Revamped NFC East offenses could pose problem for Cowboys defense

[Alexander]

Revamped NFC East offenses could pose problem for Cowboys defense
9:20 AM ET

• Jean-Jacques TaylorESPN Staff Writer
  

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli bestows nicknames on many of his players. Perhaps Jerry Jones should give him one: Miracle Man.

The talent currently on Marinelli's defense makes you wonder how the Cowboys are going to end a 22-year NFC Championship game drought.

Five key defensive players -- safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox, cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr and defensive tackle Terrell McClain -- left in free agency, and it’s hard to see how the Cowboys are going to adequately replace the 2,625 snaps those players provided last season.

Look at the number of first-round draft choices starting on that defense. Safety Byron Jones, who has one interception in his first two seasons (and that was on an end-of-the-half heave), is the only one.

Some of the blame, if we’re honest, belongs to Marinelli, who is finicky when it comes draft picks. He’s reminiscent of former Cowboys coach Chan Gailey, who preferred to do more with less. A skeptic would say that’s an approach that brings less pressure because the expectations aren’t nearly as high as they would be with a unit stuffed with studs. Remember, Marinelli passed on defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd in 2012 because he didn’t consider him a quick-twitch player. He really liked defensive end Joey Bosa, who was drafted third overall by the Chargers last season, but he didn’t love him.

http://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cow...ses-to-pose-problem-for-cowboys-rod-marinelli

 

[Risen Star]

If Marinelli didn't love Bosa, and that's a big if considering you can't trust the media, then I might just look for another defensive coordinator and certainly wouldn't listen to a thing he says about college talent.

 

[Nova]

If Marinelli didn't love Bosa, and that's a big if considering you can't trust the media, then I might just look for another defensive coordinator and certainly wouldn't listen to a thing he says about college talent.

Marinelli is one of those guys where we may just need to give him ingredients and say 'make it work'.

He's a good DC, but far too picky.

 

[Denim Chicken]

If Marinelli didn't love Bosa, and that's a big if considering you can't trust the media, then I might just look for another defensive coordinator and certainly wouldn't listen to a thing he says about college talent.

There were many that were lukewarm on Bosa as a pass-rusher. I wouldn't pass an overarching judgment based on a simple like-not-love evaluation.

 

[Risen Star]

Marinelli is one of those guys where we may just need to give him ingredients and say 'make it work'.

He's a good DC, but far too picky.

Seems to covet the try hard, effort guys. That's fine in taking a bad defense to decent but I don't know if you can go from average to good that way. You need talent.

 

[MileyDancer]

Marinelli gets more passes than any coach on the team. We've added more players to the defense than offense since he's been here. The excuses are tired.

 

[Risen Star]

There were many that were lukewarm on Bosa as a pass-rusher. I wouldn't pass an overarching judgment based on a simple like-not-love evaluation.

Who are the many?

Are you talking about fans on message boards?

 

[Denim Chicken]

Who are the many?

Are you talking about fans on message boards?

There were many dissenting opinions among draft gurus, former players, media guys, and, yes, fans. It's not difficult to find if you're interested.

He's one:

http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2016/11/28/its-okay-to-admit-you-were-wrong-about-joey-bosa/

Even before Bosa’s lengthy holdout, there were concerns that he lacked the speed and explosiveness to be a game-changing rusher off the edge. After a nasty, drawn-out contract fight between the San Diego Chargers and the No. 3 overall pick, many assumed Bosa would struggle to make an immediate impact.

 

[robjay04]

We may be looking at some shootouts but I don't see either of the defenses in our division stopping us either.

Giants defense will take a hit if/when Hankins leaves and Zeke ran well game 2. You would have to think Dak would improve and won't be confused as much.

Eagles defense takes a hit with Logan gone and our offense was fairly strong against them last season.

Commanders have no answers for us.

As long as Dak improves, as expected, going into his second season, none of these teams are going to hang with our offense. Regardless, all the games will be close like always.

 

[Risen Star]

There were many dissenting opinions among draft gurus, former players, media guys, and, yes, fans. It's not difficult to find if you're interested.

