Can't win a ring without a strong "D"

[trickblue]

That's what she said...

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

More pressure from the DEs will result in a lower completion percentage and therefore more 2nd and long and 3rd and long situations. Teams won't run on 3rd and long and will run less on 2nd and long than on 2nd and short.

More pressure on the QB will also allow the LBs and DBs to cheat up looking for the run or allow moving an extra defender into the box to defend the run.

Less passing success probably means less scoring. If the score is close or the other team is behind on the scoreboard, then they'll have to pass more late in the game.

There are many ways that better DEs will help even if the DTs are not upgraded.

Yes, it would be nice to a Dareus or Williams but as I said in another post, they can use Hardy and/or Mincey more at DT in passing situations for even more pressure on the QB which as shown above can end up helping the run defense

You're still talking about pressuring the QB with DEs on first down? Why would any team pass the ball on first down when your defense hasn't proven they can stop the run?! Neither Hardy or Mincey are stout enough to play DT for any length of time-they're freaking defensive ends. So, you're answer is to stop the run with 3 DEs & 1 DT, none weighing more than 285 lbs.? What crap! Go onto NFL.com & look at the top defenses in the league. The only reason Dallas is in the top 10 is that they played two terrible offenses in Philly & the Giants. ALL of the top "Ds" carry top notch DTs who stuff the run & penetrate into the backfield to pressure the QB. Those who are at the bottom don't. It's simple football 101. I think you like to disagree just to argue. You've made no point, whatsoever.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Football is still a simple game. If you can run the ball, & stop the run, you'll win many more games than you lose. The most important position in stopping the run is the defensive tackle. If you can't control the other team's interior linemen, it's game over. We have a total of ONE DT who can start for any other team. ONE. All an offense has to do is double team Tyrone Crawford, & it's a cake walk from there. Nick Hayden works hard, but would find it difficult starting for the top defenses in the league. The front office has ignored the DT position like it's Ebola. In fact, they haven't drafted a DT in the first 3 rounds in over a decade, (TC was a DE when drafted). Until the Cowboys get serious about controlling & even dominating the middle of the defensive line, we will not see another trophy-period.

Hardy will see time at DT. I like the duo of Hardy and Crawford in the middle of our DL.

 

[xwalker]

You're still talking about pressuring the QB with DEs on first down? Why would any team pass the ball on first down when your defense hasn't proven they can stop the run?! Neither Hardy or Mincey are stout enough to play DT for any length of time-they're freaking defensive ends. So, you're answer is to stop the run with 3 DEs & 1 DT, none weighing more than 285 lbs.? What crap! Go onto NFL.com & look at the top defenses in the league. The only reason Dallas is in the top 10 is that they played two terrible offenses in Philly & the Giants. ALL of the top "Ds" carry top notch DTs who stuff the run & penetrate into the backfield to pressure the QB. Those who are at the bottom don't. It's simple football 101. I think you like to disagree just to argue. You've made no point, whatsoever.

No, you just don't understand the point. I'm not referring to specifics like 1st down, etc.. The point is that having a great pass rush leads to problems for the offense and causes them to not be able to run the ball as much.

Marinelli wants pass rushing DTs in the Nickel/Dime which is about 68% of the snaps. That is when Hardy/Mincey would play DT, not in the base.

The Cowboys offense was a great example of what I'm talking about. Weeden's inability to throw to the sidelines or past 10 yards eventually resulted in the Cowboys being unable to run the ball. The Cowboys were gashing Atlanta with the run early, but failures in the passing game allowed Atlanta to load up against the run in the 2nd half.

Yes it would be great to replace Hayden with a big time DT; however, in the modern pass-happy NFL, if you can't have everything, then the priority should be on pass rushers like Hardy and Gregory not on run defending DTs.

T. McClain was a big loss because he was playing really well. He is a combo 1/3 tech that can hold up against the run but also rush the passer.

If they draft a 1tech for Marinelli, it will likely be a healthier and slightly more talented version of T. McClain. It is unlikely to be a big space eater.

