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Get Dallas Cowboys news on your cellGroup Check: Inside linebackers
12:58 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008 | Permalink
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February 2008
Categories
Movers and Shakers Texas Stadium dallasnews.com
Sports Blogs |
We look at the inside linebacker position as we continue our series, position-by-position, with the Cowboys. PLAYERS SIGNED THROUGH 2008: Bradie James, Akin Ayodele, Kevin Burnett, Bobby Carpenter UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None TOP NAMES ON FREE AGENT MARKET: Caleb Miller (Bengals), Teddy Lehman (Lions), Tedy Bruschi (Pats), Junior Seau (Pats), Chris Clemons (Raiders) TOP DRAFT NAMES: Dan Connor (Penn State), Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma), Jerod Mayo (Tennessee), Tavares Gooden (Miami), Beau Bell (UNLV), Vince Hall (Va. Tech), Philip Wheeler (Georgia Tech) HEALTH OF THE POSITION: It’s not as strong as the outside linebacker position, where you have two Pro Bowl players and an excellent first round pick, but inside linebacker is pretty good. Can it get better? Of course. Bradie James, while a good player who led the team in tackles in 2007, didn’t dominate enough games from his position. Akin Ayodele was fourth on the team in tackles with 95, but was taken out for Kevin Burnett on some passing situations. Bobby Carpenter needs to find a home, whether its here in Dallas or someplace else. Carpenter, if he’s placed inside, must challenge Burnett in training camp in 2008. There is nobody on the free agent market that is young enough or good enough to replace James and Ayodele. Age is a concern in regards to Seau and Bruschi, so the team should pass on them. Curtis Lofton and Dan Connor might be the best of the linebacker class. If Tavares Gooden can recover from his hip injury, he might be a first-day selection. |
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Comments
Posted by Bill in DC @ 1:15 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
Lance Briggs? I suppose he isn't on this list because he's an OLB?
What about Marcus Washington? The Deadskins may have to cut him to get to the cap.
Posted by pinky_and_the_brain_in_DC @ 1:19 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
pinky_in_DC
-- Whatta we gonna do today brain?
brain_in_DC
-- We'll do what we do every day pinky, we'll try to takeover this blog!
pinky_in_DC
-- But won't Redskins_Rules or RAMS_FAN stop us?
brain_in_DC
-- Not this time pinky, I've gotta new plan.
Posted by George @ 1:21 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
I think they need to let Carpenter take a crack at Ayodele's spot. Ayodele didn't impress me much and Carp has the size and speed to chase down plays and enough rush ability to pressure from the inside. This is his 3rd year (the same year James finally emerged) and we need to see what he has.
Posted by Bill in DC @ 1:38 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
George,
I'm with you. It seems Carpenter is in the doghouse because of his performance in preseason. He pretty much stunk up the place after looking good in the playoffs against Seattle.
Hopefully he'll have a miraculous change and be come worthwhile.
Posted by Andrew @ 1:52 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
Are you guys kidding me with the Carpenter talk? Just because he is a first rounder doesn't mean he deserves to play.
Kevin Burnett has out shined Ayodele and Carpenter, and would be better than James if given the opportunity. He is the best ILB on the team.
Posted by TellMeStr8Jerry @ 1:54 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
I must say it again, the problem with the Dallas Defense is simple, they have a lot of 4-3 guys playing in a 3-4 system.
They are coaching players to fit a scheme, rather thank coaching a scheme to fit the talent of their players. It is a loose, loose situation for everyone right now. When Dom Capers was coming or so we thought he won with both a 3-4 and 4-3 scheme so I thought we had a more dynamic defensive mind coming on board.
I guess not now! Jerry like one of the other Bloggers said, Please don't subject us to more of the same. Get us a CB,S,Left OG and a True 3-4 NT 6 4 -330 plus.
Tire of the Bull From Management Cowboys Fan
Posted by Kay @ 1:59 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
James and Ayodele are nothing more than warm bodies. I don't even think that I heard Ayodele's name called all season long. And James is only slightly better. He's like Roy Williams in that when the ball is the air, it becomes invisible to him. Man, does he suck in coverage... yet the GM thought that it was a brilliant idea to throw cash at him.
