Report Card Grades for the 2019 Defense

JayFord · Jan 19, 2020

Mr_C said:
Special teams need an F. They were not good at all. Ever.

Thats quite generous to give them an F

i flat out give them no grade at all because you have to earn a grade even a F

CWR · Jan 19, 2020

Iago33 said:
Those are the two I would bump up just a bit. I think Quinn’s grade is a bit high. He was bad against the run.

Yeah that's been the narrative on him in here. I dont know how he was vs run earlier in his career but Id like to see him in a defense more suited to defend the run. Our attacking style at DL and not having DTS to absorb blockers made our over all run defense suspect. Also double digits pass rushers are hard to come by, so I give him a bit of a pass there.

TheMarathonContinues · Jan 19, 2020

Bobhaze said:
Good point. I graded LVE based on just his playing time. What’s your grade for LVE?

I thought you had it right. LVE was worse than Jaylon last year but I'd at least give them the same grade since LVE didn't play the whole season. LVE did not look good injury or not.

TheMarathonContinues · Jan 19, 2020

I have no problem with the grades but I think Xavier Woods deserves more credit. I think he is a legit starter in this league and a legit starter for this team. His problems are fixable. I don't question him between the ears though and thats the most important thing.

Otto65 · Jan 19, 2020

Bobhaze said:
Earlier, I posted grades on the 2019 offense and STs. I gave the offense a B+ overall, with varying grades for individual players. STs got a D. Would have been an F if not for Kai Forbath hitting all 10 of his FGs and XP’s the last 3 games...but I digress. This is about the Defense.

Defense Overall Grade: C-

DL

DeMarcus Lawrence. Grade: C-. Coming off his Off season shoulder surgery, we knew DLaw would start slow, but for the millions he’s getting paid, he was still a disappointment despite occasional flashes.

Robert Quinn. Grade: B+. Quinn was the best pass rusher we had and the most consistent with 11.5 sacks. Not great against the run but his pass rush made up for it.

Maliek Collins. Grade: C. Started all 16 games and had 4 sacks. He’s ok but nothing that would justify the FA cash he will garner to keep him.

Michael Bennett- Grade: C-. Mid-season trade was a good idea but is a shadow of what he once was. Made a few plays but omg the offsides penalties.

AnTuan Woods- Grade: C-. Missed 6 games to injury and was very inconsistent.

Kerry Hyder- Grade: B-. Hyder was a solid contributor, if not spectacular. Played multiple positions and played hard every down. Solid guy in the rotation.

Dorrance Armstrong- Grade: C. Still has lots of upside and can grow into his talent. Played in 15 games.

Trysten Hill- Grade: F. Lazy and was a healthy scratch a whopping nine games. In the 7 games he did play, he only occasionally looked like an NFL player. Bust label is lurking if he doesn’t get serious and work hard.

LBs

Jaylon Smith- Grade: C-. After signing the big contract it was as if he lost his drive. A big disappointment although he flashed some good plays at times, very inconsistent.

LVE- Grade: C-. Hurt most of the year. When he played he looked out of position a lot. Still a great talent so hoping this was just a fluke season.

Sean Lee- Grade: B. Sean Lee is always the most prepared player on defense. He seems to have lost a step but was our best LB this past season.

Backups- Grade: C. Joe Thomas is good- the rest are just jerseys.

DBs

Byron Jones- Grade: C+. Still a good cover man but couldn’t catch a cold. Never, ever, never has an INT. Great talent but I think we should let him walk.

Chidobe Awuzie- Grade: D. Very inconsistent. Even got benched a series in Philly. Has talent but seemingly takes plays off.

Jourdan Lewis- Grade: B-. Good in coverage. Showed flashes after Anthony Brown was hurt. He will probably be a full time starter next year.

Anthony Brown- Grade C. Pretty decent in coverage before season ending injury. If the price is right, may be worth keeping.

Xavier Woods- Grade: C. Had 2 picks which for this D is a lot. Has good coverage skills but not a great tackler. IMO he’s not a long term answer at S.

