Cowboys have no splash players on defense

[Galian Beast]

Are there any players that you would put in the top 50 nfl defenders?

Signing Lawrence was a mistake. He has been a peaky player his whole career and paying players generally don't get them to improve or become more consistent. That they've continued to pay Crawford for years after they paid Brandon Carr for years, just shows how ridiculous this front office is.

But this defense lacks catalytic players. Byron Jones is a good player, but he isn't a catalyst. We have some good linebackers, but they aren't catalysts. Sean Lee used to be when he was healthy, but he isn't anymore.

The defense isn't good enough to win consistently with this offense against good teams. I think this team makes the playoffs edging out the Eagles, but that is due to the weakness of this division, rather than the strength of the Cowboys. This is not a 12 win team or even an 11 win team. At best they go 10-6, but more likely 9-7. Yet nothing was done at the trade deadline to either push this team to 11-5/12-4 or to put us in a better position to do so next year.

Jerry Jones is hedging, which is hilarious for a businessman like him. He doesn't want to pour more resources into this but also doesn't want to get more resources for next year and a new coach. That is how invested and determined he is into Dak and Garrett. We'll see if Dak gets his 30+ million dollar contract.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Are there any players that you would put in the top 50 nfl defenders?

Signing Lawrence was a mistake. He has been a peaky player his whole career and paying players generally don't get them to improve or become more consistent. That they've continued to pay Crawford for years after they paid Brandon Carr for years, just shows how ridiculous this front office is.

But this defense lacks catalytic players. Byron Jones is a good player, but he isn't a catalyst. We have some good linebackers, but they aren't catalysts. Sean Lee used to be when he was healthy, but he isn't anymore.

The defense isn't good enough to win consistently with this offense against good teams. I think this team makes the playoffs edging out the Eagles, but that is due to the weakness of this division, rather than the strength of the Cowboys. This is not a 12 win team or even an 11 win team. At best they go 10-6, but more likely 9-7. Yet nothing was done at the trade deadline to either push this team to 11-5/12-4 or to put us in a better position to do so next year.

Jerry Jones is hedging, which is hilarious for a businessman like him. He doesn't want to pour more resources into this but also doesn't want to get more resources for next year and a new coach. That is how invested and determined he is into Dak and Garrett. We'll see if Dak gets his 30+ million dollar contract.

We definitely have some great players on defense. The problem is we have some huge huge holes that cant be covered up. And we have a scheme that is old, predictable, and stale.

 

[HungryLion]

The defensive scheme also limits players ability to be catalytic.

The scheme is passive by design and more
Worried about limiting big plays and hoping for the opposing offense to make a mistake.

Rather than playing aggressively and trying to force the issue.

The scheme and overall philosophy is a major reason for the lack of “catalytic” plays. IMO.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Quinn, Jaylon, LVE, Lawrence.......I count four.

 

[HungryLion]

Quinn, Jaylon, LVE, Lawrence.......I count four.

I think Lewis can be if the coaches let him play.

 

[KingintheNorth]

A modern-day DC will fix a lot of the issues. I doubt very seriously that a new HC and new DC will come in here and have the same ridiculous takes on 1Techs and Safeties as the current decision makers.

Revisiting a Jamal Adams trade in the off-season will help.

2 of the top 3 draft picks should be on defensive players (unless stud TE's and WR's fall into our laps), with or without a costly trade for Adams.

 

[Galian Beast]

A modern-day DC will fix a lot of the issues. I doubt very seriously that a new HC and new DC will come in here and have the same ridiculous takes on 1Techs and Safeties as the current decision makers.

Revisiting a Jamal Adams trade in the off-season will help.

2 of the top 3 draft picks should be on defensive players (unless stud TE's and WR's fall into our laps), with or without a costly trade for Adams.

The issues as always start up front. We don't have a defensive line that can dominate the line of scrimmage and with that your linebackers and defensive backs can and will only be so good.

 

[Alexander]

Quinn, Jaylon, LVE, Lawrence.......I count four.

In terms of pure talent, maybe. But let's get real. Only Quinn is a splash player in this scheme.

I will not argue that we have talent. But that does not matter if the scheme and things they are asked to do are not set up for success.

 

[BigStar]

Last splash players were Lee in his prime and Ware during his tenure. Maybo Ro McClain when he had that decent stretch.

 

[Galian Beast]

In terms of pure talent, maybe. But let's get real. Only Quinn is a splash player in this scheme.

I will not argue that we have talent. But that does not matter if the scheme and things they are asked to do are not set up for success.

Think about a scheme that calls for Taco Charlton over TJ Watt

 

[Alexander]

Think about a scheme that calls for Taco Charlton over TJ Watt

The "scheme" made that pick. They wanted an end who could defend the run and pass. Watt did not fit the bill.

 

[Kaiser]

Think about a scheme that calls for Taco Charlton over TJ Watt

You mean a 4-3 instead of a 3-4?

 

[Walker]

We need some big fat guys on the line.

 

[Cowboys_22]

A couple of play-breakers on defense would definitely make a splash

 

[jaythecowboy]

You mean a 4-3 instead of a 3-4?

TJ Watt could definitely have been a 4-3 RE. He was basically the same dimensions as Randy Gregory.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I sometimes wonder if this message board is filled with out of work teachers the way everyone grades every aspect of the team, coaches, players, GM, water boy, cheerleaders et al.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Are there any players that you would put in the top 50 nfl defenders?

Signing Lawrence was a mistake. He has been a peaky player his whole career and paying players generally don't get them to improve or become more consistent. That they've continued to pay Crawford for years after they paid Brandon Carr for years, just shows how ridiculous this front office is.

But this defense lacks catalytic players. Byron Jones is a good player, but he isn't a catalyst. We have some good linebackers, but they aren't catalysts. Sean Lee used to be when he was healthy, but he isn't anymore.

The defense isn't good enough to win consistently with this offense against good teams. I think this team makes the playoffs edging out the Eagles, but that is due to the weakness of this division, rather than the strength of the Cowboys. This is not a 12 win team or even an 11 win team. At best they go 10-6, but more likely 9-7. Yet nothing was done at the trade deadline to either push this team to 11-5/12-4 or to put us in a better position to do so next year.

Jerry Jones is hedging, which is hilarious for a businessman like him. He doesn't want to pour more resources into this but also doesn't want to get more resources for next year and a new coach. That is how invested and determined he is into Dak and Garrett. We'll see if Dak gets his 30+ million dollar contract.

But...but...but the Dak haters say Dak is surrounded by talent galore compared to what the glorious one was not.

 

[stilltheguru]

Another genuis saying lawrence shouldnt have gotten signed. @Galian Beast

What wouldve been your dline plan for this year without lawrence?

 

[Kaiser]

TJ Watt could definitely have been a 4-3 RE. He was basically the same dimensions as Randy Gregory.

Gregory is an elite athlete who would have been a Top 5 pick if his head was screwed on right. And Gregory hasn't demonstrated he can stop the run either, Dallas didn't think Watt could hold up against the run and Watt hasn't proven that in a 4-3.

Watt's position in this defense was where DLaw plays and no one thinks Watt would do it better.

 

[CF74]

Quinn