A new day of resistance (hopefully)

[erod]

We wait with baited breath to see Dak's sequel for ourselves, ready for just about anything. May be better, may take a step back, may do both from week to week as a sophomore often does.

Largely, it doesn't really matter.

This season's prospects will align with this season's defensive prospects. Management killed, gutted and flipped the defense over on its head, obviously tired of that broken record. For sure, the Cowboys defense will be different. We just don't know what that means.

I, for one, am so tired of watching the flailing and failing of this rudderless defense being held together with masking tape, super glue, and the whimsical mind of Rod Marinelli. That man makes chicken salad out of you know what, but not even Picasso can paint with crayons.

Sacks aren't supposed to be this hard. Neither are interceptions. The creative ways this team has found to lose throughout what should have been a much better decade of football rest securely on a historically awful defense. Watching this defense try to get a stop is like watching your best friend play golf for the first time. You just wince and hope for the best.

The odds are stacked. This Rubik's Cube schedule makes for a tough go, not to mention an offseason of strategery from the conference's coordinators. They're certainly ready to throw a stack of new wrinkles up against this mountain of an offense with it's shiny new QB and Maserati running game. That'll be just fine, even if a step off last year.

It's that "other" side that I can't wait to watch. I think. Bottom line is, we have no idea. Not a clue. This is a mystery wrapped in an enigma inside a riddle. Don't nobody know nothing.

So here we go. Jaylon, Jourdan, Taco, Woozie, Xavier, Heath, Tapper, AB, and Maliek. It's your gig now. Just listen to #50, capiche? Take a hard look at David Irving. Don't be him. Rally around each other and find an identity as fast as you can. It's like cramming for the finals you probably never took.

My expectations aren't high, but my anticipation is. I'm ready for a new day of defense.

 

[MileyDancer]

I hope everyone realizes the rookie db's WILL struggle in the beginning.

 

[HomeBiscuit]

This infusion in secondary reminds me of about a decade ago Florida Gators defense. Their pass defense was atrocious. Then comes in a true freshman janoris Jenkins and they switch joe haden from qb (what he played in high school) to corner.

The turnaround in that unit was instant. Pound for pound it's the corners that carry most swag and can really set the tone. These boys will win some games for us, let alone not lose them.

 

[jazzcat22]

I don't expect the D will turn from ok to great, but I do expect it to become a more solid d, or will be by mid season. Then be even better by the end of the season and going into the playoffs.
Not elite, probably not even be able to take over and win games, but can be good enough not blow the games. We seen that last year except for the GB playoff games, and had chances to win win both NY games.

Come to think of it, we were 3 plays away from winning those.

 

[Longboysfan]

Yes. New Day defense.
Get to the ball and make a play.

 

[xwalker]

I hope everyone realizes the rookie db's WILL struggle in the beginning.

The defense was not as bad last year as many claim.

The bend but don't break style makes the defense appear worse to many fans, but they limited scoring which is the top goal.

The roster should eventually be better, but they could be worse in the first few games.

Players like Carr, Church and Hitchens had limited range in coverage but all 3 were experienced in the scheme which kept them from allowing many easy scores.

The likely replacements for game 1:
Carr - Carroll or Awuzie/Lewis
Church - Heath
Hitchens/Durant - Jaylon or Hitchens
Claiborne - Brown

Now that I've written the above, I see that inexperience actually shouldn't be that significant. Carroll should be similar to Carr. Heath has been here several years. Jaylon is ahead of where a rookie would be in terms of scheme knowledge and Hitchens is still here. Brown started several games last season.

On DL they actually have a little more overall experience now.

Injuries could force some young players into action if a guy like Scandrick struggles with nagging physical issues like he did last season.

 

[DogFace]

What were they 3rd in scoring D? 14th overall?

I know ball control, running, etc is why we were so good in scoring D. Well, nothing will there.

They weren't that bad. Some might say above average which some may classify as good. This young talent will only make them better along with the experience of Jones maturing and Irving when he comes back.

We're going to be good as a team. Probably really good.

 

[dallasdave]

What were they 3rd in scoring D? 14th overall?

I know ball control, running, etc is why we were so good in scoring D. Well, nothing will there.

They weren't that bad. Some might say above average which some may classify as good. This young talent will only make them better along with the experience of Jones maturing and Irving when he comes back.

We're going to be good as a team. Probably really good.

The BEST

 

[Verdict]

Our defense has been the weak link for some time. While I agree that we haven't put as many resources in the defense as the offense I don't believe that tells the entire story.

I believe we have had some pretty atrocious coaching on the defensive side of the ball. We have also selected some weak minded players like Gregory who have been a complete bust so far. Lawrence can't stay healthy or if of the suspensions list. Keep in mind we gave up two picks for that loser.

Our DBs weren't getting picks in large part becuse of scheme. That's on the coaching. If you can't sack the QB with regularity you either have to get creative with blitzes or get turnovers in the secondary. We haven't done a good job of that for years.

It's also being afraid to play younger players. Heath rode the pine behind a lackluster Church and by all appearances Heath is going to be better than Church. Brown likely only saw the field due to injury. Our coaches have been accepting mediocrity for far too long.

Sitting a guy like Mayowa lit a fire under him. We have to be willing to shake it up a little now and then and take a calculated risk here and there. I'm really not sold on Marinelli. After all the cheer leading he did on the IVEY pick if he doesn't pan out i think we have to really take a good hard look at Marinelli.