Jeff Heath- Grade: C-. I’ve usually felt Heath was better than many fans thought but in 2019 he was average at best. Hits like a freight train but that alone doesn’t make you an NFL S.

Backups- Grade: C-. Nothing special about any of them.

So looking at final grades for all team areas:

Defense: C-

Offense: B+

STs: D

Pretty much explains 8-8.
Thoughts?

Otto65 · Jan 19, 2020

I agree with all the grades. I look at the 49ers game versus Vikings and I see great defensive team speed against Vikings. Cowboys defense looked slow against Vikings. I think a big trade is needed to grab extra draft picks on defense. LVE with his recent surgery is a question mark. Jaylon Smith looked like he didn't want to be there. Lewis was good this year. I would let Byron Jones walk. I think Cowboys need a Suh type player in the middle, plus more speed at linebacker.

Bobhaze · Jan 19, 2020

thunderpimp91 said:
Most grades you have i would pretty much agree with, but as with most people in this world i will agree with 90% of what you say, but ill still bash you for the 10% we differ.

I dont understand the logic of some of the ratings, and how you came to that determination. It seems a ton of this is subjective and based on personal feelings more than anything else. Just looking at the grades it would look like you would prefer to start Hyder over Dlaw? Lewis over B Jones? Just seems like you are factoring things like cap numbers a lot more than actual performance for some.

Good points. Yes, most of this is just my subjective opinion.

Beaker42 · Jan 19, 2020

Bobhaze said:
Earlier, I posted grades on the 2019 offense and STs. I gave the offense a B+ overall, with varying grades for individual players. STs got a D. Would have been an F if not for Kai Forbath hitting all 10 of his FGs and XP’s the last 3 games...but I digress. This is about the Defense.

Defense Overall Grade: C-

DL

DeMarcus Lawrence. Grade: C-. Coming off his Off season shoulder surgery, we knew DLaw would start slow, but for the millions he’s getting paid, he was still a disappointment despite occasional flashes.

Robert Quinn. Grade: B+. Quinn was the best pass rusher we had and the most consistent with 11.5 sacks. Not great against the run but his pass rush made up for it.

Maliek Collins. Grade: C. Started all 16 games and had 4 sacks. He’s ok but nothing that would justify the FA cash he will garner to keep him.

Michael Bennett- Grade: C-. Mid-season trade was a good idea but is a shadow of what he once was. Made a few plays but omg the offsides penalties.

AnTuan Woods- Grade: C-. Missed 6 games to injury and was very inconsistent.

Kerry Hyder- Grade: B-. Hyder was a solid contributor, if not spectacular. Played multiple positions and played hard every down. Solid guy in the rotation.

Dorrance Armstrong- Grade: C. Still has lots of upside and can grow into his talent. Played in 15 games.

Trysten Hill- Grade: F. Lazy and was a healthy scratch a whopping nine games. In the 7 games he did play, he only occasionally looked like an NFL player. Bust label is lurking if he doesn’t get serious and work hard.

LBs

Jaylon Smith- Grade: C-. After signing the big contract it was as if he lost his drive. A big disappointment although he flashed some good plays at times, very inconsistent.

LVE- Grade: C-. Hurt most of the year. When he played he looked out of position a lot. Still a great talent so hoping this was just a fluke season.

Sean Lee- Grade: B. Sean Lee is always the most prepared player on defense. He seems to have lost a step but was our best LB this past season.

Backups- Grade: C. Joe Thomas is good- the rest are just jerseys.

DBs

Byron Jones- Grade: C+. Still a good cover man but couldn’t catch a cold. Never, ever, never has an INT. Great talent but I think we should let him walk.

Chidobe Awuzie- Grade: D. Very inconsistent. Even got benched a series in Philly. Has talent but seemingly takes plays off.

Jourdan Lewis- Grade: B-. Good in coverage. Showed flashes after Anthony Brown was hurt. He will probably be a full time starter next year.

Anthony Brown- Grade C. Pretty decent in coverage before season ending injury. If the price is right, may be worth keeping.

Xavier Woods- Grade: C. Had 2 picks which for this D is a lot. Has good coverage skills but not a great tackler. IMO he’s not a long term answer at S.

