Cowboys Insider: Defense could be poised for a Doomsday season
by Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware says he expects the defense to “really excel” next season.
Considering all the players the unit will have that were drafted in either the first or second rounds, the Cowboys and their fans shouldn’t expect anything less.
Ware, outside linebacker Greg Ellis, end Marcus Spears, cornerback Terence Newman and strong safety Roy Williams were all selected in the first round. Another first-round choice, second-year outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, has a chance to blossom as he grows more comfortable with the pro game and Wade Phillips’ aggressive version of the 3-4 scheme.
The list of players taken in the first round that will either start or contribute on defense could grow to eight if a corner is chosen with either the No. 22 or No. 28 pick and if a rumored trade with Tennessee for suspended corner Pacman Jones comes to fruition.
Jones was the sixth player selected in the 2005 draft.
Another first-rounder, backup linebacker Bobby Carpenter, could have a chance to contribute more if the coaching staff ever decides where to play him.
Then there’s backup nose tackle Tank Johnson and Pro Bowl free safety Ken Hamlin, both selected in the second round by other teams, and dime linebacker Kevin Burnett, a second-round choice for Dallas in 2005 who recorded a career-best 52 tackles last season.
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With all of those first- and second-rounders, plus the addition of seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas, is it really too much to expect the Cowboys to field one of the league’s top defenses? Or do underachievers like Spears, Williams, Burnett and Carpenter taint the defense’s deep portfolio of high-draft picks?
Spears and Williams could be better next season if the Cowboys wind up with Jones and find another strong defensive back in the draft. Burnett seems much more comfortable playing for Phillips than he did for Parcells, and Carpenter could come on strong if ever given more of a chance.
One big reason for Ware’s optimism is Johnson. He’s banking on the former Chicago Bears standout really coming into his own in his first full season with the Cowboys. If that happens, it could free up the versatile Jay Ratliff to play more at end, especially if another nose tackle is acquired via free agency or the draft.
“The thing is Tank’s going to be coming around,” Ware told reporters this week in Irving. “He’s a beast in the middle now. People don’t realize (how good he can be) with a full offseason, when he’s all the way in shape and he’s really comfortable with what’s going on.”
Johnson shouldn’t be the only Dallas defender “really comfortable with what’s going on.” All the holdovers from the unit that finished last season ranked ninth in the league should be more comfortable with Phillips’ way of doing things. And it also doesn’t hurt that an old Valley Ranch hand, Dave Campo, is back in the saddle to coach the secondary and try to bring out the best in Williams.
But the biggest reason to believe the defense will be better is Ware. His 14 sacks last season were tied for third in the league and were the most by a linebacker. He also recorded a team-high 27 quarterback pressures and was named first-team All-Pro.
And with his rookie contact set to expire after the 2009 season, he says he’s determined to show management “I’m that guy.”
"This year I’m going to make sure I’m bigger, stronger, faster and even more productive than last year,” Ware said. "They say 14 sacks was productive. I look at it (like) if I get 15, then you never know. That 15th sack could get you to the Super Bowl.”
With Ware and so many other first- and second-rounders playing defense, the Cowboys shouldn’t expect anything less.
San Antonio Express-News
Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware says he expects the defense to “really excel” next season.
Considering all the players the unit will have that were drafted in either the first or second rounds, the Cowboys and their fans shouldn’t expect anything less.
Ware, outside linebacker Greg Ellis, end Marcus Spears, cornerback Terence Newman and strong safety Roy Williams were all selected in the first round. Another first-round choice, second-year outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, has a chance to blossom as he grows more comfortable with the pro game and Wade Phillips’ aggressive version of the 3-4 scheme.
The list of players taken in the first round that will either start or contribute on defense could grow to eight if a corner is chosen with either the No. 22 or No. 28 pick and if a rumored trade with Tennessee for suspended corner Pacman Jones comes to fruition.
Jones was the sixth player selected in the 2005 draft.
Another first-rounder, backup linebacker Bobby Carpenter, could have a chance to contribute more if the coaching staff ever decides where to play him.
Then there’s backup nose tackle Tank Johnson and Pro Bowl free safety Ken Hamlin, both selected in the second round by other teams, and dime linebacker Kevin Burnett, a second-round choice for Dallas in 2005 who recorded a career-best 52 tackles last season.
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With all of those first- and second-rounders, plus the addition of seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas, is it really too much to expect the Cowboys to field one of the league’s top defenses? Or do underachievers like Spears, Williams, Burnett and Carpenter taint the defense’s deep portfolio of high-draft picks?
Spears and Williams could be better next season if the Cowboys wind up with Jones and find another strong defensive back in the draft. Burnett seems much more comfortable playing for Phillips than he did for Parcells, and Carpenter could come on strong if ever given more of a chance.
One big reason for Ware’s optimism is Johnson. He’s banking on the former Chicago Bears standout really coming into his own in his first full season with the Cowboys. If that happens, it could free up the versatile Jay Ratliff to play more at end, especially if another nose tackle is acquired via free agency or the draft.
“The thing is Tank’s going to be coming around,” Ware told reporters this week in Irving. “He’s a beast in the middle now. People don’t realize (how good he can be) with a full offseason, when he’s all the way in shape and he’s really comfortable with what’s going on.”
Johnson shouldn’t be the only Dallas defender “really comfortable with what’s going on.” All the holdovers from the unit that finished last season ranked ninth in the league should be more comfortable with Phillips’ way of doing things. And it also doesn’t hurt that an old Valley Ranch hand, Dave Campo, is back in the saddle to coach the secondary and try to bring out the best in Williams.
But the biggest reason to believe the defense will be better is Ware. His 14 sacks last season were tied for third in the league and were the most by a linebacker. He also recorded a team-high 27 quarterback pressures and was named first-team All-Pro.
And with his rookie contact set to expire after the 2009 season, he says he’s determined to show management “I’m that guy.”
"This year I’m going to make sure I’m bigger, stronger, faster and even more productive than last year,” Ware said. "They say 14 sacks was productive. I look at it (like) if I get 15, then you never know. That 15th sack could get you to the Super Bowl.”
With Ware and so many other first- and second-rounders playing defense, the Cowboys shouldn’t expect anything less.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:01 AM
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