 

[Stash]

I hope everyone realizes the rookie db's WILL struggle in the beginning.

Which ones WILL be playing?

 

[waving monkey]

Mediocre coaches aren't on this team,sorry.
I think several have already stated my thoughts above. First four games will
be a growing curve. I'd be OK with two wins out of four. Because of the football
skills and intangibles I can see quick leveling out from our rookie DB's.
We have some skilled players on the DL. Not great but hard effort guys that
will still be knockin heads late in the forth quarter.

 

[DFWJC]

We wait with baited breath to see Dak's sequel for ourselves, ready for just about anything. May be better, may take a step back, may do both from week to week as a sophomore often does.

Largely, it doesn't really matter.

This season's prospects will align with this season's defensive prospects. Management killed, gutted and flipped the defense over on its head, obviously tired of that broken record. For sure, the Cowboys defense will be different. We just don't know what that means.

I, for one, am so tired of watching the flailing and failing of this rudderless defense being held together with masking tape, super glue, and the whimsical mind of Rod Marinelli. That man makes chicken salad out of you know what, but not even Picasso can paint with crayons.

Sacks aren't supposed to be this hard. Neither are interceptions. The creative ways this team has found to lose throughout what should have been a much better decade of football rest securely on a historically awful defense. Watching this defense try to get a stop is like watching your best friend play golf for the first time. You just wince and hope for the best.

The odds are stacked. This Rubik's Cube schedule makes for a tough go, not to mention an offseason of strategery from the conference's coordinators. They're certainly ready to throw a stack of new wrinkles up against this mountain of an offense with it's shiny new QB and Maserati running game. That'll be just fine, even if a step off last year.

It's that "other" side that I can't wait to watch. I think. Bottom line is, we have no idea. Not a clue. This is a mystery wrapped in an enigma inside a riddle. Don't nobody know nothing.

So here we go. Jaylon, Jourdan, Taco, Woozie, Xavier, Heath, Tapper, AB, and Maliek. It's your gig now. Just listen to #50, capiche? Take a hard look at David Irving. Don't be him. Rally around each other and find an identity as fast as you can. It's like cramming for the finals you probably never took.

My expectations aren't high, but my anticipation is. I'm ready for a new day of defense.

Looking forward to it.
Can't say I'm worried about the losses in the secondary. Liking the odds of this DB group being better by late season or next. Earlier the better!
The d-line WILL be better, imo.

 

[dallasdave]

Looking forward to it.
Can't say I'm worried about the losses in the secondary. Liking the odds of this DB group being better by late season or next. Earlier the better!
The d-line WILL be better, imo.

The secondary will get better as the year goes on, Younger and More on the Ball Play will get us more turnovers.

 

[DFWJC]

Our defense has been the weak link for some time. ......

Yes, the weak link (as in not really a legit playoff defense) for at least 7 years and worse than the offense for at least 10-12 straight years.

Still, even though the defense was by far the weak link still last year, they were better than we've had in recent years. I mean, in 2012 (or 2013?) Dallas had the 32nd ranked defense in the league and one the worst in NFL history.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hope everyone realizes the rookie db's WILL struggle in the beginning.

They may give up plays but I expect them to make plays as well. Getting beat is understandable but if a guy has talent he will make big plays as well.

 

[Ranched]

 

[Bullflop]

The extra week we'll get in TC, along with the Hall of Fame Game will be well timed, inasmuch as getting the youngsters off to a better start than what might otherwise be the case. I'm optimistically hoping this 2017 team won't take until midseason for the defense to begin to gel, although it's admittedly quite premature just yet to predict such things.

So many variable are possible, such that any team is sure to have to deal with. Hopefully, the higher level of talent with this year's team may offer a surprisingly capable start to the regular season. Granted, anything can and will happen but let's just say there's normally a low risk of traumatic disappointment with any fan harboring a healthy, although somewhat guarded optimism.

 

[Scotman]

I couldn't have said any of this better. I may have higher expectations than you, but I also can't openly state that yours are wrong. IF Taco can get upfield and IF Tapper can get ON the field, I'll feel a little better. The turnover of the rest of the defensive roster doesn't have me nearly as worried. I welcome the change even though it will come with growing pains.

 

[Verdict]

Yes, the weak link (as in not really a legit playoff defense) for at least 7 years and worse than the offense for at least 10-12 straight years.

Still, even though the defense was by far the weak link still last year, they were better than we've had in recent years. I mean, in 2012 (or 2013?) Dallas had the 32nd ranked defense in the league and one the worst in NFL history.

I agree that the defense improved last year. It is hard to tell how much though. Is it appropriate to call them top 10 based on scoring defense, or the seive that acted much like a speed bump against Green Bay? The truth is probably somewhere in between.

There were times last year where our DBs looked almost dominant. At other times not so much.

There has been enough draft capital used on defense this year that by the end of the year this should be CLEARLY a top 15 defense based on level of play at the end of the year, barring the 4 horsemen of the injury apocalypse showing up on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Verdict]

The secondary will get better as the year goes on, Younger and More on the Ball Play will get us more turnovers.

Well, at least that's the plan the fans have. Hopefully the coaches will soak in our plan of wisdom and accommodate us accordingly.