Let's put some things into perspective about the defense

CATCH17 said:

The reality is that the defense played a high level of modern day defense.

The sooner a lot of you let go of the defenses you used to know and accept what successful defense is in today’s game the better.

They created 3 turnovers and held a top NFL offense around 30. Great results for our defense.


Mike Evans is overrated at this point in his career btw. He’s a 1 dimensional player.

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He had to the case of the drops. Between Godwin and AB and Gronk Evans might be the 4th progression

NotForLong said:

Finally found a Coach who wants to play him

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Yep….and it’s the one who actually likes to play big corners….

CATCH17 said:

3 turnovers against an elite QB? I’ll take that everytime .

You’re not holding these types under 30 I’m big games like that with any consistency. They’ll get theirs.

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You’re not but the Cowboys got caught lacking on a few plays. The Antonio Brown and Gronk touchdowns were poor defense. The game is easy but not that easy.

Cebrin said:

Brown has no business playing the outside. He's a solid nickel guy, and that's it. I'd have honestly rather had a rookie out there.

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I’m shocked he was the guy they went with on the outside….kind of discouraging because I knew he’d get cooked…..

I have no problems with Micah taking time to adjust to the NFL or making rookie mistakes as he learns on the fly and am in no way expecting him to be who he will be immediately, but I was hoping for a couple of big splash plays even week 1. Maybe shooting a gap to blow up a run play or getting a shot in on Brady via the blitz or just beating the OT around the outside. I'm not going to say I was disappointed with his play, but I was disappointed, I guess, with my expectations of his play. Really looking forward to watching this guy develop into what I think will be our best defender by the end of the year or possibly even sooner

I really like the way this defense is built but we are probably a good DT and second corner away from a team that could do something in the playoffs. Maybe those two players can develop over the course of the season but that's a big ask. I will say that you probably won't see Brown have that bad a performance again this season.

rocyaice said:

The just faced the Super Bowl champs. If not the best offense in the league....one of them.

New Defensive Coach.

Micah Parson is a rookie. He's incredibly important to this defenses success. Let's remember what Diggs looked like in week 1 last year and let's remember what he looked like by week 17. You will see the same jump in Micah. You won't find too many QB's int his league that can manipulate a player like Parson's...I expect him to be a beast week 2 with a younger guy under center in Herbert.

They continued the trend of forcing turnovers that they started with towards the end of last season.

Gallimore is coming.

Diggs shut down Mike Evans. One of the better receivers in the league...I won't scream elite yet.....but he picked up right where he left off.

Jourdan Lewis once again finds himself around the football. I can't speak on how great of a game he had.

Anthony Brown should be better with more limited reps...he won't face guys the caliber of Antonio Brown every week......but he's going to get tested and for his sake they need to limit his reps or we're going to find ourselves in shootouts more times than not.


It sucks because I think the Buccs was a great test for our offense......but our defense wasn't ready. I would've rather faced them a little later in the season......The defense we saw week 1 won't be the same defense we see by years end. They will get better. I mean, even Mike Nolan's crappy defense got better. The question is how better? I don't know but Chargers like to air it out and this will be a nice test for a young defense that's looking to get better.

I know I'm in the minority but I'm somewhat optimistic by this defense.

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I want a better defense, but to go from all time worst to something semi respectaple doesn't happen in one year and specially in the first game of the season against a very good offense....we were better, but not good.there is a difference...to your point, new players, new scheme, what else to expect......I mentioned this before the game, our defense may make one play, two plays, but then give up a big play and not able to consistently get off the field. this is exactly what happened...its to be expected.... what I look for in the defense is to see improvement over the season. I like to see them for once...make plays at the end of the game and win a game....not for us to sit and go, here we go again........

Modern day NFL defense.....

Let the offense do whatever they want, and if you don't, we will throw a flag.

This is because Greedell and the spoiled billionaire crew he leads likes the idea that every housewife has a fantasy team....and defensive tackles aren't on it.

Nothing wrong with more billions, but no need to ruin the game in the process.

I miss the 21-17 games of the past. Good luck to me.

rocyaice said:

Yep….and it’s the one who actually likes to play big corners….

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Pretty ironic. . . Quinn likes to utilize players as a cohesive whole . . . And He sees the value in Jourdan . . I am a Michigan Fan and I always like his heart as well as His physical attributes . . . You gotta get Playmakers on the field and that's what Quinn is doing

rocyaice said:

I think the objective is for them to carry the defense….they just need the defense to do SOMETHING.

