Are we being a little hard on the D?

[AtlCB]

The defense is not that bad. They had a horrible game on Monday, but they still rank 6th. They rank 6th despite playing the top 2 offensive teams in the league (Philly and New York). The rank 6th despite being put into bad situations due to the quarterbacks forgetting which team they are playing for. The defense has done an excellent job of committing turnovers. Even though the defense didn't play well, they got a key turnover in Monday night's game in the first half that really turned momentum in the Cowboys' favor. Unfortunately, the offense returned the favor later in the first half.

 

[Doomsday101]

The defense is not that bad. They had a horrible game on Monday, but they still rank 6th. They rank 6th despite playing the top 2 offensive teams in the league (Philly and New York). The rank 6th despite being put into bad situations due to the quarterbacks forgetting which team they are playing for. The defense has done an excellent job of committing turnovers. Even though the defense didn't play well, they got a key turnover in Monday night's game in the first half that really turned momentum in the Cowboys' favor. Unfortunately, the offense returned the favor later in the first half.

I think the defense is better than what they showed Monday but right now they deserve the heat they are taking. If they want the heat to ease up then they best go out this sunday and prove they are better than what they just showed us.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

The defense is not that bad. They had a horrible game on Monday, but they still rank 6th. They rank 6th despite playing the top 2 offensive teams in the league (Philly and New York). The rank 6th despite being put into bad situations due to the quarterbacks forgetting which team they are playing for. The defense has done an excellent job of committing turnovers. Even though the defense didn't play well, they got a key turnover in Monday night's game in the first half that really turned momentum in the Cowboys' favor. Unfortunately, the offense returned the favor later in the first half.

Good points--I still hold out hope for this defense....we forget they are very young and learning each other.......Ware, Roy W., Henry, TNew and Ellis are consistant and the others you don't know for sure when they will show up.

 

[Aikmaniac]

I just want the feeling to go away that everytime an opposing QB throws a bomb it will be completed or a PI will be called. That's all.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The defense is not that bad. They had a horrible game on Monday, but they still rank 6th. They rank 6th despite playing the top 2 offensive teams in the league (Philly and New York). The rank 6th despite being put into bad situations due to the quarterbacks forgetting which team they are playing for. The defense has done an excellent job of committing turnovers. Even though the defense didn't play well, they got a key turnover in Monday night's game in the first half that really turned momentum in the Cowboys' favor. Unfortunately, the offense returned the favor later in the first half.

I think we are. Before the season started, I felt like the Giants would be the best team in the East. Tiki ran all over Atlanta who has a decent defense as well. I think that if you continuously make the defense defend the short field and if you keep them out there too long, there going to eventually wear down. There is nothing wrong with the defense a few less offensive TOs and a few more sustained drives wont fix IMO.

 

[gbrittain]

The defense is not that bad. They had a horrible game on Monday, but they still rank 6th. They rank 6th despite playing the top 2 offensive teams in the league (Philly and New York). The rank 6th despite being put into bad situations due to the quarterbacks forgetting which team they are playing for. The defense has done an excellent job of committing turnovers. Even though the defense didn't play well, they got a key turnover in Monday night's game in the first half that really turned momentum in the Cowboys' favor. Unfortunately, the offense returned the favor later in the first half.

No, I do not think we are being to hard. Anything can happen from here going forward, but to date they remind me of a much more talented 2003 defense.

Statistically they look good, but they are not a fearsome or dominant defense whatsoever. Does not mean I think they are worthless, but clearly they are not a dominant defense. With all the time and effort put into this defense anyone who says the expectations were not much much higher then they are kidding themselves.

 

[Smith22]

The defense is not that bad. They had a horrible game on Monday, but they still rank 6th. They rank 6th despite playing the top 2 offensive teams in the league (Philly and New York). The rank 6th despite being put into bad situations due to the quarterbacks forgetting which team they are playing for. The defense has done an excellent job of committing turnovers. Even though the defense didn't play well, they got a key turnover in Monday night's game in the first half that really turned momentum in the Cowboys' favor. Unfortunately, the offense returned the favor later in the first half.

All good points, but look at the points allowed in all of our losses. The defense beat up on the Texans, Titans and deadskins for A LOT of those stats. I could live with Manning making a play or 2 in the air, but the Giants ran on us at will, I still have visions of Roy being carried for like 5 yards by Jacobs, not to mention Jacobs breaking through 4 guys on that 1 goalline TD.

 

[WilmingtonHeel]

We got to get better and I believe we will the big plays have to stop

 

[jimmy40]

Good points--I still hold out hope for this defense....we forget they are very young and learning each other.......Ware, Roy W., Henry, TNew and Ellis are consistant and the others you don't know for sure when they will show up.

How can you watch RW and say he is consistent? Unless you're saying he consistently can't cover Jeremy Shockey.

 

[Hoov]

some people expect the defense to hold the opponenet to 3 and outs repeatedly while the offense digs a hole for the team. thats not realistic.

the offense shooting itself in the foot has been negatively impacting the D.

However, on 3rd downs there isnt that much of a pass rush. the big 3-4 linemen just arent getting to the QB's if they take a deep 7 step drop. And we dont do much as far as shooting a LB through a gap like most 3-4 Degense do to generate a pass rush.

