OLB — The Early Line
Posted: March 27, 2006 @ 9:55 am
Because so much attention is being given to the SOLB position and because so many prospects should be available when Dallas picks 18th, it’s useful to consider which players best fit the Cowboys’ 3-4 scheme and which teams will battle the Cowboys for them.
– It’s important to understand that Dallas is surrounded by members of the Parcells family tree, all of whom play the same 3-4 scheme. Cleveland at 12, Miami at 16 and New England at 21 will all be looking for the same type of player as Dallas. All three of those teams also need an OLB. Cleveland’s Romeo Crennell needs a rusher to team with Willie McGinest; Nick Saban needs a partner for Jason Taylor and Bill Belichick needs a youngster to replace McGinest.
San Diego is a fourth potential rival. The Chargers were ready to snare whichever of the Demarcus Ware/Shawne Merriman duo the Cowboys passed in ‘05. They got Merriman and may look for his sidekick this year, since Steve Foley is getting a bit long in the tooth.
A source I spoke to over the weekend says the Browns, Dolphins and Cowboys have confirmed interest in Manny Lawson. Lawson appears to be this year’s Ware, a less-known name in December who has rocketed up draft boards after a strong Senior Bowl week and a dazzling Combine workout. Lawson has speed to burn, which explains why several mock drafts now have him going to Cleveland at pick 12.
Another source who has seen extensive tape of the top OLB prospects feels Lawson is a good player whose workout reputation exceeds his play. He feels OSU’s Bobby Carpenter had the best 2005 and could be the best rusher of the bunch. Carpenter missed the Senior Bowl and did not work out in Indianapolis because he’s slowly rehabbing a broken fibula he suffered against Michigan.
The same source felt Iowa’s Chad Greenway was the overrated member of the class. “He made all of his tackles without being blocked and always tripped people up by the ankles,” he said. This gentleman also quoted former Hawkeye LB Andre Tippett, a fine NFL OLB in his day, as saying Greenway won’t be able to make those ankle tackles in the pros because the players are faster. Tippett thinks Greenway could struggle in the NFL, despite his stellar college play.
I asked him to assess Penn State’s DE Tamba Hali and he feels Hali will play 4-3 end in the pros. To me, Hali resembles the Vikings Erasmus James.  James was considered a tweener, having played end at 260 lbs. for Wisconsin. He ran OLB drills for some teams but was taken by a 4-3 team and left at his most natural postion. Jerry Jones did admit after the draft that James was Dallas’ fallback option if Marcus Spears was gone. That should keep Hali in the back of our minds.
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i definitely like Lawson the best, though i fear he may be gone at 18
Lots of good tidbits, Rafael. :thumbsup:
Lawson, Carpenter, and Wimbley seem to be the most heavily targeted by us. Its going to be fun to watch this unfold.
Ive always been a fan of Bobby Carpenter, but im not sure how far down we can trade and him still be on the board considering the Patriots need at olb.
We wouldn’t mind having any of the three. Seems like there are four teams vying for the three. I personally like Wimbley the best. We should be able to manuever a little bit to get one of the three. I highly doubt cleveland will take lawson at no 12. thats a stretch.
oh yea, my bet is that lavar arrington ends up at miami…taking them out of the running.
While Wimbley sounds like a great pick I am still sold on Carpenter for two reasons. #1 reason is that he has played linebacker and will take limited work to fit our defense. #2 is that players who have small windows of excellence scare me. Carpenter has a full season of excellence to point to, the hype on Wimbley seems to be limited to one game and combine information.
Just the musings of a long time Cowboy fan.
TarHeelPaul,
I’ve also heard through the grapevine there are rumors the Pats may consider trading up.
These four to five teams are all jockeying for the same guys, so there will definitely be some intrigue and disinformation, though you wonder how much Parcells can fool his son-in-law at New England and his former coaches in N.E. and Cleveland.
And vice versa.
I’m for sitting in there at 18, and just going ahead and take Bobby Carpenter; taking either, Max Jean-Giles/Charles Spencer/Davin Joseph in 2; and best OT in the third-Ryan Callaghan or similar…Dallas might even here, take Jon Scott in round two, and then take Callaghan, who can play both right tackle as well as move inside for a guard position…early on-leaving even more flexability and youth to the team…
My feelings wouldn’t be hurt if the Dallas starting line looked like this:
Flozel, Jean-Giles, Gurode, Rivera, Fabini
with a backup of
Kosier, Callaghan, Johnson, Peterman, Petitti
my immediate question would be the status and projection of Rivera?? June cut?
with a possible starting line up of
Flozell, Callaghan, Gurode, Kosier, Fabini
and the backups being
Scott, Peterman, Al Johnson, Tucker, Petitti
I have a feeling we won’t be taking an OLB in the first round, because there’s nobody at 18 who really looks the part. Now, if we trade down in round 1, we take Carpenter. But there are other prospects in rounds 2 and 3:
Ray Edwards or possibly Stanley McClover
These are two DE’s who project as possible OLBs in a 3-4. Both are considered fluid enough to play in coverage, but both have excellent pass-rush abilities. Edwards is somewhere around 270 and McClover is around 265, so they are both solid SOLB guys in our 3-4.
