Can CP fix this defense in one season?

[kramskoi]

I think we need to aim for not just a middling defense but a top-10 unit or better. The ’22 and ’23 Cowboys still had issues: they struggled to stop the run and didn’t have an effective running game like the one we have now.

If we have a top-three offense paired with a top-10 defense, that might be good enough. But it's up to Jerry and Capboy to get the right people in place for this team.

Fair enough...but the Cowboys still don't run the ball enough. Prescott was averaging 37 atts/gm for much of the season. Now that was probably because of a bad defense but Schottenheimer still didn't run the ball nearly enough in the red-zone compared to almost every NFC playoff team. He didn't utilize them much in the passing game either. That needs to change.

The 2022 running game was actually superior to 2023 and 2025.

[2022] 2298 yds...135.2/gm....4.3 ypc...31.2 atts/gm [Pollard]

[2023] 1920 yds....112.9/gm...4.1 ypc...27.5 atts/gm [Pollard]
[2025] 2136 yds....125.6/gm...4.6 ypc...27.4 atts/gm [Williams]

2022...or better...is where they need to be.

 

[Chasing6]

not his job to, it's his job to milk every penny out of him that he can!! lol

So it is his job.

 

[5Stars]

He has a lot on his shoulders to fix a mess that's been going on for several years. He's young, he appears extremely confident in his abilities which we all have to love! There's one thing to have confidence, and one thing to have support from those around you to get you what you need to make a successful defense.

Do you think he's able to make drastic changes to a poor defense in one year? Let's be realistic coog, we're not asking him to be #1 (if that happens, great!), but improvement is always a great thing. Getting key stops, showing improvement stopping the run, knowing our assignments etc! Please give your thoughts, i'm excited about the hire, are you???

Questions that no one knows. Stupid post.
He don't even know yet.

 

[speedkilz88]

Fair enough...but the Cowboys still don't run the ball enough. Prescott was averaging 37 atts/gm for much of the season. Now that was probably because of a bad defense but Schottenheimer still didn't run the ball nearly enough in the red-zone compared to almost every NFC playoff team. He didn't utilize them much in the passing game either. That needs to change.

The 2022 running game was actually superior to 2023 and 2025.

[2022] 2298 yds...135.2/gm....4.3 ypc...31.2 atts/gm [Pollard]

[2023] 1920 yds....112.9/gm...4.1 ypc...27.5 atts/gm [Pollard]
[2025] 2136 yds....125.6/gm...4.6 ypc...27.4 atts/gm [Williams]

2022...or better...is where they need to be.

Doing it more isn't exacty superior. That 4.6 is superior.

 

[kramskoi]

Doing it more isn't exacty superior. That 4.6 is superior.

Now you are simply cherry-picking (badly). There is a reason the 2022 numbers are bolded. Worth more than 1/3 of a yard more per attempt.

 

[speedkilz88]

Now you are simply cherry-picking (badly). There is a reason the 2022 numbers are bolded. Worth more than 1/3 of a yard more per attempt.

The only difference that year was they ran it more. That's it. You also should be including TDs.

 

[QuestForSix]

lol people saying multiple years either don’t follow around the league or are clueless (probably both)

What are you clowns talking about? It happens every year. Just this passed year, in 2024 New England, Carolina and Cleveland went from having the worst D in the league to in 2025 top half and in New England and Cleveland’s case top 10.

It’s really obvious to see who follows the league here. We can absolutely be a top 10 unit.

1) Most important is D coordinator, which we replaced.

2) 2 impact FA signings (Devin Bush/Leo Chenal, Jaylen Watson, Montaric Brown, Tariq Woolen, Bryan Cook, etc

3) Two Starters at 12 and 21

4 quality new starters plus Quinnen/Osa/Clark and a Young Maestro at DC we can absolutely be a top 10 unit

 

[Coogiguy03]

lol people saying multiple years either don’t follow around the league or are clueless (probably both)

What are you clowns talking about? It happens every year. Just this passed year, in 2024 New England, Carolina and Cleveland went from having the worst D in the league to in 2025 top half and in New England and Cleveland’s case top 10.

It’s really obvious to see who follows the league here. We can absolutely be a top 10 unit.

1) Most important is D coordinator, which we replaced.

