Complete defensive rebuild

[Kwyn]

As usual someone comes in with tired self important cliched post

“remember, we cant do it all in one year”

As if the Cowboys came into being this year

As if other teams that were bad didnt radically improve in 1 year (see both SB teams this year)

But no, “remember, we cant do it all in one year”

Nonsense

Yeah, we have incompetent people running the team who haven’t “done it” in 30 years so of course we wont be able to do it but that is not because “it cant be done”

The GM side is a disaster and always has been

We’re in year two of a new offense and year one of a new defense. For those two items at least things haven’t gone to pot

 

[NDGAEDE]

I mentioned it in the Osa thread.

We all watched this defense last year, and the year before. They sucked.

The team has made a deliberate decision to completely overhaul a defense that either completely sucked or collapsed when it mattered most, and I am here for it.

Now, that doesn't mean we are gonna be any good this year, but I am a big fan of starting over.

 

[morasp]

They are also both excellent tacklers, something that’s been hard to come by at times

Good point, stop the run first. Locke looks like a good tackler too.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Well, they were never going to do it in one offseason. Keep in mind, we could trade down BOTH 1st-rounders (if we can find a trading partner) and pick up an extra 2nd- or 3rd-round pick. This would mean
1st.....our own
1st.....Packers
2nd....trade down
3rd/2nd....trade down
3rd....Osa
That's potentially 5 new starters if you play your cards right..........remember Jerry said we don't have time for redshirts. We need players hitting the ground running.

This would be my preference as well….not a lot of first round talent…would be nice if someone fell that we weren’t interested in so we could make a trade down.

But what about packaging the two first rounders and moving up if there is chance for Styles or Bailey?

 

[Kwyn]

Good point, stop the run first. Locke looks like a good tackler too.

He had spinal fusion so I’m wondering how limited he will be. He only had 173 defensive snaps last year

He was a full time special teams player with 298 snaps

 

[morasp]

Teams are successfully rebuilding defenses in two to three years now. It started last year with Ezeiruaku, Williams, Clark, Revel. So far this year Locke, Gary, Thompson, and Ogbonnia. Plus 2 first round picks and cap space from the Osa trade. Reminds me a little of Jimmy when he took over.

 

[SpaceCowboy99]

No one has mentioned it, but that's exactly what we are seeing and rightfully so. Attrition is always 10-15% of players, but it's not hard to see they want cultural and leadership change. As usual, they are telegraphing their positional draft targets for high picks ( CB, LBer and DT/DE)

It seems like you are painting this as a strategic decision the cowboys front office has made. At the root of it, you are right, it's a complete retooling of the defense and culture on that side of the ball.

However, they only lost Lawrence and Parsons because they were being cheap, not for a strategic change.

We were 2 games away from them keeping Eberflus and running this back. If they finished 9-8, you know they would have!

To me, this is the same FO that can't figure out defense or the NFL after 30+years and will continue to let the team down. They are already showing signs of reverting back to their old ways, see the budget busting free agency.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

My personal thinking is they realized they had a core problem with this team's defense and they needed to get a lot of fresh heads into the mix.

Sure they needed and still need to upgrade several defensive positions, but they are getting rid of depth and not all of it can be explained away as switching to a new defensive system.

I think this is a purge of the old "bad defense" mindsets and replacing them with players from teams who had good or solid defenses or at least not bad defenses.

As for tipping their hand at the draft, only fans think that's some type of secret.

Now, the first round? Sure. A team doesn't want to tip their hand on the positions they'll be after in the first round, though if you're picking in the top 5 and you don't have a franchise quarterback, most people know that's what you're after.

Beyond that though, teams tip their hand long before the draft because the put word out that they're looking for linebackers, cornerbacks, etc. and all teams know what players you signed or traded for to fill those positions.

Teams may know the Cowboys need linebackers, cornerbacks, edge rusher, tackles, etc. but you could create that kind of list for most teams.

What teams don't know is which ones the Cowboys will prioritize in the first round.

Wouldn’t teams have a breakdown of other teams cap spending and allocation of resources

 

[Hawkeye0202]

My personal thinking is they realized they had a core problem with this team's defense and they needed to get a lot of fresh heads into the mix.

Translate: Not enough leadership. It's no coincidence they have blown it up except for Bland, Overshown and Hooker.

 

[visionary]

The GM side is a disaster and always has been

We’re in year two of a new offense and year one of a new defense. For those two items at least things haven’t gone to pot

Point is, we already had a good/great offense. Only needed a good defense and that can be done and has been done in one year

 

[kramskoi]

As usual someone comes in with tired self important cliched post

“remember, we cant do it all in one year”

As if the Cowboys came into being this year

As if other teams that were bad didnt radically improve in 1 year (see both SB teams this year)

But no, “remember, we cant do it all in one year”

Nonsense

Yeah, we have incompetent people running the team who haven’t “done it” in 30 years so of course we wont be able to do it but that is not because “it cant be done”

So what is your answer bud? Enthrall me with your acumen.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

It seems like you are painting this as a strategic decision the cowboys front office has made. At the root of it, you are right, it's a complete retooling of the defense and culture on that side of the ball.

