Cowboys' D allowing fewest points

[THUMPER]

I know it's only pre-season but it is still very impressive that our defense is allowing less than 6 points per game (5.7) so far. That's #1 in the league! The Giants are 2nd at 7.7 per game and the Eagles are 7th at 12.5 per game.

The Commanders are dead last in the league, allowing 29 points per game.

To me, points allowed is a much more important stat in ranking a defense than total yards. I would also look at average yards per play, 3rd down %, turnovers, defensive scores, and sacks as indicators of how dominant a defense truly is.

Yardage totals can be very misleading as several factors can increase or decrease yards such as big leads late in games, time of possession, etc. thus it is a poor measurement of a defense.

People were all excited a few years ago when we gave up the fewest yards on defense but our defense still stunk IMO as we were near the bottom in turnovers and sacks. We couldn't seem to stop anyone late in games that year and gave up several 4th qtr leads because of it.

We are still not as much of an attacking defense as I would like to see with only a plus-1 in turnovers but we have gotten better in sacking and pressuring the QB. Hopefully, once the regular season starts we will see more effective blitzes, more pressure, and more turnovers.

 

[ravidubey]

What's most encouraging is that we're playing well without scheming. Washington's entire game on defense is based on scheming, so their preseason performance will be out of whack (though they are very behind schedule).

Two consecutive years with the same defense and almost the same personnel. Our players are buying what Tuna is selling, and that's fantastic to hear.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

I know it's only pre-season but it is still very impressive that our defense is allowing less than 6 points per game (5.7) so far. That's #1 in the league!

This is great news.

The Giants are 2nd at 7.7 per game and the Eagles are 7th at 12.5 per game.

This is not.

To me, points allowed is a much more important stat in ranking a defense than total yards.

I agree completely.

 

[Doomsday101]

I know it's only pre-season but it is still very impressive that our defense is allowing less than 6 points per game (5.7) so far. That's #1 in the league! The Giants are 2nd at 7.7 per game and the Eagles are 7th at 12.5 per game.

The Commanders are dead last in the league, allowing 29 points per game.

To me, points allowed is a much more important stat in ranking a defense than total yards. I would also look at average yards per play, 3rd down %, turnovers, defensive scores, and sacks as indicators of how dominant a defense truly is.

Yardage totals can be very misleading as several factors can increase or decrease yards such as big leads late in games, time of possession, etc. thus it is a poor measurement of a defense.

People were all excited a few years ago when we gave up the fewest yards on defense but our defense still stunk IMO as we were near the bottom in turnovers and sacks. We couldn't seem to stop anyone late in games that year and gave up several 4th qtr leads because of it.

We are still not as much of an attacking defense as I would like to see with only a plus-1 in turnovers but we have gotten better in sacking and pressuring the QB. Hopefully, once the regular season starts we will see more effective blitzes, more pressure, and more turnovers.

I think teams will find it difficult to score on this defense. We are not giving up many 1st downs let alone points and while it is pre-season I'm not seeing a lot of blitzes by guys like Roy Williams this pre-season but I can promise you we will see it when the games start counting.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I know it's only pre-season but it is still very impressive that our defense is allowing less than 6 points per game (5.7) so far. That's #1 in the league! The Giants are 2nd at 7.7 per game and the Eagles are 7th at 12.5 per game.

The Commanders are dead last in the league, allowing 29 points per game.

To me, points allowed is a much more important stat in ranking a defense than total yards. I would also look at average yards per play, 3rd down %, turnovers, defensive scores, and sacks as indicators of how dominant a defense truly is.

Yardage totals can be very misleading as several factors can increase or decrease yards such as big leads late in games, time of possession, etc. thus it is a poor measurement of a defense.

People were all excited a few years ago when we gave up the fewest yards on defense but our defense still stunk IMO as we were near the bottom in turnovers and sacks. We couldn't seem to stop anyone late in games that year and gave up several 4th qtr leads because of it.

We are still not as much of an attacking defense as I would like to see with only a plus-1 in turnovers but we have gotten better in sacking and pressuring the QB. Hopefully, once the regular season starts we will see more effective blitzes, more pressure, and more turnovers.

As I recall that team went to the playoffs with Quincy Carter at QB and Troy Hambrick at RB... so the defense had to be doing something right.

You don't have to tear down another Cowboy team in order to make the point you are getting at.

