Fix the defense, tweak the offense and overall ST's

[Cowboyny]

As we all wait on the decision regrading Garrett, whom I think will ultimately be gone by week's end, how do we fix this so called talented roster:

1) Tweak the offense - play calling still remains an issue, especially with a green OC abandoning the run so often. A Head Coach playing far too conservative. The offense didn't struggle moving the ball, but had it's difficulties finishing drives. They couldn't get out of their way at times, too many mental mistakes. Certainly, doesn't help when their FG kicker destroyed momentum on a weekly basis. We have seen Dak make improvement, but still had his struggles against the better defenses around the league. The arrow is pointing in the right direction, better coaching, more development with our QB, the offense isn't far away.

2) The defense and special teams are the team's biggest weaknesses. Team needs a new punter, hopefully they have found a long-term answer at kicker. The return and cover units are among the league worst. No, we don't want to see another special teams draft, but why not target some veteran fa's to bolster the unit. Tony Pollard was an electric returner in college, we have to find a way to turn him into a weapon/

3) The defense or lack thereof. Team struggles defending the run, has no idea how to deal with a simple screen pass, among the league worst to creating defensive turnovers for over a decade. The defensive gameplan isn't game specific, every team knows what we are doing. The worst QB's around the league have looked elite against us. We all know a complete overhaul for the coaching side is needed, but plain and simple, there aren't enough good player on this side of the football. Is there one starter that you can say is pro bowl level? Perhaps DLaw, maybe Lve, down the line if healthy, that's it. The rest are all overrated. The team has to rebuild the defense period!

 

[MysteryIceGuro]

Nah... blow it all up. It’s the only way.

 

[Risen Star]

The roster's loaded. We just need a coach.

 

[big dog cowboy]

More running plays, less passing plays.

Average special teams + decent kicker + competent HC = 3 or 4 more wins this year.

The Cowboys should have won the east with a record of 11-5 at worst.

 

[glimmerman]

More running plays, less passing plays.

Average special teams + decent kicker + competent HC = 3 or 4 more wins this year.

The Cowboys should have won the east with a record of 11-5 at worst.

Could be done easily. But get another HC and DC and ST coach now. Add a few plays and wrinkles to Offense. New 4-3 schemed Defense. And even just a average ST would work. Our new kicker seemed better. I don’t see the division making huge leaps next year. Another 3 or 4 wins and it’s ours. ST cost us a few games alone this year.

 

[blindzebra]

We did not abandon the run. We did not run efficiently. The mistake was forcing the run early, especially on early downs, which led to 3 and outs and getting behind by multiple scores. That caused those 45-50 pass attempt games. In the games where they came out passing early, especially on first down, we scored, built leads, and that allowed us to run more effectively. Forcing the feed Zeke cost wins and actually caused MORE PASSING.

Yes we need a tweak, but it is not running more, it is running MORE EFFICIENTLY.

 

[Hot_Toddy]

As we all wait on the decision regrading Garrett, whom I think will ultimately be gone by week's end, how do we fix this so called talented roster:

1) Tweak the offense - play calling still remains an issue, especially with a green OC abandoning the run so often. A Head Coach playing far too conservative. The offense didn't struggle moving the ball, but had it's difficulties finishing drives. They couldn't get out of their way at times, too many mental mistakes. Certainly, doesn't help when their FG kicker destroyed momentum on a weekly basis. We have seen Dak make improvement, but still had his struggles against the better defenses around the league. The arrow is pointing in the right direction, better coaching, more development with our QB, the offense isn't far away.

2) The defense and special teams are the team's biggest weaknesses. Team needs a new punter, hopefully they have found a long-term answer at kicker. The return and cover units are among the league worst. No, we don't want to see another special teams draft, but why not target some veteran fa's to bolster the unit. Tony Pollard was an electric returner in college, we have to find a way to turn him into a weapon/

3) The defense or lack thereof. Team struggles defending the run, has no idea how to deal with a simple screen pass, among the league worst to creating defensive turnovers for over a decade. The defensive gameplan isn't game specific, every team knows what we are doing. The worst QB's around the league have looked elite against us. We all know a complete overhaul for the coaching side is needed, but plain and simple, there aren't enough good player on this side of the football. Is there one starter that you can say is pro bowl level? Perhaps DLaw, maybe Lve, down the line if healthy, that's it. The rest are all overrated. The team has to rebuild the defense period!

