Biggest question mark can this defense improve their run def?

[Cowboyny]

That’s Neither here nor there


I think I keep saying this and I guess the last time ,

you guys can wallow in whatever happened 15 years ago 20 years ago you can keep bringing up Jason Garrett‘s name and you can just go on last year, this is a whole new year,

the off-season feels different. It’s a new coaching staff. The draft was completely a surprise, but that’s probably a good thing. What they’ve done in the draft kinda intertwines what they’ve done in free agency and I use the word so far with almost 5 months to go before game one….

and everybody’s acting like nothings going to change at all , even though the injuries last year, we’re almost to record like you can’t overcome that where you’re gonna be better by default in my opinion, if we don’t have another injury, riddled season.


I’m just gonna leave it right here ,

that doesn’t happen very often happened in 2020 and what happened next three years after 2020 we stayed relatively healthy. We won 36 games ,2 division titles, went to the playoff Three straight years.

Yes we fell short, but it didn’t look like the same team in 2021 as 2020 and then yes they do go about their business very similar a year to year so my opinion we should be improved regardless we’re not gonna be worse than 29 in the run game,you can let it go. This is my last response.

You can wallow in your pity and anger and disappointment all you want I’m ready just to see what camp looks like ,preseason looks like ,and how the season unfolds.

I do like the new offensive coaches, but not a fan of bringing Eberflus and his scheme back

 

[conner01]

I understand your thinking, but they have to get more explosive on offense to make it work. Blue helps, but not enough. They were the worst red zone offenses in the entire league, to play this way, that has to change.

I agree. That’s why I think adding a WR2 is the most importabt move we could make right now. There really is no option to add an impactful DT who can stop the run and help passing game. But there are some options to help the passing game. I think Beebe looked solid at center and should be better, the new guard should improve that spot. Martin was an alltime great but last couple years he hasn’t been. If Steele gets back to form, and I thought he played better late in the year then we should be able to improve our run offense. Get an effective run game going and passing gets easier. No team had to really worry about our run game the last couple of years. If LB’s and safeties have to respect the run that helps Dak, lamb, the oline and the entire offense. I’d love a better run defense but don’t see the option at this point. Have to improve what we can improve

 

[Wildcat711]

Salary cap.

Ahh that pesky Salary Cap eh..

C'mon.. everyone knows you can manipulate it if you really want to..

They could have opened up more space just by re-signing Parsons.. what the hell Jerry is waiting for I don't know.. its not going to get cheaper the longer you wait.

 

[J-man]

Jerry swung and missed yet again. Had a chance to build a DT combo that screamed super bowl, but he didn't. He's not smart enough.

ksk, I want stud DTs as bad as you do, we've both been on that train a long time. But I'll be honest, I don't think he had much of an opportunity to actually get any of the top guys, unless he was willing to reach quite a bit for one.

Grant going at 13 was/is mind blowing. I don't think anyone saw that coming. He would be the only one I think they could've taken if not for Booker. I had him graded in the 20's so IMO, that's a huge reach by Miami. T Williams was my pet cat and target, but he went way before 44. West and several others all went in the 4th, where we didn't have a pick.

Yes, they could've reached for any of them, but no one likes to reach and give up big chunks of draft capita for a need pick. And I don't think anyone wanted to pass on the stud players they got instead of reaching.
Yayah Black went later in the 5th and Peebles later in the 6th but they weren't top prospects to get excited over missing out on.
Like I said before I think they did about as well as they could've done under the circumstances.

 

[Cowboyny]

I agree. That’s why I think adding a WR2 is the most importabt move we could make right now. There really is no option to add an impactful DT who can stop the run and help passing game. But there are some options to help the passing game. I think Beebe looked solid at center and should be better, the new guard should improve that spot. Martin was an alltime great but last couple years he hasn’t been. If Steele gets back to form, and I thought he played better late in the year then we should be able to improve our run offense. Get an effective run game going and passing gets easier. No team had to really worry about our run game the last couple of years. If LB’s and safeties have to respect the run that helps Dak, lamb, the oline and the entire offense. I’d love a better run defense but don’t see the option at this point. Have to improve what we can improve

Balance is the key as well as getting that WR who can consistently beat single coverage.

 

[conner01]

Balance is the key as well as getting that WR who can consistently beat single coverage.

No doubt. We realky need to get a real WR2. We did a solid job in the draft but we need one more piece. And it’s a piece there are actually options to get

 

[nalam]

-Cowboys Defense was 29th against the run last season
-Tied for the most rushing td's given up
-Dead last in red zone defense

Overshown out indefinitely, team lost their three top run defenders in DLaw, Golston and Kendricks. Murray who they traded for is on his third team in as many years, Sanborn is a former undrafted fa. Turner/Thomas are former 1st rd busts.