2) 2 impact FA signings (Devin Bush/Leo Chenal, Jaylen Watson, Montaric Brown, Tariq Woolen, Bryan Cook, etc

3) Two Starters at 12 and 21

4 quality new starters plus Quinnen/Osa/Clark and a Young Maestro at DC we can absolutely be a top 10 unit

Still not enough

 

[Chasing6]

lol people saying multiple years either don’t follow around the league or are clueless (probably both)

What are you clowns talking about? It happens every year. Just this passed year, in 2024 New England, Carolina and Cleveland went from having the worst D in the league to in 2025 top half and in New England and Cleveland’s case top 10.

It’s really obvious to see who follows the league here. We can absolutely be a top 10 unit.

1) Most important is D coordinator, which we replaced.

2) 2 impact FA signings (Devin Bush/Leo Chenal, Jaylen Watson, Montaric Brown, Tariq Woolen, Bryan Cook, etc

3) Two Starters at 12 and 21

4 quality new starters plus Quinnen/Osa/Clark and a Young Maestro at DC we can absolutely be a top 10 unit

NE played the easiest Schedule in NFL history - .391. I believe they played 2 teams with winning records all season.

Cleveland also had a top 10 easiest schedule.

Anything can be done if there is a will to make it happen. What has GM done so far to indicate he is ready to fix this defense? Only thing he has done to date is to release Logan Wilson

Not to add insult to injury, but keep in mind our worst Defense last year in Cowboys history, was against teams totaling a .438 win %.

 

[Batman1980]

Fixing the defense is up to Jerry and Stephen. CP will help. But.....

If meaning resources aren't spent getting more than bargain bin FA's CP's hands will be tied. Or we draft injured players or reach for players or draft offense CP's hands will be tied.

Cupboard needs to be restocked pretty badly. Too many question marks top to bottom and depth is nonexistent. Losing Tank, Diggs, Parsons and Lewis didn't help.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Fair enough...but the Cowboys still don't run the ball enough. Prescott was averaging 37 atts/gm for much of the season. Now that was probably because of a bad defense but Schottenheimer still didn't run the ball nearly enough in the red-zone compared to almost every NFC playoff team. He didn't utilize them much in the passing game either. That needs to change.

The 2022 running game was actually superior to 2023 and 2025.

[2022] 2298 yds...135.2/gm....4.3 ypc...31.2 atts/gm [Pollard]

[2023] 1920 yds....112.9/gm...4.1 ypc...27.5 atts/gm [Pollard]
[2025] 2136 yds....125.6/gm...4.6 ypc...27.4 atts/gm [Williams]

2022...or better...is where they need to be.

Yes I agree we need to run more especially in the red zone. I still think our run game can even be more effective if we had a more dependable RB2. I wish we would have drafted Manangai with our 5th round rather than Blue.

 

[Chasing6]

Yes I agree we need to run more especially in the red zone. I still think our run game can even be more effective if we had a more dependable RB2. I wish we would have drafted Manangai with our 5th round rather than Blue.

Or maybe put Blue in the game and see what happens.

 

[Beaker42]

What is fix? A top 10 defense? Top 15? Not 30th? It depends. They are going to be bad on defense because there are too many holes.

If we can get to 15 in D we have a shot at the SB with this offense.

 

[kskboys]

Yes I agree we need to run more especially in the red zone. I still think our run game can even be more effective if we had a more dependable RB2. I wish we would have drafted Manangai with our 5th round rather than Blue.

He was better in every aspect of the game than Blue.

 

[kramskoi]

Or maybe put Blue in the game and see what happens.

Right. But if he's gonna get Prescott killed on pass pro then leave him on the bench. Gotta be a complete back...which means attending to all the little details.

 

[Coogiguy03]

If we can get to 15 in D we have a shot at the SB with this offense.

This offense against playoff defenders hmm not sure

 

[Chasing6]

Right. But if he's gonna get Prescott killed on pass pro then leave him on the bench. Gotta be a complete back...which means attending to all the little details.

Well if we had Tackles that did not need help on a consistent basis, Blue could actually be a weapon as a receiver.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Well if we had Tackles that did not need help on a consistent basis, Blue could actually be a weapon as a receiver.

They're not the only ones who need help on offense

 

[atlantacowboy]

It depends on what he is allowed to do. If Jerry and Stephen let him add the players he wants and needs, then he has a shot. We have seen dramatic turnarounds in the NFL before and quite recently. It can be done.