Cowboys' defense: numbers sometimes lie

[RS12]

"Yardage can go up or down depending on how the game goes," Marinelli said. "Sometimes you have a lead, you're going to give up a lot more yardage but you're working the clock. We put a lot of stock into those categories. We want to be good in scoring defense. We've got to be good in takeaways. We have to be. And we have to stop the run better and obviously we have to pressure the quarterback."

If there is a major difference in the Cowboys' defense, it is Marinelli.
Only two teams in history surrendered more yards than the 2013 Cowboys. Though Dallas is 3-1, this year's defense is actually worse in a number of key defensive statistics:

Last year he waded through 20 defensive linemen because of injury, ineffectiveness or both. Somehow he made it work. Now he is leading a defense without star power and is making it work.

Carr called him a maniac, but in a good way. Hayden said players believe in what he's selling, "because he's done it." Anthony Spencer said Marinelli is at his best because he is "consistent."


"Just as you felt like you're doing good, he levels your head," defensive end Jeremy Mincey said. "He humbles you again. It's always good to have a mentor like that to not allow you to get too full on yourself and forget why you're in the position you're in."

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowb...-it?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

 

[Sportsbabe]

Defense wins championship.

 

[Idgit]

That was a good article. Thanks for posting it RS12.

I think a lot of us forget how surprised we were with the defense early on last year. Most of the chatter here after the early games was whether or not the turnover rate were sustainable. before injuries to the DL and LBs started to accumulate and play went into the ditch.

And, I've pointed this out before, but I think it's interesting, so I'm going to repeat it again. Marinelli really likes his DBs here. Especially his CBs. He was quoted in the offseason comparing them favorably to the group he had in CHI, and here he brings it up again?

"You love every guy that likes football. And some of our most talented guys are our hardest workers too. That's when it's a guy like Spence and 55 [McClain] and guys that go hard every day; those corners, I can't say enough about those guys. So you just keep working at it. But it's enjoyable. I said this from beginning, I really like these guys."
​

Not sure what exactly to make of it, but it does seem like the defense somehow has some faith in their ability, overall. And that starts with the coach. Here's to hoping Spencer or Lawrence, or both, can give us some much-needed outside pressure from here on out. It looks to me like we solved our 3-tech position for good last week, so now I'm just looking for a rush end to step up and to continue the healthy rotation across the board.

 

[Doomsday101]

It will be interesting to see if this defense comes out with the same fire and intensity they showed vs NO. If they can bring that game in and game out they will show vast improvement over what this unit has done in recent times.

 

[Idgit]

It will be interesting to see if this defense comes out with the same fire and intensity they showed vs NO. If they can bring that game in and game out they will show vast improvement over what this unit has done in recent times.

It will be. We don't tend to take winnable games lightly under Garrett, so I expect them to come out and play well against a bad offense, but taking Carter's athleticism off the field will hurt. I think our offense will continue to play at a high level because of the challenge this front poses. If the OL can dominate this front, they really make a statement. So I think that challenge ought to be enough to have them taking this game very seriously. The rest of the offense should feed off of that.

HOU, though, does look like a bit of a trap game sandwiched between the revenge match with NO and the road trip to SEA. It's human nature to let up a bit, so hopefully they've made a point of aggressively resisting that urge this week.

 

[jazzcat22]

It will be interesting to see if this defense comes out with the same fire and intensity they showed vs NO. If they can bring that game in and game out they will show vast improvement over what this unit has done in recent times.

I think they will play with that same fire. They are gaining confidence, and add that to the chip on the shoulder they are playing with. They want to succeed and prove it everyone they will be and are better, not only from last year, but better than people expected this year.
I don't see a let up in effort one bit.

 

[Doomsday101]

It will be. We don't tend to take winnable games lightly under Garrett, so I expect them to come out and play well against a bad offense, but taking Carter's athleticism off the field will hurt. I think our offense will continue to play at a high level because of the challenge this front poses. If the OL can dominate this front, they really make a statement. So I think that challenge ought to be enough to have them taking this game very seriously. The rest of the offense should feed off of that.

