Preseason Cowboys Defensive Line Overview

Cowboys Off-season Talk: Defensive line

By Zach Wolchuk

With the NFL Draft fast approaching coming up on May 8^th from radio city musical hall, It's about that time too get some draft talk out to you lovely listeners! However, before diving right in I would like too start off my first blog article taking a look at the current state of the Dallas Cowboys defensive line.  Free agency is now roughly two weeks in, and the Dallas Cowboys have been quietly budget shopping. The team made a very difficult emotional choice in releasing long time defensive stall-worth Demarcus Ware. The Cowboys saved $7.4 million by making the move. Financially it was a fairly easy decision, however as a life long fan of this franchise, and a person who has had the privilege of watching every snap of the cowboys all time sack leaders career, I must say it still hurts too see him leave. Especially considering this is a Dallas defense who allowed a historically bad 388 first downs, and a whopping 6,645 yards too opposing offenses. Ware was injured during last seasons campaign, as was the majority of the cowboys starting defense. Although lets be honest here, this is the NFL and excuses are just like butt holes, everybody has one and they all stink. This defensive line is now being completely re built from a season ago. Heading into 2013 the Dallas Cowboys starting defensive line looked too be former pro bowlers Ware and Anthony Spencer at defensive end. Paired with former pro bowl defensive tackle Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher who was hoping too excel in Rod Marinelli's new defensive system. As it played out Anthony Spencer played a total of one game and is currently still an unrestricted free agent with the possibility of re signing with Dallas. Demarcus Ware played in 13 games but totaled a career worst 6 sacks and just recently signed a three year $30 million dollar with the Denver Broncos. Jay Ratliff didn't play a regular season snap for the cowboys and was released mid season and played  six games for the Chicago Bears. The cowboys today filed a complaint against Ratliff too retrieve a portion of his signing bonus from last season. This is due in large part too suspicion in how Ratliff was apparently too “injured” too play for Dallas, yet upon his release signs with the Bears and is on the field maybe a week later. The only player who performed well above expectation of the four pre season starters was Jason Hatcher. Hatch had a career best 11 sacks and ended up in his first career pro bowl. This break out season resulted in Hatcher signing a four year $27.5 million deal with the division rival Washington Redskins this free agency. That makes the potential for this teams starting four defensive lineman too be completely different from what was predicted a season ago.

With all the movement the Cowboys have signed three new defensive lineman too help re assemble the front of the defense. The first being defensive tackle Terrel McClain who has spent three seasons in the league and played for three different teams. Next up is defensive end Jeremy Mincey who was originally drafted by Jacksonville and was released mid last season too sign in Denver and play out the rest of the season for the AFC champs. Both of these players add depth too a team that had none and both men hope too make a home in Dallas and stabilize their careers. The biggest signing the cowboys have made this off season came last week. The team brought in former Chicago Bear and ex Texas Longhorn Henry Melton. The deal is fairly contract friendly too Dallas in year one. The team has the flexibility too terminate the contract if Melton under performs, is not completely healed from his knee injury, or has his off the field problems carry on. Henry Melton made the pro bowl under current cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli in 2012, and common sense would indicate reuniting with his former coach and the opportunity too play for the team he grew up watching are main factors in his decision too Sign in Dallas. 

The Cowboys are still hoping too potentially bring back Anthony Spencer as stated before, and have also visited with Jared Allen. Although reports indicate Allen signing with the cowboys is unlikely. Stephen Jones who appantly has taken on more of the “General Manager” role from daddy Jerry, has been very cautious and selective in shelling out what little cap money this team has left too spend. All this does is make the upcoming Draft in may more vital too any success the cowboys want too have this upcoming football season. The team still does have surprise star George Selvie from last season on the roster, Nick Hayden who spent the majority of last season as a starting defensive tackle for this team, Ben Bass who will be returning from an injury that caused him too miss all of last season, Tyrone Crawford who needs too emerge and show that a third round draft pick was not wasted on him just three seasons ago, and Frank Kearse who is a defensive tackle no one has really heard of. This team still has a lot of work too be done between now and the start of training camp too fill out this defensive line. My next article will showcase a few players in this current draft class that I think could greatly help the Dallas Cowboys defensive front for the 2014 season. Get your popcorn ready, cause its going too be tasty. 

Another Tough Overtime Loss for the Mavs

Nets Trump Mavs 107-104 in OT, Mavs Now 2-2 Midway Through 8 Game Home Stand.
By Jonathan Underhill

Jason Kidd must have had one thought in mind when he was blowing out the candles on his birthday cake. I imagine his inter monologue saying something like, "I wish that we not only win, but that Dirk also won't be able to hit water if he jumped out of a boat. I will then look like a strategic genius and gain some much needed credibility." He then squeezed his eyes extra tight, took a big breath, and blew out all 41 of the candles.

