Trash defense PFF style

[stilltheguru]

Whats the difference in grades frpm last year to this year? Silver spoon said the defense played well last year

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

He ruined the LBers moving them around. Any wonder why they look completely lost? Nolan is awful, so bad that I actually miss Rod Marinelli.

I hated Maranelli and I feel the same way. Anyone but Nolan.

 

[pitt33]

Perhaps it's time to start pointing the finger at this defensive scouting department and the so-called highly touted McClay.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Worst defense I've ever seen

Yep, the 1988 team, 3-13, and the 1989 team, 1-15, were 25th and 24th overall in defense, this team is dead last...

 

[Diehardblues]

Then don't complain when you can't handle the facts, whether it's about Troy, Romo, Dak or anyone else who has worn the Cowboys uniform.

No problem with the facts but you’re using facts to spin your propaganda.

When Dak wins some championships he can be in the conversation with Troy. Until then he’s in the conversation with Romo.

 

[Diehardblues]

LOL. What teams did Troy lead after 1995 when his teams were not as stacked on offense/defense?

More bashing of Aikman to prop up a QB who hasn’t hoisted a Lombardi.

These Dak slobberers are as bad the Romo Homers.

 

[Diehardblues]

I hated Maranelli and I feel the same way. Anyone but Nolan.

Amazing how fans always hold the coaching responsible instead of the talent or lack thereof.

Marinelli was obviously holding together a less than talented defense that was ranked much higher. The culprit in the lack of success was the bust and risk on draft day.

 

[SackMaster]

I know that’s an attempt at sarcasm, but the state of the defense is the main argument for taking a QB early. That frees up about $30MM to spend in FA.

is that the right move? Only if you hit on the qb you take.

Who are all the "great" Free Agents that Dallas can sign that will make a difference and be worth what we are playing them?

I swear that people do not pay attention to what ACTUALLY happens in Free Agency. I mean, where are the Free Agents that are making a REAL difference on their new teams?

Jadaveon Clowney, who many on here wanted the Cowboys to sign, stunk it up in Tennessee and is not out for the rest of the season.

Everson Griffen, who was there neck in neck with Clowney as far as the fans were concerned, didn't do much as a Cowboy other than garner a 5th Round pick (maybe).

Earl Thomas, which according to the fans would save any secondary by just showing up, can't even find a team to sign him right now.

HaHa Clinton-Dix was arguably the best available Safety (all FA safeties ranked above him was either franchised or resigned), and he couldn't even make the team.

DJ Reader, who was probably the best FA DT that switched teams, lasted 5 games and didn't exactly solidify the Bengals defense in the games he did play. And that is not to point out our own TWO DT Free Agent failures this past season.

Even TOM BRADY, who was supposed to make the Bucs instant Super Bowl contenders and well behind the Saints in their own division, and could possibly be knocked out of the playoff bubble this weekend. And the biggest reason why the Bucs have not been great this year? Their "super talented" offense is VERY inconsistent. A Tom Brady offense inconsistent? Tell me it ain't so.

Even going back to the "Dream Team" that the Eagles put together in Free Agency where they signed more than a few "Top" Free Agents, well, they missed the playoffs the next two seasons after getting there 3 years in a row.

True difference makers RARELY make it to free agency. Even with the Salary Cap going down, I fully expect that no real difference makers will make it to Free Agency because those team will do what they can to keep their Top Players around.

I just find it strange that story after story after story tells you that you should not focus on Free Agency to FIX and/or BUILD your team, yet that is what Cowboys fans want to do today.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Amazing how fans always hold the coaching responsible instead of the talent or lack thereof.

Marinelli was obviously holding together a less than talented defense that was ranked much higher. The culprit in the lack of success was the bust and risk on draft day.

The players were fine last year. They went from middle of the pack to tops of their position to worst in the league. Everything points to coaching....

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Who are all the "great" Free Agents that Dallas can sign that will make a difference and be worth what we are playing them?