On 3rd downs its kind of like s 4-3 with ellis and Ware playing end, at least it seems that way to me but i dont have opportunity to review game tape like some do so maybe im missing something.

 

[AtlCB]

All good points, but look at the points allowed in all of our losses. The defense beat up on the Texans, Titans and deadskins for A LOT of those stats. I could live with Manning making a play or 2 in the air, but the Giants ran on us at will, I still have visions of Roy being carried for like 5 yards by Jacobs, not to mention Jacobs breaking through 4 guys on that 1 goalline TD.

The offense gave up a lot of those points that were allowed.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yes, we are being a little hard on them. They aren't going to be as bad as what we saw Monday night all year long.

Every team has bad games... Heck, the legendary Bears D gave up 23 or whatever it was to the Cardinals, of all people.

 

[AtlCB]

No, I do not think we are being to hard. Anything can happen from here going forward, but to date they remind me of a much more talented 2003 defense.

Statistically they look good, but they are not a fearsome or dominant defense whatsoever. Does not mean I think they are worthless, but clearly they are not a dominant defense. With all the time and effort put into this defense anyone who says the expectations were not much much higher then they are kidding themselves.

The problem with the 2003 defense was that they were not producing sacks or turnovers. The 2006 defense doesn't seem to have that problem.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

All good points, but look at the points allowed in all of our losses. The defense beat up on the Texans, Titans and deadskins for A LOT of those stats. I could live with Manning making a play or 2 in the air, but the Giants ran on us at will, I still have visions of Roy being carried for like 5 yards by Jacobs, not to mention Jacobs breaking through 4 guys on that 1 goalline TD.

I know exactly which play your talking about and in truth, Jacobs put it to all of our defense pretty much all day. Now, having said that, he's doing that to the NFL so we are not unique. I do believe that if we stop giving up the short field and start putting drives together, our defense will produce.

 

[AtlCB]

How can you watch RW and say he is consistent? Unless you're saying he consistently can't cover Jeremy Shockey.

Shockey had two receptions for 23 yards. You can't cover him much better than that.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Shockey had two receptions for 23 yards. You can't cover him much better than that.

Yeah, but Roy was caught on his hip on the goal line. That's the one place you can't be with him, in that situation. That was definatly a mistake in coverage.

 

[AtlCB]

I just want the feeling to go away that everytime an opposing QB throws a bomb it will be completed or a PI will be called. That's all.

Maybe you were watching a different game. Eli Manning only had 189 passing and gave up a key interception at the goal line. 50 of those yards came on the play where the ref got in Roy Williams' way. The problem with the defense was the 155 yards given up on the ground. The defense was fine against the run before this game. Hopefully, they get this fixed before the Panthers game.

 

[gbrittain]

Yes, we are being a little hard on them. They aren't going to be as bad as what we saw Monday night all year long.

Every team has bad games... Heck, the legendary Bears D gave up 23 or whatever it was to the Cardinals, of all people.

I know our offense has given the defense a short field at times, but a closer look at the Bears versus the Cardinals reveals:

Cardinals TD 77 yard drive
Cardinals TD 25 yard drive
Cardinals FG 10 yard drive
Cardinals FG 22 yard drive
Cardinals FG 49 yard drive

It looks like the Cardinals only earned about 10 points versus the Bears defense.

 

[DipChit]

Well if someone convinced themselves that it was gonna be a shutdown type defense that no matter who you played and no matter how our offense was doing, the D would put a whoppin on.. then ya, that person is gonna be hard on them.

I didnt envision the defense being that way so to me they are what they are. If they actually start doing that for a few weeks and then stop, *then* I'd ask *** is goin on.

For now, inconsistent. Just like the offense. Oh well, same could be said for the vast majority of other teams too. Suddenly people think the G-men are world beaters I guess.. when just a few weeks ago they were bush league trailing a team 42-3 and whatnot. Couldnt sack groceries.. ready to implode, whatever.

 

[Stautner]

Well if someone convinced themselves that it was gonna be a shutdown type defense that no matter who you played and no matter how our offense was doing, the D would put a whoppin on.. then ya, that person is gonna be hard on them.

I didnt envision the defense being that way so to me they are what they are. If they actually start doing that for a weeks and then stop, *then* I'd ask *** is goin on.

For now, inconsistent. Just like the offense. Oh well, same could be said for the vast majority of other teams too. Suddenly people think the G-men are world beaters I guess.. when just a few weeks ago they were bush league trailing a team 42-3 and whatnot. Couldnt sack groceries.. ready to implode, whatever.

I agree with this. As I've said many times, fans have assumed that our defense has all the pieces in place to be dominant, but the facts don't support that assumption.

In the pass rush, we only have one player that is truly better than the players we had before moving to the 3-4 (Ware), and he is very inconsistent, and some of his impact is offset by the loss of Glover's inside pass rush.

The LB's, while physically talented, are all learning the 3-4 and haven't quite mastered their positions.

FS continues to be a problem.

The only area where we are truly better off than a few years ago is the CB's.