis:
DeMarcus Ware - Statistically it was a fine year for the Cowboys' best defender, but he isn't totally immune from blame for 2010. Everyone must raise their game.
Anthony Spencer - Getting him back on track will be Ryan's pet project. His stops in Oakland and Cleveland have never included a set of out outside 'backers with such a pedigree.
Bradie James - Usually an excellent run defender, James has his instances of trouble in pass coverage, but can still contribute there, especially if totally healthy.
Keith Brooking - Entering the third and final year of his contract with the team, Brooking is nearing the end of the line.
Sean Lee - According to the Cowboys' own evaluation, this hard-worker should be starting by next season. He has to prove he can stay healthy first, though.
Victor Butler - The best pass rusher the team has behind Ware and Spencer, he played plenty in 2010, but didn't always please coaches, especially with his special teams work.
Brandon Williams - A year removed from arthroscopic knee surgery, the 2009 fourth-round pick wasn't really ready to contribute at the start of the year, and his impact was minimal.
Leon Williams - Almost exclusively a special-teamer in his first year back in the big leagues following a stint in the UFL, the team was pleased with his work ethic.
Kenwin Cummings - A Jets practice-squadder most of the last three years, he was picked up with a month to go, and showed some good things on special teams in four appearances.
Kelvin Smith - Since joining the Dolphins as a seventh-rounder in 2007, the former Syracuse standout has bounced around five organizations.
LBs Could Use A Shot In The Arm
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: This is the ninth in an 11-part series analyzing every position on the Cowboys' roster, providing a quick look back before addressing the needs of each spot on the field and how it can be improved heading into the 2011 season. Today we examine the linebackers.)
Pressing Matters: The Cowboys appear to have at least solid players in all four starting linebacker spots. Between the four starters, no one did anything to make it obvious the team must move on without him. The problem is, as a unit overall, the linebackers didn't make a big enough difference for the defense.
DeMarcus Ware is a game-changer at one outside position, but his counterpart, Anthony Spencer, was largely quiet for entire games. Just last week, though, new coordinator Rob Ryan talked him up as a dominant force opposite Ware. However, the numbers suggest differently - Spencer's own statistics, and the defense's regression as a whole. On the inside, both Keith Brooking and Bradie James are smart players who are capable of doing their jobs, but the instances of either going above and beyond for an outstanding play are few and far between.
James has been a starter for the Cowboys since 2005, while Brooking represents the latest in a string of free agents who have been brought in as complements, beginning with Akin Ayodele and Zach Thomas. James is 30 now and Brooking is 35, and the Cowboys have a promising young guy waiting in the wings in Sean Lee, and possibly the chance to draft a difference-maker in April. In a 3-4 scheme, linebackers are supposed to be the primary playmakers, so either fresh talent must be the catalyst for what has become a stale position, or Ryan has to bring new wrinkles to make the unit dominant again.
2010 Evaluation: While many of the other defensive elements took a step backward, Ware stepped up his production last season, finishing with 15.5 sacks, the most in the league and the second-highest total of his career. Even with all the double-teams Ware draws, and the attention Jay Ratliff warrants in the middle of the defensive line, Spencer was a non-factor in too many games. He was held without a sack for a stretch that lasted half the season and, despite being thought of as a run-stuffer, his tackles for loss dropped as well.
On the inside, Brooking and James played valiantly through some injuries for most of the season, and both continued their impressive ironman streaks, the second- and third-longest in the league, respectively. But neither is the athlete they were once. Injuries seemed to combine with the increased playing time forced upon both by the lack of a trustworthy nickel 'backer, slowing them down further. The Cowboys had hoped either Lee or 2009 third-rounder Jason Williams could take on a third-down role, but neither was ready. Lee's slow start was caused by nagging injuries, while Williams turned out to be a flop who was let go at midseason.
Though linebacker isn't the deepest position on the roster, the Cowboys did get some useful snaps from Victor Butler, spelling Ware and Spencer, and got special teams contributions from several others.
Need More From ... : Spencer. The question is, does he have much more to give? From a pass-rushing standpoint, it would seem not, as he averages only 4.0 sacks per year for his career, even with Ware drawing so much attention on the other side. In some ways, having such a great rusher hurts the Cowboys' chance for sacks, because quarterbacks tend to get rid of the ball earlier. But there's no reason Spencer can't be more disruptive, either supplying hurries or getting his hands on more passes.
As a run defender, he needs to do a better job of setting the edge. Teams were too often able to make big gains around his outside shoulder.
Upgrades Needed: If the Cowboys don't think it's time to make a change in the starting lineup, the nickel set is beyond due for some improvement. That would mean Lee develops as a pass defender, and either Spencer fixes his rushing game or the Cowboys find someone who can get to quarterbacks to regularly replace him on third downs.
Position Analysis:
DeMarcus Ware - Statistically it was a fine year for the Cowboys' best defender, but he isn't totally immune from blame for 2010. Everyone must raise their game.
Anthony Spencer - Getting him back on track will be Ryan's pet project. His stops in Oakland and Cleveland have never included a set of out outside 'backers with such a pedigree.
Bradie James - Usually an excellent run defender, James has his instances of trouble in pass coverage, but can still contribute there, especially if totally healthy.
Keith Brooking - Entering the third and final year of his contract with the team, Brooking is nearing the end of the line.
Sean Lee - According to the Cowboys' own evaluation, this hard-worker should be starting by next season. He has to prove he can stay healthy first, though.
Victor Butler - The best pass rusher the team has behind Ware and Spencer, he played plenty in 2010, but didn't always please coaches, especially with his special teams work.
Brandon Williams - A year removed from arthroscopic knee surgery, the 2009 fourth-round pick wasn't really ready to contribute at the start of the year, and his impact was minimal.
Leon Williams - Almost exclusively a special-teamer in his first year back in the big leagues following a stint in the UFL, the team was pleased with his work ethic.
Kenwin Cummings - A Jets practice-squadder most of the last three years, he was picked up with a month to go, and showed some good things on special teams in four appearances.
Kelvin Smith - Since joining the Dolphins as a seventh-rounder in 2007, the former Syracuse standout has bounced around five organizations.