I swear that people do not pay attention to what ACTUALLY happens in Free Agency. I mean, where are the Free Agents that are making a REAL difference on their new teams?

Jadaveon Clowney, who many on here wanted the Cowboys to sign, stunk it up in Tennessee and is not out for the rest of the season.

Everson Griffen, who was there neck in neck with Clowney as far as the fans were concerned, didn't do much as a Cowboy other than garner a 5th Round pick (maybe).

Earl Thomas, which according to the fans would save any secondary by just showing up, can't even find a team to sign him right now.

HaHa Clinton-Dix was arguably the best available Safety (all FA safeties ranked above him was either franchised or resigned), and he couldn't even make the team.

DJ Reader, who was probably the best FA DT that switched teams, lasted 5 games and didn't exactly solidify the Bengals defense in the games he did play. And that is not to point out our own TWO DT Free Agent failures this past season.

Even TOM BRADY, who was supposed to make the Bucs instant Super Bowl contenders and well behind the Saints in their own division, and could possibly be knocked out of the playoff bubble this weekend. And the biggest reason why the Bucs have not been great this year? Their "super talented" offense is VERY inconsistent. A Tom Brady offense inconsistent? Tell me it ain't so.

Even going back to the "Dream Team" that the Eagles put together in Free Agency where they signed more than a few "Top" Free Agents, well, they missed the playoffs the next two seasons after getting there 3 years in a row.

True difference makers RARELY make it to free agency. Even with the Salary Cap going down, I fully expect that no real difference makers will make it to Free Agency because those team will do what they can to keep their Top Players around.

I just find it strange that story after story after story tells you that you should not focus on Free Agency to FIX and/or BUILD your team, yet that is what Cowboys fans want to do today.

I keep asking the same question...people think free agency is going to be full of Aaron Donald’s.....you know who’s going to be in free agency? The players the caliber of what we have. People also think Dak’s cap hit will be 40 million next season and it won’t.

 

[Diehardblues]

The players were fine last year. They went from middle of the pack to tops of their position to worst in the league. Everything points to coaching....

But you forget we let 4 starters on defense walk from last years roster.

 

[charron]

And here are how your Cowboy defensive players stack up against their peers:

CB Awuzie : 80 out of 125
CB Lewis : 113 out of 125
CB Brown: 106 out of 125
S Thompson: 89th out of 90
S X Woods : 49th out of 90
LB Thomas : 66th out of 86
LB LVE 41st out of 86
LB Smith 44th out of 86
DL Gallimore : 99th out of 130
DL Hill 127th out of 130
DL Woods 86th out of 130
DL Crawford 113 out of 130
Edge rusher Smith 52 out of 108
Edge rusher Armstrong 89th out of 108
Edge Rusher DLAW 5th out of 108

As you can see, other than DLAW, we have a defense whose personnel ranges from JAG to "lucky to be in the NFL"..........most are near the very bottom of their position in the league. Can't win with this little talent regardless of scheme........or QB.

Thanks for pouring alcohol on a gaping open wound. The last time we had a defense this bad Monte Kiffen was forced to move on. Many of these underperforming guys will be gone next year, hopefully the DC will be too.

 

[jterrell]

And here are how your Cowboy defensive players stack up against their peers:

CB Awuzie : 80 out of 125
CB Lewis : 113 out of 125
CB Brown: 106 out of 125
S Thompson: 89th out of 90
S X Woods : 49th out of 90
LB Thomas : 66th out of 86
LB LVE 41st out of 86
LB Smith 44th out of 86
DL Gallimore : 99th out of 130
DL Hill 127th out of 130
DL Woods 86th out of 130
DL Crawford 113 out of 130
Edge rusher Smith 52 out of 108
Edge rusher Armstrong 89th out of 108
Edge Rusher DLAW 5th out of 108

As you can see, other than DLAW, we have a defense whose personnel ranges from JAG to "lucky to be in the NFL"..........most are near the very bottom of their position in the league. Can't win with this little talent regardless of scheme........or QB.