Jeff Heath- Grade: C-. I’ve usually felt Heath was better than many fans thought but in 2019 he was average at best. Hits like a freight train but that alone doesn’t make you an NFL S.

Backups- Grade: C-. Nothing special about any of them.

So looking at final grades for all team areas:

Defense: C-

Offense: B+

STs: D

Pretty much explains 8-8.
Thoughts?

ST’s needs to be separated from the PK part. ST’s was an F-minus and cost us 2-3 games. Can’t believe they didn’t make a switch after the Minny fiasco.

ShiningStar · Jan 19, 2020

this is a good start but a lot of pieces are missing. this is why i screamed "time" is a factor.

Who did what, agianst who, with which players out, vs what kind of offense and was the Cowboys hurried, rattled or flat out overwhelmed. Which players got exposed, which players cant handle certain schemes, which players just flat out cant handle certain players.

All this has got to be analyzed and expermented with. lots of work to do plus we need new pieces, and new language.

tyke1doe · Jan 19, 2020

Bobhaze said:
Good point. I graded LVE based on just his playing time. What’s your grade for LVE?

I'm not giving grades. I just don't think that a guy who plays half a season should get an equivalent grade as a guy who played a full season. Maybe LVE should get an "I" for "Incomplete"?

Blue64 · Jan 20, 2020

Bobhaze said:
Earlier, I posted grades on the 2019 offense and STs. I gave the offense a B+ overall, with varying grades for individual players. STs got a D. Would have been an F if not for Kai Forbath hitting all 10 of his FGs and XP’s the last 3 games...but I digress. This is about the Defense.

Defense Overall Grade: C-

DL

DeMarcus Lawrence. Grade: C-. Coming off his Off season shoulder surgery, we knew DLaw would start slow, but for the millions he’s getting paid, he was still a disappointment despite occasional flashes.

Robert Quinn. Grade: B+. Quinn was the best pass rusher we had and the most consistent with 11.5 sacks. Not great against the run but his pass rush made up for it.

Maliek Collins. Grade: C. Started all 16 games and had 4 sacks. He’s ok but nothing that would justify the FA cash he will garner to keep him.

Michael Bennett- Grade: C-. Mid-season trade was a good idea but is a shadow of what he once was. Made a few plays but omg the offsides penalties.

AnTuan Woods- Grade: C-. Missed 6 games to injury and was very inconsistent.

Kerry Hyder- Grade: B-. Hyder was a solid contributor, if not spectacular. Played multiple positions and played hard every down. Solid guy in the rotation.

Dorrance Armstrong- Grade: C. Still has lots of upside and can grow into his talent. Played in 15 games.

Trysten Hill- Grade: F. Lazy and was a healthy scratch a whopping nine games. In the 7 games he did play, he only occasionally looked like an NFL player. Bust label is lurking if he doesn’t get serious and work hard.

LBs

Jaylon Smith- Grade: C-. After signing the big contract it was as if he lost his drive. A big disappointment although he flashed some good plays at times, very inconsistent.

LVE- Grade: C-. Hurt most of the year. When he played he looked out of position a lot. Still a great talent so hoping this was just a fluke season.

Sean Lee- Grade: B. Sean Lee is always the most prepared player on defense. He seems to have lost a step but was our best LB this past season.

Backups- Grade: C. Joe Thomas is good- the rest are just jerseys.

DBs

Byron Jones- Grade: C+. Still a good cover man but couldn’t catch a cold. Never, ever, never has an INT. Great talent but I think we should let him walk.

Chidobe Awuzie- Grade: D. Very inconsistent. Even got benched a series in Philly. Has talent but seemingly takes plays off.

Jourdan Lewis- Grade: B-. Good in coverage. Showed flashes after Anthony Brown was hurt. He will probably be a full time starter next year.

Anthony Brown- Grade C. Pretty decent in coverage before season ending injury. If the price is right, may be worth keeping.

Xavier Woods- Grade: C. Had 2 picks which for this D is a lot. Has good coverage skills but not a great tackler. IMO he’s not a long term answer at S.

