News: CBSSPORTS - Cowboys go all-in on a younger, faster, more flexible defense

[PJTHEDOORS]

One of the best articles ever written about our young defense and the talent being acquired over the years. A very long article, but he really breaks down each defensive position, player by player, how their athletic attributes each brings, and how they fit, etc.

Just a little piece of the article (read all in link below)

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/n...in-on-a-younger-faster-more-flexible-defense/

2017-05-01
NFL Draft Reset: Cowboys go all-in on a younger, faster, more flexible defense
- A look at the needs the Cowboys addressed in the draft and what it all means

The Dallas Cowboys spent the past several years building a top-flight offense through a combination of heavy first-round investment in the offensive line (All-Pros Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin), running back (All-Pro Ezekiel Elliott) and wide receiver (All-Pro Dez Bryant). They also unearthed prime talents elsewhere in undrafted free-agent wideout Cole Beasley and especially lightning-in-a-bottle fourth-round quarterback and 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott. The Cowboys spent several draft picks and a significant portion of their free-agent dollars on defense during that time, but the unit was still lagging behind entering the 2017 offseason. That needed rectifying.

It became evident over the past few years that the Dallas defense was older, slower and not nearly as versatile as it needed it to be. The Cowboys have been trying to change that over the course of a few years, and the strategy came to a head this offseason. The Cowboys sat and watched this winter as three defensive starters and three more heavy rotational players from last year's 13-3 team walked out the door in free agency.

The secondary, which emerged as a quiet strength during the 2016 season, was hit especially hard. Barry Church, Brandon Carr and J.J. Wilcox all got sizable multiyear deals to leave Big D, and Morris Claiborne got paid more than Jerry and Stephen Jones were willing to pony up on a one-year contract. But it wasn't just the secondary that got pillaged. Valuable defensive lineman Terrell McClain defected to division rival Washington on a long-term deal and rotational pass-rusher Jack Crawford joined the Falcons.

The Cowboys made all of three acquisitions to replace those six players, with only one being given any guaranteed money beyond this season: nickel corner Nolan Carroll, who was signed along with defensive linemen Stephen Paea and Damontre Moore. Heading into the draft, the Cowboys had over 2,300 defensive snaps to replace . You would be hard pressed to say they didn't attack their needs with fervor during the draft this past weekend.

 

[Frozen700]

That is one thing that I like....

We are faster and younger.....


You can't get any worse than what we had. Slow and old Carr, Church and Wilcox. Injury prone MO.

I rather have faster, more athletic, younger, hungrier players out there.

Like I said you can't get any worse.

 

[LocimusPrime]

One of the best articles ever written about our young defense and the talent being acquired over the years. A very long article, but he really breaks down each defensive position, player by player, how their athletic attributes each brings, and how they fit, etc.

Just a little piece of the article (read all in link below)

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/n...in-on-a-younger-faster-more-flexible-defense/

2017-05-01
NFL Draft Reset: Cowboys go all-in on a younger, faster, more flexible defense
- A look at the needs the Cowboys addressed in the draft and what it all means

The Dallas Cowboys spent the past several years building a top-flight offense through a combination of heavy first-round investment in the offensive line (All-Pros Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin), running back (All-Pro Ezekiel Elliott) and wide receiver (All-Pro Dez Bryant). They also unearthed prime talents elsewhere in undrafted free-agent wideout Cole Beasley and especially lightning-in-a-bottle fourth-round quarterback and 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott. The Cowboys spent several draft picks and a significant portion of their free-agent dollars on defense during that time, but the unit was still lagging behind entering the 2017 offseason. That needed rectifying.

It became evident over the past few years that the Dallas defense was older, slower and not nearly as versatile as it needed it to be. The Cowboys have been trying to change that over the course of a few years, and the strategy came to a head this offseason. The Cowboys sat and watched this winter as three defensive starters and three more heavy rotational players from last year's 13-3 team walked out the door in free agency.