Talent is bad but not as bad as these ratings indicate.
The scheme asking players to do things they can't is ONE reason they are graded so poorly.

BUT if a guy has been below average to just trash in last year's defense AND this year's defense? Let them go.
AND if you really wanna keep Nolan you better replace all these non-rookie guys rated below the mid-line of their position because they can't operate in this scheme.

Personally I'd have a powerpoint with last year's grades on a slide and then this years and then the 3rd slide would be a picture of Jazzy Jeff getting tossed out of the home in Bel Air... and when I got to that point int he presentation I'd ask Nolan for his key card.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Who are all the "great" Free Agents that Dallas can sign that will make a difference and be worth what we are playing them?

I swear that people do not pay attention to what ACTUALLY happens in Free Agency. I mean, where are the Free Agents that are making a REAL difference on their new teams?

Jadaveon Clowney, who many on here wanted the Cowboys to sign, stunk it up in Tennessee and is not out for the rest of the season.

Everson Griffen, who was there neck in neck with Clowney as far as the fans were concerned, didn't do much as a Cowboy other than garner a 5th Round pick (maybe).

Earl Thomas, which according to the fans would save any secondary by just showing up, can't even find a team to sign him right now.

HaHa Clinton-Dix was arguably the best available Safety (all FA safeties ranked above him was either franchised or resigned), and he couldn't even make the team.

DJ Reader, who was probably the best FA DT that switched teams, lasted 5 games and didn't exactly solidify the Bengals defense in the games he did play. And that is not to point out our own TWO DT Free Agent failures this past season.

Even TOM BRADY, who was supposed to make the Bucs instant Super Bowl contenders and well behind the Saints in their own division, and could possibly be knocked out of the playoff bubble this weekend. And the biggest reason why the Bucs have not been great this year? Their "super talented" offense is VERY inconsistent. A Tom Brady offense inconsistent? Tell me it ain't so.

Even going back to the "Dream Team" that the Eagles put together in Free Agency where they signed more than a few "Top" Free Agents, well, they missed the playoffs the next two seasons after getting there 3 years in a row.

True difference makers RARELY make it to free agency. Even with the Salary Cap going down, I fully expect that no real difference makers will make it to Free Agency because those team will do what they can to keep their Top Players around.

I just find it strange that story after story after story tells you that you should not focus on Free Agency to FIX and/or BUILD your team, yet that is what Cowboys fans want to do today.

I'm not saying that you have to go out and get the top 3 free agents in this years class. You have a historically bad defense that aside from DLaw is anyone pulling their weight? You can find average to above average players in FA which this defense significantly lacks. For every failure in FA you can get some pretty good players. The dolphins benefited significantly from FA signings, although they did have some extra resources via the draft as well. Kyle Van Noy, Robby Anderson, hell even Jeff Heath have made impacts for their new teams. Tom Brady/Phillip Rivers both have their teams better than they were the year prior, and both in the post season hunt. Jack Conklin has been one of the best Ts in the league this year for Cleveland. Even a Javon Hargrave type of DT would be a drastic improvement for the Cowboys. Right now the Cowboys dont have a chance to even find a difference maker in FA, and they cant even afford to keep their own developed players around right now.

I just dont see how we expect to keep everything the same, bank on a stud 1st round pick turning around this defense, and expect to make a deep playoff run in 2021. I'm not sure that moving on from Dak is the answer or not, but this team cant expect to do the exact same thing time and time again. We need something that can be a difference maker somewhere, and thats why i dont get why these conversations get shut down the very second someone mentioned Dak.

 

[Kolemmitt]

A little bit of hope:

 

[G2]

Lawrence had 1 tackle against Baltimore. ONE!