All kidding aside, Jason Kidd was making his first appearance as a head coach in Dallas. During his playing career it was fairly obvious that Kidd would make a great NBA coach. Given the late career success story he experienced in Dallas, there was a reasonable expectation he would join Rick Carlisle's staff once he retired. It seemed ideal, Kidd could gain some knowledge on coaching and the Mavericks could reward him for what he had brought to the organization. Lets not forget that the Mavericks have done the player-to-coach transition before. Don Nelson took former point guard Avery Johnson under his wing and Johnson ultimately became the head coach, actually winning coach of the year in his first full season. But the Nets jumped on the opportunity as soon as he retired and named him their head coach. After some early season struggles, and a spilled cup of water on the floor mid-game, critics questioned his value as a coach. But since the all-star break, Kidd has the Nets playing some good basketball, boasting a 13-4 record in that time span putting them 5th in the Eastern conference. The Mavs are posting a 10-7 record post all-star break, putting them about on the same pace they were on to start the season (32-22). The steaming hot Nets were able to squeeze out an over time win last night. This was not just another loss for Dallas, they needed this game.

Dallas, in the midst of a 8-game home stand, held as big as a 14 point lead midway through the third quarter. That lead was diminished down to four with 44 seconds left in the game. After Paul Pierce hit two free throws to make it two point game, Dallas needed a basket to secure a win. So they went to the man known historically for his late game heroics, Dirk Nowitzki, to finish this game off. Dirk, who was 1-of-9 from the field at this point, got the ball at the wing and was able to shot his legendary one-footed fade away. The ball soared through the air with that beautiful arc, the arena silenced, fans watched in awe waiting for it to swish threw the net like we've seen so often from Dirk. But the ball didn't even reach the rim. Nowitzki coughed up a air ball and the Nets got the ball. Joe Johnson than easily drove past Shawn Marion for a lay up to tie it up 91-91. Monta Ellis, who finished the game with 32 points, had a chance to end it in regulation. He took a deep three pointer that he seemed to settle for when Deron Williams showed a double team, taking away the driving lane. The Nets went into over time with all the momentum and were quickly up 100-95 after another miss from Nowitzki and a sloppy pass from Shawn Marion getting stolen for a easy transition lay up. The Nets didn't look back, winning 107-104.

Thats another double-digit lead blown late by Dallas. Their inability to close games has haunted them all season long. Is it because of poor defensive play when the games on the line? Or because they're too tired as the game progresses due to the old age of the team? It's a combination of both. A old team that doesn't like to play defense isn't going to get stops down the stretch, especially when the game is on the line. Shawn Marion has made a career out of tough defense and hustle allowed Joe Johnson to pretty much walk to basket to tie the game in regulation. Dallas needs Marion to make make stops defensively late in games as much as they need Nowitzki to make shots late. Neither did that last night.

Jason Kidd did seem to have a sound defensive plan to shut down Nowitzki. He finished 2-of-12 from the field with 10 points and was visibly hesitant and uncomfortable down the stretch with how Brooklyn was playing him. Maybe Kidd knows the secret formula to slow down Nowitzki, the same formula Don Nelson used when Golden State surprised Dallas in the first round back in '07. Earlier in the year against Brooklyn, Nowitzki shot 5-of-15 from the floor for 18 points in a loss. Monta Ellis continues to play great, going 11-for-24 for 32 points. He's averaging 24.25 points per game in this home stand. The biggest surprise of last night though was the play of Samuel Dalembert putting up 12 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 monster blocks. Dallas has lacked a low-post presence for two years now and will need Dalembert to continue that strong play down the stretch.

Golden State and Portland, both ahead of Dallas in the standings, had lost the night prior while Memphis, who's trailing Dallas in the standings, won. This was a chance to make up some ground in the tight Western conference and they failed to take advantage of it. Sizzling hot Phoenix is nipping at Dallas' heels now after they came from behind to beat Memphis last night. Dallas holds a .5 game lead over Phoenix for the 8th seed. Dallas is now 2-2 midway through their home stand and the beginning was suppose to be the easy part. Dallas' last four games in this stretch will be against Oklahoma City, LA Clippers, Sacramento, and Golden State to finish it off.

