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

[kskboys]

I’m on board.

Maybe I’m wearing the glasses and drinking the kool-aid too, but this is the most positive and optimistic I’ve felt about this team in years.

I think we have collectively assembled a heck of a staff - on both sides of the ball.

Specifically on defense, we’ve stopped adding retreads and aging coordinators with outdated schemes.

Instead, we have up-and-comers who have learned under the best.

On the personnel side, we’ve drafted, signed, and traded for upgrades at every level.

And I truly believe that the players are going to be taught on a level they’ve never received before. That’s going to result in a smarter, better prepared, more solid defense.

What you’re going to see is a defense that fights you for every single yard on the field. And when you do make a play, they’re going to be in position to tackle you and limit that yardage.

No longer are we got to see fundamental breakdowns and guys running wide open down the field. That left with Eberflus.

Top 10 is optimistic, but not out of the question.

History shows us that it can and does happen.

I see no reason it can’t be us.

I think it can be. However, that means at least 2 of the rooks have to play at a high level almost right away. Maybe 3 or 4.

 

[kskboys]

We’ve have plenty of in season defenses here that appeared top notch only for them to collapse in the playoffs.

No we haven't. Those D's all had a gaping problem, stopping the run. We haven't had a topnotch D since 07, the year we lost to the Gnats by 3 or 4 as our D held the Giants in check the entire game.

 

[kskboys]

I'd be over the moon at 10-7.

But our mantra and tao are "even if our defence is average we can get into the playoffs."
Defences win games, but anyone who believes we go from worst to average and can do well is reaching a bit too high.
Me, I am good with a 2-year building of our defence, but I don't expect riches in 2026 just because Christian Parker (his image soon to be on 20-dollar bills and on Mount Rushmore) is at the helm.

See, and here is where you're listening to the wrong people. Parker only has to be viable, due to the massive talent upgrades on D. Only the casuals think it's all on him.

 

[Stash]

I think it can be. However, that means at least 2 of the rooks have to play at a high level almost right away. Maybe 3 or 4.

Definitely. I agree.

And due to my belief in the new staff and scheme, I expect them to.

I think Downs and Lawrence will hit the ground running and Barham will contribute in a rotational position.

 

[kskboys]

Definitely. I agree.

And due to my belief in the new staff and scheme, I expect them to.

I think Downs and Lawrence will hit the ground running and Barham will contribute in a rotational position.

The only difference in our thinking is that I think it's 60-80% talent, and I think you see it the other way. I actually don't think we're that far away.

 

[Stash]

The only difference in our thinking is that I think it's 60-80% talent, and I think you see it the other way. I actually don't think we're that far away.

Yes.

If those are your numbers, I think we definitely feel very differently.

In fact, I’d probably flip it.

I think coaching and scheme can make that level of difference.

The most gifted athlete can’t overcome poor coaching and playcalling.

 

[zrinkill]

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

 

[DarkVader33]

I think it can be. However, that means at least 2 of the rooks have to play at a high level almost right away. Maybe 3 or 4.

You know we have Caleb, right? He’s gonna be the equivalent of at least four players. And that’s not counting the help he’ll provide on offense.

 

[jterrell]

It is probably unrealistic to expect Dallas to be top 10 on defense even if they are much improved.
Dallas will be very good on offense leading to higher scoring games and some garbage time scoring against the defense.

What you do have to really like is the defense is young and should improve over the course of a season versus hanging on for dear life if one vet guy gets injured.
Having all 3 three phases work together for complimentary football has to be goal come playoff time.

 

[kskboys]

Yes.

If those are your numbers, I think we definitely feel very differently.

In fact, I’d probably flip it.

I think coaching and scheme can make that level of difference.

The most gifted athlete can’t overcome poor coaching and playcalling.

Yes. And the most gifted coach can't overcome lack of talent. And Eber is not the most gifted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kskboys]

You know we have Caleb, right? He’s gonna be the equivalent of at least four players. And that’s not counting the help he’ll provide on offense.

Will they let us play only 1 player on D and 21 on O?

 

[DarkVader33]

Will they let us play only 1 player on D and 21 on O?

They may have to change the rules after the season. Heck, maybe by the second game. History will be made.

 

[Stash]

Yes. And the most gifted coach can't overcome lack of talent.

But good coaches and schemes allow players to play better.

And Eber is not the most gifted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On that we can agree.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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 don't think we end up with an overall top 10ish defense for the year, but last 4,5 games this defense has the makings of being a top 10 defense.

Too many changes in one year for it to all fall in place quickly. new coaches. new scheme, a lot of new players at lots of positions.
they are athletically better group, seemingly younger, hungrier and smarter. that alone helps to improve us, because they will get there faster, take natuarlly better angles, etc.

but communication and understanding assignments, knowing each other and playing together will take time. parker won't be able to unleash the entire play book and sophisticated defense

I look for this defense to be better than last year's defense, right out of the gate. but they will miss assignments, line up incorrectly, take the wrong angles, etc. and give up a few big plays here and there and I expect this board to have a melt down. well at least a few of them.

so first 4 games, getting used to each other, adjusting, understanding, learning. by second 4 games, play book expands, we should see more splash plays, less big plays given up and more consistency....by the 3rd quarter of the season, we should see small pieces of dominance from this group. more sophisticated defense, better understanding and playing like a top 15ish defense consistently and by the last quarter of the season they should come together and play like a top 10ish defense.

but there is also a lot of things that have to go right.

Will Downs play like expected as a Rookie. every rookie has a learning curve.
How will the LBs play?
How will the CBs respond, as we have question marks with all of them
and will the pass rush be able to step up, we have a lot of players at DE, no stars, so who will step up to be that consistent pressure player.

 

[GMO415]

If DAL has a top 10 Def they'd be the SB favorites.

 

[DogFace]

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

I’m sorry. But that “quip” has been used more than its cleverness permits.

Thank you.

 

[Bullflop]

The strength of scheduling will be a tough aspect of the upcoming season to overcome. The late run in the second half of the season will definitely have much to do with this team's chances for any playoff qualifications. I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch. Our changes must be dealt with before this team's success is likely. Let's hope the stars align right. We have so many problems to overcome.

 

[LonnieElam]

I’m sorry. But that “quip” has been used more than its cleverness permits.

Thank you.

Your momma.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Yes.

If those are your numbers, I think we definitely feel very differently.

In fact, I’d probably flip it.

I think coaching and scheme can make that level of difference.

The most gifted athlete can’t overcome poor coaching and playcalling.

It’s an interesting topic. Personally I look more towards talent levels, but both matter.

In my mind though if you gave Eberflus Myles Garrett he will have a pretty solid at worst defense. Kenneth Murray on the other hand has had 4 different DCs in his career and no one has been able to fix him despite being a phenomenal athlete.

IMO coaching at this level is pretty similar with some obvious outliers which I agree can be a difference maker when you get a truly special coach, but those are rare. Especially with today’s technology and team budgets anything new another teams does is on tape, broken down, and duplicated within a couple weeks.

I look less truly at scheme and more at a coaches ability to pick players and adapt their scheme to fit quality players rather than sticking players into a scheme. That’s where I think coaches can truly move the needle. It’s when a guy like McVay can be so excited and sure about spending a late pick on some scrub names puka nacua and turn him into an elite player year 1. As good as the player i doubt very few OCs are giving a late round pick that many looks and getting that type of production.

 

[Ring6]

LB position is still a concern

ILB - can they stop the run with a 7-man box

OLB - can they generate a pass rush