Do we even need a top 5 defense with Dak leading the offense?

NumOneQB

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No, just a middle of the pack Defense that can tighten up in the red zone. Today’s NFL games seem to be decided on who has the ball last. You’re really not stopping anyone from scoring most of the game. A top flight defense would be ideal but how hard is it to put one together?
 

cowboys1981

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This team should be top 5 and live up to it's Doomsday mantra. That defense will keep anyone in a game.
 

Portnoy1

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next year I want Mike to call plays and a new aggressive DC like Arizona has.
I would tap the breaks on that. Keep in mind the knock on him was his stuff was predictable and A.Rodgers had to make it great until he couldn't similar to Romo doing alot with a little. As for the DC V.Joseph is okay, but again I wonder about the players. Nolan takes some of the blame yes, but the effort??? Can Joseph fix that?
 

CowboyRoy

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no you don't....

just see KC....2018, they averaged about 35 points a game, with a defense that was ranked 31st...25th in points allowed

in 2019, KC averaged 28 pts per game and their defense was middle of the pack and they won the superbowl...

so no, you need a decent, predictable defense that can make stops at critical times and get off the field. one that has good percentage on 3rd down conversions and can get some turnovers to shorten the field for your offense

I don't think using Mahomes as a standard of measurement really works. My personal opinion is that despite how good Dak and the offense is, to truly be a legitimate contender with a chance to beat guys like Mahomes, Brady, Wilson, ect…..ect… in the big games you need either an average defense that creates lots of turnovers or a defense in the top 10-7 in points allowed. The "yards" measurement is a bad ranking if you ask me.
 

CowboyRoy

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Russ is a freak of nature, only he can lead a team defensively challenged to a ring. I do not think at this point we/anybody can assume this offense will be a healthy unit next year, or in two years as a matter of fact. Tyron cannot be trusted, Martin is a beast but the last couple of seasons could be a sign of him wearing down. Collins? Who is he exactly? We have more question marks than a childrens book.

Now more than ever we need a brand new set of players/coaches for that stench, and it won't come under this ownership group unfortunately

Wilson hasn't come close in years. They were better when he was throwing for 200 yards and game and had the best defense in the league and Lynch leading the offense.
 

CowboysFaninHouston

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I don't think using Mahomes as a standard of measurement really works. My personal opinion is that despite how good Dak and the offense is, to truly be a legitimate contender with a chance to beat guys like Mahomes, Brady, Wilson, ect…..ect… in the big games you need either an average defense that creates lots of turnovers or a defense in the top 10-7 in points allowed. The "yards" measurement is a bad ranking if you ask me.
but that's what happened to KC too. they went from 25th in points allowed to 9th I believe.....and they had a lot of turnovers. I believe about 16 interceptions...
 

Blitzen

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With Dak and a healthy offense having the capability to put up 37 points a game, could we be a contender with an average defense? Is Jerry capable? How many drafts would it take to improve the defense enough to make us a true contender?

I don't believe the Cowboys need a defense with Dak leading the offense. I say they just onside kick their way to 100 points per game. Eat that haters!
 

garyo1954

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Let's see how that works using the historically best offenses in NFL history:

1990 Buffalo Bills
Total Yards Per Game: 329.8 (6th)
Passing Yards Per Game: 199.8 (10th)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 130.0 (7th)
Points Per Game: 26.8 (1st)
Four consecutive Super Bowl losses

1983 Washington Commanders
Total Yards Per Game: 383.7 (3rd)
Passing Yards Per Game: 219.6 (7th)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 164.1 (3rd)
Points Per Game: 33.8 (1st)
Lost Super Bowl XVIII 39-9 to Oakland

2011 New Orlean Saints
Total Yards Per Game: 467.1 (1st)
Passing Yards Per Game: 334.2 (1st)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 132.9 (6th)
Points Per Game: 34.2 (2nd)
Lost to Green Bay

2016 Atlanta Falcons
Total Yards Per Game: 415.8 (2nd)
Passing Yards Per Game: 295.3 (3rd)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 120.5 (5th)
Points Per Game: 33.8 (1st)
Lost to NE Patriots in Super Bowl LI (ATL led 28-3 at one point)

1998 Minnesota Vikings
Total Yards Per Game: 391.5 (2nd)
Passing Yards Per Game: 270.5 (1st)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 121.0 (11th)
Points Per Game: 34.8 (1st)
Lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC title game

2011 Green Bay Packers
Total Yards Per Game: 405.1 (3rd)
Passing Yards Per Game: 307.8 (3rd)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 97.4 (27th)
Points Per Game: 35.0 (1st)
Lost to NY Giants in the divisional round

2018 KC Chiefs
Total Yards Per Game: 425.6 (1st)
Passing Yards Per Game: 309.7 (3rd)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 115.9 (16th)
Points Per Game: 35.3 (1st)
Lost Super Bowl

2007 New England Patriots
Total Yards Per Game: 411.2 (1st)
Passing Yards Per Game: 295.7 (1st)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 115.6 (13th)
Points Per Game: 36.8 (1st)
Lost to NY Giants in Super Bowl XLII

1999 St Louis Rams
Total Yards Per Game: 400.8 (1st)
Passing Yards Per Game: 272.1 (1st)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 128.7 (5th)
Points Per Game: 32.9 (1st)
WON Super Bowl XXXIV

2013 Denver Broncos
Total Yards Per Game: 457.3 (1st)
Passing Yards Per Game: 340.2 (1st)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 117.1 (15th)
Points Per Game: 37.9 (1st)
Lost to Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVII 43-8

1 out of 10.....its true a great offense will get you close, but defense wins championships.
 

