Can we rebuild defense before Dak is done?

[Diehardblues]

This defensive coordinator, I swear we have the talent last guy just sucked that bad

We need 5-7 new starters. That means we didn’t have the talent.

 

[Diehardblues]

No.

Marinelli rebuilt it for a brief period while we still had healthy linebackers.

Quinn rebuilt it for a few years.

Dak had his chances. Maybe not the elite defenses, but he has had some that could win him games.

You need either an Elite defense or QB. We have had neither .

 

[Diehardblues]

Not up to us. Since Jerry covets his own players, he seldom lets anyone walk, unless of course they offend his fragile psyche.

Yep .

And so many fans still don’t believe Jethro doesn’t get involved with personnel on the field.

 

[Diehardblues]

Jerry isn't the HC or DC.

You don’t believe Jethro gets involved behind the scenes in coaching decisions either?

 

[big dog cowboy]

You don’t believe Jethro gets involved behind the scenes in coaching decisions either?

No. He wanted to in the 90's. Those days are over.

 

[Diehardblues]

No. He wanted to in the 90's. Those days are over.

Ok lol.
You’ll never convince me of that. But it explains your view.

 

[fivetwos]

- we need CBs .. major question per Bland's foot issues (is it chronic ?)

- Diggs is gone, and jury is out on ACL recovering Revel

- there's no slot/3rd here since loss of Jourdan Lewis

- the LB unit is in shabbles with Marist still not consistent & Overshown not reliable to stay available - per major durability issues

- i agree with the safety role - as the Jones have been very neglective in their cheap as possible approach, and it has shown Big TIme.

- Donovan Eze will be a solid pro but are we gonna count on Rent -a- Year journeyman Clowney again ?

Yeah, look at it on paper and one will find it impossible to overcome blown drafts and free agency consisting of only former high picks who are busts, etc.

They don’t have the ammo to fix it in one off-season. They almost need to parlay the draft picks they DO have into more and not blow it.

Can’t continue to make the wrong decisions and expect to win. Too many weaknesses on the roster and they are found and exploited far too often.

Opening the checkbook finally would be a start, but they also have to get it right. Jerry is 84 years old and still swears he is the best GM there is.

 

[JayFord]

It takes one offseason to fix a defense

Dont let the front office fool you teams are rebuilding at the speed of light

Only our FO will say it takes 3 years while hoarding players whove been cut by 8 teams

 

[kskboys]

This defensive coordinator, I swear we have the talent last guy just sucked that bad

No, we don't have the talent.

 

[kskboys]

Jerry isn't the HC or DC.

Yeah, he's kinda both.

 

[kskboys]

It takes one offseason to fix a defense

Dont let the front office fool you teams are rebuilding at the speed of light

Only our FO will say it takes 3 years while hoarding players whove been cut by 8 teams

It takes a lot more than that w/ a dolt at GM.

 

[kskboys]

Yep
Bobhaze most excellent post states 82% of all 60 SB winners had a Top Ten defense.

I’d bet the others probably had a HOF caliber QB.

From what I see, all super bowl winners have at least one dominant aspect to their D. The most common one I see is inside pocket collapsing.

 

[kramskoi]

Cowboys are in need of basically a total rebuild on defense. We need arguably 2 starting CB, 2 Safeties, a couple LB’s and at least 1 edge rusher. Thats being optimistic.

So how many years will that take ? Even if we were to hit on both 1st round picks this year that only fills 2 spots . Maybe . Again , being very optimistic. And that’s assuming we use both picks on defense.

We currently have no second day picks so doubtful much more immediate starters in 2026 draft on defense. 2027 at best assuming we use both early picks on defense maybe 2 more Day 1 starters.

In 2 years filling 4 starting positions on defense would be optimal. Unless of course we are aggressive in FA and hit on a couple defenders. 2028 we could possibly finish out the rebuild on defense. Maybe begin to be an outlier playoff contender assuming offense is still in tact.

Where will we be on Daks contract in 2028? And where will this offense be in a couple years. I tend to think Jethro screwed himself again. He’ll waste some of Daks most seasoned and experienced years rebuilding defense.

in 2028 after potentially 4 consecutive missed playoff seasons will we be prepared to extend Dak again or begin to look for our future bringing young blood at QB to go with a rebuilt defense?

The Cowboys should return to the playoffs in 2026 if Parker can move the defense to middle-of-the-pack. That shouldn't take three or four years. In 2028 they have to decide whether to extend Dak again or cut him.

 

[StylisticS]

If Dak still a 2 playoff wins after 2027 or he can’t get past the divisional round, it will be really hard to sell extending him. But Jerry is Jerry.

 

[Diehardblues]

The Cowboys should return to the playoffs in 2026 if Parker can move the defense to middle-of-the-pack. That shouldn't take three or four years. In 2028 they have to decide whether to extend Dak again or cut him.

Understood but a total rebuild on defense didn’t mean average .

The argument is when can we build a Top 10 defense which is required by most SB champs . Which 82% have had .

If our goal is only returning to being an outlier playoff caliber team returning to our one and out disappointment then yes I could see that in one season.

 

[kramskoi]

Understood but a total rebuild on defense didn’t mean average .

The argument is when can we build a Top 10 defense which is required by most SB champs . Which 82% have had .

If our goal is only returning to being an outlier playoff caliber team returning to our one and out disappointment then yes I could see that in one season.

But by definition Dallas has HAD three top 10 defenses (at least in ppg allowed). 2021, 2022 and 2023. 7th, 5th and 5th respectively. Not much to show for it.

 

[Diehardblues]

But by definition Dallas has HAD three top 10 defenses (at least in ppg allowed). 2021, 2022 and 2023. 7th, 5th and 5th respectively. Not much to show for it.

That’s not how team defenses are officially ranked.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

It takes one offseason to fix a defense

Dont let the front office fool you teams are rebuilding at the speed of light

Only our FO will say it takes 3 years while hoarding players whove been cut by 8 teams

Typical Jerry thinking he can outsmart the rest of the league.

Like drafting injured players.

 

[kramskoi]

That’s not how team defenses are officially ranked.

They were ranked #2 and #4 in Total Defensive EPA in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Don't make me resort to DVOA as well. Either it's something these metrics aren't capturing or the Cowboys have simply NOT taken advantage of the situation...for whatever reasons on the offensive side.

So how much better can the defense be? 94th and 87th percentile defenses are supposed to get things done. I'm guessing you need THE top defense for it to really matter. The Cowboys are a ways from that.

 

[kskboys]

The Cowboys should return to the playoffs in 2026 if Parker can move the defense to middle-of-the-pack. That shouldn't take three or four years. In 2028 they have to decide whether to extend Dak again or cut him.

It's not up to Parker, it's up to player acquisition on D.