However, they only lost Lawrence and Parsons because they were being cheap, not for a strategic change.

We were 2 games away from them keeping Eberflus and running this back. If they finished 9-8, you know they would have!

To me, this is the same FO that can't figure out defense or the NFL after 30+years and will continue to let the team down. They are already showing signs of reverting back to their old ways, see the budget busting free agency.

This is a front FO who's finally admitting they needed to make some fundamental changes on that side of the ball. That starts giving the head coach a voice in choosing his own defensive coordinator and scheme. You don't do this and drop the ball or NOT give him the players he needs. I think we are making too much of Jerry running his mouth about busting the budget. They made an offer to trade for Crosby but not as much as the Ravens. Should we have offered two 1st round picks? Nakobe Dean chose the Raiders' offer over ours coz his gut and having more friends in their locker room. They have tried .........give them credit. The biggest difference with FO now as opposed to the past is that money or finances isn't stirring the pot, but a certain type of players who fit CP's scheme and culture.

I mean makes no sense to make the changes we have seen on the defensive side of the ball and not finish the deal.

 

[kramskoi]

This would be my preference as well….not a lot of first round talent…would be nice if someone fell that we weren’t interested in so we could make a trade down.

But what about packaging the two first rounders and moving up if there is chance for Styles or Bailey?

I'd move up for Styles. But a guy like Ahkeem Mesidor is NFL ready at 25. He has a good chance of being there at 20. Most teams won't like that he's older but the guy is a grown azz man who had a ton of college starts. Opposite of Bain Jr. at Miami...they often met at the quarterback.

 

[Jipper]

Yeah, it just sucks to think there’s a decent chance we go into 2026 with a mediocre D still…..and ANOTHER season down the tubes. Depressing lol. We will see how it turns out. I wanted Maxx or Trey, I think they would have paired well with our starting DTs, but scheme makes a difference. Hopefully our new coordinator can get the most out of whomever we end up with.

Going into 2026 with a mediocre D would be a huge upgrade....if this team had the same offense and a 15-20 defense they are a playoff team...thats how bad last years defense was

 

[Rayman70]

No one has mentioned it, but that's exactly what we are seeing and rightfully so. Attrition is always 10-15% of players, but it's not hard to see they want cultural and leadership change. As usual, they are telegraphing their positional draft targets for high picks ( CB, LBer and DT/DE)

Yes its a complete rebuild.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I agree with Slater here

 

[Rayman70]

Guess as to what the current starting lineup would be.

Eze OLB
Q Williams DE
Otito O NT
Clark DE
Gary OLB

Overshown ILB
James ILB

Locke SS
Hooker FS
Thompson Big Nickel

Bland CB
Revel CB

I suspect Locke, James, and Otito will end up being backups after the draft and other player acquisitions. Thompson could end up at safety instead of the big nickel.

Ideally Hooker would end up as a backup as well.

if bland and Revel are our 2 starters we get boat raced worse than last season. Revel showed without doubt he can't play yet. He should not see playing time barring an injury. Hes too raw. Bland looks slow and confused. I think his wheels are cooked. Too many Lower leg issues. We need to acquire two capable starters.

 

[visionary]

So what is your answer bud? Enthrall me with your acumen.

More nonsense
I could give you a ‘plan’ but you would try to poke stupid holes through it for a completely useless back and forth

Bottom line is: If you had given this franchise in the off season to Roseman or John Schneider and told them to build you a top 10 defense in one off season with the available resources, they would do it

Period

So, its not that it cant be done as you stated, it is that we have incompetent buffoons running this FO who are not going to do it

Simple

 

[Hawkeye0202]

This is wild.......... 12 and 20 are now our 1st rounders. Don't be surprised to see them trade up for the next DWare

2005 Dallas Cowboys Draft​

Bill Parcells's first draft as Dallas Cowboys coach and first season in 3-4 defense.....



Listed below are the Dallas Cowboys selections in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	College
1	11	Demarcus Ware	LB	Troy State
1	20	Marcus Spears	DE	Louisiana State
2	42	Kevin Burnett	LB	Tennessee
4	109	Marion Barber	RB	Minnesota
4	132	Chris Canty	DE	Virginia
6	208	Justin Beriault	DB	Ball State
6	209	Rob Petitti	OT	Pittsburgh
7	224	Jay Ratliff	DT	Auburn

 

[Hawkeye0202]

if bland and Revel are our 2 starters we get boat raced worse than last season. Revel showed without doubt he can't play yet. He should not see playing time barring an injury. Hes too raw. Bland looks slow and confused. I think his wheels are cooked. Too many Lower leg issues. We need to acquire two capable starters.

Revel missed all training camp and preseason and was coming off an ACL injury. He looked exactly like you would expect. I'm confident we will see a completely different player this season, even CP is excited about his season. Bland's strength is technical, football IQ, and instinct. He's never been a speed guy........he's a better slot player than outside.