In a draft that was loaded at the DT position, they use a 7th rd pick at the position.

Tell me, how this run defense will improve? On paper they got much worse!

Consider me old school , ( ha ha true) I consider the true linebackers are the best run defenders in both def schemes ( 4-3 or 3-4) , But Quinn did his smoke and morrors and 4-6 scheme which helped the pass def but not run stop. Zimmer I think more of traditionalist but he was kind of robbed by injuries - Dlaw , sam will, overshown etc. Clarke ws underwheming.

Eberflous and the new LB coach seems to understand this, sanborn, murray, are better LBs and hopefully play run better, if Toia and Mazi can hold position and anchor the LBs will be able to finish up.

 

[Bigrandrn]

Any defense with Mazi Smith as an anchor will get run on.

He has GOT to pick it up this year…..I give a LITTLE slack since they made him lose like 30+lbs his first year then gain it back his second….so maybe a year after that nonsense he can settle in and be more consistent, enough to be a decent starter at least. We will see, won’t hold my breath.

 

[Bigrandrn]

If Toia and Rogers aren't the answer they'll bring in a vet.
LB play will be better
Revel is a good tackler
Turner is good against the run so is knee land
Donovan is very good against the run
Mazi will be in his second season as a beefed up 1T
White cotton is pretty good

Hope all that true. Some of the tape on Tonia looks good, strong, doesn’t get pushed back, saw him toss some lineman around. Just take up olinemen and don’t move backwards….will be better than last year at least if he can do that.

 

[TheSport78]

Front office once again expecting coaches to make chicken salad out of chicken poo poo.

 

[Cowboyny]

Consider me old school , ( ha ha true) I consider the true linebackers are the best run defenders in both def schemes ( 4-3 or 3-4) , But Quinn did his smoke and morrors and 4-6 scheme which helped the pass def but not run stop. Zimmer I think more of traditionalist but he was kind of robbed by injuries - Dlaw , sam will, overshown etc. Clarke ws underwheming.

Eberflous and the new LB coach seems to understand this, sanborn, murray, are better LBs and hopefully play run better, if Toia and Mazi can hold position and anchor the LBs will be able to finish up.

Remember, Eberflus came from Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme prior to coming to the Cowboys. You look at his defense at both Indy and Chicago, they had high level linebacker play, which makes sense cause he is a former LB coach. We aren't going to see a safety as a linebacker in his scheme like Bell was used under Quinn. He also play with more of a traditional NT where Marinelli wanted two 3T's on the field.

 

[Cowboyny]

No doubt. We realky need to get a real WR2. We did a solid job in the draft but we need one more piece. And it’s a piece there are actually options to get

Add a legitimate #2 WR and this offense has a real chance. Still worried about both our tackles, especially in pass protection, they would determine how successful this offense would become if that receiver is acquired.

 

[Gambit]

Then why are we here talking about anything? I mean aren't all 32 teams acquiring players that coaches pick to fit within their schemes? By this logic we should all not discuss anything as everyone is on a level playing field from NYG to KC. Its simply not true. We have tape on Kenneth Murray, we have tape on Elam and Sanburn, etc. We for the most part know what these guys can and cant do. Not to say they cant see year to year growth, or benefit from a new scheme, but its unlikely anyone acquired this offseason will look drastically different from their previous tape. Gotta disagree with you here BB.

If a player is played outside of their strength in one system, then used in a way that maximizes their strength in another system, isn't it at least fair to say they should play better?

Specifically talking about Elam here. Sanborn was brought in to help transition the LB room to how Eberflus wants things done. There is value in that, it shortens the learning curve.

Murray has not worked with Eberflus yet, whose biggest strength is developing LBs.

Neither one of those moves were bad moves. Most teams make those kind of off-season moves particularly in positions of need, which LB was.

I believe Schwesssinger was the main target at 44, overall this draft class was pretty bleh at LB spot. After he was taken They clearly had their eyes set in Shemar in the 5th. I've zero idea if he'll play well, none of us do. But they did address it with a guy that the coaches who are responsible in developing have said they liked. Reminds me of Mariust last year. Coaches RAVED about the pick. Turns out he played well and I'd expect him to get even better.

Look drastically better? Maybe not, but seems an unrealistic expectation for any FA signed by any team, not just a Cowboys issue, no?

 

[Gambit]

We aren't going to see a safety as a linebacker in his scheme like Bell was used under Quinn

This is a good point, Bell was used as LB in an emergency, we have enough LBs now that hopefully we won't see this again.