Redsfan_83

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Wilson hasn't come close in years. They were better when he was throwing for 200 yards and game and had the best defense in the league and Lynch leading the offense.
You are provving my point...as hall of fame that he is, they will go nowhere with their defense
 

eromeopolk

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With Dak and a healthy offense having the capability to put up 37 points a game, could we be a contender with an average defense? Is Jerry capable? How many drafts would it take to improve the defense enough to make us a true contender?
The answer to your questions almost match the end of The Time's song "Cool"

Yes! No! Why! Cool!.
 

baltcowboy

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With Dak and a healthy offense having the capability to put up 37 points a game, could we be a contender with an average defense? Is Jerry capable? How many drafts would it take to improve the defense enough to make us a true contender?
No we need to be similar to the Packers. Have the ability to get off the field on 3rd downs and force some turnovers.
 

Chuck 54

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If you want to make noise in the postseason, you need a defense that is special at something. They create turnovers. They can shut down the run game and make you pass. In postseason, even when healthy, your offense rarely scores 30 per game. They will run into some top defenses that can limit our offense. That’s when you need to be able to play complimentary football.

The defense can be much better with one good draft, special at some level after two drafts, but you have to bring in at least two studs on the DL who can win, push the pocket, make plays in the backfield, earn some double teams. Then you will see guys like DLaw and our LBs shine. We also need a front line CB. He doesn’t have to be a lockdown guy who travels with the best receivers, but you need a speedy cover guy who is clearly your best CB. Brown is okay, and Diggs will improve, but both of those guys will play better with a safety behind them. And the obvious thing we’ve talked about for years, we need a young athletic safety, either a deep ball hawk or a thumper with instincts who can blitz, punish receivers, cover TEs, something special. These guys can be found throughout the draft, but our front office has been much better at drafting offense than defense.
 

Kolemmitt

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Give me a healthy Dak, an Oline of T. Smith - McGovern - Biadasz-Martin-Collins with our skill players and our offense will be historically good.

Next, give me a defense of a bunch of hungry, young guys and few salty vets - (the real salty ones, not overpaid, coasting guys) with a DC that is aggressive.
Ranking a defense by yards - mehhhh. Ranking a defense by getting turnovers, making stops when they have to, abusing the opposing team's offense, etc. That is what the '21 offense needs.

We can be right in the thick of things again next year.
 

Kolemmitt

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If you want to make noise in the postseason, you need a defense that is special at something. They create turnovers. They can shut down the run game and make you pass. In postseason, even when healthy, your offense rarely scores 30 per game. They will run into some top defenses that can limit our offense. That’s when you need to be able to play complimentary football.

The defense can be much better with one good draft, special at some level after two drafts, but you have to bring in at least two studs on the DL who can win, push the pocket, make plays in the backfield, earn some double teams. Then you will see guys like DLaw and our LBs shine. We also need a front line CB. He doesn’t have to be a lockdown guy who travels with the best receivers, but you need a speedy cover guy who is clearly your best CB. Brown is okay, and Diggs will improve, but both of those guys will play better with a safety behind them. And the obvious thing we’ve talked about for years, we need a young athletic safety, either a deep ball hawk or a thumper with instincts who can blitz, punish receivers, cover TEs, something special. These guys can be found throughout the draft, but our front office has been much better at drafting offense than defense.

I agree with all this! Get a couple of dog DTs, maybe use that #1 pick on a real #1 CB, get a couple of decent Ss and the defense can take some leaps right away.
 

Hawkeye0202

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No. We need a leader. Someone that cares. The rest will fall in line. I honestly think one blue chipper and some decent blue collar guys with the right leader fixes a lot of the problems. That’s why I want parsons. His leadership and never quit attitude. Plus he’s a star

Bingo!!!!!! Like the way you talk .........exactly what I've said. This D is screaming for leadership. Somehow, someway we have to find a PLAYMAKER/BLUE CHIPPER, 2 would be even better.
 

SteveTheCowboy

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With Dak "and a healthy offense".

Andy would be pretty good with a "healthy offense". He was given a run down broken team. But Dak gets the "healthy offense" eh?
 

Hawkeye0202

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Give me a healthy Dak, an Oline of T. Smith - McGovern - Biadasz-Martin-Collins with our skill players and our offense will be historically good.

Next, give me a defense of a bunch of hungry, young guys and few salty vets - (the real salty ones, not overpaid, coasting guys) with a DC that is aggressive.
Ranking a defense by yards - mehhhh. Ranking a defense by getting turnovers, making stops when they have to, abusing the opposing team's offense, etc. That is what the '21 offense needs.

We can be right in the thick of things again next year.

+1 Remember the D Jimmy built.......based on speed and young hungry players. LBers were faster than some RBs lol
 
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