He's one:

http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2016/11/28/its-okay-to-admit-you-were-wrong-about-joey-bosa/

Even before Bosa’s lengthy holdout, there were concerns that he lacked the speed and explosiveness to be a game-changing rusher off the edge. After a nasty, drawn-out contract fight between the San Diego Chargers and the No. 3 overall pick, many assumed Bosa would struggle to make an immediate impact.

I'm aware of that. Bosa was hated here but I'm talking through league circles. I doubt there was much doubt of how good of a pro he'd be. As evidenced by him going 3rd overall when everyone thought the Chargers would go Ramsey.

 

[DandyDon52]

that’s an approach that brings less pressure because the expectations aren’t nearly as high as they would be with a unit stuffed with studs.

Good point, another reason for excuses and next year etc.
If he does ok this year, people will say he is a magician !

 

[NEODOG]

We may be looking at some shootouts but I don't see either of the defenses in our division stopping us either.

Giants defense will take a hit if/when Hankins leaves and Zeke ran well game 2. You would have to think Dak would improve and won't be confused as much.

Eagles defense takes a hit with Logan gone and our offense was fairly strong against them last season.

Commanders have no answers for us.

As long as Dak improves, as expected, going into his second season, none of these teams are going to hang with our offense. Regardless, all the games will be close like always.

Yeah, it's like we totally dominated the Giants last year.....

Then the Skins, if not for Mr Gift Cuzins

Then those pesty Eagles....we swept, oh wait

 

[Teague31]

We should just forfeit the season

 

[DandyDon52]

the other 3 teams have avg OC's at best , so even if they add better players, it might not change much,
but still if dallas d does worse, then year it will make beating them harder.

 

[Alexander]

If Marinelli didn't love Bosa, and that's a big if considering you can't trust the media, then I might just look for another defensive coordinator and certainly wouldn't listen to a thing he says about college talent.

I honestly think if they extend him, they are asking for continued issues on defense that won't be fixed until he goes away.

Some of these old school "guru" coaches have made long careers out of "coaching up" players. But everyone forgot it was great talent where they forged their reputations around to begin with.

Hudson Houck was the same way. He would get all kinds of praise getting marginal talent to acceptable but eventually that would only last so long and the mentality allowed the team to be lazy in terms of getting upgrades. Oh, he will just take this marginal player and get us by. That is some great job security though.

 

[conner01]

If Marinelli didn't love Bosa, and that's a big if considering you can't trust the media, then I might just look for another defensive coordinator and certainly wouldn't listen to a thing he says about college talent.

Lots of fans here didn't like Bosa. I thought he was a good prospect but he was gone

 

[robjay04]

Yeah, it's like we totally dominated the Giants last year.....

Then the Skins, if not for Mr Gift Cuzins

Then those pesty Eagles....we swept, oh wait

Well I guess we shouldn't watch football this year.

My point was the games will be close regardless of the talent. Neither of those teams have done anything to slow down our strength either.

 

[gmoney112]

Every team needs talent. Rod also isn't the GM.

I'm only worried about the Giants. Skins and Cousins rift going to be bad. Wentz sucks.

If the Giants can fix their OL and get a run game, that's going to be a tough team. I like Dak after a year though.

 

[Alexander]

If the Giants can fix their OL and get a run game, that's going to be a tough team

If they ever bought a clue and got a top shelf runner, TE and LB, they would be the odds on favorites for the division if not the conference.

Luckily, they keep spinning their wheels, signing players like TE Rhett Ellison, RB Shawn Draughn and re-signed both Herzlich and Keenan Robinson.

 

[T-RO]

Marinelli gets more passes than any coach on the team. We've added more players to the defense than offense since he's been here. The excuses are tired.

No. But the critics are tired and wearisome. Added more players? If you want to talk about middle/late round picks and K-Mart free agents maybe.

The notion that Marinelli doesn't want talent is sheer buffoonery. He does want guys that fit his system, as all coaches do.

If anyone thinks Rod wouldn't like more top draft picks to load up his defense...not sure how to help you, as your brain's neurons aren't firing straight.

Jerry has been using 1st rounders on offense and utterly squandering second round selections. Rod has been left the job of weaving a defense w/fragments of duct tape.