Beefed Up, Cowboys Add Size, Depth To Linebacker Spot

IRVING, Texas - One of the first things Bill Parcells said when he arrived as head coach in 2003 was that he indeed preferred bigger linebackers over smaller, yet quicker ones already on the roster.

Maybe he knew back then he would eventually switch the defense to a 3-4 scheme, and Parcells certainly has made a point to beef up the position over the past three years.

Obviously he was on to something with this size thing. To play the 3-4, which exposes linebackers to more one-on-one confrontations with the bigger offensive linemen, a defense certainly needs big linebackers.

Last year, as the Cowboys made the move from their traditional 4-3 defense to the 3-4, they had five linebackers finish the season on injured reserve. From the start of the regular season to the final week of the year, the Cowboys kept losing linebackers, including two Week-One starters.

The biggest loss was Dat Nguyen, the team's leading tackler for three of the previous four seasons. But a neck injury he suffered in Week Three not only eventually landed him on IR, but has led to his retirement this off-season.

The Cowboys also lost Al Singleton (shoulder), Kalen Thornton (knee), Mike Barrow (knee) and Kevin Burnett (knee) throughout the season as well.

But despite all the medical setbacks, the Cowboys were still able to have a somewhat productive season defensively.

A big reason for that was the breakthrough performance of Bradie James, who not only took over as the defensive leader making the on-field calls, but he led the team with 109 tackles.

James, who is in the final year of his original four-year contract, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2007. That is, unless the Cowboys sign the fourth-year linebacker to an extension, something the club has already discussed with James and his agent.

James said two weeks ago he would like to get a new deal in place before the season, but is willing to play the 2006 campaign on his existing contract as well.

Now James didn't exactly do it all by himself last year. He got some help from then-rookie DeMarcus Ware, who lived up to the high expectations that come with being a first-round pick. Ware tied Greg Ellis for the team-lead with eight sacks, including three in one game, helping the Cowboys defeat the Panthers on Christmas Eve. Ware not only sacked Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme three times, but forced three fumbles as well.

While Ware and James were mainstays on the defense, the other two linebacker positions seemed to be constantly fluctuating.

And that's why the Cowboys made some serious upgrades during the off-season, signing a pair of veteran free agents, not to mention drafting another linebacker in the first round.

The Cowboys seemed to have their eyes on Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter from day one. And when he was still around when the Cowboys got on the clock, he became a seemingly logical choice.

Carpenter, who will compete for the starting left outside linebacker job, is the son of former Giants running back Rob Carpenter, who played for Parcells in the mid-1980's.

"I already knew a lot about him from things my dad told me," Carpenter said of Parcells. "He told me that (Parcells) is going to expect a lot out of me. But that's fine. I expect a lot out of myself, too. I'm really excited to play for him. He's one of the best coaches of all-time."

Parcells is hoping Carpenter can give him much more than just water, the rookie already beginning his first-round pick duties of bringing Parcells water during the practice water break. The club is counting on Carpenter beating out Singleton for the starting job - at some point.

But Carpenter isn't the only newcomer expected to contribute at linebacker this season.

The Cowboys signed Akin Ayodele, a four-year starter with Jacksonville who grew up down the way in Irving, Texas, along with savvy veteran Rocky Boiman, who can play both linebacker spots and is solid special teams player.

The question with Ayodele will be how he adjusts to a new position. After playing outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense for four years in Jacksonville, he is being moved inside in the 3-4.

"I don't think it's going to be a big change," Ayodele said. "It'll be an adjustment, for sure. But it's nothing I can't handle. I've been studying a lot and I think once the season starts, I'll be fine."

As for Boiman, who actually worked with the first-team defense during the mini-camp with Singleton excused to get married that weekend, the Cowboys will likely find somewhere for him to play. Boiman set a Tennessee Titans record with 30 special teams tackles in 2002 and has started 11 career games.

But he probably won't be the only backup this year with starting experience. The Cowboys return Scott Shanle (7 games) and Ryan Fowler (3), both starters at inside linebacker after Nguyen's injury last season.

Burnett should be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery in January. He suffered a torn ACL in the final week of the season, forcing him to miss the season-finale against the Rams and spend the entire off-season rehabbing.

Burnett will begin camp working behind Ware at right outside linebacker.

The Cowboys also signed a few rookie free-agent linebackers, including Virginia's Kai Parham and Texas Tech's John Saldi, the son of former Cowboys tight end Jay Saldi.

But from top to bottom this year, the Cowboys appear to have much more depth at linebacker, and are better prepared to withstand a swarm of injuries if lightning strikes again.
FITTING IN
Bradie James: Unless a new deal is reached, will be playing in a contract year. Meaning he'll have something to prove. A drop-off from last year is unlikely.
DeMarcus Ware: Fought through the rookie wall last year to come on strong at the end. Strong enough for expectations this year to soar.
Akin Ayodele: Good, solid tackler who must learn a new position, moving inside on the 3-4.
Al Singleton : There always seems to be someone ready to replace him, but it never happens. The savvy veteran was missed last year.
Rocky Boiman : Can play all over the place, and that's why the Cowboys signed him. They're hoping he's more than just a special-teams ace.
Bobby Carpenter: High expectations always follow first-round picks. But if he's not ready to start, the Cowboys will have other options.
Scott Shanle: Started after Nguyen's injury, but faded down the stretch. Needs to have a good training camp.
Kevin Burnett: Showed some good things - when he was healthy. And that wasn't very often last year.
Ryan Fowler: Started in place of Shanle the final two games of last year. His play on special teams will help him stick around.
Junior Glymph : A former defensive end who will get the chance to stand up on the outside. Right now, it's just a pass-rushing project.
Kai Parham : There always seems to be one rookie linebacker who makes it. Could this former Virginia standout be the one this year?
Oliver Hoyte: Free agent rookie from North Carolina State has a lot of work to do just to make the practice squad.
J.J. Horne: Came to mini-camp on a workout basis and earned a contract. Will he make it to training camp.