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The defense forced 4 turnovers and held one of the top offenses in the NFL to 10 points in the 2nd half. The score was 21-16 going into the 2nd half so while giving up 400+ yards isn't ideal, the defense wasn't as horrible as everyone claims.

Dallas had more yards offensively than TB (451 to 431), had less penalties/penalty yards than TB (8 for 55 vs. 11 for 106), had a +3 in turnover margin, had more offensive plays (77 to 64), and won the time of possession battle (34:27 to 25:33).

However, an area that Dallas failed to best TB in: Red Zone efficiency. Dallas was 1 of 4 in the Red Zone versus TB's 3 of 5 in the Red Zone.

Also keep in mind that TB was leading 21-19 after a a Dallas FG and a Dallas defensive stop......and on 1st and 10 from their own 25 yard line Dak threw an INT which led to a quick TB TD. While Dallas scored a TD immediately after leading to a 28-26 TB lead, the Dallas defense forced TB into a punt on their next possession . Dallas' next possession led to a 3 play 2 yard punting situation. The Dallas defense then forced a TB fumble giving Dallas another chance.

The point is the Dallas defense was stepping up later in the game giving Dallas a chance but ultimately Dallas lost so on to week 2.

rocyaice said:

The just faced the Super Bowl champs. If not the best offense in the league....one of them.

New Defensive Coach.

Micah Parson is a rookie. He's incredibly important to this defenses success. Let's remember what Diggs looked like in week 1 last year and let's remember what he looked like by week 17. You will see the same jump in Micah. You won't find too many QB's int his league that can manipulate a player like Parson's...I expect him to be a beast week 2 with a younger guy under center in Herbert.

They continued the trend of forcing turnovers that they started with towards the end of last season.

Gallimore is coming.

Diggs shut down Mike Evans. One of the better receivers in the league...I won't scream elite yet.....but he picked up right where he left off.

Jourdan Lewis once again finds himself around the football. I can't speak on how great of a game he had.

Anthony Brown should be better with more limited reps...he won't face guys the caliber of Antonio Brown every week......but he's going to get tested and for his sake they need to limit his reps or we're going to find ourselves in shootouts more times than not.


It sucks because I think the Buccs was a great test for our offense......but our defense wasn't ready. I would've rather faced them a little later in the season......The defense we saw week 1 won't be the same defense we see by years end. They will get better. I mean, even Mike Nolan's crappy defense got better. The question is how better? I don't know but Chargers like to air it out and this will be a nice test for a young defense that's looking to get better.

I know I'm in the minority but I'm somewhat optimistic by this defense.

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I'm optimistic too. Teams change from what they are in week 1. I'm just hoping our pass rush is a little better. We basically played a statue at QB and they put up 31 points. Closer to 40 if Godwin doesn't fumble at the 2.

Cebrin said:

Brown has no business playing the outside. He's a solid nickel guy, and that's it. I'd have honestly rather had a rookie out there.

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My thoughts exactly.

When I heard Lewis and Brown would start I just assumed Brown would be the slot guy because he’s been a solid slot defender most of his career.

They played pretty well considering there was no pressure on brady. Created turnovers but need pressure up the middle. Which may happen later. When a team has brady they give him protection. They won the SB for a reason.

gp_cowpolk said:

They are better it is already apparent Need a couple more players but the defense is better

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Exactly, much improved over last year but still an average defense....Cowboys needs to find a pass rusher who can sack the QB and another corner opposite Diggs.

rocyaice said:

The just faced the Super Bowl champs. If not the best offense in the league....one of them.

New Defensive Coach.

Micah Parson is a rookie. He's incredibly important to this defenses success. Let's remember what Diggs looked like in week 1 last year and let's remember what he looked like by week 17. You will see the same jump in Micah. You won't find too many QB's int his league that can manipulate a player like Parson's...I expect him to be a beast week 2 with a younger guy under center in Herbert.

They continued the trend of forcing turnovers that they started with towards the end of last season.

Gallimore is coming.

Diggs shut down Mike Evans. One of the better receivers in the league...I won't scream elite yet.....but he picked up right where he left off.

Jourdan Lewis once again finds himself around the football. I can't speak on how great of a game he had.

Anthony Brown should be better with more limited reps...he won't face guys the caliber of Antonio Brown every week......but he's going to get tested and for his sake they need to limit his reps or we're going to find ourselves in shootouts more times than not.


