There is misplaced worry about Zeke when the real culprit is the D

Our path to defensive competence is the offense chewing clock and limiting the drives that the opponents get. It worked most of the time last year, because we were very good on first down. This year we've been inconsistent on first down and we've been inconsistent at sustaining drives. Yes the defense needs to get better, especially against the run, but hopefully getting Lee and Hitchens back as well as Irving and Chido back should all improve the defense as a whole I'd also expect Lewis to keep improving and he's pretty good already I think.

Toruk_Makto said:

But but but I thought we got Zeke to protect the defense!

Glad this stupid logic will forever die.

Kill it with fire.

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Too many buts and pretty soon we've got Oprah ...

percyhoward said:

Nowhere to go but up. We're currently 32nd in points allowed per drive.

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How Marinelli has a job is a mystery.

reddyuta said:

How Marinelli has a job is a mystery.

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The season is not over yet, thus he still has a job, and last year's 13-3 record took the heat off of him.
But I believe that Marinade is not as bad as his young, low-rent and inexperienced D is.

Derinyar said:

Our path to defensive competence is the offense chewing clock and limiting the drives that the opponents get. It worked most of the time last year, because we were very good on first down. This year we've been inconsistent on first down and we've been inconsistent at sustaining drives. Yes the defense needs to get better, especially against the run, but hopefully getting Lee and Hitchens back as well as Irving and Chido back should all improve the defense as a whole I'd also expect Lewis to keep improving and he's pretty good already I think.

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Young, tender lad, it is too simplistic to say just chew up the game clock.
What happens when the opponent chews up the game clock against this sub average Cowboys' defensive?

He's not helping. He's clearly not in the same shape he was last year, or he's injured, and they're keeping quiet about it.

Section446 said:

He's not helping. He's clearly not in the same shape he was last year, or he's injured, and they're keeping quiet about it.

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Blimey. He is a kid finding his way!!
Imagine yerself, at 24, heading the most bankable and sexist team in the U.S.
No, lads, it can be difficult with the coaching, game plan, O line problems, and half ashed Star WRs.
And where the hell is Witten during this swoon??? Where the hell is Dez and TWill????
Hard questions, me lads. Hard questions on not ready for prime time players --- across the board.
God bless us, every one.

Part of the reason the defense was decent was the offense, but its also due to the fact that the defense was legitimately more talented and experienced. We heard all along how Claiborne, Carr, Church, Wilcox, etc. were the problems and by letting them go, we wouldn't have a drop-off. Wrong.

Marinelli still has a job because the front office messed up and the talent on D is lacking. No defensive coordinator is going to come in here and turn this into a salvageable unit. If talent doesn't really matter and it's only about the coordinator, lets let Zack Martin walk this offseason and grab some bottom of the roster guy to replace him like we've been doing on the defense.

It seems to me, in Elliott's case, its more about the OL not performing as well as last year. The defense is a couple drafts away from being a real threat. its the trench players on both sides of the ball that have really disappointed this season. The Cowboys could still turn it around the season is young but its an uphill battle even within the division.