Sports DaySports Day Cowboys


Sabin: Why Cowboys' switch to a 4-3 defense could hurt the offensive line, too


Tony Gutierrez/AP



Goose says Boys should draft OL in rounds 1, 2 and 3. But what if a defensive player is ranked 20 picks higher than the best OL? Gotta take the def guy there, no?

Rainer Sabin: Yes. I think it's always smart to take the best player available. But this is exactly why switching to a 4-3 is a problem this year. The Cowboys need to fix the offensive line. Now they potentially compromise their ability to address that area because they switched defensive philosophies and have to find players to fit that scheme.


Jerry wants to switch to the 4-3 D but I don't see the players that he currently has being able to compete with the top half of the teams in the NFL. What are your thoughts on this?

Rainer Sabin: I think some of the players fit well in the scheme. Sean Lee and Bruce Carter can play the mike and will. Jay Ratliff may be better suited to be a 4-3 tackle at this stage of his career. I wonder whether Ware will benefit and certainly there are questions about whether the Cowboys have good enough safeties to play this scheme effectively.


What is the future of Anthony Spencer?

Rainer Sabin: He is a free agent this year. The Cowboys could peg him with the franchise tag for the second consecutive season. But it's uncertain if he would be as effective as a defensive end in a 4-3 as he was as an outside linebacker in the 3-4. Don't forget he dropped into coverage a lot more than DeMarcus Ware did. He wouldn't be doing that as a 4-3 defensive end.



top picks

