Cowboys defense elite?

[big dog cowboy]

They're gonna be worse than last year unless we can run the ball.

With the upgrade in talent and depth I'm not sure that is possible.

 

[Sarge]

 

[waving monkey]

I think we'll be top ten. Thats very good.

 

[JDSmith]

I'm hoping for top 5 in the Aikman Efficiency Ratings. They finished the season 15th last year.

 

[JohnsKey19]

No. But I will gladly take a top 15 unit in points allowed, ypg allowed, sacks and turnovers forced. That should be a realistic goal.

 

[CATCH17]

Just cause some turnovers and get off the field on 3rd downs.

I don't know if that makes you elite but that's all I want.

 

[Galian Beast]

Starting to look more and more like they're probably a year away.

It would have helped had we had McClain out there for us.

The way this defense needs to work is you shut down the running game early, create turnovers early, and have the offense score early. Allowing these guys to basically focus on rushing the passer for as long and as much as possible.

To do that we really need to see Lee, McClain, Hitchens/Wilber out there with the first team defense.

Basically, you can't tell how good or bad this defense will be until we have basically all 11 starters out there, and then you still have to worry about injuries.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

John Lynch exaggerated,,,, if the offense can protect them again this year then they might have some good stats, but im thinking the new draftees will need some time to develop.

 

[Nation]

Who is this bottom of the nfl talent at key positions that played over their head you are talking about?

The Cowboys week 1 depth chart was as follows as starters:
DE: Selvie, Mincey
DT: Hayden, Melton
LB: Carter, McClain, Durant
CB: Carr, Claiborne, Moore
S: Church, Wilcox

Mincey played over his head this past season and Tyrone Crawford emerged as a near Pro Bowl caliber player. Without Hardy and with DLaw hurt on the whole that's a very unimposing defensive front in terms of talent, and one I'd expect the Cowboys OLine to thoroughly dominate if they played today.

I'd also call Carter and Durant average at best talents as well as Moore who was our nickel corner. Carr and Claiborne may have been one time great FA's and draft prospects but both have been horrendous in their time as Cowboys.

 

[jazzcat22]

It's a process to progress...LOL...

Last year just about the entire universe had us being the worse D ever, and would be lucky to get 4 wins. I often said, the D would not be worse, as just by staying healthy, it could not be worse. Well for the most part they stayed healthy, but nagging injuries held them back some from playing more consistent. However, if those players stayed healthy, I don't think it would have been a big difference. The lack of a pass rush still hurt. As Shown against GB. But they ended up far better than most expectations, even mine. And yes protected somewhat by the run game and T.O.P.

So this year, they fix the D or that was the plan. We lost some players and gained some players in FA. As to if we came out ahead or not is ones own opinion. However with the addition of Hardy, Lee returning, and keeping McClain was big. Then getting Jones and Gregory in the draft, and seems getting Corey White is a big plus. So potentially and what little we seen in TC and from the SD game. This all looks like the D will take the next step. We have better starters as well as some depth now. What will that next step be. I say a big improvement can be seen real quick.

So does this transform to an elite D. I won't go there, as I need to see it on the field in real games. And it will take some time to gel. Especially with Hardy & McClain missing the first 4 games. Overall they may finish middle of the pack, but as long as they are playing like a top 8 or better from games 11 through 16, making a playoff run, I can care less where they actually finish in the rankings.

With Hardy, the emergence of Lawrence, Mincey, if he plays like his last 6 games of last year. This allows Gregory to work in and learn. With the DB situation looking very good so far. This defense has some potential, but needs time. Hopefully not too much time.

 

[Kevinicus]

Last year they caught some breaks where bottom of the NFL talent at key positions somehow played way over their heads to get average production. There is likely to be some regression there which will partially offset all the talent that was added. I'd think being in the top 10-15 range would be a solid accomplishment for the unit.

Really? What bottom guys played way over their head?

Edit: Oh I see. The overall depth chart on D was mediocre and had some less than stellar names...therefore the unit's production as a whole means some bottom guys played way over their heads. It couldn't possibly be that the other guys who weren't bottom of the NFL talent were also playing, or that your perception of talent level on some guys was just wrong.

 

[Doomsday101]

During the broadcast of last year's game at Washington, Fox announcer John Lynch said the Cowboys defense was one pass rusher away from being elite.

Lawrence, Gregory, Hardy.... can these guys step up and make the defense elite and prove Lynch right? Is the return of Lee and growth of Crawford, Hitchens and others make it elite? Just think.

I think they are working hard to become good, elite at this stage? NO

 

[casmith07]

During the broadcast of last year's game at Washington, Fox announcer John Lynch said the Cowboys defense was one pass rusher away from being elite.

Lawrence, Gregory, Hardy.... can these guys step up and make the defense elite and prove Lynch right? Is the return of Lee and growth of Crawford, Hitchens and others make it elite? Just think.

I hate the word "elite" in sports. It's so subjective.

However, I think we're definitely going to see a better defense...as long as people stay healthy.

We're essentially adding: Hardy, Lee, Claiborne, Gregory, Lawrence, & Jones -- all to last year's defense. Might have a couple surprises like Damien Wilson, too.

If you're not excited to see this defense play this year...then check your pulse.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hate the word "elite" in sports. It's so subjective.

