Here's why I think we will have a top 10 defense this year

[Scotman]

I think Dallas finishes with a top-10 defense in PPG THIS season. Not next year... not two years from now. This year.

I know that I'm guilty of wearing rose-colored glasses, but remember, we've seen this level of transformation before.

In 2020, Dallas finished 28th in scoring defense. One year later, after replacing Mike Nolan with Dan Quinn and drafting Micah Parsons, they jumped all the way to 7th.

I'm not saying Caleb Downs is Micah Parsons. They're different players at different positions. But I do think Downs has the potential to have the same kind of transformational effect on the communication and confidence of the defense. I think Downs has the potential to make more of an overall defensive identity impact than Parsons did.

The bigger reason for my optimism, though, is Christian Parker.

Personally, I think the gap between Eberflus and Parker is every bit as large as the gap between Nolan and Quinn. In fact, I think it may be larger. I thought Eberflus was that bad. Last year's defense wasn't just lacking talent. It lacked identity, communication, and any sense that players were being put in a position to succeed.

Also, Parker isn't inheriting the exact same roster as last year. Dallas added Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, Devin Moore, LT Overton, and made several trades that should make a very visible difference. To me, that's actually a more complete defensive makeover than what we saw going into 2021.

Will they be the No. 1 defense? Probably not. But I don't think a jump into the top 10 is nearly as unrealistic as many people think. If Parker is the coach I believe he is, Downs is as good as the early reports suggest, and this front seven plays to its potential, I think Dallas surprises a lot of people this season.

What do you guys think? Am I overly optimistic, or is a top-10 defense actually within reach?

 

[LonnieElam]

Christian Parker, apparently, has already been sized for his HOF jacket.

 

[beware_d-ware]

I'd love for our defense to improve to 20th.

 

[Yobwocs]

that's wishful thinking but since we're talking about 2021....Bills defense was #1 in yards and points and still gave up a lot of points to the Chiefs in the playoffs, and exited before the AFC Championship game.

So it's not even enough sometimes to have a Top 1 defense much less a Top 10 if you're predicting our defense to settle in that range.

 

[Chasing6]

I think Dallas finishes with a top-10 defense in PPG THIS season. Not next year... not two years from now. This year.

I know that I'm guilty of wearing rose-colored glasses, but remember, we've seen this level of transformation before.

In 2020, Dallas finished 28th in scoring defense. One year later, after replacing Mike Nolan with Dan Quinn and drafting Micah Parsons, they jumped all the way to 7th.

I'm not saying Caleb Downs is Micah Parsons. They're different players at different positions. But I do think Downs has the potential to have the same kind of transformational effect on the communication and confidence of the defense. I think Downs has the potential to make more of an overall defensive identity impact than Parsons did.

The bigger reason for my optimism, though, is Christian Parker.

Personally, I think the gap between Eberflus and Parker is every bit as large as the gap between Nolan and Quinn. In fact, I think it may be larger. I thought Eberflus was that bad. Last year's defense wasn't just lacking talent. It lacked identity, communication, and any sense that players were being put in a position to succeed.

Also, Parker isn't inheriting the exact same roster as last year. Dallas added Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, Devin Moore, LT Overton, and made several trades that should make a very visible difference. To me, that's actually a more complete defensive makeover than what we saw going into 2021.

Will they be the No. 1 defense? Probably not. But I don't think a jump into the top 10 is nearly as unrealistic as many people think. If Parker is the coach I believe he is, Downs is as good as the early reports suggest, and this front seven plays to its potential, I think Dallas surprises a lot of people this season.

What do you guys think? Am I overly optimistic, or is a top-10 defense actually within reach?

Strengthen of schedule is a huge factor.

 

[Chasing6]

I think Dallas finishes with a top-10 defense in PPG THIS season. Not next year... not two years from now. This year.

I know that I'm guilty of wearing rose-colored glasses, but remember, we've seen this level of transformation before.

In 2020, Dallas finished 28th in scoring defense. One year later, after replacing Mike Nolan with Dan Quinn and drafting Micah Parsons, they jumped all the way to 7th.

I'm not saying Caleb Downs is Micah Parsons. They're different players at different positions. But I do think Downs has the potential to have the same kind of transformational effect on the communication and confidence of the defense. I think Downs has the potential to make more of an overall defensive identity impact than Parsons did.

The bigger reason for my optimism, though, is Christian Parker.

Personally, I think the gap between Eberflus and Parker is every bit as large as the gap between Nolan and Quinn. In fact, I think it may be larger. I thought Eberflus was that bad. Last year's defense wasn't just lacking talent. It lacked identity, communication, and any sense that players were being put in a position to succeed.

Also, Parker isn't inheriting the exact same roster as last year. Dallas added Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, Devin Moore, LT Overton, and made several trades that should make a very visible difference. To me, that's actually a more complete defensive makeover than what we saw going into 2021.

Will they be the No. 1 defense? Probably not. But I don't think a jump into the top 10 is nearly as unrealistic as many people think. If Parker is the coach I believe he is, Downs is as good as the early reports suggest, and this front seven plays to its potential, I think Dallas surprises a lot of people this season.

What do you guys think? Am I overly optimistic, or is a top-10 defense actually within reach?

Last years Defense lacked a GM. We were planning to play the entire season with Micah until we weren't.

 

[Vtwin]

The Cowboys would have to shave at least 9 points off last seasons ppg to sniff the top ten. Not unprecedented but I could only see two teams in the last ten years that pulled that off.

