Legion of Boom or Legion of Bumble?

[DasSchnitzel]

Dan Quinn.

I keep seeing a few narratives dominating the conversation, and I hate them all. I want to discuss that and hopefully you become as optimistic as I am. I could be wrong, but I think we got one here, guys.

Let's talk Quinn's history with Atlanta.

You cannot judge someone's capacity to be a coordinator in the NFL by his head coach history. This doesn't make sense, and there are many examples of people succeeding in one capacity but failing in another. He will be free to do so much more good work on the defense when all he is responsible for is the defense. That said, if you want to have a comparison, here's one.

Quinn was NFC Champion after 2016. Dallas hasn't won a conference title since January 1996. In 5 years, Quinn made it to the playoffs twice, with two losses, just like Dallas. He won 3. We won 1. Yes, Dan Quinn was embarrassed in the Super Bowl against Belichek and Brady. There's been a lot of very good coaches and players that lost, sometimes embarrassingly, to those two.

Atlanta at Dallas. Do you believe that you the HC should have to micromanage making sure that his ST unit knew the rules of onside kicks? Would you trust that your ST coaching staff made sure this was covered at some point? Are you going to judge his potential as a DC because one time as an HC his team looked awful on ST?

Some people are good coordinators, they take the next step, they never get it done. Quinn is one, and he still got farther than we ever do. These dumb things being brought up about Quinn's misteps as a HC in random comeback losses are just noise, generally inapplicable, and often ancient history at this point.

Now Seattle.

So what it if Quinn went to Seattle and was handed a good situation with good players all around. So what? You want to fault him for making the most of that opportunity? And let's be clear, that was a generational defense -- he made the most of that opportunity. Do you think anyone could have done that? Do you believe that all these guys in the Legion of Boom, they all just hit the ground that great and Quinn's schemes and coaching had nothing to do with it?

Give me a break. Under Quinn, they lived up to their potential. That is what you want to say about your coach.

Finally, the conversation revolving around that Legion of Boom and Dan Quinn bringing it here.

If you want to fantasize about this, feel free. But that was a generational defense. Say "Legion" to any NFL fan of the last decade and they know who. That roster likely had multiple hall of famers. It's not only unfair to make this an expectation of Quinn, but it's disrespectful to the LoB. I feel good about DLaw, Diggs, Gregory, and Gallimore. See the issue?

Beyond that, due to the offense, I don't think we can afford a Legion of Boom, or need one at all for that matter. Dak was on pace for a season from Madden last year. If Quinn can give this team a defense that's 16th in most categories, we will make noise. Quinn can do that.

I love the Quinn hire. Acknowledge the situation he is inheriting. Set reasonable expectations. Let the man do his job.

Das, out.

 

[JoeKing]

There will be no LoB in Dallas. We just don't have the players for it.

 

[Batman1980]

We had a legion of boom in the 70s and 90s. Someone should give Jerrah a refresher.

 

[stiletto]

We had a legion of boom in the 70s and 90s. Someone should give Jerrah a refresher.

You mean when real football people actually made football decisions instead of Oil tycoons shooting from the hip? Would be nice but don't count on it.

 

[DasSchnitzel]

Yes yes, Jerry bad.

Work with what you got.

 

[FanSince71]

There will be no LoB in Dallas. We just don't have the players for it.

That’s true. At least not yet.

It took Seattle 3 drafts and one major FA haul to get that defense. This is not to say I think we will duplicate their player acquisitions or success, but it CAN be done, just not immediately.

I like to approach each new season with hope.

 

[Bullflop]

Legion of Bumble? Sounds like a job for bees, more than one to be designated for overhauling a pro football team. The talent level that Dan Quinn will be faced with will be far removed from the one that he saw in Seattle. He'll be charged with renewing a ragtag bunch of players that aren't exactly what one might describe as brimming with established talent. It promises to be a challenge that would surely test the very best of DCs.

 

[dallasdave]

Legion of Bumble? Sounds like a job for bees, more than one to be designated for overhauling a pro football team. The talent level that Dan Quinn will be faced with will be far removed from the one that he saw in Seattle. He'll be charged with renewing a ragtag bunch of players that aren't exactly what one might describe as brimming with established talent. It promises to be a challenge that would easily test the very best of DCs.

Well you know the ole saying -you have to start somewhere---seems like he put a good defense in place with the Seahawks

 

[gimmesix]

I just want a top 10 defense. We can win with that.

 

[dallasdave]

Dan Quinn.

I keep seeing a few narratives dominating the conversation, and I hate them all. I want to discuss that and hopefully you become as optimistic as I am. I could be wrong, but I think we got one here, guys.

Let's talk Quinn's history with Atlanta.

You cannot judge someone's capacity to be a coordinator in the NFL by his head coach history. This doesn't make sense, and there are many examples of people succeeding in one capacity but failing in another. He will be free to do so much more good work on the defense when all he is responsible for is the defense. That said, if you want to have a comparison, here's one.

Quinn was NFC Champion after 2016. Dallas hasn't won a conference title since January 1996. In 5 years, Quinn made it to the playoffs twice, with two losses, just like Dallas. He won 3. We won 1. Yes, Dan Quinn was embarrassed in the Super Bowl against Belichek and Brady. There's been a lot of very good coaches and players that lost, sometimes embarrassingly, to those two.