 

[ZeroClub]

Hard to tell just how high the Cowboys defensive statistics will rank during the regular season - the Cowboys defense will face more difficult offenses than, say, the Bears and/or Seahawks defenses.

People were all excited a few years ago when we gave up the fewest yards on defense but our defense still stunk IMO as we were near the bottom in turnovers and sacks.

The other problem with the defensive statistics back then was that the Dallas offense was not a threat to put up points.

Teams like the Patriots and Tampa Bay just built a small lead and then milked the clock. The Cowboys defense didn't give up huge yardage in those games because the offenses were conservatively grinding down the clock instead of trying to move quickly down the field. The defense managed to have decent stats - they didn't give up many points and they didn't give up many yards - but they still played a losing game.

 

[sago1]

Glad we've played as well as we have, but like everybody else I'm concerned about the quality of our opposition--NO/SF--particularly since both Seattle and us didn't play many of our starters. Don't expect to see many of our starters against Vikes since both teams probably more concerned about avoiding injuries. So maybe Bledsoe/Glenn etc in for 1-2 series and then we go with Romo followed by Baker. It will certainly help those rookies we keeping to get reps and those players who still hope to make the team. Players of interest will obviously be Rector & Hurd, Hoyte & Fowler, Elam, Johnson & Stanely, Green & TT along with those hoping at least for PS.

Wonder if there will be any trades before Vikes game or between last cut on Saturday. Don't care if we only pick up late round picks--Ireland & Parcells seem have a habit of creating gold or at least silver.

 

[Gent]

I see two possibilities for this D: great or elite. To get to the elite category they need consistent pressure on opposing QBs. They didn't have that last year and I can't judge much from this preseason.

-Gent

 

[WoodysGirl]

What's funny is during the game chat, people were complaining cuz the 49ers got a 1st down and Gore made some nice runs.

Dallas' D is gonna be good, but it's not invincible. Teams will have some success against them this year. Not unrealistic to expect them to have at least one stinker of a game either...

But overall this D is gonna be feisty and every week we'll prolly hear Parcells complaining that he doesn't have enough film on them.

 

[CowboyMike]

What makes it even sweeter is that we have the number 2 offense. And think that this is both with our starters and backups.

 

[cobra]

What's absolutely hilarious is that the Commanders defense is sucking so hard, yet they are trying more than other teams. The Cowboys are running just their base defense and are doing this well. The Skins are blitzing like crazy and trying all kinds of aggresive stuff and getting destroyed.

Quite simply, the Commanders suck.

 

[joseephuss]

I know it's only pre-season but it is still very impressive that our defense is allowing less than 6 points per game (5.7) so far. That's #1 in the league! The Giants are 2nd at 7.7 per game and the Eagles are 7th at 12.5 per game.

The Commanders are dead last in the league, allowing 29 points per game.

To me, points allowed is a much more important stat in ranking a defense than total yards. I would also look at average yards per play, 3rd down %, turnovers, defensive scores, and sacks as indicators of how dominant a defense truly is.

Yardage totals can be very misleading as several factors can increase or decrease yards such as big leads late in games, time of possession, etc. thus it is a poor measurement of a defense.

People were all excited a few years ago when we gave up the fewest yards on defense but our defense still stunk IMO as we were near the bottom in turnovers and sacks. We couldn't seem to stop anyone late in games that year and gave up several 4th qtr leads because of it.

We are still not as much of an attacking defense as I would like to see with only a plus-1 in turnovers but we have gotten better in sacking and pressuring the QB. Hopefully, once the regular season starts we will see more effective blitzes, more pressure, and more turnovers.

That 2003 defense was good at the other things you mentioned. They were at the top at average yards per play and 3rd down %. They also gave up the 2nd fewest points that season. The only 4th quarter lead that I can recall them losing that season was against the Giants. They did not generate sacks or turnovers, but that defense did not stink. I would be happy if this years defense can play at that level and am hoping they play even better.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I know it's only pre-season but it is still very impressive that our defense is allowing less than 6 points per game (5.7) so far. That's #1 in the league! The Giants are 2nd at 7.7 per game and the Eagles are 7th at 12.5 per game.

The Commanders are dead last in the league, allowing 29 points per game.