The Jets went from 32nd in 21 to 2nd in 22 reducing their ppg by 11. The Chargers went from 28th in 16 to 1st in 17 with a 9.4 reduction in ppg. A few teams had 7-8 point improvements in ppg but it is rare.

In 21 the Cowboys improved their ppg from 20 by 8.4 but they also lead the league in takeaways.

Not impossible to make the jump this season but everything would have to go right so I'd say it's improbable.

But.... That's why they play the games!

 

[jazzcat22]

Strengthen of schedule is a huge factor.

Not really. More times than not. SOS is different at the end of the season than where it began.

 

[jazzcat22]

Last years Defense lacked a GM. We were planning to play the entire season with Micah until we weren't.

Last time I checked, the GM is not out on the field.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think they can make a significant jump in the rankings.
I don’t care if they finish in the top 10.
As long as they are playing like a top 10 defense come playoff time. If they make it.

They may finish ranked 12th or 15th or 20th depending how they start out, then play better as the season goes along. But play like a top 10 come December and the playoffs.

I go like the direction they seem to be heading.

 

[Joe Realist]

From 28th to 19th

 

[shabazz]

Christian Parker, apparently, has already been sized for his HOF jacket.

Some say he will shed his skin and a HOF Jacket will grow in its place the first year of his eligibility.

 

[TwentyOne]

I'd love for our defense to improve to 20th.

And i think thats a fair expectation.

 

[TwentyOne]

Last time I checked, the GM is not out on the field.

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

Christian Parker, apparently, has already been sized for his HOF jacket.

Because someone thinks he will have a top-10 defense this year they are saying he's already a HOFer? LMAO

 

[KingCorcoran]

Christian Parker, apparently, has already been sized for his HOF jacket.

I believe the commissioner can request he be inducted immediately. He could join this year’s class.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

Christian Parker, apparently, has already been sized for his HOF jacket.

I think you're underestimating his experience.

Think about it. How many defensive snaps have YOU called in the NFL? Zero... that's how many.

Zero.

Parker has called thousands of times that many plays in the NFL.

Duhhhh.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I think Dallas finishes with a top-10 defense in PPG THIS season. Not next year... not two years from now. This year.

I know that I'm guilty of wearing rose-colored glasses, but remember, we've seen this level of transformation before.

In 2020, Dallas finished 28th in scoring defense. One year later, after replacing Mike Nolan with Dan Quinn and drafting Micah Parsons, they jumped all the way to 7th.

I'm not saying Caleb Downs is Micah Parsons. They're different players at different positions. But I do think Downs has the potential to have the same kind of transformational effect on the communication and confidence of the defense. I think Downs has the potential to make more of an overall defensive identity impact than Parsons did.

The bigger reason for my optimism, though, is Christian Parker.

Personally, I think the gap between Eberflus and Parker is every bit as large as the gap between Nolan and Quinn. In fact, I think it may be larger. I thought Eberflus was that bad. Last year's defense wasn't just lacking talent. It lacked identity, communication, and any sense that players were being put in a position to succeed.

Also, Parker isn't inheriting the exact same roster as last year. Dallas added Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, Devin Moore, LT Overton, and made several trades that should make a very visible difference. To me, that's actually a more complete defensive makeover than what we saw going into 2021.

Will they be the No. 1 defense? Probably not. But I don't think a jump into the top 10 is nearly as unrealistic as many people think. If Parker is the coach I believe he is, Downs is as good as the early reports suggest, and this front seven plays to its potential, I think Dallas surprises a lot of people this season.

What do you guys think? Am I overly optimistic, or is a top-10 defense actually within reach?

At least you are honest about your rose-colored glasses.
I say they finish No. 15 (I have rose-colored glasses as well) and we struggle to 9-8.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Christian Parker, apparently, has already been sized for his HOF jacket.

If there is any justice, going forward, Parker's image will be on Super Bowl trophies.

 

[Acceptablename]

I think Dallas finishes with a top-10 defense in PPG THIS season. Not next year... not two years from now. This year.

I know that I'm guilty of wearing rose-colored glasses, but remember, we've seen this level of transformation before.

In 2020, Dallas finished 28th in scoring defense. One year later, after replacing Mike Nolan with Dan Quinn and drafting Micah Parsons, they jumped all the way to 7th.

I'm not saying Caleb Downs is Micah Parsons. They're different players at different positions. But I do think Downs has the potential to have the same kind of transformational effect on the communication and confidence of the defense. I think Downs has the potential to make more of an overall defensive identity impact than Parsons did.

The bigger reason for my optimism, though, is Christian Parker.

Personally, I think the gap between Eberflus and Parker is every bit as large as the gap between Nolan and Quinn. In fact, I think it may be larger. I thought Eberflus was that bad. Last year's defense wasn't just lacking talent. It lacked identity, communication, and any sense that players were being put in a position to succeed.

Also, Parker isn't inheriting the exact same roster as last year. Dallas added Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, Devin Moore, LT Overton, and made several trades that should make a very visible difference. To me, that's actually a more complete defensive makeover than what we saw going into 2021.

Will they be the No. 1 defense? Probably not. But I don't think a jump into the top 10 is nearly as unrealistic as many people think. If Parker is the coach I believe he is, Downs is as good as the early reports suggest, and this front seven plays to its potential, I think Dallas surprises a lot of people this season.

What do you guys think? Am I overly optimistic, or is a top-10 defense actually within reach?

First half of the season will be coming together. The second half of the season I accept your point