Jeff Heath- Grade: C-. I’ve usually felt Heath was better than many fans thought but in 2019 he was average at best. Hits like a freight train but that alone doesn’t make you an NFL S.

Backups- Grade: C-. Nothing special about any of them.

So looking at final grades for all team areas:

Defense: C-

Offense: B+

STs: D

Pretty much explains 8-8.
Thoughts?

Agree overall with but a few exceptions
I would give D-Law a D- at best
I would grade Bennett at B+ despite the stupid penalties ( at times he seemed like the only one trying)
Jeff Heath a B+ despite his lack of talent, he more than makes up for in heart and intensity... This guy still hit like a freight train with both shoulders banged up

As for Jaylon Smith well he needs to understand some football fundamentals... for example you shouldn’t celebrate when you are down by 20 or for making a stop after the other team converts a 3rd down...
D at best

CowboysFaninHouston · Jan 20, 2020

Bobhaze said:
Earlier, I posted grades on the 2019 offense and STs. I gave the offense a B+ overall, with varying grades for individual players. STs got a D. Would have been an F if not for Kai Forbath hitting all 10 of his FGs and XP’s the last 3 games...but I digress. This is about the Defense.

Defense Overall Grade: C-

DL

DeMarcus Lawrence. Grade: C-. Coming off his Off season shoulder surgery, we knew DLaw would start slow, but for the millions he’s getting paid, he was still a disappointment despite occasional flashes.

Robert Quinn. Grade: B+. Quinn was the best pass rusher we had and the most consistent with 11.5 sacks. Not great against the run but his pass rush made up for it.

Maliek Collins. Grade: C. Started all 16 games and had 4 sacks. He’s ok but nothing that would justify the FA cash he will garner to keep him.

Michael Bennett- Grade: C-. Mid-season trade was a good idea but is a shadow of what he once was. Made a few plays but omg the offsides penalties.

AnTuan Woods- Grade: C-. Missed 6 games to injury and was very inconsistent.

Kerry Hyder- Grade: B-. Hyder was a solid contributor, if not spectacular. Played multiple positions and played hard every down. Solid guy in the rotation.

Dorrance Armstrong- Grade: C. Still has lots of upside and can grow into his talent. Played in 15 games.

Trysten Hill- Grade: F. Lazy and was a healthy scratch a whopping nine games. In the 7 games he did play, he only occasionally looked like an NFL player. Bust label is lurking if he doesn’t get serious and work hard.

LBs

Jaylon Smith- Grade: C-. After signing the big contract it was as if he lost his drive. A big disappointment although he flashed some good plays at times, very inconsistent.

LVE- Grade: C-. Hurt most of the year. When he played he looked out of position a lot. Still a great talent so hoping this was just a fluke season.

Sean Lee- Grade: B. Sean Lee is always the most prepared player on defense. He seems to have lost a step but was our best LB this past season.

Backups- Grade: C. Joe Thomas is good- the rest are just jerseys.

DBs

Byron Jones- Grade: C+. Still a good cover man but couldn’t catch a cold. Never, ever, never has an INT. Great talent but I think we should let him walk.

Chidobe Awuzie- Grade: D. Very inconsistent. Even got benched a series in Philly. Has talent but seemingly takes plays off.

Jourdan Lewis- Grade: B-. Good in coverage. Showed flashes after Anthony Brown was hurt. He will probably be a full time starter next year.

Anthony Brown- Grade C. Pretty decent in coverage before season ending injury. If the price is right, may be worth keeping.

Xavier Woods- Grade: C. Had 2 picks which for this D is a lot. Has good coverage skills but not a great tackler. IMO he’s not a long term answer at S.

Jeff Heath- Grade: C-. I’ve usually felt Heath was better than many fans thought but in 2019 he was average at best. Hits like a freight train but that alone doesn’t make you an NFL S.

Backups- Grade: C-. Nothing special about any of them.

So looking at final grades for all team areas:

Defense: C-

Offense: B+

STs: D

Pretty much explains 8-8.
Thoughts?

you gave special teams a D? not a D- or F? seriously....we were at the bottom of the league in almost every special teams category....

