Cowboyny
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The Cowboy Defense has been somewhat of a disappointment thus far, pretty much the same type of production we saw last season. Several things we need to consider and hope the defense improves as the season progresses:
-The defense has an entire new staff, running a complete new defensive scheme. Any time there is a scheme change, there are going to be growing pains. Moving from a simplistic scheme under Marinelli to more of a complex one is going to take time.
-Without an off-season, several players are behind the eight ball so to speak. Rookies such as Diggs has been thrown in the fire and must learn on the job as a starter. The other rookies will make their biggest impact on special teams in year 1. Some veterans are starting off slow as they would still be getting ready with the pre-season games. It's very hard to simulate game action in practice sessions. A player like Aldon Smith, even though had a good first game, needs time to get his body back into football condition. Many thought they would bring me along slow at the start of the season. It's something to watch when Gregory returns in a few weeks.
-The defense as a whole has had to deal with a rash of injuries, to key players. They are almost through their entire depth at corner, onto their #4 LB, lost Gerald McCoy for the entire season. This unit isn't talented enough to overcome so many losses to the unit.
I do believe we will see improvement within the unit, but not drasticially, either. Clearly there are major holes within the secondary, which you can hide so much. Still have question marks at LB as well.
-The defense has an entire new staff, running a complete new defensive scheme. Any time there is a scheme change, there are going to be growing pains. Moving from a simplistic scheme under Marinelli to more of a complex one is going to take time.
-Without an off-season, several players are behind the eight ball so to speak. Rookies such as Diggs has been thrown in the fire and must learn on the job as a starter. The other rookies will make their biggest impact on special teams in year 1. Some veterans are starting off slow as they would still be getting ready with the pre-season games. It's very hard to simulate game action in practice sessions. A player like Aldon Smith, even though had a good first game, needs time to get his body back into football condition. Many thought they would bring me along slow at the start of the season. It's something to watch when Gregory returns in a few weeks.
-The defense as a whole has had to deal with a rash of injuries, to key players. They are almost through their entire depth at corner, onto their #4 LB, lost Gerald McCoy for the entire season. This unit isn't talented enough to overcome so many losses to the unit.
I do believe we will see improvement within the unit, but not drasticially, either. Clearly there are major holes within the secondary, which you can hide so much. Still have question marks at LB as well.
