FWST: Bad year, not bad defense is what Cowboys are stressing

[CCBoy]

Bad year, not bad defense is what Cowboys are stressing
By Carlos Mendez

cmendez@star-telegram.com





The Dallas Cowboys can't figure out what went wrong with their defense last year.

Except it couldn't have been the players.

Could it?

Their actions over the weekend during the three-day NFL Draft seem to say that's what they believe. The Cowboys drafted only an inside linebacker and a cornerback, their fewest defensive selections in a single draft since 1962, to help the unit that gave up the most points in franchise history.

"We thought this was a draft that was weighted more towards offense," vice president Stephen Jones said. "When we got finished looking at our board, we had a lot more offensive players than defensive players. As it turned out, when it came time for us to pick, it was more offense than defense."

Maybe the Cowboys are also counting on a change in coaching scenery. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan inherits the group that underachieved for former head coach Wade Phillips...



Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/05/01/3041321/bad-year-not-bad-defense-is-what.html#ixzz1LDSHCPXg

[ShiningStar]

i dont get this, if you reach, people scream, if you dont take the sexy pick, people scream, so if dallas saw no value at their spots and took what they thought was worth it, THAN they believe in a unit thats PROVING its not good at its current state of affairs?

Could it also mean that the team knows it will have to address it when FA starts up? NOOOOOOOO it couldnt mean you'd hve to think OR possible research something.

[stasheroo]

i dont get this, if you reach, people scream, if you dont take the sexy pick, people scream, so if dallas saw no value at their spots and took what they thought was worth it, THAN they believe in a unit thats PROVING its not good at its current state of affairs?

Could it also mean that the team knows it will have to address it when FA starts up? NOOOOOOOO it couldnt mean you'd hve to think OR possible research something.

It certainly appears to be an odd situation at first glance.

The defense essentially implodes and to date, nobody is either able or willing to identify why. Was Wade Phillips & Co solely to blame and folks are just taking the high road? Odd that the same man who fixed the defense in 2009 wrecked it in 2010.

Not to mention, the coaches who presided over the defense's most underachieving unit (the secondary) are both brought back? Yet another mystery.

Add to it a minimal investment via the draft and this team must believe that the talent is there and that they have faith in Rob Ryan to coach it out of them.

I would have to say that I think that they'll make at least a moderate level of investment in free agency to add a piece or two and retain one or more free agents of their own.

[Doomsday101]

I think clearly the defense underachieved this past season compared to 09. We do have some areas that need to be addressed I think some of that can and will be done before the start of camp. I doubt all weakness can be addressed and this team will have to work hard as a team to overcome those areas. If I had to say what the most critical is it would be Safety

[stasheroo]

I think clearly the defense underachieved this past season compared to 09. We do have some areas that need to be addressed I think some of that can and will be done before the start of camp. I doubt all weakness can be addressed and this team will have to work hard as a team to overcome those areas. If I had to say what the most critical is it would be Safety

Agreed.

And that's where I think they will make the quickest and most expensive investment.

[ShiningStar]

It certainly appears to be an odd situation at first glance.

The defense essentially implodes and to date, nobody is either able or willing to identify why. Was Wade Phillips & Co solely to blame and folks are just taking the high road? Odd that the same man who fixed the defense in 2009 wrecked it in 2010.

Not to mention, the coaches who presided over the defense's most underachieving unit (the secondary) are both brought back? Yet another mystery.

Add to it a minimal investment via the draft and this team must believe that the talent is there and that they have faith in Rob Ryan to coach it out of them.

I would have to say that I think that they'll make at least a moderate level of investment in free agency to add a piece or two and retain one or more free agents of their own.



i agree with you, but i think to much is invested in the draft and the hype of the draft. some people swear you have to do your team by the draft and some like myself say you need some parts and thats where FA comes in. Youth is great and you hear it all day long, but when the youth makes the mistake, the tune changes in a hurry.

A lot of coaches were to be blamed this year than over other season. I still irks me HH is still here, but i want nothing do with him or Maxie and Campo, but its Garretts call. HE sees and knows what i dont.

Im thinking and hoping Ryan can change and play with most of what we'll retain and use whats giving to him when its appropriate. I dont think the draft can always cure your wounds.

[Doomsday101]

Agreed.

And that's where I think they will make the quickest and most expensive investment.

As do I. I think most would concede that help along the defensive front was an area of need I think it is likely that Dallas will have to get Bowen and or Hatcher resigned and need to get more out of them I hope that is where Ryan skills as a coach comes into play.