However, I think we're definitely going to see a better defense...as long as people stay healthy.

We're essentially adding: Hardy, Lee, Claiborne, Gregory, Lawrence, & Jones -- all to last year's defense. Might have a couple surprises like Damien Wilson, too.

If you're not excited to see this defense play this year...then check your pulse.

I'm looking forward to see how much this defense can improve. I do have some concerns about the middle of the DL vs the run and even though it was pre season vs SD it did not make me feel any better to see them getting pushed up the middle as they did. Still have a lot of work ahead of them

 

[ShiningStar]

With the upgrade in talent and depth I'm not sure that is possible.

i think what he means is if we cant run the ball as effective, the defense is going to be on the field more. So statistically, because stats are flawed, than yes, it could be a worse defense.

 

[casmith07]

I'm looking forward to see how much this defense can improve. I do have some concerns about the middle of the DL vs the run and even though it was pre season vs SD it did not make me feel any better to see them getting pushed up the middle as they did

It was preseason. There was plenty of push after the first drive was out of the way - particularly with Ken Bishop.

Nick Hayden is the presumptive starter, too, and didn't play. I wouldn't read too much into seeing backups struggle to get push as a unit.

 

[BlindFaith]

Elite? No. But they could be pretty good.

DE - Lawrence, Hardy, Gregory, (Russell, Edwards, Gardner)
Lawrence will still have some growing pains. As will Gregory. But all three guys are much more athletic than anything we had last year. They could end up being very good, border line elite.

DT - T Crawford, J Crawford, Hayden (McClain, Bishop, Coleman, Mincey)
T Crawford will show to be an elite level talent. But the other guys around him will bring this group down to good at best. Weak link of the defense. Hayden is a JAG. McClain is always hurt. Bishop and Coleman are far from dominant.

LB - Lee is elite, if he can stay healthy. Hitchens is very good. Wilson has potential. They don't scare you with their physicality, but they are solid. Having a Rolando McClain that wanted to play football could push this group to elite. But we don't have that and I would just cut the guy right now. If what we have stay healthy and Wilson progress as did Hitchens, then we are close to very good there.

CB - If we roll with Carr, Scandrick and Jones then we are almost very good. Count in the depth that we have and we are Very Good.

S - Church is average. Wilcox could be much better playing the role that Church does. Maybe White plays much more safety this year. Maybe Jones. Too many unknowns right now. So I'd say this group is Good.

Overall, I think we have the potential to be very good. That 8-12 range. They key is obviously being able to apply more pressure, be disruptive and not get gashed in the run game.

 

[big dog cowboy]

However, I think we're definitely going to see a better defense...as long as people stay healthy.

We're essentially adding: Hardy, Lee, Claiborne, Gregory, Lawrence, & Jones -- all to last year's defense. Might have a couple surprises like Damien Wilson, too.

 

[jazzcat22]

Elite? No. But they could be pretty good.

DE - Lawrence, Hardy, Gregory, (Russell, Edwards, Gardner)
Lawrence will still have some growing pains. As will Gregory. But all three guys are much more athletic than anything we had last year. They could end up being very good, border line elite.

DT - T Crawford, J Crawford, Hayden (McClain, Bishop, Coleman, Mincey)
T Crawford will show to be an elite level talent. But the other guys around him will bring this group down to good at best. Weak link of the defense. Hayden is a JAG. McClain is always hurt. Bishop and Coleman are far from dominant.

LB - Lee is elite, if he can stay healthy. Hitchens is very good. Wilson has potential. They don't scare you with their physicality, but they are solid. Having a Rolando McClain that wanted to play football could push this group to elite. But we don't have that and I would just cut the guy right now. If what we have stay healthy and Wilson progress as did Hitchens, then we are close to very good there.

CB - If we roll with Carr, Scandrick and Jones then we are almost very good. Count in the depth that we have and we are Very Good.

S - Church is average. Wilcox could be much better playing the role that Church does. Maybe White plays much more safety this year. Maybe Jones. Too many unknowns right now. So I'd say this group is Good.

Overall, I think we have the potential to be very good. That 8-12 range. They key is obviously being able to apply more pressure, be disruptive and not get gashed in the run game.

Stephen Jones, and I believe Garrett even said. Depending on the play of Mo. [now of course it's not all on Mo] Eventually they could move Byron Jones to be a true FS as Wilcox and Church is basically the same type of player. They could move them more up in the box, and have Jones at a true FS position. Church and Wilcox like to hit, so having them in the box allows this. So yes, I could see Wilcox taking that SS over from Church eventually, as you said he plays that better.

 

[BlindFaith]

Stephen Jones, and I believe Garrett even said. Depending on the play of Mo. [now of course it's not all on Mo] Eventually they could move Byron Jones to be a true FS as Wilcox and Church is basically the same type of player. They could move them more up in the box, and have Jones at a true FS position. Church and Wilcox like to hit, so having them in the box allows this. So yes, I could see Wilcox taking that SS over from Church eventually, as you said he plays that better.

Yeah, either Jones or White. White is a little bigger and has played safety in the NFL. I'd leave Jones at Corner for now. He's the obvious choice to take over for Carr next year.

Church should be relegated to run downs and then maybe some nickel/dime linebacker.