Atlanta at Dallas. Do you believe that you the HC should have to micromanage making sure that his ST unit knew the rules of onside kicks? Would you trust that your ST coaching staff made sure this was covered at some point? Are you going to judge his potential as a DC because one time as an HC his team looked awful on ST?

Some people are good coordinators, they take the next step, they never get it done. Quinn is one, and he still got farther than we ever do. These dumb things being brought up about Quinn's misteps as a HC in random comeback losses are just noise, generally inapplicable, and often ancient history at this point.

Now Seattle.

So what it if Quinn went to Seattle and was handed a good situation with good players all around. So what? You want to fault him for making the most of that opportunity? And let's be clear, that was a generational defense -- he made the most of that opportunity. Do you think anyone could have done that? Do you believe that all these guys in the Legion of Boom, they all just hit the ground that great and Quinn's schemes and coaching had nothing to do with it?

Give me a break. Under Quinn, they lived up to their potential. That is what you want to say about your coach.

Finally, the conversation revolving around that Legion of Boom and Dan Quinn bringing it here.

If you want to fantasize about this, feel free. But that was a generational defense. Say "Legion" to any NFL fan of the last decade and they know who. That roster likely had multiple hall of famers. It's not only unfair to make this an expectation of Quinn, but it's disrespectful to the LoB. I feel good about DLaw, Diggs, Gregory, and Gallimore. See the issue?

Beyond that, due to the offense, I don't think we can afford a Legion of Boom, or need one at all for that matter. Dak was on pace for a season from Madden last year. If Quinn can give this team a defense that's 16th in most categories, we will make noise. Quinn can do that.

I love the Quinn hire. Acknowledge the situation he is inheriting. Set reasonable expectations. Let the man do his job.

Das, out.

Nice post and write up

 

[Buzzbait]

Legion of Bumble? Sounds like a job for bees, more than one to be designated for overhauling a pro football team. The talent level that Dan Quinn will be faced with will be far removed from the one that he saw in Seattle. He'll be charged with renewing a ragtag bunch of players that aren't exactly what one might describe as brimming with established talent. It promises to be a challenge that would surely test the very best of DCs.

I agree with you Bullflop, but if he's at least a decent DC, he'll at least improve this defense over the crap that Nolan gave us.
If he does, then it'll give us a foundation to build on.

 

[Bullflop]

I just want a top 10 defense. We can win with that.

We all do. The catch here is it may take at least a couple of drafts before that level can be seen. I hope we'll be patient enough.

 

[dallasdave]

We all do. The catch here is it may take at least a couple of drafts before that level can be seen. I hope we'll be patient enough.

Some free agent work also on DL

 

[dallasdave]

I agree with you Bullflop, but if he's at least a decent DC, he'll at least improve this defense over the crap that Nolan gave us.
If he does, then it'll give us a foundation to build on.

Yeah you need a strong foundation so get the DL right.

 

[gimmesix]

We all do. The catch here is it may take at least a couple of drafts before that level can be seen. I hope we'll be patient enough.

It doesn't have to.

 

[JoeKing]

That’s true. At least not yet.

It took Seattle 3 drafts and one major FA haul to get that defense. This is not to say I think we will duplicate their player acquisitions or success, but it CAN be done, just not immediately.

I like to approach each new season with hope.

Agree but I doubt the Jones boys give Quinn that kind of time to turn this defense around.

 

[FanSince71]

Agree but I doubt the Jones boys give Quinn that kind of time to turn this defense around.

I can’t argue with that. I can only, once again, hope.

I was reading somewhere that Quinn’s 3-year deal matches Kellen Moore’s extension, so I’m wondering if 3 years is the window for success, otherwise it all gets blown up again?

 

[buybuydandavis]

The talent level that Dan Quinn will be faced with will be far removed from the one that he saw in Seattle. He'll be charged with renewing a ragtag bunch of players that aren't exactly what one might describe as brimming with established talent. It promises to be a challenge that would surely test the very best of DCs.

Today, the defense has two very nice pieces in Randy and Lawrence, maybe a rehab in LVE, and Diggs, who looked legit. Wilson as a starter, Gallimore, Hill, and AWoods as DT rotation. It's not empty. Two quality DEs is a big deal.

By the time camp rolls around, we should have a lot more.

Look at all the cap we had assigned to the defense this year that did nothing for us, and will be available next year. Maybe more, with some addition by subtraction with Jaylon.

Now look at the draft from the 11 spot, plus comp picks in 3, 4, and 5. The draft should go defense almost exclusively.

Quinn has some pieces to work with, and a lot of ammo to spend on *his* defense in the offseason.

 

[Bullflop]

It doesn't have to.

No, we could always pray for a miracle but his team isn't likely to discover an instant cure. We're a far cry from what the Seahawks were a few years ago. In fact, we're in just the opposite situation, where talent is concerned. Our reality isn't anything pretty but it's still a very factual problem. Dan Quinn is a step in the right direction but there will be many steps to take before this team is totally ready to compete for the playoffs.

 

[Ranched]