It sucks because I think the Buccs was a great test for our offense......but our defense wasn't ready. I would've rather faced them a little later in the season......The defense we saw week 1 won't be the same defense we see by years end. They will get better. I mean, even Mike Nolan's crappy defense got better. The question is how better? I don't know but Chargers like to air it out and this will be a nice test for a young defense that's looking to get better.

I know I'm in the minority but I'm somewhat optimistic by this defense.

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If this defense can hold up against the run and continue to create turnovers, the Cowboys will win a ton of games. People tend to forget what the TB defense did in their playoff run, all QB's looked clueless, including the likes of Rodgers, Brees & Mahomes, all 3 will be first ballot hall of famers. On the other side of the football, probably the most talented offense in the entire league and we created 4 turnovers against them.

CATCH17 said:

3 turnovers against an elite QB? I’ll take that everytime .

You’re not holding these types under 30 I’m big games like that with any consistency. They’ll get theirs.

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Last season when we were Turning the ball over at an alarming rate early on we were also scoring a ton of points as well. You’re right. Elite offense is hard to stop in today’s game.

I said i would be pissed but not disappointed if we compete and if we lose because the breaks fell the TB way....thats kinda how it shook out, some calls in key situations..some better plays in key situations go our way we win that game...they need to fix the issues they can fix and lets line it up and romp on LA next week. Overall I am pissed we wasted a great chance to steal a road game win against a top team...but it is fixable and we have the pieces to compete with the top teams....LETS GO COWBOYS!!!!

AsthmaField said:

It is super encouraging that they are forcing a lot of turnovers. If they continue that - which I do expect - they are going to win a lot of games.

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yes defense played fairly well
Yes defense should get better over the season
Yes turnovers are important

BUT

defences that RELY on turnovers are one hit wonders

a great defense relies on

stopping the run
Collapse the pocket up the middle
Take away the middle of the field
Discipline and sound tackling

let’s see if we have these over the season

I've already moved onto the Bolts.

USArmyVet said:

The defense forced 4 turnovers and held one of the top offenses in the NFL to 10 points in the 2nd half. The score was 21-16 going into the 2nd half so while giving up 400+ yards isn't ideal, the defense wasn't as horrible as everyone claims.

Dallas had more yards offensively than TB (451 to 431), had less penalties/penalty yards than TB (8 for 55 vs. 11 for 106), had a +3 in turnover margin, had more offensive plays (77 to 64), and won the time of possession battle (34:27 to 25:33).

However, an area that Dallas failed to best TB in: Red Zone efficiency. Dallas was 1 of 4 in the Red Zone versus TB's 3 of 5 in the Red Zone.

Also keep in mind that TB was leading 21-19 after a a Dallas FG and a Dallas defensive stop......and on 1st and 10 from their own 25 yard line Dak threw an INT which led to a quick TB TD. While Dallas scored a TD immediately after leading to a 28-26 TB lead, the Dallas defense forced TB into a punt on their next possession . Dallas' next possession led to a 3 play 2 yard punting situation. The Dallas defense then forced a TB fumble giving Dallas another chance.

The point is the Dallas defense was stepping up later in the game giving Dallas a chance but ultimately Dallas lost so on to week 2.

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the defense was bad, not horrible...they made one play here, two plays and then gave up a big play....its about consistency and they gave up plays at crucial times they needed to make stops....they gave up 31 point at the end....that would be second worst defense from 2020. and lets not forget, if not for a fluke hit on Godwin at the goal line, the score would have been 38......

where this game was lost is because of coaches...Moore failed at crucial times of the game, ala redzone as you mentioned.....Moore is good in calling plays between 20s, where his offensive staff can just pitch and catch...but inside the redzone is where he has to distinguish himself and have his players ready and he hasn't done that....he made an awful call or awful personnel decision at the 2, isolating Jarwin to make a block in space....that's was either a bad call or bad personnel grouping, there is no other excuse for that ineptness....he mismanaged the last 3.5 minutes...he and MC's job was to bring players together and tell them to stay in bounds and eat the clock. the goal is to score a TD, if not, then a FG, and all the while kill the clock and not allow Brady a chance....Cooper showed his experience, but going down in the field even forcing Tampa to use their timeouts...zeke and CD ran out of bounds on two plays, where they could have easily turn inside and not to try to gain 1 extra yard in the situation in the game.....that's on coaches....

Moore made several other crucial mistakes in the game......

and the defense at some point, in a crucial time at the end of the game has to make a stop when it matters most.......they didn't...they let 3 big plays in the last tampa drive.....