Defense has to get stronger up the middle

Cowboyny

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Looking at the Cowboy Defensive strengths and weaknesses, it becomes really clear what is the big hole in this defense; defensive line interior:

-The Cowboys strength along with DL is at the DE positions. Quinn is an elite edge rusher, where Lawrence is an elite run defender with plus rushing skills. QB's rarely are moved off their spot and climb the pocket when the outside gets some pressure. The majority of the big runs against the defense happened right up the middle.

-The Cowboys have two very talented young linebackers in Lve and Jaylon Smith. They aren't the old schooled types, that successful stack and shed blockers at the point of attack, but rather run and hit type of backers. You would think, if they are better protected up front they will be able to play more to their strengths.

-We can discuss year after year the lack of talent at the safety positions. Jeff Heath the current strong safety starter, who is an unrestricted free agent is more of a solid special teamer not a starting safety in this league. When was the last time we saw an enforcer making game altering plays, hell just making plays behind the line of scrimmage? Find an elite tackling box safety who can hold up in coverage. These types of safeties are far easier to be had then those elite coverage ones.

-There are issues with lack of turnovers within the entire defense, but if the interior line of the defense is improved, turnovers should follow.

My Super Bowl Pick

Chiefs-30
49ers-24
 
JoeKing

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Our interior D lineman do need to do better, as do our LBer group. The return of the wolf hunter will help but I'm not happy with the new LB coach.
 
ShiningStar

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defense and offense needs help, our coaches realize this, lets HOPE they can fix it.


defense, safety and middle help,

offense scoring in the red zone better.
 
John813

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Shame they couldn't of come to a 2 year agreement with Quinn when they acquired him.
Think he chases the money, so he's good as gone they way this FO paces their re-signing phase.
 

Ranched

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ShiningStar said:
defense and offense needs help, our coaches realize this, lets HOPE they can fix it.
defense, safety and middle help,
offense scoring in the red zone better.
Click to expand...
Good post. I'm sure the new coaches will address this. Can't wait to see the outcome.
 
starfan1

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Bob-Lillys-War said:
We need to sign Quinn ASAP.
Click to expand...
nalam said:
But so much money tied up with Dlaw , Could be difficult.
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cowboy_ron said:
I agree.... It makes no sense to let him walk and then have to immediately try and replace him when we already know what he can do..........that energy can be better spent on another position. This team spends too much time chasing it's it' tail.
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heres a question if you were in a position where you had to choose between the 2 which would it be?

Quinn or Byron
Im a little up in the air on this one even though I like Quinn better i may lean toward Byron
 
nalam

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starfan1 said:
heres a question if you were in a position where you had to choose between the 2 which would it be?

Quinn or Byron
Click to expand...

classic dilemma, Quinn only knock off against him I have is , he was may be playing for his next contract , he is fast off the edge but run support not much. Byron has hands of stone cant get a int to save his life but can hold down his end against good receivers.

I hope better football minds solve this, not us.
 
Dak_Attack_09

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Cowboyny said:
Looking at the Cowboy Defensive strengths and weaknesses, it becomes really clear what is the big hole in this defense; defensive line interior:

-The Cowboys strength along with DL is at the DE positions. Quinn is an elite edge rusher, where Lawrence is an elite run defender with plus rushing skills. QB's rarely are moved off their spot and climb the pocket when the outside gets some pressure. The majority of the big runs against the defense happened right up the middle.

-The Cowboys have two very talented young linebackers in Lve and Jaylon Smith. They aren't the old schooled types, that successful stack and shed blockers at the point of attack, but rather run and hit type of backers. You would think, if they are better protected up front they will be able to play more to their strengths.

-We can discuss year after year the lack of talent at the safety positions. Jeff Heath the current strong safety starter, who is an unrestricted free agent is more of a solid special teamer not a starting safety in this league. When was the last time we saw an enforcer making game altering plays, hell just making plays behind the line of scrimmage? Find an elite tackling box safety who can hold up in coverage. These types of safeties are far easier to be had then those elite coverage ones.

-There are issues with lack of turnovers within the entire defense, but if the interior line of the defense is improved, turnovers should follow.

My Super Bowl Pick

Chiefs-30
49ers-24
Click to expand...


So the DTs where not the issue stopping the run?
 
Bullflop

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I'm confident that the current Dallas defensive staff will be sure to solidify their DT personnel in the upcoming draft. It's definitely plain to see! If they don't, there's a good chance they'll regret it. Once they get a good look at the film of our 2019 games, they'll likely be certain to see that. I'm sure most of us would be seriously disappointed if they failed to attend to bolstering the middle of our DL. It's been a festering problem for far too long already.
 
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cern

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a new defensive scheme will help a lot without spending any additional money. last years d-staff stunk the place up horribly. Marinelli, bloom, Richard all sucked. I suspect we'll lose a few defensive players to free agency or not being offered contracts at all, but upgrades are seriously needed.
 
Bullflop

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SeanLee50 said:
According to Archer, he’s likely not coming back. He’s going to be out of our price range
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That's true but Jerry recently went public with statements about his desire of retaining him. We'll soon see how serious he was! ;)
 
charron

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JoeKing said:
Our interior D lineman do need to do better, as do our LBer group. The return of the wolf hunter will help but I'm not happy with the new LB coach.
Click to expand...


He's gotta be better than bloom though. I think bloom held these guys back. The last month they seemed to play better with bloom sitting at home.

As far as the Dline we need better talent but we also could be better by having them play differently. Right now we are a boom or bust run defense. We either stop them behind the Los or 10 yards down the middle. Too often the DT's get washed out by trying to go around the guards, vacating the middle and allowing the center to be uncovered so he blocks the ML. If we fix this by simply having the 1t anchor down and occupy the guard-center it would allow the LB to make the play. That is what Hayden used to do, it wasn't sexy but he did an ok enough job to hold the middle.
 
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