Cowboysheelsreds053 · Jan 20, 2020

CowboysFaninHouston said:
you gave special teams a D? not a D- or F? seriously....we were at the bottom of the league in almost every special teams category....

Should be no grade they were that bad. A D or F is an insult to those letters.

kskboys · Jan 20, 2020

Bobhaze said:
Earlier, I posted grades on the 2019 offense and STs. I gave the offense a B+ overall, with varying grades for individual players. STs got a D. Would have been an F if not for Kai Forbath hitting all 10 of his FGs and XP’s the last 3 games...but I digress. This is about the Defense.

Defense Overall Grade: C-

DL

DeMarcus Lawrence. Grade: C-. Coming off his Off season shoulder surgery, we knew DLaw would start slow, but for the millions he’s getting paid, he was still a disappointment despite occasional flashes.

Robert Quinn. Grade: B+. Quinn was the best pass rusher we had and the most consistent with 11.5 sacks. Not great against the run but his pass rush made up for it.

Maliek Collins. Grade: C. Started all 16 games and had 4 sacks. He’s ok but nothing that would justify the FA cash he will garner to keep him.

Michael Bennett- Grade: C-. Mid-season trade was a good idea but is a shadow of what he once was. Made a few plays but omg the offsides penalties.

AnTuan Woods- Grade: C-. Missed 6 games to injury and was very inconsistent.

Kerry Hyder- Grade: B-. Hyder was a solid contributor, if not spectacular. Played multiple positions and played hard every down. Solid guy in the rotation.

Dorrance Armstrong- Grade: C. Still has lots of upside and can grow into his talent. Played in 15 games.

Trysten Hill- Grade: F. Lazy and was a healthy scratch a whopping nine games. In the 7 games he did play, he only occasionally looked like an NFL player. Bust label is lurking if he doesn’t get serious and work hard.

LBs

Jaylon Smith- Grade: C-. After signing the big contract it was as if he lost his drive. A big disappointment although he flashed some good plays at times, very inconsistent.

LVE- Grade: C-. Hurt most of the year. When he played he looked out of position a lot. Still a great talent so hoping this was just a fluke season.

Sean Lee- Grade: B. Sean Lee is always the most prepared player on defense. He seems to have lost a step but was our best LB this past season.

Backups- Grade: C. Joe Thomas is good- the rest are just jerseys.

DBs

Byron Jones- Grade: C+. Still a good cover man but couldn’t catch a cold. Never, ever, never has an INT. Great talent but I think we should let him walk.

Chidobe Awuzie- Grade: D. Very inconsistent. Even got benched a series in Philly. Has talent but seemingly takes plays off.

Jourdan Lewis- Grade: B-. Good in coverage. Showed flashes after Anthony Brown was hurt. He will probably be a full time starter next year.

Anthony Brown- Grade C. Pretty decent in coverage before season ending injury. If the price is right, may be worth keeping.

Xavier Woods- Grade: C. Had 2 picks which for this D is a lot. Has good coverage skills but not a great tackler. IMO he’s not a long term answer at S.

Jeff Heath- Grade: C-. I’ve usually felt Heath was better than many fans thought but in 2019 he was average at best. Hits like a freight train but that alone doesn’t make you an NFL S.

Backups- Grade: C-. Nothing special about any of them.

So looking at final grades for all team areas:

Defense: C-

Offense: B+

STs: D

Pretty much explains 8-8.
Thoughts?

Extremely well done.

Supercowboy1986 · Jan 20, 2020

JL was exposed a lot this year so I disagree with him getting a B.

It’s probably between a C/D

john van brocklin · Jan 20, 2020

Bobhaze said:
Earlier, I posted grades on the 2019 offense and STs. I gave the offense a B+ overall, with varying grades for individual players. STs got a D. Would have been an F if not for Kai Forbath hitting all 10 of his FGs and XP’s the last 3 games...but I digress. This is about the Defense.

Defense Overall Grade: C-

DL

DeMarcus Lawrence. Grade: C-. Coming off his Off season shoulder surgery, we knew DLaw would start slow, but for the millions he’s getting paid, he was still a disappointment despite occasional flashes.