[ShiningStar]

Agreed.

And that's where I think they will make the quickest and most expensive investment.

I think after seeing how that position has hurt us, it will be okay to be expesnive at that position, than start drafting smarter for that position.

[CCBoy]

i agree with you, but i think to much is invested in the draft and the hype of the draft. some people swear you have to do your team by the draft and some like myself say you need some parts and thats where FA comes in. Youth is great and you hear it all day long, but when the youth makes the mistake, the tune changes in a hurry.

A lot of coaches were to be blamed this year than over other season. I still irks me HH is still here, but i want nothing do with him or Maxie and Campo, but its Garretts call. HE sees and knows what i dont.

Im thinking and hoping Ryan can change and play with most of what we'll retain and use whats giving to him when its appropriate. I dont think the draft can always cure your wounds.

Don't forget that Houck also coached up Doug Free....

[CCBoy]

As do I. I think most would concede that help along the defensive front was an area of need I think it is likely that Dallas will have to get Bowen and or Hatcher resigned and need to get more out of them I hope that is where Ryan skills as a coach comes into play.

Lissimore and Brent may be of use now also.

[Deep_Freeze]

Jones hinted that things changed for everyone when quarterback Tony Romo was sidelined in the sixth game last year.
"You get your quarterback hurt, you get some things go wrong, and then there's a little more pressure, maybe, to push," he said. "Rather than playing sound defense, you're looking to make plays. You're pushing, you're pushing. So you know, there's a lot of things that go into, sometimes, a struggle."

Come on Jerry, you can do better than this. Guess he is trying to be a spin doctor, but that reasoning, goodness they were bad most of the year. :bang2:

We can't fill all of the holes on this team by the draft, so we will have to wait on free agency to hope we can fill some needs on D. It is kinda interesting that we were so bad on D yet we didn't really make a huge effort in the draft for it. Guess its all Murray's fault.

[Wolfpack]

I think the D melted down due to
1. Predictable Scheme; Wade had some success and he typically coasts a little after that everywhere he has been.
2. Soft Coaching; Wade's style but it also got worse (see above)
3. Lack of something...heart? Still feels like the heart of the Defense retired with Woodson.

I fully expect Ryan to fix all the above and I dont think you'll see him or JG take their foot off the gas either.

[ShiningStar]

Don't forget that Houck also coached up Doug Free....

you're a person whos impressed when you get 100 dollars even it costed you 400?

Great, he brought up 1 and missed on Marten and a few others. Did he "coach" him up or did Free have enough talent that HH couldnt do more harm to him?

Careful how you mean it.

[dadymat]

I agree that it was bad season not bad players...I do think our safeties need improving but over all alot of good talent on D......the whole team quit on Wade last season...I believe Garrett will get the offense ready and i also think that after Rob sinks his sneaker a foot deep into the behind of a few of them the defense will get it together as well....

[ZeroClub]

The Cowboys drafted only an inside linebacker and a cornerback, their fewest defensive selections in a single draft since 1962, to help the unit that gave up the most points in franchise history.

Oh that's just silly.

Make no mistake about it, the biggist new-to-the-team FA signings are going to play defense.

[Chocolate Lab]

Hmm. Even though Garrett supposedly changed the culture and fixed everything up last year, we still got worked by Rex Grossman and John Skelton.

Yeah, I'd say we need some players.

[CCBoy]

you're a person whos impressed when you get 100 dollars even it costed you 400?

Great, he brought up 1 and missed on Marten and a few others. Did he "coach" him up or did Free have enough talent that HH couldnt do more harm to him?

Careful how you mean it.

Careless kneejerks sometimes go askew. By that comparison, then what happened in Dallas in the offensive line would be crap hitting the fan, under Bill Parcells. He brought in an injured and former 'Parcells' player that spent a year and a half consistently on the DL. He picked a seventh rounder to protect his quarterback. Then drafted a USC tackle and LSU guard, that lasted almost a year apiece. He moved Gurode to guard, and shipped Larry Allen off. Maybe the ex-Green Bay guard who was injured from the time he arrived was the true feather then...yet, this is intended as a cruxifiction of Houck?

Try predictability of last year's offense causing troubles. With Marion Barber NOT being able to take the ball outside and defenses just stacking the Dallas iterior. Then put Colombo on the outside, and a runway to the QB....sure fire bet that was all upon Houck.