The secondary, which emerged as a quiet strength during the 2016 season, was hit especially hard. Barry Church, Brandon Carr and J.J. Wilcox all got sizable multiyear deals to leave Big D, and Morris Claiborne got paid more than Jerry and Stephen Jones were willing to pony up on a one-year contract. But it wasn't just the secondary that got pillaged. Valuable defensive lineman Terrell McClain defected to division rival Washington on a long-term deal and rotational pass-rusher Jack Crawford joined the Falcons.

The Cowboys made all of three acquisitions to replace those six players, with only one being given any guaranteed money beyond this season: nickel corner Nolan Carroll, who was signed along with defensive linemen Stephen Paea and Damontre Moore. Heading into the draft, the Cowboys had over 2,300 defensive snaps to replace . You would be hard pressed to say they didn't attack their needs with fervor during the draft this past weekend.

Good stuff op. Thanks for posting

 

[Bleu Star]

One of the best articles ever written about our young defense and the talent being acquired over the years. A very long article, but he really breaks down each defensive position, player by player, how their athletic attributes each brings, and how they fit, etc.

Just a little piece of the article (read all in link below)

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/n...in-on-a-younger-faster-more-flexible-defense/

2017-05-01
NFL Draft Reset: Cowboys go all-in on a younger, faster, more flexible defense
- A look at the needs the Cowboys addressed in the draft and what it all means

The Dallas Cowboys spent the past several years building a top-flight offense through a combination of heavy first-round investment in the offensive line (All-Pros Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin), running back (All-Pro Ezekiel Elliott) and wide receiver (All-Pro Dez Bryant). They also unearthed prime talents elsewhere in undrafted free-agent wideout Cole Beasley and especially lightning-in-a-bottle fourth-round quarterback and 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott. The Cowboys spent several draft picks and a significant portion of their free-agent dollars on defense during that time, but the unit was still lagging behind entering the 2017 offseason. That needed rectifying.

It became evident over the past few years that the Dallas defense was older, slower and not nearly as versatile as it needed it to be. The Cowboys have been trying to change that over the course of a few years, and the strategy came to a head this offseason. The Cowboys sat and watched this winter as three defensive starters and three more heavy rotational players from last year's 13-3 team walked out the door in free agency.

The secondary, which emerged as a quiet strength during the 2016 season, was hit especially hard. Barry Church, Brandon Carr and J.J. Wilcox all got sizable multiyear deals to leave Big D, and Morris Claiborne got paid more than Jerry and Stephen Jones were willing to pony up on a one-year contract. But it wasn't just the secondary that got pillaged. Valuable defensive lineman Terrell McClain defected to division rival Washington on a long-term deal and rotational pass-rusher Jack Crawford joined the Falcons.

The Cowboys made all of three acquisitions to replace those six players, with only one being given any guaranteed money beyond this season: nickel corner Nolan Carroll, who was signed along with defensive linemen Stephen Paea and Damontre Moore. Heading into the draft, the Cowboys had over 2,300 defensive snaps to replace . You would be hard pressed to say they didn't attack their needs with fervor during the draft this past weekend.

AHHHHHH

Feels good.

Reimagined.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Speed defense is perfect.

Unless an opposing team had an imposing, smashmouth running game. You will do very well with speed defense,

 

[CCBoy]

I liked that the OP pointed out that the top two cornerbacks selected, are additionally stand alone cover corners as well. That ability will prove out invaluable, in any package or scheme setting.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Does more flexible mean they can bend more and not break?

 

[xwalker]

One of the best articles ever written about our young defense and the talent being acquired over the years. A very long article, but he really breaks down each defensive position, player by player, how their athletic attributes each brings, and how they fit, etc.