The problem with Wimbley and Lawson, is that they are both between 240-250, a little smaller than what BP looks for on the strong side.
Then again, BP’s been starting Singleton there, and he’s less than 240, so maybe BP’s looking for a smaller guy there.
—–David
David,
let Joe juraszek get them for a year, that 250lbs will be 260lbs
Hali…..is supposed to be 275 but showed up weighing like 260……while he may not have the athletic ability of Lawson……he took on the best OTs in the BIG 10, a league known for their O LINEMEN…..and I think could be a big tweener…..he is an interesting prospect…..some of the smaller DEs and OLBs you worry about their strength and taking on Tackles….we saw Ware struggle with it a bit last year and even a good TE or the double team……I have heard or read some fear Carpenter has played his best football and does not have the upside of Lawson or Wimbley and other OLB/DE types……but when you look at his 40 times and watch his tape……..I don’t see what these experts are talking about……he looks every bit the part of an NFL OLB to me.
I think that kid I cannot pronounce his name from Boston College reminds me more of Erasmus James…..
I think with the smaller and hopefully faster Burnett in rotation at OLB…….we can go for a bigger McGinnest type of pass rushing specialist if we have to for OLB. Just my thoughts……..if we can land another Ware…….hey by all means……go for it!!! BP!
I still like Wimbley the best, I think he will be the best pass rusher out of the 3, although Carpenter is right now the best “LB” out of the 3. I would be fine selecting any of them, but you cant move back for any unless all 3 are there on the board, which I dont see. I heard CLE likes Wimbley, MIA likes Lawson, and NE likes Carpenter.
I think OLB will be a FIRST PICK……
Here is my reasoning. Look at Demarcus Ware. Pick 11, and look at the drop off from Ware to Burnett pick 42. This year we pick later at 18, and maybe there is or is not a Ware there…..or a Merriman…..or a legitimate OLB that can contribute from Day One.
But if last years picks are an indication…..and we have a dropoff on from Ware to Burnett…..then I say BOOKEND WARE BP…..and let the sacks pile up.
I still am hopeful for Burnett and he started to do a little more than speical teamer later in the year and he had some injuries which are unfortanate. You don’t get by with only 3 or 4 legit linebacker in a 3-4 defense…..in the war of Attrition that is the NFL.
Bookend…..bookend…BOOKEND!!!
BP took a gamble on Bierault last year…..who some projected as an NFL FS….if you compare him to John Lynch he stacks up similarly and used his instincts and intelligence to make up for what he lacked in speed. Any chance we already got our FS on the roster?
Scott Wright updated his NFL draftcountdown and included 3 rounds.
I think he is wrong though, he has us going after Holmes WR, then the S from Tenn in 2 and 3rd Havner as an ILB.
All decent picks, but I still think it is more likely to go OLB 1, FS Lineman or WR 2 or 3…..best player available based on BP, JJ and the scouts research.
One thing I don’t like BP skipped the senior Bowl this year. I think his time down there last year served us well. I think he went with his instincts and what he saw down there. Hope he had some good understudy belichek or mangini down there figuring it out for him.
Jon B,
I liked what I saw from Berault last year before he got hurt.The question with him is is size/durability.
he was pretty durable at Ball St i thought……i mean he did an ACL or something in preseason and still played hurt……and wanted to make the team………i loved that about him…….and he had some nice hits and tackles…….but then so does K Davis
we need him to be able to play some Defensive QB back there and call out the O’s next play…….the way Dat Nguyen was calling for that shuffle pass…..
I don’t understand why some people are saying we should only take Carpenter if we can trade down. Does that mean we are reaching if we draft Carpenter at 18? Reaching in who’s opinion? So what if some “experts” claim he’s not good enough to take at 18. To me, if you want the guy and are unable to trade down, you still take him. I looked over A LOT of mock drafts last year and very few had Ware going to the Cowboys. They had players like Mike Williams, Troy Williamson and Merriman. None had him going before the Cowboys selected so I’m sure in many opinions, Dallas reached when they drafted him. How many teams do you think wish they had “reached” for Emmitt?
Cowboys play Jacksonville in opener on Sept 10
Also play Tampa Thanksgiving @ 3pm Central time
FS has to be a leader and a hitter/hustler.Your point about Lynch is a good one.He certainly is a good model.
Raf:
You forgot about the Mangini led Jets, they’ll be moving to a 3-4 too. They already signed Von Oelhoffen a 3-4 DE to pair him with Shaun Ellis and Matt Chatham to play him at SOLB.
If Dallas wants to Draft one of the best 3-4 OLBs prospects (Carpenter, Wimbley, Lawson and Chad Greenway) they better do so before pick 35.
Oh, Frisco is another team looking for OLB help in a 3-4.
I guess schedule is about to come out.
2 tough games @ Jacksonville & of course Thanksgiving @ home against Tampa. Second year in a row Dallas opens up season away.
