Can we rebuild defense before Dak is done?

[Cowboys5217]

PPG is not accurate to assess a D. Too many factors involved, such as FP, TOP, STs, and pick 6s. To use PPG as a D evaluation tool, you'd have to extrapolate out any points given up by the O and STs and adjust for FP and O effectiveness.

And on the eyeball side, those D's were known for squashing weaker competition and giving it up against playoff type teams.

It absolutely is an accurate way to assess a defense. The number one job is stopping points from being scored. Stopping yardage is secondary to that.

Facts are that Dak has had several top 10 defenses and squandered them, just like he squandered a league leading runner.

Dak's mental ceiling (just like Romo) is the 2nd biggest reason this team never gets anywhere (Jerry is number 1).

 

[Diehardblues]

You can appeal to both authority and popularity all you want. The fact is that Dak has never won a divisional round playoff game despite many chances and top 10 defense with league leading rushing attacks. It wasn't enough then, and it wouldn't have been enough last year because the problem is Dak and the pressure of playoff defenses. Unless you can build a Ravens or Bears historic defense that can win the game despite poor QB play then you ain't winning a SB with Dak.

It’s easy to say never when it hasn’t been done.

And yes, while Dak is over rated and hyped by many especially our own leadership and organization most analyst and critics , beyond the troll type, believe Dak is enough with a great defense.

We’ve seen several lesser QB’s than Prescott win with great defenses.

Problem here is our ownership believes he’s great enough without that level of defense. Obviously he hasn’t been.

 

[kskboys]

It absolutely is an accurate way to assess a defense. The number one job is stopping points from being scored. Stopping yardage is secondary to that.

Facts are that Dak has had several top 10 defenses and squandered them, just like he squandered a league leading runner.

Dak's mental ceiling (just like Romo) is the 2nd biggest reason this team never gets anywhere (Jerry is number 1).

You like read facts and then ignore them.

Yards is by far the most accurate way to assess a D. Points isn't even 2nd, prolly like 5th on the list. I've already explained to you why, so present me w/ some facts instead of hysteria.

 

[Diehardblues]

It absolutely is an accurate way to assess a defense. The number one job is stopping points from being scored. Stopping yardage is secondary to that.

Facts are that Dak has had several top 10 defenses and squandered them, just like he squandered a league leading runner.

Dak's mental ceiling (just like Romo) is the 2nd biggest reason this team never gets anywhere (Jerry is number 1).

Scoring defenses is only part of the equation as scoring can be done by defenses and special teams often forced by turnovers which is also a major contributing stat.

Total team defensive rankings have always been officially set for a reason by yards.

 

[Whirlwin]

No, we don't have the talent.

You’ll see it this season

 

[Whirlwin]

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

No, it just means we don’t have enough do you think teams have seven pro bowl players on their team. We have solid players they just need to play together.

 

[Diehardblues]

No, it just means we don’t have enough do you think teams have seven pro bowl players on their team. We have solid players they just need to play together.

We need 5-7 new starters who are above average.

We have 4-5 players who are solid.
And only had 1 Pro Bowler. Not enough.

 

[MapleLeaf]

There are no lesser quarterbacks. Dak has ability, but panics when the pressure gets intense.
He holds the Cowboys back.
They will not have success because of him. For them to succeed they would need to be able to win in spite of him.

He's not Mahomes super-hero type QB.

He can play a big role in a good executing team. But don't ask him to put the team on his back and scramble around making herculean plays. That will just lead to disaster.

He has shown to be a slow starter in big games so give him an offence that can carry him at the start. Good o-line, good RB stable and well designed running game.

A defence that is top half of the league so he doesn't always have to chase from behind. This is what the recipe feels like.

 

[Whirlwin]

We need 5-7 new starters who are above average.

We have 4-5 players who are solid.
And only had 1 Pro Bowler. Not enough.

I think it’s more about the scheme, coaching, but yes, we can use some help

 

[Diehardblues]

I think it’s more about the scheme, coaching, but yes, we can use some help

NFL it’s mostly talent driven.

The greatest coaches amass the right and best talent to fit their scheme.

 

[Xeven]

Not while Jerry remains GM.

 

[Mobinvans]

If we had a front office that actually got free agents sure

 

[rambo2]

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 have the money to spend. They can do it very quickly.

 

[rambo2]

If we had a front office that actually got free agents sure

They have pie.

 

[Whirlwin]

NFL it’s mostly talent driven.

The greatest coaches amass the right and best talent to fit their scheme.

Give me a bunch of football players, not prima donna, flash, and the right coaches, I’ll win a championship. Teamwork.

 

[Whirlwin]

If we had a front office that actually got free agents sure

Free agents do not make a team, therefore that one or two players to put a team over the top, that’s not where we are.
Free agents is just a swap of players of equal talent from all the teams. They just don’t wanna pay them anymore. You build a tea in through the draft, you fill a hole with free agency.

 

[TwentyOne]

Likely around 2028/29.

Dak was certainly done after his foot injury.

Some (me including) would have a point by saying that the guy was done the moment he he chose to become a QB.

 

[MapleLeaf]

NFL it’s mostly talent driven.

The greatest coaches amass the right and best talent to fit their scheme.

So should we assume we have not had the greatest coaches in the building these past 30 years?

 

[Blackrain]

Aw heck Greg
This defense has been screwed up for so long I don't know if it can be fixed before you and I are done let alone Dak.

We might be in the box before we see a top 10 defense.

But seriously when Dak is done and we can actually use a first round pick on a quarterback on a rookie contract.
We could seriously allocate some funds to fixing the defense.
In the meantime while we pay our quarterback $60 million and have our offense completely stoked with first and second round picks that we have to pay 30 million a pop to make him successful.

It kind of makes fixing the defense a challenge I don't care how good a defensive coordinator you are.
Would sure help if you could add the kind of talent to the defense that we have on offense

 

[Blackrain]

They have pie.

You can't have your pie and eat it too
They got to start eating some of that pie up on free agents to improve this defense.