Posted by DFAN @ 1:59 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
Ayodele only had 57 tackles this year, not 95. That number is totally fictional.
Burnett had 53 with far less playing time and the majority of it coming on passing downs.
This is just another example of why Burnett should be starting.
Posted by Kay @ 2:01 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
James and Ayodele are nothing more than warm bodies. I don't even think that I heard Ayodele's name called all season long. And James is only slightly better. He's like Roy Williams in that when the ball is the air, it becomes invisible to him. Man, does he suck in coverage... yet the GM thought that it was a brilliant idea to throw cash at him.
Posted by Willow @ 2:01 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
Can you guys spell lose instead of "loose"? -The Dumbness of it.
Posted by Redskins_Rule @ 2:11 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
even a Cow-Pie hater like me can clearly see Burnett's talent...Twinkie eater Wade and Brian "Chick Flick" Stewart need to find a way to get that man on the field more...or less if you want to see the Cowboys lose...HA HA HA©...Hail to the Redskins©!!!...
p.s. re Carp...I see him more as a greeter at Ceasar's Palace with a sword; shield; and tunic...
Posted by Andrew @ 2:11 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
Ayodele only had 57 tackles this year, not 95. That number is totally fictional.
Burnett had 53 with far less playing time and the majority of it coming on passing downs.
This is just another example of why Burnett should be starting.
Posted by Bill in DC @ 2:23 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
I like Burnett too, but isn't he a tad light (6'3" 227) to be manning the inside full time?
Posted by Scott @ 3:08 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
I'm not that impressed by the Cowboys ILBs. James is overrated IMHO; he's OK but nothing to get terribly excited over. I'd love to see Carpenter step it up big time and take one of these positions but he can't even seem to get on the field; he's running out of time in Dallas to show he can do something. This is an area where Dallas needs to improve but not their most pressing area.
Posted by JJGMNOT @ 3:13 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
If Jerry Jones knew anything about running a 3-4 ---- he would know a 3-4 NT that can dominate the 3 Gap is the key to putting his best players on the field.
Burnett is a fine 3-4 ILB if he is protected by a Kris Jenkins, Shaun Rogers type playing 2 GAP (both available). Carpenter also plays better b/c both can play lighter and use their speed.
Carpenter and Burnett speed would improve your Pass Coverage over night. Improves you sideline to sideline capabilities in the run game. Allow the 3-4 OLB to shoot a gap occasionally and get a TFL instead of playing contain.
Anyway ....
But you need a GM who understands Bradie James SHOULD NOT BE THE HIGHEST PAID ILB in football next to Ray Lewis. You need a GM who understands that a dominant NT = Better ILB coverage = better Roy 'Mistake' Williams in coverage.
It is less a personnel issue then a GM problem. Jerry has no recognition skills. Like the difference between a great shooter and a great point guard. The point gets the game. The shooter is all about highlights. How else do you explain 290lb Tank Johnson???
Jerry has all the flash but none of the substance.
Posted by Redskins_Rule @ 3:21 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
hey JJGMNOT...what about the 1 GAP between Strahan's teef? [free one for you Cow-Potty fans]...HA HA HA©...Hail to the Redskins©!!!...
Posted by coachkencoop @ 4:09 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
burnett our future if we dont piss him off by not playing him he knows he can start on 31 other teams so my advice play him before u lose him we have 7 linebackers that need to play and 4 spots solution cut akin down to 6 now spencer can get significant time backing up greg and ware and playing time on blow outs burnett start where akin was and james and bobby 50 50 problem solved for 2008 and made some cap space along the and improved the lineup
Posted by Glenn Guillory @ 5:19 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
The Cowboys just have to find another inside linebacker to replace Akin Ayodale. That guy didn't make hardly any plays this past season. Give the job to Kevin Burnett or draft a linebacker in the early rounds. And if Brady James doesn't quit overunning the play on running downs then his job should be in jeapordy after next season.
Posted by b mac @ 6:05 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008
burnett is a good lb if he can stay healthy. he has yet to make it thru the entire season injury-free. that is why he is not receiving playing. carp would be a great upgrade over james but if he can't get on the field, how would we now that?