If you really study Marinelli's defense, he has requirements of his 1techs that many defenses don't. The 1tech for Marinelli generally stays around the line of scrimmage and if it is not a run right at them, they are required to get out to the flat or back to LB depth as a help defender. I'm not a fan of Hayden, but he does get in on many tackles out in those areas that you would not expect from a 1tech DT. I'm certain they are teaching it this way because of how Ken Bishop has changed since his rookie preseason. When Bishop was a rookie he would try to do the typical things you expect from a 1tech. He would try to over-power OL against the run and try to jump gaps against the pass. Now, I see him doing the things that Hayden does in terms of staying back at the line and not taking himself out of a contain type position. This allows him to then get out to the flats and or back on plays away from him.

 

[RunDMC]

McClain & Crawford were having some success, but neither was dominating. Imagine a corps of DTs that included Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, & Jarius Wynn-like the Bills. How about Sheldon Richardson, Muhammed Wilkerson, & Leonard Williams, like the Jets? It's all about priorities, & it's time to build our defensive LOS back into one that will rival the Cowboy's D-lines of the 90s.

Yeah the problem is Buffalo and New York has invested so much in the interior of their defense that they haven't been able to find a quarterback and you don't win in this league without one. The Cowboys have one of the best in the league if they can just manage to survive without him for the next six games. You're also judging a defensive line that is missing some of it's core pieces. Once Hardy, Gregory, and Mincey return that's a unit that has potential to be one of the best in the league. For all the complaints about Hayden the man does his job. Has a great motor and this year has done a better job of not being pushed around. Once those guys return we can also put Jack Crawford back inside where he belongs.

 

[RunDMC]

this team is a long long ways from a champion ship

Really? The Cowboys nearly won it last season with a patchwork defensive line. In a few weeks they'll have as talented a D-Line as there is in football. If we manage to hang in there without Romo then the Cowboys have as good a shot as anyone.

 

[CATCH17]

If there is 1 thing I have learned about the NFL over the last decade it's that you can win without a strong D.

Having a strong D helps but it's not the end all be all. Especially if you have an ELITE QB.

 

[Stryker44]

Marinelli was a mistake.

 

[hornitosmonster]

Help is on its way. Three key defensive players will be returning very soon

 

[cowboyblue22]

you have to have good defense but your qb is the key to get to compete for a super bowl you have to make the playoffs only three qbs have done that year after year that's Rodgers p. manning and tom brady ever body else not so much

 

[Chuck 54]

I get the OP....but right now, all I'm thinking about is hopefully finishing above .500 and maybe slipping into the playoffs.

This team, if 100% healthy and without the suspensions, was going to be very interesting and possibly very close to SB material. Of course, you can be SB material and never get there, but we've done enough to the D to make it happen. I'm not sure we'll even get close this year with all the injuries, but get guys healthy, have one more good offseason, and there's no reason this team can't compete for a ring.

If they all get healthy at the right time and sneak in the playoffs, it may even threaten this year.

 

[Chuck 54]

I'll just add that I think we're also seeing some signs of what we really need to make sure one injury doesn't derail a season, and I'm not talking about Romo. Yes, he's magic....but the lack of a competent #2 receiver is a reality that's frightening.

Consider, Beasley is great at what he is, but he's not stepping up into anyone else's shoes, not even a #2 wideout. We literally have nothing, or so it appears, after Dez. We really should have a #2 who is much closer to being a #1 than Williams, and we should have a #3 that can become a competent #2 when needed, leaving Beasley as the role player he is. Our #2 is struggling to even be #2 without the #1 on the field so far.

Nothing against Matty Ice, and I'm certainly not comparing Weeden to him, but in Sunday's game, Matty didn't do anything in the 2nd half that was shockingly different from what Weeden did in the first half....Anyone think Weeden couldn't have make almost all those throws to Julio?

Yes, it would be nice to have the next Aaron Rogers behind Romo, but who has that? If you make sure your entire receiving corp or OL isn't crap due to one injury, a backup QB may still have a chance.

 

[Bleu Star]

That's what she said...

Nicely done.