ESPND: Cowboys' pass D rides 3-stage boost

[WoodysGirl]

Key factors are Rob Ryan's impact, cornerback confidence and pressure up front

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IRVING, Texas -- Truth be told, there is not much difference between the Dallas Cowboys (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys)' pass defense through the first six games of 2011 and the first six of 2010.

The Cowboys gave up 200 yards a game through the air in the first six games last year. They are allowing 231 this year. They picked off five passes in 2010; seven in 2011. They had 13 sacks last year; 17 this year. They gave up 18 pass plays of 20 yards or more last year; 17 this year. Quarterbacks had 11 touchdown passes to nine this year.

So why does the pass defense seem so much better this year?

The easiest answers are: new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, cornerback confidence and pressure.

Rob Ryan's impact


Read the rest: http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/7157811/dallas-cowboys-pass-defense-rides-three-stage-boost

[Future]

Wouldn't the 2nd two just stem from the first one?

[jimnabby]

IRVING, Texas -- Truth be told, there is not much difference between the Dallas Cowboys (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys)' pass defense through the first six games of 2011 and the first six of 2010.

The Cowboys gave up 200 yards a game through the air in the first six games last year. They are allowing 231 this year. They picked off five passes in 2010; seven in 2011. They had 13 sacks last year; 17 this year. They gave up 18 pass plays of 20 yards or more last year; 17 this year. Quarterbacks had 11 touchdown passes to nine this year.

So why does the pass defense seem so much better this year?It seems better because we don't just remember the first few games from last year. The defense actually played pretty well through 5 games last year, except for not generating turnovers (3 games with none at all, -8 differential in our first 4 losses). The complete defensive collapse started with game 6 against the Giants and steamrolled from there.

[Future]

It seems better because we don't just remember the first few games from last year. The defense actually played pretty well through 5 games last year, except for not generating turnovers (3 games with none at all, -8 differential in our first 4 losses). The complete defensive collapse started with game 6 against the Giants and steamrolled from there.
Good post. The defense was playing very well...or at least well enough to win ball games before they quit. They should be ashamed of themselves for the GB performance, but I think their nosedive was a product of the offense's ineptitude.

[Galian Beast]

What a dumb article. Even by the numbers he has given, that's a pretty significant difference...

2 passing touchdowns less over the course of 6 games. When your games are close i.e. within 3-4 points... 2 touchdowns make a huge difference... as are the 2 extra interceptions...

not to mention that our players weren't even healthy the entire first 6 games.