Just heard Dallas will open the season at Jacksonville for the national televised 4pm game. Whats the deal with opening up on the road for the 3rd straight year? 2004 at vikings, 2005 at Chargers, and now at the jags? Just curious to know the format the nfl uses for coming up with that.
I was hoping Dallas @ Philly would be the opening Thursday night game. Start the season with a bang and get it over with. A win at Jacksonville to start the season will be nice, too.
Opening away from home is not so bad, it gives us a better chance at 2 or 3 home games late in the year
meant 2 or 3 in a row
I don’t see why we cut larry if we weren’t using the money on another big name! I think we have one more big FA move left.
Any idea’s or thoughts…?
Go boyZ.. VADY in the house, man that sounds soounds promising :-)
I live in Jacksonville. My friends are already trying to run smack on me. They keep calling to say Donovan Darius is going to knock T.O. out. Should be a fun 5 1/2 months for me. haha
Blitzkreig,
On last year’s mock drafts giving us Merriman, those were accurate. I have heard, from some sources that I trust, that Dallas was going to select Merriman until he chose the Poston brothers to be his agent a day or two before the draft. Jerry hates doing business with the Postons and thats why we changed to Ware at the last minute.
On a very different subject, when are we supposedly going to San Antonio for camp? I ask, because that will be the year that we have a new head coach. Parcells hated being in San Antonio his first year: it was a circus. He has stated how much he prefers Oxnard. Being outdoors, with excellent weather. Great for teaching, etc.
So if 2007 is the year we are going to San Antonio, thats a pretty good sign that Parcells is done after this year.
Chadd_Grogg,
I think JJ wants to keep a little around to renew some guys as well without killing the cap. When the CBA was winding down, it was with each passing year decreasing the amount of time you could allocate bonuses. Therefore, you have groups of players from different years who need to be resigned kinda in the same year. For us, i think the drafts that included roy williams, charles newman,bradie james and jason whitten are coming due. We could let it go and just make them restricted free agents but looking at seattle and minnesota and their dealings, i think i’d rather sign them up now and eat some of this years cap.
Ridgelake,
I heard that as well, but my point is that the draft “experts” shouldn’t dictate to us who is a reach and who is not. The organization will choose the guy they want even if it’s considered a reach.
J-MAN
I think you ment Terence Newman
well, tried to stay away form the blog and concentrate on the ncaa tourney, but lost all my money, so I’m back fellas. With the 18th pick in the 2006 NFL draft the Dallas Cowboys select Kemeirion Wimbly. Enough said, carpenter will be a reach at 18 because of the injuries, and will be our target if we get a trade mate to trade down, but in the 1st round our projected starter to bookend Ware is Wimbly, not Lawson because I don’t think he wants to play linebacker, so in that case we don’t want him, we don’t need anybody thats going to halfass on the field.
Starting linebackers
ware
james
ayodele
wimbly
Please somebody go check Gibbs and Reids heartbeat, it just started pumping faster, hahahahahahahahahahahahahah
Forgt berry-o fellas, degenerative knee condition. He’ll never be a full-time starter for us.
Len
I dont know why people think he is going to come in and safe the day at FS. He will be the back up SS if he makes the team if that.
Great points Raf.
It should be noted that Lawson and Wimberly are both plenty appealing to 4-3 teams as well. Anyone looking for pass-rushers is going to be interested in them and they are both big enough for the weak-side end position. Lawson may be a bit spindly in the legs, but he would bring such unnatural speed at the position that I think it would balance out.
San Diego, I don’t think they are in the hunt for OLB in the 1st. While Foley is older, he’s still there and he’s only 31. They also have Shaun Phillips waiting in the wings - 7 sacks in 2005 in his 2nd year. I’d say ILB, OT, WR, and Safety are their immediate needs. They might see Carpenter as in inside-backer though.
I’m still not sure Dallas needs a LOLB. BPA and all, I know. But OL still seems the overwhelming weakness on this team. I could definitely more than live the year with Burnett + Stanley McClover, Chris Gocong, Brent Hawkins or whoever later on in the 3rd round or later. The OL was intolerable last year.
SamIam:
Dallas has starters at all five OL positions. They need younger players to groom and I’m fairly certain they will draft an OL on day one.
That said, they do NOT have quality starters at SOLB and FS. The first round is where you select starters. This is a deep draft at OLB and S.
They’re going to select from one of those positions. And I’m leaning strongly to OLB.
I was on the OLB bandwagon at first, and its not going to break my heart if we go with that option, but I can’t get the image of Bledsoe running for his life out of my head after Flo went down. Our starters are set, but it’d be nice to have some quality backing them up, or even someone to challenge Kosier for his spot. If BP and JJ feel they can get that in rd 2 or later, go for it. I’ll be the first to celebrate when we pick up Lawson, Wimbly, or Carpenter. All I’m trying to point out is that it could be GoodBye season once again if we lose an OL starter…………..
Ok nevermind, just jumped ships again. With the 18th pick in the draft the Dallas Cowboys select…12 more sacks this season. Lookout opposing QBs