Is our defense as bad as most around here say it is?

[endersdragon]

Hearing a couple of other conversations around here I got to thinking is our defense really that bad? After all they are 10th in points suggesting they are a bend but don't break type of team. To which many say, that's just because they control the ball so well, which is also true, they are #1 in both plays and time per drive (which I really like moving forward BTW, yes it's because there aren't any deep completions but I love controlling the ball). In fact the Cowboys offense is dominant in pretty much every per drive stat (except for TDs which I think getting Romo back well help a lot with, not to mention Dak getting more experience).

So I started looking at the defensive per drive stats that supposedly the Cowboys are so bad at... And outside of yards I didn't see anything that horrifying. 18th in points, 14th in takeaways, 13th in points per red zone appearance. In terms of what I see mattering the most, points and takeaways (in that order) we are really pretty average, maybe slightly below. This is being done without our best pass rusher in DLaw who was averaging a sack a game at the end of last year and seemed to be getting regular pressure throughout the game.

While some might argue that this is because we played 3 bad teams... The Skins and Giants really aren't that horrible on offense, both are middle of the pack. The Bears are horrible sure, but then again we probably had better stats against the Giants and Commanders because we gave up so much against the Bears in garbage time.

Is there room for improvement, sure. I think getting the aforementioned DLaw back will help a lot there. Could this be a top 10 defense by the end of the year... Probably not. Could they perform our defense from two years ago... Probably. I think our secondary is there, we need a LB to go with Lee and we really really need a pass rusher. Maybe Durant and DLaw? Maybe?

P.S. the most telling stat for me our offense starts the average drive up 4.69 points, 5th in the league. Our defense might not be doing that good but our offense is picking up the slack in a big way.

Edit: stats were found at http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestatsoff2016

 

[Idgit]

Nope. We're average. And we'll be a little better with Lawrence back. Hopefully, we've got the run fits sorted out a little better now, too.

Only problem is we need better than average to advance in post season.

 

[endersdragon]

Nope. We're average. And we'll be a little better with Lawrence back. Hopefully, we've got the run fits sorted out a little better now, too.

Only problem is we need better than average to advance in post season.

I think a ton depends on DLaw, if he's the beast he was at the end of last year, considering how this secondary is performing... We could actually be a top 10 defense (I know I just said probably not to that)... If his last 2 months from last year are a fluke... We won't improve that much. With that being said, in this wide open NFC, I think that we could advance with an average defense as every team with the exception of the Eagles (man it pains me to say that) has an average something, and I don't think that the Eagles will last (there all better lol).

 

[waving monkey]

I'd like to add the caveat of low participation of many in training camp.
Prime examples Malik Collins, Nacho.
I think there will be a greater coordination in the unit as the season progresses.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Defense is very important. I like how the Broncos are still rolling and the Vikings are looking great even with Bradford.

Wish we could build a defense like Denver. Heck I'd settle for the Giants D right now.

 

[windjc]

Our yards against the run per play and our lack of consistent 4 man pass rush means we are reliant on the offense to control the ball. Therefore we are very vulnerable and have a lot less options for winning games.

 

[Macnalty]

I think average is outstanding with this Dline personnel. Lawrence will help no doubt, but the key is the offense doing their part for the defense. Keeping those drives going and limiting the opposing team's possessions. When we have the offense keeping the ball and scoring as often as they have been in these games, it stresses the competition to keep up quickly, or become out of touch for a win. Rod deserves so much credit for turning these guys into being their best version of themselves. Charles Tapper broken back, Scandrick hobbled, Mark Nzoecha's achilles, Damien Wilson freak eye injury really stress this defensive talent pool. No team is going to feel sorry for us and the games are going to start getting tougher after the 49ers, we need some quick healing and no new significant injuries on the defense to maintain average.

 

[DallasDomination]

There's some other horrible defenses this year but overall I would say it's pretty darn bad.

I suggest not going in the game day thread during the Packers or Bengals game. Things could get ugly real quick.

 

[fishspill]

The D is better than I thought it'd be but the lack of pass rush will start killing as the season drags on.

 

[tm1119]

The lack of pass rush will rear its ugly head at the most I opportune time unfortunately. Close games late in the 4th and we will be picked apart by good QB's. I think the key will be getting Crawford to play at a high level at 3 tech. If Lawrence comes back and we don't have a threat of a pass rush coming from somewhere else he's going to get chipped by TE's and backs on almost every play.

 

[stilltheguru88]

We need Irvings (light) to come on. We just need to get lucky

 

[Daillest88]

Slightly below average but the addition of Dlaw should put us at a little bit better than average. I really believe the dline will feed off of him, plus the pass rush should improve our secondary

 

[LittleD]

We have a lot of Madden junkies on this board and since we don't have any highly rated Madden players with the
possible exception of Sean Lee we must suck. We are average right now and should improve a bit as the year
moves on. We are working with young players who need time to develop and I'm sure more resources will be
used over the next few years to improve the pass rush. Takes time to find the right guys.

 

[noshame]

The offense has been keeping the defense off the field quite a bit as compared to years past

 

[haleyrules]

The D is better than I thought it'd be but the lack of pass rush will start killing as the season drags on.

Exactly. When the normal injuries start kicking in the lack of talent and depth will really hurt!!

 

[morasp]

I found this in the news forum.

Question: The Cowboys offense should be OK, but can the defense contain quality teams for Dallas to make a playoff run?

Gosselin: No. The Cowboys are 2-1 against middle-of-the-pack teams. The Giants gained 390 yards in just 24 minutes against this defense. The Commanders gained 432 yards in 27 minutes and the Bears 316 yards in 23 minutes. 49 passes by the Bears last night and no sacks. The Cowboys made no real investment in this defense in the offseason and it shows. Getting DeMarcus Lawrence back will help. But one man isn't going to turn this thing around.

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/dmn-...as-dealt-bad-hand-but-hes-doing-right.357860/

 

[stilltheguru88]

I found this in the news forum.

Question: The Cowboys offense should be OK, but can the defense contain quality teams for Dallas to make a playoff run?

Gosselin: No. The Cowboys are 2-1 against middle-of-the-pack teams. The Giants gained 390 yards in just 24 minutes against this defense. The Commanders gained 432 yards in 27 minutes and the Bears 316 yards in 23 minutes. 49 passes by the Bears last night and no sacks. The Cowboys made no real investment in this defense in the offseason and it shows. Getting DeMarcus Lawrence back will help. But one man isn't going to turn this thing around.

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/dmn-...as-dealt-bad-hand-but-hes-doing-right.357860/

He's a fan like everyone else lol. He doesn't know more than the average fan. Well see

 

[DallasDomination]

He's a fan like everyone else lol. He doesn't know more than the average fan. Well see

But he's pretty much right about everything. Our time of possession has been good and still when the other team gets the ball it's cross your fingers because they are carving us up and running up the middle all day. And these are middle of the pack teams.

 

[stilltheguru88]

But he's pretty much right about everything. Our time of possession has been good and still when the other team gets the ball it's cross your fingers because they are carving us up and running up the middle all day. And these are middle of the pack teams.

He doesn't know what we'll look like week 17. None of us do. Players develop and teams get lucky.

 

[Hawkeye19]

The one stat that gives me some hope is that thus far we are +3 on turnover differential. Last year we were atrocious with ball security and forcing turnovers. We are doing better in both departments this season-- and that will certainly help us get back into 2014 form.