 

[Gambit]

Add a legitimate #2 WR and this offense has a real chance. Still worried about both our tackles, especially in pass protection, they would determine how successful this offense would become if that receiver is acquired.

My guess is one a vet is brought in at camp. Maybe watch Tampa for cuts or trade possibilities, there WR is pretty full these days.

I think team wants to upgrade, but I think there is analysis paralysis happening at the spot.

 

[Cowboyny]

My guess is one a vet is brought in at camp. Maybe watch Tampa for cuts or trade possibilities, there WR is pretty full these days.

I think team wants to upgrade, but I think there is analysis paralysis happening at the spot.

There is a ton of noise that they are looking to legitimate find a #2 receiver, I don't think they are just going to add a low level player here.

 

[kskboys]

ksk, I want stud DTs as bad as you do, we've both been on that train a long time. But I'll be honest, I don't think he had much of an opportunity to actually get any of the top guys, unless he was willing to reach quite a bit for one.

Grant going at 13 was/is mind blowing. I don't think anyone saw that coming. He would be the only one I think they could've taken if not for Booker. I had him graded in the 20's so IMO, that's a huge reach by Miami. T Williams was my pet cat and target, but he went way before 44. West and several others all went in the 4th, where we didn't have a pick.

Yes, they could've reached for any of them, but no one likes to reach and give up big chunks of draft capita for a need pick. And I don't think anyone wanted to pass on the stud players they got instead of reaching.
Yayah Black went later in the 5th and Peebles later in the 6th but they weren't top prospects to get excited over missing out on.
Like I said before I think they did about as well as they could've done under the circumstances.

A disruptive NT is one of the most valuable assets in the NFL.

He went earlier than expected, but was absolutely not a reach. Grant was rated around the 15th-16th best player in the draft.

All that, sure, but here's the capper: We're simply not going to get into super bowl contention until we fix the DT position.

 

[white1]

Can't fix all problems with one draft/season. The took a major step addressing the offensive run game with this draft. As mentionif we can control/improve TOP, that will go a long ways helping the D.

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[thunderpimp91]

If a player is played outside of their strength in one system, then used in a way that maximizes their strength in another system, isn't it at least fair to say they should play better?

Specifically talking about Elam here. Sanborn was brought in to help transition the LB room to how Eberflus wants things done. There is value in that, it shortens the learning curve.

Murray has not worked with Eberflus yet, whose biggest strength is developing LBs.

Neither one of those moves were bad moves. Most teams make those kind of off-season moves particularly in positions of need, which LB was.

I believe Schwesssinger was the main target at 44, overall this draft class was pretty bleh at LB spot. After he was taken They clearly had their eyes set in Shemar in the 5th. I've zero idea if he'll play well, none of us do. But they did address it with a guy that the coaches who are responsible in developing have said they liked. Reminds me of Mariust last year. Coaches RAVED about the pick. Turns out he played well and I'd expect him to get even better.

Look drastically better? Maybe not, but seems an unrealistic expectation for any FA signed by any team, not just a Cowboys issue, no?

I agree with some of what you're saying, but I think we have to look at it objectively and consistently too. For example from your post you mention Elam should play better because we will have a system that better reflects his skill set. On the flip side you mention Liufau, but wasn't he drafted as the ideal Mike Zimmer LB? Should we expect some regression given that he will be in a new system? That's the issue I have with the blind 'the coaches like him so he will be better with a new team' argument. Some of these guys will absolutely benefit from a new scheme, but some wont, and some will take some time to adjust as the season goes on. I'm not a fan of the blind hate nor the blind homerism that only looks at one side of things.

To me lets talk about the deeper talk....Why is an Eberflus defense better than Elam? Personally I don't see it much, I just dont think the guy is that good of a player. Honestly I think hes better suited to move to safety as on film he looks so much better starting deep and working up. His natural athletic ability shows up that way, where as I don't see that 4.3 40 time show up as consistently at CB with him turning and running. I also don't think the Buffalo defense is that much of a change from what Eberflus likes to do from a coverage standpoint. Could the move to slot help? Maybe? With Diggs & Revel still recovering from injury are we sure hes going to be a slot guy?

A guy like Murray I really like, but the Cowboys have really missed the mark by not addressing the run game in the front four stronger than they did. Hes not going to be a downhill run stuffer and tends to do his best work bailing out in these cover 2 schemes. Nothing wrong with that, but typically you want to keep those types of backers as clean as possible in the run game, or you're stuck with a specialist at the position which is fine but also limits their value. Thats my worry with the LB position...I think the Cowboys have some nice players, but they really seem to lack that true 3 down player, especially given the heavy pass rush approach up front. Teams can take advantage of that if they catch us in packages they can exploit by playing with tempo.