Robert Quinn. Grade: B+. Quinn was the best pass rusher we had and the most consistent with 11.5 sacks. Not great against the run but his pass rush made up for it.

Maliek Collins. Grade: C. Started all 16 games and had 4 sacks. He’s ok but nothing that would justify the FA cash he will garner to keep him.

Michael Bennett- Grade: C-. Mid-season trade was a good idea but is a shadow of what he once was. Made a few plays but omg the offsides penalties.

AnTuan Woods- Grade: C-. Missed 6 games to injury and was very inconsistent.

Kerry Hyder- Grade: B-. Hyder was a solid contributor, if not spectacular. Played multiple positions and played hard every down. Solid guy in the rotation.

Dorrance Armstrong- Grade: C. Still has lots of upside and can grow into his talent. Played in 15 games.

Trysten Hill- Grade: F. Lazy and was a healthy scratch a whopping nine games. In the 7 games he did play, he only occasionally looked like an NFL player. Bust label is lurking if he doesn’t get serious and work hard.

LBs

Jaylon Smith- Grade: C-. After signing the big contract it was as if he lost his drive. A big disappointment although he flashed some good plays at times, very inconsistent.

LVE- Grade: C-. Hurt most of the year. When he played he looked out of position a lot. Still a great talent so hoping this was just a fluke season.

Sean Lee- Grade: B. Sean Lee is always the most prepared player on defense. He seems to have lost a step but was our best LB this past season.

Backups- Grade: C. Joe Thomas is good- the rest are just jerseys.

DBs

Byron Jones- Grade: C+. Still a good cover man but couldn’t catch a cold. Never, ever, never has an INT. Great talent but I think we should let him walk.

Chidobe Awuzie- Grade: D. Very inconsistent. Even got benched a series in Philly. Has talent but seemingly takes plays off.

Jourdan Lewis- Grade: B-. Good in coverage. Showed flashes after Anthony Brown was hurt. He will probably be a full time starter next year.

Anthony Brown- Grade C. Pretty decent in coverage before season ending injury. If the price is right, may be worth keeping.

Xavier Woods- Grade: C. Had 2 picks which for this D is a lot. Has good coverage skills but not a great tackler. IMO he’s not a long term answer at S.

Jeff Heath- Grade: C-. I’ve usually felt Heath was better than many fans thought but in 2019 he was average at best. Hits like a freight train but that alone doesn’t make you an NFL S.

Backups- Grade: C-. Nothing special about any of them.

So looking at final grades for all team areas:

Defense: C-

Offense: B+

STs: D

Pretty much explains 8-8.
Thoughts?

Appreciate the write up
Spot on
Well done

KingintheNorth · Jan 20, 2020

Pretty fair assessment IMO.

mmohican29 · Jan 20, 2020

Quinn gets a B+
Jones gets a B
Lee gets a B-
Heath gets a C+

The rest are C- or worse...

Notable terrible performances:

Jaylon gets an F
Vander Esch gets a D
Awuzie gets an F

Vintage · Jan 21, 2020

On what planet was Lewis better than Jones?

Also, it’s good to see the overrating of Quinn continue.

T-RO · Jan 21, 2020

A student in the back row is passing out grades. Silly nonsense.

The OP's self-styled name is apt. Bob is lost in his own haze.

Report Card Grades for the 2019 Defense

JayFord

Well-Known Member

CWR

Well-Known Member

TheMarathonContinues

Well-Known Member

TheMarathonContinues

Well-Known Member

Otto65

Active Member

Otto65

Active Member

Bobhaze

Beaker42

Well-Known Member

ShiningStar

Well-Known Member

tyke1doe

Well-Known Member

Blue64

Well-Known Member

CowboysFaninHouston

CowboysFaninDC

Cowboysheelsreds053

Well-Known Member

kskboys

Well-Known Member

Supercowboy1986

Well-Known Member

john van brocklin

Captain Comeback

KingintheNorth

Chris in Arizona

mmohican29

Well-Known Member

Vintage

The Cult of Jib

T-RO

Well-Known Member