Good post.

In my opinion. It is only the Special Teams part of the team that needs a COMPLETE overhaul. The Cowboys should look for the best special teams coaches out there right now.

 

[blindzebra]

More running plays, less passing plays.

Average special teams + decent kicker + competent HC = 3 or 4 more wins this year.

The Cowboys should have won the east with a record of 11-5 at worst.

Disagree. It is not about volume it is about success.
We did not run the ball well. Games were lost by forcing the run and then having to play catch up. Games where we came out passing, we scored, built leads, and then could run with greater success. Passing more early, actually led to FEWER PASSES and more running plays.

 

[jnday]

For all of the complaining about the defense, most games were lost by the offense’s inability to score in the red zone. There was a lot of games when the defense held the opposing offense to reasonably low scores, but the inconsistency of the offense could not take advantage.

 

[blindzebra]

For all of the complaining about the defense, most games were lost by the offense’s inability to score in the red zone. There was a lot of games when the defense held the opposing offense to reasonably low scores, but the inconsistency of the offense could not take advantage.

Yeah, the blame is on the unit in the top of most offensive stats, except a very important one, starting field position.

The craptactular special teams, along with a defense that rarely gave the offense a short field, is why games were lost.

 

[Rayman70]

ME THINKS the roster isn't nearly as "loaded" on D as we all assumed. Look at our dline and linebackers. THEY WERE TRASH. Quinn ,Hyder and Armstrong are nice pieces we can build around in 2020. Short term..lets ink Michael Bennett for 1 more season to bring some vet muscle to that dline. Our linebackers however, are a mess. LVE suddenly is an issue long term. Jaylon got paid and seems either unwilling or unable to form tackle and be where he should be on the field. IS THAT SCHEME OR IS THAT THE PLAYERS? BOTH? Like I said, we are a mess at linebacker. Lee will likely retire. The interior dline needs dire help. DLAW needs to focus on what he wants...a SB win or selling his stupid merch. The back end of the defense has promise with the right coaching and scheme. Not very worried about that, except maybe upgrading the daunting safety position finally. Offense is just fine with the correct coaching and scheme. Defense is my big worry. We lack tenacity and fundamentals there.NO GRIT. We need coaches who demand those things, those changes, IMMEDIATELY. Anything else is a failure on a huge level by JJ. Urban Meyer or McCarthy immediately address these things. Watch out for Matt Rhule. A REAL DARK HORSE IS DAN MULLEN.

 

[Rayman70]

For all of the complaining about the defense, most games were lost by the offense’s inability to score in the red zone. There was a lot of games when the defense held the opposing offense to reasonably low scores, but the inconsistency of the offense could not take advantage.

WE had to constantly work with a long field. The D did us no favors. Its a fools errand to expect our offense to go 80 yards plus each time we get the ball. Its hard enough in this league. Defense made it nearly impossible.

 

[Rayman70]

as far as special teams, we need a STUD special teams guru to come in and fix this mess. We lacked fundamentals...heck..seemed very unprepared.

 

[ondaedg]

As we all wait on the decision regrading Garrett, whom I think will ultimately be gone by week's end, how do we fix this so called talented roster:

1) Tweak the offense - play calling still remains an issue, especially with a green OC abandoning the run so often. A Head Coach playing far too conservative. The offense didn't struggle moving the ball, but had it's difficulties finishing drives. They couldn't get out of their way at times, too many mental mistakes. Certainly, doesn't help when their FG kicker destroyed momentum on a weekly basis. We have seen Dak make improvement, but still had his struggles against the better defenses around the league. The arrow is pointing in the right direction, better coaching, more development with our QB, the offense isn't far away.

