Defensive Depth Chart v2.0 - Yin Yang Post Combine Edition

Cowboys Face Yin Yang Decisions

Welcome to the 2013 Off Season Defensive Depth Chart version 2.0. - Post Combine Edition. Version 2 helps us bring focus on what the Cowboys have to do versus what we want them to. Rotations that reflect potential injury shuffles are also reflected. For instance if Ware goes down, Hatcher may become a starting DE, versus a starting DT. These types of things are included where possible. We charted all players under contract, including futures players, placing them were we believe they will gain the majority of camp time, which of course, can change at any given moment. We use color to denote the depth of a position according to the legend on the chart.

We were taken by the yin yang, post combine situations at many of the positions that will directly affect the draft currency spent at that position.

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SOLB - The battle between A. Albright and K. Wilber should be a good one, Albright's versatility could handicap him in a close race, as despite his size, he can man each LB position in a pinch. 

Yin - Wilber brings the expectations of talent unrealized due to injury.

Yang - Albright brings the realization of talent as opportunity seized.

With no OLB other than Missouri Zaviar Gooden and his 4.47 40X being a possible value pick if the draft fell just right, the writing is on the wall for either Albright or Wilber to start. Wilber has received good reports from coaches and staff so far. For right now we are giving him the nod.

LB - The fight for the best backup rotation will happen first in free agency, where it will be interesting to see if an offer is made to Ernie Sims, who like Albright, can man all three LB positions. This could make Conner an early casualty from a defense predicated on speed, quickness and range, no longer his strong suits. What we have in McSurdy, Lemon, Satele and Cameron will be answered in camp. If the coaching staff no longer views any of them as suitable to the scheme (possible), none of them have deals which preclude them being released. If a talent drops, the Cowboys may spend a pick at LB, but it is more likely to take hard looks at the talent it has unearthed thus far.

Yin - Conner brings the experience of a veteran.

Yang - Sims, McSurdy, Lemon, Satele and Cameron bring youth (except Sims) and speed, which the Tampa 2 defense is built on.

There doesn't seem to be any ILB on the Cowboys radar at this point. Coaches are loathe to go with a team that is too young. Veterans don't make critical mistakes. It would take standout camps from at least two of the young guns in order for Conner to be cut. I hope it happens.

DL - This group (and Safety) can have polar opposite outcomes depending on the resolution of specific events. Signing Spencer is reportedly a major goal of the team this off season. What happens with the defense will domino based on the results of that effort.

Yin - The players will excel in a scheme better suited to their skills. That even without the signing of A. Spencer, the talent is there to perform at the level necessary to perform in the new Tampa 2 scheme. Ratliff, Hatcher, Crawford, Lissemore and perhaps Spears can all excel on the inside. Ware, Spencer, Crawford, Lissemore and Spears make a fine rotation at DE. Crawford could start if Spencer is not signed, backed up by Lissemore, Spears and Igbinosun. An exciting player to consider, Igbinosun is a wild card from the edge, who has the physical skill set to bring tremendous pressure. Bass, Callaway, Price and Schaefering all have talent from the inside and one, perhaps two should step up and become solid rotation players, maybe even starter caliber.  

Yang - Ratliff is past his prime, Brent is gone and neither Bass, Price, Callaway or Schaefering is good enough to supply the inside pressure and disruption needed in the Tampa 2. Ware is entering the final phase of his career, and a move to require his hand on the turf every down will shorten not only his career years left, but the number of effective games he can provide during those years. Crawford is not suited to be a 4-3 DE, does not have the burst needed to play behind Ware or the strength to play in lieu of Spencer. Spencer would be solid, but Dallas will not be able to afford him, leaving their front four in a shambles and conversely, necessitate a first round pick, and probable reach.

Reality usually lies somewhere between doom and gloom versus rose colored glasses scenarios. Regardless, it all starts with free agent Anthony Spencer. If Dallas signs him they will be much better. It will depend on the price, and the situation with the cap. I believe the cap can be managed. That means it will depend on Spencer agreeing to play for a little bit of a home town discount. Unfortunately  look for Spencer to take the money and run. There are several players that would fit what Dallas needs in the upcoming draft. The best are going to go in the top ten. There should be some solid players available in round two and possibly three however. That leaves Crawford with the opportunity to start, with a direct competition against a 1st-3rd round draft pick probable. Dallas has talent along the line. How much do Ratliff and Ware have left in the tank will determine how far this group can go in 2013. How good of a player Crawford, Lissemore, Igbinosun, Callaway, Bass, Price and Schaefering become under the Rod Marinelli influence will determine how much this group can grow. A draft pick needs to be expended here. Probably more than one. 

CB - We need to address the lack of depth at CB. Behind Scandrick we have questions. Agnew, Moore and Underwood are what we have on the roster. 

Yin - There is the possibility that we can enjoy the late blossoming of a young player that has worked hard and is just now managing to bring it all together.

Yang - The level of talent available from the 4th round on is much higher than any dB on the roster after our top three.

Ok - there is an exception to every rule. Not much Yin/Yang here. We need help at CB. Ideally someone that can push Scandrick for playing time. More UDFA's are a certainty, yet I also look for the Cowboys to spend a pick on a CB in rounds four through seven.

S - That leaves us at Safety. The depth chart paints the picture Red based on talent and production. As you troll the web you find that most everyone views Dallas as having an issue at Safety. But what does Jerry Jones think?

Yin - Dallas gave mid level contracts to both Church and Sensabaugh. They have continuously given glowing reports on Johnson, point out that McCray, though over matched, was able to fill in and still excels on special teams. They also like Pellerin at FS and CB4. Everyone will get healthy and the position will become one of strength.

Yang - Church is coming off a serious achilles injury and one legged Safeties are susceptible to the seam route, Sensabaugh is serviceable, but doesn't have the range necessary for the Tampa 2. The last time Johnson was on a football field for two days in a row, there was a super continent on the globe and Africa was a state.

With the departure of Ryan, we know less about how the brain trust views this position than most. What Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett and Monte Kiffin think about the Dallas situation at Safety, is a conversation I would love to sit in on. There are several talented Safety prospects available this year, and most project at least some would be available as a value pick when Dallas chooses in the first or second round. The questions is, how do the Cowboys view the situation at Safety? What does Kiffin think? What does Jason think? What does Jerry think? What does Cowboys Nation think?

What positions do you see differently? What answers do you propose? Comment below.

On Twitter: Steven Van Over