HOU, though, does look like a bit of a trap game sandwiched between the revenge match with NO and the road trip to SEA. It's human nature to let up a bit, so hopefully they've made a point of aggressively resisting that urge this week.

Not talking just Houston game I mean week in and week out to come pumped up and ready to go. Guys have got to bring the same intensity

 

[Doomsday101]

I think they will play with that same fire. They are gaining confidence, and add that to the chip on the shoulder they are playing with. They want to succeed and prove it everyone they will be and are better, not only from last year, but better than people expected this year.
I don't see a let up in effort one bit.

I hope that is the case. What you worry about is the media cheese factory and players eating the product. lol

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

They have been talked about all off season as being historically bad and untalented. Even now as some kudos are coming there are plenty of people out there saying it's smoke and mirrors and that they are ready for a fall. That should keep them motivated. As long as the injury bug doesn't bite us I think they will keep battling.

 

[MagicMan]

I like the way the D players play hard for him....no matter who gets in there, it does look like lack of effort is not the problem. This is the kind of game in the past that Dallas goes out and just when you think they are turning the corner, they lay an egg. Let's hope that is not the case and the team has the same intensity week in and week out.

Finally, the offense has an identity and the run is the main weapon and sets up the pass. This should be the blueprint for the remainder of the season and will pay off dividends, especially next week against the 'hawks. That will be the ultimate test for this team----not so much if they win or lose, but how tough they play them on their turf.

 

[LatinMind]

"Yardage can go up or down depending on how the game goes," Marinelli said. "Sometimes you have a lead, you're going to give up a lot more yardage but you're working the clock. We put a lot of stock into those categories. We want to be good in scoring defense. We've got to be good in takeaways. We have to be. And we have to stop the run better and obviously we have to pressure the quarterback."

If there is a major difference in the Cowboys' defense, it is Marinelli.
Only two teams in history surrendered more yards than the 2013 Cowboys. Though Dallas is 3-1, this year's defense is actually worse in a number of key defensive statistics:

Last year he waded through 20 defensive linemen because of injury, ineffectiveness or both. Somehow he made it work. Now he is leading a defense without star power and is making it work.

Carr called him a maniac, but in a good way. Hayden said players believe in what he's selling, "because he's done it." Anthony Spencer said Marinelli is at his best because he is "consistent."


"Just as you felt like you're doing good, he levels your head," defensive end Jeremy Mincey said. "He humbles you again. It's always good to have a mentor like that to not allow you to get too full on yourself and forget why you're in the position you're in."

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowb...-it?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Dallas is 10th on pts allowed. Saints piled up yrds with the hurry up spread in the 4th. Same as the titans did.

 

[ghst187]

Defense wins championship.

We've all been trained to believe this but the Saints and Colts winning a SB changed my mind. Couple that with the last two Pitt and NYGs runs, and I've become convinced its more about having a good team that gets incredibly lucky at the right moments and stays healthy in December and January.

 

[Sportsbabe]

We've all been trained to believe this but the Saints and Colts winning a SB changed my mind. Couple that with the last two Pitt and NYGs runs, and I've become convinced its more about having a good team that gets incredibly lucky at the right moments and stays healthy in December and January.

You're talking about luck ... when it comes to the pure game of football ... I truly believe it takes a decent defense to really go to the promised land.

 

[maxdallasfan]

Dallas is 10th on pts allowed. Saints piled up yrds with the hurry up spread in the 4th. Same as the titans did.

That's the only defensive stat that matters.

 

[Hoov]

And, I've pointed this out before, but I think it's interesting, so I'm going to repeat it again. Marinelli really likes his DBs here. Especially his CBs. He was quoted in the offseason comparing them favorably to the group he had in CHI, and here he brings it up again?

​

​

Scandrick and Moore are both very physical cb's. It's been a while since this team had 2 physical and aggressive corners.

And I think that will be the difference this year. The defense has work to do but there is more depth and they are becoming a more physical unit.

Rolando brings a lot of that. But overall this team seems more physical then what I've seen in many years.