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Currently on roster
Kenyon Coleman (age 32, signed through 2012)
Jason Hatcher (age 29, signed through 2013)
Marcus Spears (age 28, signed through 2015)
Sean Lissemore (age 24, signed through 2013)
Cliff Geathers (age 24, Exclusive Rights Free Agent)
Baraka Atkins (age 27, under contract)
Jay Ratliff (age 30, signed through 2017)
Josh Brent (age 23, signed through 2013)
Robert Calloway (age 23, under contract)
Most Cowboy fans want to see upgrades to the defensive line but this is the one position where they have several returning players all under contract. It doesn’t mean they won’t try to get better here but with so many holes on the team, it may not be the priority we’d like it to be.
Nose Tackle – The annual topic of moving to Jay Ratliff to DE is as hot as ever, with some talk of it actually coming from the team. I feel Ratliff is match-up nightmare so I’d love to see him at DE on run downs and then slide inside to NT on passing downs. Josh Brent is a good, young back-up but spent a lot of time in 2011 on the sidelines. A healthy Brent will go a long way in keeping Ratliff fresh in 2012. Robert Calloway seems like a Training Camp body to me.
Defensive End - Kenyon Coleman and Jason Hatcher were the main starters. Coleman was solid and Hatcher made the occasional play but neither made plays consistently. Coleman at age 32 could be let go, saving the team about a million dollars in cap space. Marcus Spears’s re-signing to a 5-year deal was strange seeing how the team went away from him in 2010 and then almost immediately demoted him in 2011. Sean Lissemore was a bright spot for this unit. His versatility and high motor showed and could be in the mix for a starting job. Clifton Geathers offers a lot of size (6’7”, 300 lbs) and should be retained as an Exclusive Rights Free Agent. Baraka Atkins was signed to a Futures Contract and is intriguing as a hybrid end-linebacker who can offer some pass-rushing ability from the DE spot.
Free Agent possibility? The team would be foolish not to make a run at Calais Campbell (Arizona) if he hits the open market. He is a premier 3-4 DE who can impact the run and pass. The team could also look at Nose Tackles Paul Soliai (Miami) or Sione Pouha (Jets) if they are serious about moving Ratliff to End. Seattle’s Red Bryant (6’4”, 323 lbs) is also someone we can look at.
Draft possibility? At pick 14 we may be looking BPA and some scouts are really high on LSU’s Michael Brockers (6’5”, 306). Devon Still (6’4”, 310) from Penn State and Jerel Worthy (6’3”, 310) from Michigan State could be in the mix as well. There’s also some talk of us looking at Quinton Coples (6’6”, 285) at 14. In my opinion, he’s a Top 10 talent with 3rd round effort. I’m not sure he’s big enough to play DE in a 3-4 scheme.
Kenyon Coleman (age 32, signed through 2012)
Jason Hatcher (age 29, signed through 2013)
Marcus Spears (age 28, signed through 2015)
Sean Lissemore (age 24, signed through 2013)
Cliff Geathers (age 24, Exclusive Rights Free Agent)
Baraka Atkins (age 27, under contract)
Jay Ratliff (age 30, signed through 2017)
Josh Brent (age 23, signed through 2013)
Robert Calloway (age 23, under contract)
Most Cowboy fans want to see upgrades to the defensive line but this is the one position where they have several returning players all under contract. It doesn’t mean they won’t try to get better here but with so many holes on the team, it may not be the priority we’d like it to be.
Nose Tackle – The annual topic of moving to Jay Ratliff to DE is as hot as ever, with some talk of it actually coming from the team. I feel Ratliff is match-up nightmare so I’d love to see him at DE on run downs and then slide inside to NT on passing downs. Josh Brent is a good, young back-up but spent a lot of time in 2011 on the sidelines. A healthy Brent will go a long way in keeping Ratliff fresh in 2012. Robert Calloway seems like a Training Camp body to me.
Defensive End - Kenyon Coleman and Jason Hatcher were the main starters. Coleman was solid and Hatcher made the occasional play but neither made plays consistently. Coleman at age 32 could be let go, saving the team about a million dollars in cap space. Marcus Spears’s re-signing to a 5-year deal was strange seeing how the team went away from him in 2010 and then almost immediately demoted him in 2011. Sean Lissemore was a bright spot for this unit. His versatility and high motor showed and could be in the mix for a starting job. Clifton Geathers offers a lot of size (6’7”, 300 lbs) and should be retained as an Exclusive Rights Free Agent. Baraka Atkins was signed to a Futures Contract and is intriguing as a hybrid end-linebacker who can offer some pass-rushing ability from the DE spot.
Free Agent possibility? The team would be foolish not to make a run at Calais Campbell (Arizona) if he hits the open market. He is a premier 3-4 DE who can impact the run and pass. The team could also look at Nose Tackles Paul Soliai (Miami) or Sione Pouha (Jets) if they are serious about moving Ratliff to End. Seattle’s Red Bryant (6’4”, 323 lbs) is also someone we can look at.
Draft possibility? At pick 14 we may be looking BPA and some scouts are really high on LSU’s Michael Brockers (6’5”, 306). Devon Still (6’4”, 310) from Penn State and Jerel Worthy (6’3”, 310) from Michigan State could be in the mix as well. There’s also some talk of us looking at Quinton Coples (6’6”, 285) at 14. In my opinion, he’s a Top 10 talent with 3rd round effort. I’m not sure he’s big enough to play DE in a 3-4 scheme.