The Dallas Mavericks have been digging themselves into a hole and are now with their backs against the door to the playoffs with Phoenix knocking on it. Maybe Dallas' old legs aren't built for an 82-game regular season. Maybe this loss and the loss to Minnesota were just unlucky. Regardless, it's win or go home time and they will need to finish off this season strong to make the playoffs. That being said, Dallas has played well all season after losing so badly (i.e. beating Portland and Indiana after a tough loss to Denver, or after falling to Golden State a week ago bouncing back and killing Oklahoma City). Hopefully Dallas uses these late game losses as motivation and those old legs catch a second wind. Because from hear on out, every time they step on the floor, it's a playoff game. I just hope there's some fuel left in the tank.

 

Mavericks End of Season Report

13 Games Left for the Mavericks, Are they Playoff Bound or Going Fishing?
By Jonathan Underhill 

First off, thanks for checking out the new and improved blog for Nosebleed Seats Sports Talk Radio. Myself and my co-host, Zach Wolchuk, will be posting on here regularly now so our listeners can keep up with our on-air topics and whatever else we feel like writing. I know Big Z already said he wants to start doing some player profiles of NFL prospects. I'm looking forward to baseball season to get under way and can't wait to discuss America's pastime. But anyway, now that's out of the way lets dive right in.

Lets first take a quick look at the Western Conference. The Mavs are sitting in the 8th seed right now after a tough overtime loss to the Timberwolves last night. The Mavs are now 41-28 with 13 games remaining in their season. Phoenix is 1.5 games behind them and Minnesota, who I had as a playoff team early in the year, is 5.5 behind. In front of Dallas is Memphis (40-27) with the 7th seed, Golden State (43-26) with the 6th seed, and Portland (44-24) holding down the 5th spot. At the top of the conference is San Antonio, Oklahoma City, LA Clippers, and Houston, in that order. Realistically at this juncture I do not see Minnesota squeezing their way in, but Phoenix is definitely still in the picture. The Mavericks and Suns actually meet on April 12th and then the Grizzlies on April 16th, both of which could be a deciding games.

In the past few weeks we have seen some glimmers of hope. Beating the Blazers followed by the Pacers. They were then destroyed in an embarrassing loss to the Warriors but played well behind 31 points from Nowitzki the next night against the Jazz. The Thunder were than handed a solid defeat at home right before Dallas started an unheard of 8-game home stand at the beginning of this week. A home stand that long, this late in the season, seems to be a gift from god. The Mavs beat the Celtics to start it off in a game a little closer than I'd like see. Last night was the Timberwolves, who have given us problems all season. Trailing most of the game the Mavs sparked a come back in the 4th quarter behind an incredibly hot shooting hand of Monta Ellis. In over time unfortunately, the Timberwolves ended up winning by one point.

Looking forward at the last 13 games there is some tough games including three match ups against the Clippers and two versus the Warriors. Nine of the final 13 will be against teams with winning records. The Mavs must, and I repeat MUST, take advantage of the rest of this home stand. Phoenix has a little easier of a schedule but not by much. In their final 14 games they face 8 teams above .500 but they close out the season on a tough stretch. The Clippers, Spurs, Blazers, Thunder, Mavs, and Grizzlies are six of their final eight opponents. Memphis' final 15 games include 11 teams over .500. These three teams, who most people believe are fighting for the final two spots, all close out their season playing each other in their last two games. Those games could ultimately be the deciding factor on who's in and who's out.

With all that being said, I do like what I've been seeing out of Dallas recently. They have been playing tough teams well and haven't been needing to rely on Dirk to win games. Offensively they can be unstoppable at times, with so many scorers it doesn't necessarily kill you if one or two guys are cold. Monta has matured throughout the season and can take over games at times. Shawn Marion is actually taking shots, and making them, this year when in the past he has relied exclusively on put-backs, post-ups, and lay-ups. Vince Carter continues at his age to score and is great off the bench. Jose Calderon continues to snipe from three point range. Brandan Wright can be a game changer with his athleticism and freaky high vertical. And Dirk is just doing his thing as usual. Down the stretch, and hopefully in the playoffs, I believe a major X-factor will be Devin Harris. He has been playing incredibly since coming back from injury. He can play either guard position and has the ability to spark the team of the bench with his explosive speed. He has also been closing out a lot of games because he's the teams best defensive guard as well.

The problem isn't offense though, it's defense. If Dallas was even a middle of the pack defensive team there might be championship murmurs. Hopefully Rick Carlisle can work some magic and get this team to kick it up a gear on that end of the floor. If not it will ultimately be their downfall.

Dallas has the ability to not just make the playoffs but do some damage. A seven seed with a potential match-up against the Thunder could be on upset alert considering how well we match up with them. And I won't put anything magical past Dirk, he's done it before. Maybe it's the optimistic fan in me speaking but I truly believe the Mavericks have been flying under the radar all season with how well they've been playing.

...But I'm getting ahead of myself. Lets worry about making the playoffs first.