[CATCH17]

I'll tell you what went wrong... We had a bunch of guys who straight up quit.

[CCBoy]

I agree that it was bad season not bad players...I do think our safeties need improving but over all alot of good talent on D......the whole team quit on Wade last season...I believe Garrett will get the offense ready and i also think that after Rob sinks his sneaker a foot deep into the behind of a few of them the defense will get it together as well....

Funny how a little agabe adds to the dish of a chef...

[ShiningStar]

Careless kneejerks sometimes go askew. By that comparison, then what happened in Dallas in the offensive line would be crap hitting the fan, under Bill Parcells. He brought in an injured and former 'Parcells' player that spent a year and a half consistently on the DL. He picked a seventh rounder to protect his quarterback. Then drafted a USC tackle and LSU guard, that lasted almost a year apiece. He moved Gurode to guard, and shipped Larry Allen off. Maybe the ex-Green Bay guard who was injured from the time he arrived was the true feather then...yet, this is intended as a cruxifiction of Houck?

Try predictability of last year's offense causing troubles. With Marion Barber NOT being able to take the ball outside and defenses just stacking the Dallas iterior. Then put Colombo on the outside, and a runway to the QB....sure fire bet that was all upon Houck.



Allen was done, plain and simple. Everyone knows Parcells was bad at OLine men, but other coaches did more with less than HH did with anything, plain and simple. When the rest of the league can perform and hold off your DL with less talent that says something, and it SCREAMED HH was done with the game and new guys need to come in with different train of thoughts and philosphies.

Houck is done and hes proven that and if you cant see it, than thats okay as well, but when i see other offensive lines get injured and the back ups dont miss a beat, i know our coach is over with.

[CCBoy]

Allen was done, plain and simple. Everyone knows Parcells was bad at OLine men, but other coaches did more with less than HH did with anything, plain and simple. When the rest of the league can perform and hold off your DL with less talent that says something, and it SCREAMED HH was done with the game and new guys need to come in with different train of thoughts and philosphies.

Houck is done and hes proven that and if you cant see it, than thats okay as well, but when i see other offensive lines get injured and the back ups dont miss a beat, i know our coach is over with.

Oh, you go...and the six win season was on Houck.:rolleyes: And Houck was the offensive line coach when Dallas was top three for two and a half years in total production. That was BEFORE Romo went down.

Oh, and neat side step of issue on comparisons strictly on achievement by a team's level. One ought to take up line dancing next...but there are legs to some of what you state.

[percyhoward]

Jones hinted that things changed for everyone when quarterback Tony Romo was sidelined in the sixth game last year.

"You get your quarterback hurt, you get some things go wrong, and then there's a little more pressure, maybe, to push," he said. "Rather than playing sound defense, you're looking to make plays. You're pushing, you're pushing. So you know, there's a lot of things that go into, sometimes, a struggle."
I just hope he doesn't really believe this.

Here's a post (http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3636962&postcount=10) from five days BEFORE Romo's injury. At that time, we were already ranked 26th in defensive passer rating and 23rd in yards per attempt allowed.

"One big problem right now that gets overlooked is our pass defense. In addition to not creating turnovers (interceptions in this case), we're also giving up a high yards per attempt. This yardage isn't reflected in the "yards per game" stat, where our pass D appears to be one of the league's best, ranking 4th. That's a very misleading number though, because our defense faces fewer pass attempts per game than all but one team."

[CCBoy]

Cowboys: Defensive answers in-house
Free agency remains an option, but Jones claims Ryan capable of fixing 'D.'
By Tom Orsborn / torsborn@express-news.net



IRVING — The Dallas Cowboys drafted just two defensive players last week, and there's no guarantee they'll land their targets in free agency once a new labor accord is reached.

So just how do they plan to fix a defensive unit that yielded a franchise-record 436 points last season?

The answer lies in the confidence the club has in new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and its belief that players who underachieved last season will rebound sharply under his tutelage.

“We probably should give Rob Ryan some due here,” owner Jerry Jones said. “He's going to do some things differently ... I do feel like our defensive personnel is going to play better than we played last year. I do feel we underachieved last year, and I want to say that without throwing (former coach and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips) under the bus.”

The list of underachievers is long and filled with notable names, including Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, Jay Ratliff and Anthony Spencer, a quartet that in 2009 either made the Pro Bowl or finished the season playing at a Pro Bowl level.

But Jones believes that all of them will respond to Ryan's aggressive style.



Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Cowboys-defensive-answers-in-house-1361201.php#ixzz1LDlU3fWn

[bracey]

Chalking it up to "a bad season" is hogwash. Even if it was just luck, the coaches and players are responsible for their performance and they were one of the worst secondaries in the league. I'm hopeful it was our coaching and schemes that were the problem more than the players.

[clutch88]

I just hope he doesn't really believe this.

Here's a post (http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3636962&postcount=10) from five days BEFORE Romo's injury. At that time, we were already ranked 26th in defensive passer rating and 23rd in yards per attempt allowed.http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/clutch881/th_startrek.gif

[CCBoy]

Chalking it up to "a bad season" is hogwash. Even if it was just luck, the coaches and players are responsible for their performance and they were one of the worst secondaries in the league. I'm hopeful it was our coaching and schemes that were the problem more than the players.

There also is a youthful consideration strongly in that unit as wel. Sensabaugh, isn't anywhere near senior in the section. Then there was Ball, Scandrick, and Jenkins all nursing a coming third year niche as well. But below that, were four and now five just at or beyond 'rook' status. There is a good amount of young players they have developing and on stovetop at present.

That screams the need for further development in the secondary. There are legs to them maturing as well.

[RS12]

The d needs some new blood. 4-5 new starters IMO. 2 in the secondary, 1 ILB, 1-2 D Line.

[CCBoy]

The d needs some new blood. 4-5 new starters IMO. 2 in the secondary, 1 ILB, 1-2 D Line.


A team just can not change everything for three consecutive years, and grow exponentially.

[RS12]

A team just can not change everything for three consecutive years, and grow exponentially.

The proof is in the stats. They also cant continue on with what they had on D last year. Otherwise you are looking 8-8 and alot of 45-42 games.

[Doomsday101]

The proof is in the stats. They also cant continue on with what they had on D last year. Otherwise you are looking 8-8 and alot of 45-42 games.

Yet that same defense for the most part ranked at the top in 09. I agree we need to make additions I also think this defense for whatever reason did not play close to what they were capable and that is the reason Wade was fired because the talent on this team was expected to do much better than they showed.

[stasheroo]

Chalking it up to "a bad season" is hogwash. Even if it was just luck, the coaches and players are responsible for their performance and they were one of the worst secondaries in the league. I'm hopeful it was our coaching and schemes that were the problem more than the players.

I think there are plenty of guys who have been put on notice - and that's not just defensively but offensively as well.

I believe that the team would rather give the situation one more season before making a final determination. Whether we agree with that philosphy is another question but I believe that's what they're basing decisions on.

Is Leonard Davis as bad and as declining as he looked last year?

Is Newman on the downside of his career and if so, how much?

Will Anthony Spencer in a contract year be the 2009 guy and get a new deal in Dallas or the one from 2010 and be shown the door?

Will Mike Jenkins be the solid young corner of '09 or the reckless, undisciplined target of 2010?

The players in question have shown the ability to play in the past so I think the team is giving each another season to either rebound or be replaced next season.

[CCBoy]

Yet that same defense for the most part ranked at the top in 09. I agree we need to make additions I also think this defense for whatever reason did not play close to what they were capable and that is the reason Wade was fired because the talent on this team was expected to do much better than they showed.

This is a very telling quote. This team still has a ton of talent on it. It is probably one of the five most talented teams in the NFC. Some holes are filled by pluggers on even championship teams. It is how they come together that matter. Although emotion was behind Wade Phillips, execution never matched expectations under him, when pressure times arrived. That screams in lack of preparation and poor motivation. Talent was missng at places. But it will take a growing process at least with some of the pool of players competing for playing time.

You bet that I could get on board with three key and new defensive pieces added to the mix...and resigning a large sector as well.

[CCBoy]

I think there are plenty of guys who have been put on notice - and that's not just defensively but offensively as well.

I believe that the team would rather give the situation one more season before making a final determination. Whether we agree with that philosphy is another question but I believe that's what they're basing decisions on.

Is Leonard Davis as bad and as declining as he looked last year?

Is Newman on the downside of his career and if so, how much?

Will Anthony Spencer in a contract year be the 2009 guy and get a new deal in Dallas or the one from 2010 and be shown the door?

Will Mike Jenkins be the solid young corner of '09 or the reckless, undisciplined target of 2010?

The players in question have shown the ability to play in the past so I think the team is giving each another season to either rebound or be replaced next season.

