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- Reaction score
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Currently on roster
DeMarcus Ware (age 29, signed through 2015)
Anthony Spencer (age 28, Unrestricted Free Agent)
Victor Butler (age 24, signed through 2012)
Alex Albright (age 23, signed through 2013)
Sean Lee (age 26, signed through 2013)
Keith Brooking (age 36, Unrestricted Free Agent)
Bradie James (age 31, Unrestricted Free Agent)
Bruce Carter (age 23, signed through 2014)
Orie Lemon (age 24, under contract)
Brashton Satele (age 24, under contract)
Outside Linebackers – DeMarcus Ware continues to be one of the best pass-rushers in the League. I think because he does not have the temperament of a Terrell Suggs or James Harrison, he goes unnoticed by a lot of NFL fans. Throw in that he doesn’t really have an effective complimentary pass-rusher it’s easy for teams to double Ware and negate him. I can really see Anthony Spencer’s contract status going either way. They can use this as an opportunity to acquire more of a pass-rushing threat in Free Agency or the 2012 Draft. At the same time, the team seems very comfortable with Spencer and could bring him back at a reasonable rate.
Inside Linebackers – This year, Sean Lee showed that he is one of the top promising, young linebackers around. He showed the ability to consistently make routine plays as well as big plays. The problem is that he had little help. Keith Brooking and Bradie James were ineffective and it was painfully obvious that they have a lost step. Brooking was the team’s emotional leader and James was a captain but the team needs to move on. Bruce Carter will get every chance to step in and take a starting job. He was a playmaker at North Carolina and his speed will have an immediate impact on the Defense.
Reserves – In Training Camp we heard a lot about how Victor Butler would make plays in Rob Ryan’s defense. 23 Tackles and 3 Sacks later, we are still waiting. He’s in a contract year and depending on the Cowboys plans, could be in the running to replace Anthony Spencer. Hopefully with a full training camp, he will fulfill some of the promise Ryan saw in him. The team was very high on undrafted rookie Alex Albright and played him regularly on 3rd down packages and Special Teams. Orie Lemon, spending a full year on the Practice Squad learning Ryan’s defense, should have an advantage over any late round or undrafted rookies brought in to compete for a reserve ILB job. You might remember Brashton Satele from the NY Jets Hard Knocks a few years back. He looks to be training camp body.
Free Agent Possibility? There’s a lot of Mario Williams talk among Cowboy fans. Houston has indicated they won’t Franchise Tag him so he should hit Free Agency. He won’t be cheap and he may be looking for a 4-3 team but the Cowboys need to consider him. A Ware/Williams combo would form the top pass-rushing duo around and could hide a lot of our Secondary weaknesses. The team also needs to consider a veteran ILB who can start if Bruce Carter isn’t ready and for depth reasons. Some affordable options might be Kirk Morrison, Larry Grant, or Rocky McIntosh. Another free agent I am high on is Ahmad Brooks. He is versatile enough to play inside or outside and brings some much needed attitude and toughness. The 49ers may be willing to let him walk with 1st rounder Aldon Smith waiting in the wings.
Draft possibility? Pick #14 seems to be prime territory for Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw (6’2”, 265), South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram (6’2”, 276), and USC’s Nick Perry (6’3”, 250). Upshaw is the most ready-to-play, Ingram offers versatility, and Perry is the more proven pass-rusher. One good thing is the draft is after Free Agency, so we will know where we stand at
B going into the Draft. Bruce Irvin (6’2”, 245) from West Virginia or Chandler Jones (6’5”, 265) could be 2nd round possibilities. Chandler is the younger brother of Baltimore Ravens DT Art Jones and MMA champ Jon Jones. Some late round prospects I like are Cal’s Mychal Kendricks (5’11”, 240) and TCU playmaker Tank Carder (6’2”, 236).
DeMarcus Ware (age 29, signed through 2015)
Anthony Spencer (age 28, Unrestricted Free Agent)
Victor Butler (age 24, signed through 2012)
Alex Albright (age 23, signed through 2013)
Sean Lee (age 26, signed through 2013)
Keith Brooking (age 36, Unrestricted Free Agent)
Bradie James (age 31, Unrestricted Free Agent)
Bruce Carter (age 23, signed through 2014)
Orie Lemon (age 24, under contract)
Brashton Satele (age 24, under contract)
Outside Linebackers – DeMarcus Ware continues to be one of the best pass-rushers in the League. I think because he does not have the temperament of a Terrell Suggs or James Harrison, he goes unnoticed by a lot of NFL fans. Throw in that he doesn’t really have an effective complimentary pass-rusher it’s easy for teams to double Ware and negate him. I can really see Anthony Spencer’s contract status going either way. They can use this as an opportunity to acquire more of a pass-rushing threat in Free Agency or the 2012 Draft. At the same time, the team seems very comfortable with Spencer and could bring him back at a reasonable rate.
Inside Linebackers – This year, Sean Lee showed that he is one of the top promising, young linebackers around. He showed the ability to consistently make routine plays as well as big plays. The problem is that he had little help. Keith Brooking and Bradie James were ineffective and it was painfully obvious that they have a lost step. Brooking was the team’s emotional leader and James was a captain but the team needs to move on. Bruce Carter will get every chance to step in and take a starting job. He was a playmaker at North Carolina and his speed will have an immediate impact on the Defense.
Reserves – In Training Camp we heard a lot about how Victor Butler would make plays in Rob Ryan’s defense. 23 Tackles and 3 Sacks later, we are still waiting. He’s in a contract year and depending on the Cowboys plans, could be in the running to replace Anthony Spencer. Hopefully with a full training camp, he will fulfill some of the promise Ryan saw in him. The team was very high on undrafted rookie Alex Albright and played him regularly on 3rd down packages and Special Teams. Orie Lemon, spending a full year on the Practice Squad learning Ryan’s defense, should have an advantage over any late round or undrafted rookies brought in to compete for a reserve ILB job. You might remember Brashton Satele from the NY Jets Hard Knocks a few years back. He looks to be training camp body.
Free Agent Possibility? There’s a lot of Mario Williams talk among Cowboy fans. Houston has indicated they won’t Franchise Tag him so he should hit Free Agency. He won’t be cheap and he may be looking for a 4-3 team but the Cowboys need to consider him. A Ware/Williams combo would form the top pass-rushing duo around and could hide a lot of our Secondary weaknesses. The team also needs to consider a veteran ILB who can start if Bruce Carter isn’t ready and for depth reasons. Some affordable options might be Kirk Morrison, Larry Grant, or Rocky McIntosh. Another free agent I am high on is Ahmad Brooks. He is versatile enough to play inside or outside and brings some much needed attitude and toughness. The 49ers may be willing to let him walk with 1st rounder Aldon Smith waiting in the wings.
Draft possibility? Pick #14 seems to be prime territory for Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw (6’2”, 265), South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram (6’2”, 276), and USC’s Nick Perry (6’3”, 250). Upshaw is the most ready-to-play, Ingram offers versatility, and Perry is the more proven pass-rusher. One good thing is the draft is after Free Agency, so we will know where we stand at
B going into the Draft. Bruce Irvin (6’2”, 245) from West Virginia or Chandler Jones (6’5”, 265) could be 2nd round possibilities. Chandler is the younger brother of Baltimore Ravens DT Art Jones and MMA champ Jon Jones. Some late round prospects I like are Cal’s Mychal Kendricks (5’11”, 240) and TCU playmaker Tank Carder (6’2”, 236).
kuechly?)