2) The defense and special teams are the team's biggest weaknesses. Team needs a new punter, hopefully they have found a long-term answer at kicker. The return and cover units are among the league worst. No, we don't want to see another special teams draft, but why not target some veteran fa's to bolster the unit. Tony Pollard was an electric returner in college, we have to find a way to turn him into a weapon/

3) The defense or lack thereof. Team struggles defending the run, has no idea how to deal with a simple screen pass, among the league worst to creating defensive turnovers for over a decade. The defensive gameplan isn't game specific, every team knows what we are doing. The worst QB's around the league have looked elite against us. We all know a complete overhaul for the coaching side is needed, but plain and simple, there aren't enough good player on this side of the football. Is there one starter that you can say is pro bowl level? Perhaps DLaw, maybe Lve, down the line if healthy, that's it. The rest are all overrated. The team has to rebuild the defense period!

The defense is the big challenge. Garrett offered no expertise and it's been a weak point since he came in. The only way this team scores is by putting all the pressure on the O to drive 85 yds for every touchdown. Fewest takeaways in the whole league since 2011. Haven't had a kickoff returned for a td since Wade. The Chiefs have 20 MORE tds on returns (fumble, int, punt, kick) than we do since 2015. 20! This defense and special teams will have to be flushed and rebuilt with an entirely new DC and scheme before we are NFL caliber again.

 

[CowboyRoy]

As we all wait on the decision regrading Garrett, whom I think will ultimately be gone by week's end, how do we fix this so called talented roster:

1) Tweak the offense - play calling still remains an issue, especially with a green OC abandoning the run so often. A Head Coach playing far too conservative. The offense didn't struggle moving the ball, but had it's difficulties finishing drives. They couldn't get out of their way at times, too many mental mistakes. Certainly, doesn't help when their FG kicker destroyed momentum on a weekly basis. We have seen Dak make improvement, but still had his struggles against the better defenses around the league. The arrow is pointing in the right direction, better coaching, more development with our QB, the offense isn't far away.

2) The defense and special teams are the team's biggest weaknesses. Team needs a new punter, hopefully they have found a long-term answer at kicker. The return and cover units are among the league worst. No, we don't want to see another special teams draft, but why not target some veteran fa's to bolster the unit. Tony Pollard was an electric returner in college, we have to find a way to turn him into a weapon/

3) The defense or lack thereof. Team struggles defending the run, has no idea how to deal with a simple screen pass, among the league worst to creating defensive turnovers for over a decade. The defensive gameplan isn't game specific, every team knows what we are doing. The worst QB's around the league have looked elite against us. We all know a complete overhaul for the coaching side is needed, but plain and simple, there aren't enough good player on this side of the football. Is there one starter that you can say is pro bowl level? Perhaps DLaw, maybe Lve, down the line if healthy, that's it. The rest are all overrated. The team has to rebuild the defense period!

Offense is fine actually. It just needs a real coach and quality scheming and game planning. All the pieces are there. Another good TE would help.

The real problem is defense. If we can hold teams to an average of under 20 points a week and create more turnovers then this team is a contender already.

 

[Rayman70]

Offense is fine actually. It just needs a real coach and quality scheming and game planning. All the pieces are there. Another good TE would help.

The real problem is defense. If we can hold teams to an average of under 20 points a week and create more turnovers then this team is a contender already.

^^^this^^^

 

[ondaedg]

Offense is fine actually. It just needs a real coach and quality scheming and game planning. All the pieces are there. Another good TE would help.

The real problem is defense. If we can hold teams to an average of under 20 points a week and create more turnovers then this team is a contender already.

Garrett would have at least 1 super bowl if we were average or even slightly above average at creating takeaways IMO. But his legacy is among the worst in history and is 32nd in INTs since he became coach.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Garrett would have at least 1 super bowl if we were average or even slightly above average at creating takeaways IMO. But his legacy is among the worst in history and is 32nd in INTs since he became coach.

Are you going to miss the great clapping Carrett?

 

[ondaedg]

Are you going to miss the great clapping Carrett?

Heck no. I may find myself rooting for my hometown Browns if he is brought back. That is how desperate I am for a new coach.

 

[Rayman70]

the elephant in the room now and all year was our shoddy defense,PERIOD. We lacked adjusting,lacked fundamentals,scheme effectiveness, and coaching. WORST OF ALL, I don't think we are very talented as we been led to believe.