An Elite defense with Dak could be enough

[shabazz]

Game, set and match? We're not discussing baseball here.

Besides nobody here is mentioning the staggering ineffiency or horrific cap number for Zeke Elliott.

Baseball?……I thought that was a cricket reference

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Game, set and match? We're not discussing baseball here.

Besides nobody here is mentioning the staggering ineffiency or horrific cap number for Zeke Elliott.

That’s the Dallas Cowboys failing. Paying premium dollar for below average talent.

 

[jazzcat22]

The one thing the Cowboys have missed this era . Or shouid I say the biggest thing they’ve missed is building a top 5 caliber Elite defense .

Some fans forget even with HOF QB’s like Roger and Troy we had top caliber defenses . Doomsday was our motto.

But in this Cap era it’s difficult to build both . Most either have an Elite QB or Elite Defense . The Cowboys have not had either this era.

I have not read through any posts yet.
I had told a friend of mine for years, Cowboys don't have a defense. A few years he claimed they did. I said yes it seems so at times. However... they can't make those 4th quarter plays or stops. Teams will come back and score and they lose, or they can't create a turnover or get better field position for the offense.

I still felt that way. Now last years defense showed some signs of that, but still came up short at times. Then again the offense settled for FG's and not getting the red zone production.

Anyway, as you ask about elite defenses. Look at the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense and their very mediocre offense with Trent Dilfer. With our #1 offense which should be in the top 10, probably top 5 again. Just need to get that defense in the top 5 now, as to playing like it all year long. Not just at the end.

 

[TwentyOne]

I was referring to our defenses not opponents.

But i did.

 

[Diehardblues]

I have not read through any posts yet.
I had told a friend of mine for years, Cowboys don't have a defense. A few years he claimed they did. I said yes it seems so at times. However... they can't make those 4th quarter plays or stops. Teams will come back and score and they lose, or they can't create a turnover or get better field position for the offense.

I still felt that way. Now last years defense showed some signs of that, but still came up short at times. Then again the offense settled for FG's and not getting the red zone production.

Anyway, as you ask about elite defenses. Look at the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense and their very mediocre offense with Trent Dilfer. With our #1 offense which should be in the top 10, probably top 5 again. Just need to get that defense in the top 5 now, as to playing like it all year long. Not just at the end.

Yep. And we probably don’t even need an Elite defense. A top 10 might be enough with top 10 offense.

Obviously a 19th ranked defense last year wasn’t enough. We were improved from bottom tier in 2020 and more opportunistic but couldn’t stop the run or pressure in playoffs.

 

[Diehardblues]

Overall our ever improving defense could be enough if we had an Elite offense……right now neither is elite nor scares any coordinators

No doubt you need to be great on one side of the ball and above average on the other.

But your right, we haven’t been Elite on either side of the ball this era.

Balance is the key. With Romo and now Dak we’ve had a top 10 offense but most years like our 19th ranked defense last year bottom tier to below average defenses.

A top 10 defense to compliment a top 10 offense should take us further than we’ve been.

 

[Typhus]

I dunno. I agree about the defense helping a lot, but the offense has to be more balanced.

The defense is on its way, but this offense isnt scaring anyone.
This offense has to be more balanced, but we need to define some playmakers.
Just ask yourself who on this offense scares you if your a defensive coordinator, its an honest question.

 

[jazzcat22]

No doubt you need to be great on one side of the ball and above average on the other.

But your right, we haven’t been Elite on either side of the ball this era.

Balance is the key. With Romo and now Dak we’ve had a top 10 offense but most years like our 19th ranked defense last year bottom tier to below average defenses.

A top 10 defense to compliment a top 10 offense should take us further than we’ve been.

Yes must have that Balance.

So, I am in no way shape or from, making a comparison here. As you mention with Dak and Tony and their top 10 offenses, but no defense.

Reminds a little when Dan Marino had the Mark's Brothers (Duper and Clayton) and other players on offense. The Dolphins defense pretty much sucked. But when they finally got the defense fixed, they had no such players for Marino on offense.
Yes much different game now as back then as to the passing games and rules.

Dallas heading the right direction with the defense now. So they need to keep it up on offense as well. Get that balance.