 

[Kolemmitt]

Don't misunderstand me, the defense needs a major infusion of talent, but most of this is Nolan.
Even Lee, one of the smartest defensive players in the history of the league, seemed confused on Tuesday.
Last year this defense was meh, now it's historically bad, maybe the worst ever, yea we lost a few players, but let's be honest, Jones and Quinn were the only impactful ones, and Smith/Gregory = Quinn, so losing Jones does not equate to an average defense becoming historically bad.
Look at the 2014 defense. I would argue that the '14 defense had less talent than this defense. Ty Crawford was the best defensive lineman on that team! But, they weren't bad. They weren't great, by any means, but Rod had those guys competitive.

 

[SackMaster]

I'm not saying that you have to go out and get the top 3 free agents in this years class. You have a historically bad defense that aside from DLaw is anyone pulling their weight? You can find average to above average players in FA which this defense significantly lacks. For every failure in FA you can get some pretty good players. The dolphins benefited significantly from FA signings, although they did have some extra resources via the draft as well. Kyle Van Noy, Robby Anderson, hell even Jeff Heath have made impacts for their new teams. Tom Brady/Phillip Rivers both have their teams better than they were the year prior, and both in the post season hunt. Jack Conklin has been one of the best Ts in the league this year for Cleveland. Even a Javon Hargrave type of DT would be a drastic improvement for the Cowboys. Right now the Cowboys dont have a chance to even find a difference maker in FA, and they cant even afford to keep their own developed players around right now.

I just dont see how we expect to keep everything the same, bank on a stud 1st round pick turning around this defense, and expect to make a deep playoff run in 2021. I'm not sure that moving on from Dak is the answer or not, but this team cant expect to do the exact same thing time and time again. We need something that can be a difference maker somewhere, and thats why i dont get why these conversations get shut down the very second someone mentioned Dak.

Sure, SOMETIMES a Free Agent can make an impact. But far often than not Free Agency is deep mine full of fool's gold.

The biggest problem on the Cowboys is the Defense. I don't think that there is any person that would disagree there.

Yet when you look at the vast majority of Top Defenses in the league, they all have a "stud 1st round picks" as cornerstone pieces to lead their defense. I know we have missed on a few the past few years, but the coach that apparently begged and pleaded with those less-than-great picks is no longer employed by Dallas.

While I couldn't really care less who is the actual QB for the Cowboys is, the biggest reason I am so against drafting a QB when you already have a Top and Young QB on the roster is that the QB bust rate is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than any other position in football. And it is not even close.

Yet two of the safest picks high in the draft to grab All-Pro caliber players are LB and Safety, followed up by offensive line, then defensive line. All positions the Cowboys could very easily upgrade. Even with CB being the worst defensive position to draft high as far All-Pro players are concerned, they are 3x more likely to become a All-Pro and a little less than 1/2 the chance to become a complete bust than high QB pick.

Now don't get me wrong, if your team does not have a Top QB or the Top QB is getting to the end of his career, you almost have no choice than to draft a QB (which probably leads to such a high draft bust rate) because otherwise the chances of you winning in the NFL are astronomically small without a really good to great QB.

If Dak tells Jerry to stick something where the Sun does not shine and the Cowboys are unable to keep him long term, then by all means, draft a QB.
But if you have the opportunity to sign Dak long-term, that is really the only good option.

Otherwise you are willingly and willfully attempting to revert the Cowboys back to the early 2000's with an EXTREMELY slim chance that it all works out.

JMHO

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

But you forget we let 4 starters on defense walk from last years roster.

We let 4 guys go who by the way all have sucked except Heath who's in a more reserve role....Byron, Quinn and Maleik have all been bad. So am I to believe that if they were her in Nolan's defense they would've been better? Probably not.

 

[texbumthelife]

Subscribe to my site to get exclusive KFF ratings from Kaiser Football Focus. Ratings are available ten minutes after the game finishes or whenever I decide to make them up.

Use coupon code "FISH" to get a 10% discount.