Just a little piece of the article (read all in link below)

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/n...in-on-a-younger-faster-more-flexible-defense/

2017-05-01
NFL Draft Reset: Cowboys go all-in on a younger, faster, more flexible defense
- A look at the needs the Cowboys addressed in the draft and what it all means

The Dallas Cowboys spent the past several years building a top-flight offense through a combination of heavy first-round investment in the offensive line (All-Pros Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin), running back (All-Pro Ezekiel Elliott) and wide receiver (All-Pro Dez Bryant). They also unearthed prime talents elsewhere in undrafted free-agent wideout Cole Beasley and especially lightning-in-a-bottle fourth-round quarterback and 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott. The Cowboys spent several draft picks and a significant portion of their free-agent dollars on defense during that time, but the unit was still lagging behind entering the 2017 offseason. That needed rectifying.

It became evident over the past few years that the Dallas defense was older, slower and not nearly as versatile as it needed it to be. The Cowboys have been trying to change that over the course of a few years, and the strategy came to a head this offseason. The Cowboys sat and watched this winter as three defensive starters and three more heavy rotational players from last year's 13-3 team walked out the door in free agency.

The secondary, which emerged as a quiet strength during the 2016 season, was hit especially hard. Barry Church, Brandon Carr and J.J. Wilcox all got sizable multiyear deals to leave Big D, and Morris Claiborne got paid more than Jerry and Stephen Jones were willing to pony up on a one-year contract. But it wasn't just the secondary that got pillaged. Valuable defensive lineman Terrell McClain defected to division rival Washington on a long-term deal and rotational pass-rusher Jack Crawford joined the Falcons.

The Cowboys made all of three acquisitions to replace those six players, with only one being given any guaranteed money beyond this season: nickel corner Nolan Carroll, who was signed along with defensive linemen Stephen Paea and Damontre Moore. Heading into the draft, the Cowboys had over 2,300 defensive snaps to replace . You would be hard pressed to say they didn't attack their needs with fervor during the draft this past weekend.

I don't think most people realize just how many limitations the coaches had to work around. The lack of speed from Church and Carr caused them to devise ways to work around it in the scheme. The same for Claiborne's mental problems where offenses would put 2 WRs on his side and they have them cross their routes and do various tricks to confuse Claiborne. They managed to worked around that more in 2016; whereas, in past years he would often end up covering the same WR as the other CB on that side was covering. It was a problem regardless of whether it was man or zone.

Byron Jones made up for a lot of these limitations, but there is only so much 1 player can do. Hitchens is good against the run but limited in coverage, so it's not like they could use the LBs to help Carr, Church and Claiborne.

If they had a 100% Jaylon Smith in 2016, he could have compensated for much of the coverage issues because he projects to be an elite coverage LB.

Just getting more speed at SS will open up the scheme. Heath/Woods/Awuzie would all add a lot of speed as compared to Church.

 

[xwalker]

Does more flexible mean they can bend more and not break?

Actually, Yes; although, I think you know that's not the meaning that was intended.

The bend but don't break style can still get turnovers. It's not nearly as passive as it sounds.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I don't think the "old" secondary was overly bright either.

 

[ShiningStar]

wow, talk about after defending every move last year, and how great Dallas will be and all the noise we are going to make all of a sudden yea last year was slow old and outdated. When in reality it was an edge rusher short and just outcoached in the long run. We will still avoid that at all costs because well no one wants to admit they were wrong So last year was awesome, everything the team did was great, great coach great fans, all great. Ok so now it was wrong, easily because lets face it Dallas finally found a plan stuck to it so much it freaked so many people out we cant believe most of us are agreeing. Ok, lets stop beating that horse, mainly because its going to hurt a lot of feelings and doesnt go with our feel good narrative.

Shall we tap the brakes? naaaaaah its all good right? In reality tho, first we dont know what we are going to get. We still need edge rusher chances are good we have that in Taco. Forget Tapper, and mainly the rest, most of our hope right now is on Taco. Again, probably not a force to start but will get going as things go on. This we are gambling on (which Dallas is great for gambles) and if the gamble pays off, the investment in CBs should pay off. That being a lesser gamble.

