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

[DandyDon52]

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

This year is tough, mainly because they play the nfc west teams. Sea Just won the SB.
Rams are picked to win SB this year. SF and ARizona usually beat dallas recently regardless of their records.
The AFC div is Houstons div ? Houston is usually a tough game ,and Indy might be good again.

 

[Praxit]

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

....im going to give him my Tesla, if we get to NFCCG. ....

 

[Kwyn]

I believe it’s a two year project, but It’s the off season so why not!

 

[Kwyn]

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

Maybe not quite yet, but Downs already has his.

 

[kskboys]

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?

I think there's a chance, but you've got it backwards. It's the talent that will improve this D drastically.

Quinn's D in WASH this year was worse than ours. Not sure he's the best example.

 

[kskboys]

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.

What does the number of plays a poster has called have to do w/ anything? I don't get the attempted parallel.

 

[kskboys]

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

There's a move to change the rules and put him in right now instead of waiting til he's coached a bit.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Thinking around 22-23rd this season. Maybe average or better next season

 

[JBS]

This idea that we should limit expectations this season based on last seasons results is quite stupid. How many players from last years defense still start? Not many. How many of them are even on the team? Not many at all. That’s like saying we had a crap player at X position last year, we have a new player at that position but we shouldn’t expect too much bc the guy last year sucked. One has nothing to do with the other. The change has been so drastic in personnel that it’s borderline stupid to compare the two. Now, that doesn’t mean the defense will be good. It just means we have no idea. Saying a jump from here to here isn’t realistic or this is more realistic expectation for the unit is all talk. It comes from nothing.

 

[kskboys]

This idea that we should limit expectations this season based on last seasons results is quite stupid. How many players from last years defense still start? Not many. How many of them are even on the team? Not many at all. That’s like saying we had a crap player at X position last year, we have a new player at that position but we shouldn’t expect too much bc the guy last year sucked. One has nothing to do with the other. The change has been so drastic in personnel that it’s borderline stupid to compare the two. Now, that doesn’t mean the defense will be good. It just means we have no idea. Saying a jump from here to here isn’t realistic or this is more realistic expectation for the unit is all talk. It comes from nothing.

Almost a complete changeover, and w/ some talented rooks added.

Disagree that we have no idea. I think we have a very good idea.

 

[JBS]

Almost a complete changeover, and w/ some talented rooks added.

Disagree that we have no idea. I think we have a very good idea.

Based on what? And what is this very good sense of what this defense is? How will they perform?

 

[KingCorcoran]

What does the number of plays a poster has called have to do w/ anything? I don't get the attempted parallel.

1000 X 0 =0

 

[big dog cowboy]

But I don't think a jump into the top 10 is nearly as unrealistic as many people think.

That's a pretty tall drink of water. Now a jump into the top half of the league is something I would be on board with.

 

[gimmesix]

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.

I see what you did there.

 

[nobody]

I expect a vastly improved Defense, but top 10? Let's hold off on the rum, chum. At least for now.

 

[Pass2Run]

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

But also a DC. A good DC can still coach without Michael. Michael saw the writing on the wall and bailed, because he's selfish like that.

Trading him was a solid move. The mistake was letting DLaw slip away because he was a solid player. I always knew he was underrated around here. And he was.

 

[Starforever]

C.P., has proven to be a good DB coordinator. His role is now expanded to include the whole defense. I believe he has the pieces but they all must buy in and one or two players must be the voice of discipline, understanding, and wisdom. Team unity will get them in the top ten.

 

[ratkinson]

But also a DC. A good DC can still coach without Michael. Michael saw the writing on the wall and bailed, because he's selfish like that.

Trading him was a solid move. The mistake was letting DLaw slip away because he was a solid player. I always knew he was underrated around here. And he was.

No he wasn't...he was just tired.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

What does the number of plays a poster has called have to do w/ anything? I don't get the attempted parallel.

I know...it's ok

 

[StarOfGlory]

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.

Your logic breaks down when one realizes that Matt Eberbum has called more plays than Parker in the NFL. I doubt anyone here wants to bring back the experienced Matt Eberbum.