 

[NotForLong]

I think the issue is that of all the Dallas Cowboys GM’s they’ve had the last 25+ years, 0 have been willing to invest in the interior Dline in a meaningful way, and 0 have been willing to invest in the safety position in a meaningful way.

Every single elite, championship defense in That timespan has had both of these positions stacked to the gills.

Warren Sapp + John Lynch
Haloti Ngata + Ed Reed
Sam Adams + Rod Woodson
Malik Jackson + TJ Ward
Rich Seymour + Lawyer Milloy
Vince Wilfork + Rod Woodson
Vince Wilfork + Devin Mccourty
Fletcher Cox + Malcolm Jenkins
Casey Hampton + Troy Polamalu
*Cam Chancellor + Earl Thomas (double all-pro safety compensates for oddity of zero pro bowl DTs OR DEs on top NFL defense)

How many of those teams had a CB as good as the S? How many had a DE as good as the DT?


Jerry has finally got it right on offense by fortifying the nonskill positions in the offensive line, but he’s still going after CBs and flashy LBers and monster contract DEs over the positions that are proven to elevate your defensive foundations…. As they just don’t have that glitz and glamour energy.

Did you know Dallas is the only team in the national football league to not draft a DT in the first round this millenium? Until that changes, this is the status quo.

True story

 

[Creeper]

Considering the salaries of top QBs these days, I don't understand why more teams aren't moving in the direction of building great defenses with slightly better than average QBs. RBs and offensive linemen are cheap compared to QBs so why not build offenses around an unstoppable running game and an smothering defense?

I think Dak is overpaid but he is good enough to win if they have a running game and defense that can get off the field.

 

[NotForLong]

I guess the Defense has to be better than this for Dak to "lead" the team to victory.
2021-Defense

1. led NFL in INTS
2. led nfl in takeaways
3. 7th points allowed
4. tied 7th in pass tds allowed
5. tied for 7th in rush tds allowed
6. 4th lowest possession scoring percentage
7. 9th fewest first downs passing

So . . . so sad

 

[NotForLong]

If you need an elite defense to win in this parity era league then you don't have a franchise QB.

true story

 

[Diehardblues]

Yes must have that Balance.

So, I am in no way shape or from, making a comparison here. As you mention with Dak and Tony and their top 10 offenses, but no defense.

Reminds a little when Dan Marino had the Mark's Brothers (Duper and Clayton) and other players on offense. The Dolphins defense pretty much sucked. But when they finally got the defense fixed, they had no such players for Marino on offense.
Yes much different game now as back then as to the passing games and rules.

Dallas heading the right direction with the defense now. So they need to keep it up on offense as well. Get that balance.

If we can build a top 10 caliber defense we might can get by without a top 5 offense. Close to top 10 might be enough.

 

[Motorola]

Baseball?……I thought that was a cricket reference

Game, set, (and) match is an expression used in tennis.

 

[Diehardblues]

true story

Most of those Elite defense had franchise QB in McMahon, Simms, Flacco, Eli. Not elite of course but franchise QB’s .

 

[Motorola]

If we can build a top 10 caliber defense we might can get by without a top 5 offense. Close to top 10 might be enough.

Cowboys a number of players at all three levels that need to step up to make this a formiable defense.
Line- Balsam, Bohanna, Gallimore, Golston, Hill
LB-Cox, Gifford
Secondary- Joseph, Wright

 

[shabazz]

Game, set, (and) match is an expression used in tennis.

……thanks, I was thinking it may also be related to curling in Canada or Elephant Racing in India

 

[nalam]

Baseball?……I thought that was a cricket reference

Ha ha , good one

 

[Diehardblues]

Cowboys a number of players at all three levels that need to step up to make this a formiable defense.
Line- Balsam, Bohanna, Gallimore, Golston, Hill
LB-Cox, Gifford
Secondary- Joseph, Wright

We’re weak up the middle. And I’m not sure we addressed this in offseason.

 

[kskboys]

Yep. And we probably don’t even need an Elite defense. A top 10 might be enough with top 10 offense.

Obviously a 19th ranked defense last year wasn’t enough. We were improved from bottom tier in 2020 and more opportunistic but couldn’t stop the run or pressure in playoffs.

Only if we get some NT's who can play. Until that position is fixed w/ talent(Not just size), we will always lose in the playoffs because we can't stop the run.