While I think the Cowboys defense is going to be pretty good. Remember, this is preseason and on top of that we've played the 49ers and Saints while the Commanders played the Bengals and Patriots. Preseason is still preseason and the Commanders will have a very good defense this year.

To me, points allowed is a much more important stat in ranking a defense than total yards. I would also look at average yards per play, 3rd down %, turnovers, defensive scores, and sacks as indicators of how dominant a defense truly is.

Yardage totals can be very misleading as several factors can increase or decrease yards such as big leads late in games, time of possession, etc. thus it is a poor measurement of a defense.

People were all excited a few years ago when we gave up the fewest yards on defense but our defense still stunk IMO as we were near the bottom in turnovers and sacks. We couldn't seem to stop anyone late in games that year and gave up several 4th qtr leads because of it.

It's the bend, but don't break defense. Parcells likes that defense. Giving up minimal yards is a telling sign on how good a defense is. It's not THAT misleading. Of course prevent defenses can give up lots of yards, but I don't think many people play prevent defense anymore unless it's the last play of the game. If you are giving up 212 yards a game, you are a damn good defense even if you are giving up 22ppg. Now, giving up 390 yards and 6.5ppg is still a good defense and much better in the end. As giving up 212ypg and 20ppg means your offense stinks horribly and the other team is already on your side of the field and can be kicking field goals all day long.

 

[lspain1]

The Giants are 2nd at 7.7 per game and the Eagles are 7th at 12.5 per game.

These numbers are why the NFC East is going to be the toughest division in football this season.

 

[jobberone]

I see two possibilities for this D: great or elite. To get to the elite category they need consistent pressure on opposing QBs. They didn't have that last year and I can't judge much from this preseason.

-Gent

Outstanding and two sentences. I would add turnovers to that. All elite or Doomsday Defenses had pressure and created turnovers as well as stopping teams.

I think we'll see added pressure when the season starts. Parcells hasn't turned them loose yet. He's still evaluating all the defense. I don't think we've seen how well this front line and the LBs can play.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

Kudos to the COwboys and Giants for putting up some impressive defensive number. But I'm Not going to get hyped at this juncture. Now I don't know about the Cowboys and Giants, but the Eagles 1st Team defensive is usually pulled out after the 1st quarter (certainly not more than 2-quarter playing time).

That means that the majority of our games are played by 2nd/3rd team players trying to desperately to make a name, get some notoriety to allow them to make the roster. Those stats are not accurate representation of you defensive squads Unless your 1st team is playing/being rotated throughout the game.

Facta non-verba (Latin) ...action speaks louder than words.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Frankly, I think we will be hard to move against, no matter who we play. The difference this year, besides everyone getting more comfortable with the 3-4 schemes, is the line. I've watched the tape of the NO game several times, and I am amazed at how much better Spears, Ferguson, & Canty are against the run. Man, those guys just don't move! Ferguson is finally fully healthy, and he is a horse in there. They give the other 8 freedom to move & make plays because the opposition can't get their guys out to the second level to cut them off. They are too busy trying to get some movement up front.

I like this 3-4 more & more. I can't wait until the regular season, when we can get into a more "attacking" mode.

 

[joseephuss]

Frankly, I think we will be hard to move against, no matter who we play. The difference this year, besides everyone getting more comfortable with the 3-4 schemes, is the line. I've watched the tape of the NO game several times, and I am amazed at how much better Spears, Ferguson, & Canty are against the run. Man, those guys just don't move! Ferguson is finally fully healthy, and he is a horse in there. They give the other 8 freedom to move & make plays because the opposition can't get their guys out to the second level to cut them off. They are too busy trying to get some movement up front.

I like this 3-4 more & more. I can't wait until the regular season, when we can get into a more "attacking" mode.

The Cowboys defense will be strong against the run and passes to the receivers. I think their weakness will be pass plays to the backs and tight ends. I don't expect them to just suck at it, but relative to other areas it will be their weakness. That goes along with the strength of the Eagles and Giants. Westbrook/Smith and Barber/Shockey will be a handful. A good little chess match on stopping those guys. Should be fun to watch and I think Dallas can win more of the battles than they lose.

 

[TheEnigma]

These numbers are why the NFC East is going to be the toughest division in football this season.

Exactly. I see the NFC East as the best defensive division in football this year.

 

[Rampage]

bill parcells has ressurected the doomsday defense! doomsday D 2006 is here!!!!!!!