Good look there, Stash...

[jobberone]

Our offense failed for the last decade plus. Last year was better and I'd say marginally ok. I see that as an aberration esp considering Tony was gone. I will say I'm excluding the first 3/4s of a season in 2007. That's the tease. I do think that Garrett can get us back to that form. That will take a load off the defense if it happens.

The defense is an enigma. It has generally done its job over the years. Last year was a monumental fail. We lost our pass rush and the run defense was poor up the middle. We got torched in the secondary and much of that early on was the lack of a pass rush. I do think it got into their heads and they then started playing poorly on top of the poor pass rush. All of that leads to disaster.

I think the defense can marginally do their job at least. If we add Huff in the secondary then I think we can do even better. I'm still worried about the pass rush. I'd like to see it do reasonably well without having to resort to exotic blitzes. Spencer, Carter and Lee will have to step up. Ratliff will have to rebound. I'm still worried about the rush defense esp up the middle.

We have much the same players that finished second in the league in points given up 2009. That has to mean something. Scheme can only do so much. I honestly don't have any idea as to how well our defense will be this year. It will be improved but how much is just a guess.

I hope they sign Huff. I hope Spencer has a break out year. I hope our backup NT can stop the run. I hope Ratliff can pressure the passer better this year. That's a lot of hopes.

[visionary]

Defense, reasons for failure:

1. Lack of discipline and accoutability
2. Lack of physical practices. When your team leader (Ware) walks in and sees the term "full pads" and thinks "oh no!" when playing for a WAY WAY underachieving team, you know it is bad. he should be thinking "yes!! finally"
3. Lack of true NT who can collapse the pocket (I know I will get bashed for this but save the "Rat is a probowler" comments)
4. Lack of speed and rush ability from ILB (brooking and james, enough said)
5. Piss poor coverage from the FS
6. Poor work habits that showed up in the play of players like jenkins

i know a lot of oyu think that CB is a big need, I dont agree
if we improve these things, we can get it turned around with the CBs we have

you put these things togetehr and teams can run and pass on you

good news: most of these things are correctable with the right coaching and draft/FA

time will tell

[CCBoy]

Taken from the Vela article from cowboysnation on this page:

'The Cowboys, you'll recall, had to stick with Keith Brooking and Bradie James in nickel most of the year because they had no trustworthy backups. Do you remember how gassed Brooking would look in the 2nd quarters of early games, because he had to play every defensive snap? James' pass coverage has always been the weakness in his game and the lack of a strong-inside backup meant he too had to stay on the field far more than the coaches would like. If Carter's knee heals on time, and he can process the nickel linebacker's assignments, he'll offer an upgrade to a pass defense which has been ripped to pieces by good receiving tight ends the past few seasons.'

Just the reliable play of both Sean Lee and Carter, could change play by the defense dramatically.

[kevinhickey]

To put the blame entirely on the coaching and think by adding several new coaches will change things, is a big mistake. Sure Wade, looked lost and granted our concepts on defense were too predictable; however,the players are also at fault. I watched every game last year and I witnessed players giving up. This team improved because they soon realised that they were playing for their jobs. We have to address the defense in free agency to become a contender. I'm not angry with the decisions that were made during the draft because we didn't address certain needs. I think we had a excellent draft and hope to experience more like this in the future.

[Doomsday101]

"This team improved because they soon realised that they were playing for their jobs"

Lets hope that remains the case. If a guy can step up and play better because he knows his job is on the line then that does go back to coaching. I like Wade I think he is a good man and a fine defensive coach but maybe this group needs some one to push them to keep them on edge.

[stasheroo]

"This team improved because they soon realised that they were playing for their jobs"

Lets hope that remains the case. If a guy can step up and play better because he knows his job is on the line then that does go back to coaching. I like Wade I think he is a good man and a fine defensive coach but maybe this group needs some one to push them to keep them on edge.

I think this is absolutely the case.

Some players need to 'get the stick' to be motivated to play their best.

Not everyone is a self-starter and some are more personally-motivated than others.

I think having Garrett in charge - and having the ability to follow-through on threats to players' jobs will go a long way in curing what ails this team.

[EGG]

Brent should count as a defensive pick for this year's draft since he was a supplemental pick,,,

I wish they could have drafted more defense, but hey, they got 15 holes to fill and only 10 fingers(dyke reference). It will be interesting to see what they can swing in free agency,,, if they lose Hatcher/Bowen/Spears it might get ugly,,,