Its wonderful Dallas has found a plan and stuck to it. Really it is refreshing. Lets also give it some time. Its not going to be awesome right out of the gate, but so far has the best potential we have seen in a while. Im not as excited about the talent but more involved in what the coaches are going to do with it. Will it be aggressive? Will it be more accepting and trying not to give up the big plays? We dont know, but its going to be critical.

I can understand why everyone is excited, Dallas as not been known for a great defense in a long time. It has had potential and talent at times, but couldnt ever get it all together. To be fair we still dont know, a lot of factors are going to be in play, but potential none the less.

Id like to go on record that the only problem i really had with last years defense was the lack of pressure. Not even so much sacks, just the lack of desire to even really force the issue even if it was working. Even if we arent sack heavy, lets hope the defense comes together to produce a cohesive defense and than we ll see where it goes from there.

I wont lie and declare i know this is going to be a great defense or that im overly excited based on talent alone, but i am feeling good potential with this new defense.

Lets all rememeber we re Cowboy fans, so lets get together, enjoy what will be, than complain depending on the record yet still enjoy what will be.

 

[Frozen700]

I don't think the "old" secondary was overly bright either.

Add the fact they were slow, they didn't enjoy turning their heads around to look for the ball. They also hated to jump routes

 

[Deep_Freeze]

While I've pointed out alot that we didn't draft a LB, there also could be a method behind the madness. In our division, especially the Giants, set their D up to play against us.

Well, most of the teams in our division will be passing teams this year, and for us to go with so many coverage guys instead of a LB is sending at least one message....we aren't worried about any of their running games.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

While I've pointed out alot that we didn't draft a LB, there also could be a method behind the madness. In our division, especially the Giants, set their D up to play against us.

Well, most of the teams in our division will be passing teams this year, and for us to go with so many coverage guys instead of a LB is sending at least one message....we aren't worried about any of their running games.

The fact is the base defense only uses 2 linebackers. The secondary and dline demanded far greater resources. If Smith comes back (and the betting here is that he is/will) then having he and Lee out there are a pretty decent pair of linebackers IMO.

 

[Bigdog]

Our defense better be good. We have to face the boy wonder qb from Philly twice every year. The guy can do it all ( run , pass, catch his own passes for tds) or so I have been told by some this board. Hopefully, our defense can be up to the challenge but frankly it looks dim. Maybe we should just not play those games. At least we will 3 bye weeks a season if we go that route.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I wont lie and declare i know this is going to be a great defense or that im overly excited based on talent alone, but i am feeling good potential with this new defense.

I'm not expecting "great".

But I'm thinking this is the season this defense cracks the "40 sack" threshold.

And it falls in that 5-15 range in the various defensive efficiencies so that the Dallas Cowboys do not have to win by bringing their "A" offense to the game– That the defense can win a game or two on its own.

 

[Trouty]

That was incredibly well written (the whole article). That dude is a lawyer, in NY, and has his thumb on the team, moreso than some of the DFW writers, even.

Love that he touched on Collins -- Maliek is incredibly overlooked by the media. He had great things to say about him.

He sure put a hell of an emphasis on SPARQ scores, tho. I'm not one to complain about SPARQ scores or using them to help assess players, but as the article said -- Brown wasn't a SPARQ standout and did incredibly well.

Side note -- Byron is in the 99th percentile of athleticism in the league. Wowza.

Wonderful read.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

The fact is the base defense only uses 2 linebackers. The secondary and dline demanded far greater resources. If Smith comes back (and the betting here is that he is/will) then having he and Lee out there are a pretty decent pair of linebackers IMO.

Of course Jaylon is the key, the point I was making is pretty similar to yours. The way the league is playing offense these days, LBs are needed alot less, especially in our current division full of scrub RBs.

 

[Hawkeye19]

It's not just that we added more athletic players with position flexibility-- the bottom line is that we added guys who fit our scheme. I'm excited to see what Rod can do with some players who can excel at zone coverage.

 

[JBell]

Defense is going to be flying this year. Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen style.

3 New Projected starters all with sub 4.5 speed: Heath, Jaylon, and Awuzie.