Cowboys Defense

[Califan007]

Hold on, I think I posted sacks against by mistake. Here's the accurate numbers. My bad:

Sacks
New York Giants 30
Philadelphia Eagles 15(T)
Washington Commanders 17(T)
Dallas Cowboys 25(T)

Ah, ok, that looks more like it lol...only thing I knew was that the Skins ended up with more sacks than the Cowboys but you had them ranked lower.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I wouldn't call 284 yards difference drastic and you would have to localize those to the forth quarter to have any kind of point.

First, an extra 284 yards given up on the season is significant. The point in my initial response to you wasn't about addressing the PPG/4th QTR lead notion, but it was the larger point that teams were running the ball more on us and were effective in doing so. Opponents ran the ball on us 69 more times last year than the previous, or the equivalent of two extra games worth against our defense.

 

[phildadon86]

They said 10 weeks. How long ago was he injured?

Last week of May. Im excited to see him and Mayowa. I know Mayowa isnt popular here, but I have faith he may turn into a good player.

 

[phildadon86]

They said 10 weeks. How long ago was he injured?

Hes like 13 weeks into his recovery so im hoping hes back next week latest.

 

[VACowboy]

Hes like 13 weeks into his recovery so im hoping hes back next week latest.

Last week of May. Im excited to see him and Mayowa. I know Mayowa isnt popular here, but I have faith he may turn into a good player.

I'm right with ya.

 

[Denim Chicken]

First, an extra 284 yards given up on the season is significant. The point in my initial response to you wasn't about addressing the PPG/4th QTR lead notion, but it was the larger point that teams were running the ball more on us and were effective in doing so. Opponents ran the ball on us 69 more times last year than the previous, or the equivalent of two extra games worth against our defense.

OK, no debate from me that opponents ran more on us last year than 2014. Still don't think 284 is really significant, its only 18 yards a game. Pass defense improved by 395 yards on the season--26 yards per game. Turnovers and PPG is where its at.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

OK, no debate from me that opponents ran more on us last year than 2014. Still don't think 284 is really significant, its only 18 yards a game. Pass defense improved by 395 yards on the season--26 yards per game. Turnovers and PPG is where its at.

In terms of pass defense, it goes hand-in-hand. Teams threw the ball less on us last year (compared to 2014) because they ran the ball more against our defense. Also, if you look further at opponents throwing statistics against us, we were poor to say the least.

• 25th in the league in comp. % against
• 23rd in yards/attempt
• 20th QB rate against us

 

[Jstopper]

Secondary is agreed. LB and DL are 100% worse and its not even close.

We brought back the same linebackers we had last year, exchanging a so-so McClain for Durant, have Wilson back as a 2nd year lb and have our injured lb nzeocha back. Explain to me how it is 100% worse?

 

[Denim Chicken]

In terms of pass defense, it goes hand-in-hand. Teams threw the ball less on us last year (compared to 2014) because they ran the ball more against our defense. Also, if you look further at opponents throwing statistics against us, we were poor to say the least.

• 25th in the league in comp. % against
• 23rd in yards/attempt
• 20th QB rate against us

Nothing really matters to me besides PPG and turnover differential.

 

[StarBoyz83]

It's easier to complain.

Obviously I wanted to see better players brought in. Not just ride on hope. Got Thornton lost hardy. Like I said same or worse. No starting caliber DE on one side and the other ok DE is suspended for 4 games.

 

[StarBoyz83]

This secondary is not the same it is better. Did you forget Scandrick missed all of last season? And Jones was jumping from corner to safety every other week? And the light seems to have gone off for Claiborne. Our lb corps is the same as a non dependable McClain is equal to Durant. DL simply through health got better plus we signed players (Crawford can use both arms now) David Irving 2nd year in system Hayden gone for Thornton. Our depth is much better. So if you didn't see improvement it's because you weren't trying.

Can't believe I forgot we signed durant! The dl got Thornton but they lost hardy. There isn't a starting caliber DE on one side and dlaw is suspended. Dlaw had a good half year last year but also had a bad back injury. We're relying on unproven players. That's a risk I don't take when romo only has 3 years left at the most.

 

[CCBoy]

The Cowboys will have a top 10 defense
I deliberately put this last in case people stopped reading when they saw it. Over the last three years the Cowboys defense has shown steady improvement. They have gone from dead last in 2013 (415 yards/game), to 21st in 2014 (361 ypg), to 16th last year (348 ypg). It’s even more impressive that they showed improvement despite having one of the worst offensive performances in the league.

The Cowboys defense continues to get better. Just look at the areas where they have improved:

The interior defensive line now has better starters and better depth.

The secondary is stronger as they’ll have all three corners, plus Jones now at safety.

The linebacker group is a big question mark, but they only have two of them on the field 70% of the time. With Sean Lee being one of them, that means they’ll only need production out of 1.3 linebackers. They should be able to find that with these options:

• Anthony "party like it's 2014" Hitchens
• Justin "I’m only good when I’m playing" Durant
• Damien "paintball warrior" Wilson
• Mark "rhymes with Gotcha" Nzeocha

They’ll find some good contributions from these candidates.

The only real issue comes from the defensive end position. DeMarcus Lawrence is demonstrating some great play so far this preseason. This is year number three and could be his breakout season. Is he capable of 35 tackles and six sacks? That’s what Greg Hardy gave the team in his 12 games of action. Tank should be a solid fixture on the edge, so it all comes down to finding other pass rushers to complement him. It’s hard to guess where that would come from, but once again there are plenty of young players who have a shot at breaking out. They just need one of those guys to come through.

Collectively this group has some real potential. They are not going to be one of those elite defenses that carries a team, but they are going to surprise some people.

Three Bold Predictions For The Dallas Cowboys In 2016

 

[CCBoy]

Can't believe I forgot we signed durant! The dl got Thornton but they lost hardy. There isn't a starting caliber DE on one side and dlaw is suspended. Dlaw had a good half year last year but also had a bad back injury. We're relying on unproven players. That's a risk I don't take when romo only has 3 years left at the most.

Lawrence had the most sacks last season...all coming in the second half, when Hardy was blowing chunks.

But for the record, Lawrence will be out the first four games of this season...just as Hardy was last season Lawrence should have more...so, that argument is mute, and no one else wanted that song and dance on roster.

 

[jday]

All this crying about the pass rush and missing players.

2015 defensive rankings

New York Giants 32
Philadelphia Eagles 30
Washington Commanders 28

Dallas Cowboys 17 with no QB support.

Don't believe the hype.

I do believe the Cowboys defense is better now than it has been in a long time. That said, it is important to note that the above rankings are reliant on stats that don't tell the whole story. Last year, the opposition could feel comfortable taking a conservative approach to winning...and still win. This year, with a healthy Romo, they will not have that luxury. Given that, there's a good chance, as far as the stats are concerned, that the Cowboys will take a step back in the defensive rankings. Because of the aforementioned, that should in no way suggest that the Cowboys defense fell off...it simply means that the opposition will be forced to take chances they wouldn't normally to keep pace on the scoreboard...my bet is, though, most team's won't be able to keep pace and therefore, despite the supposed step back on defense, no one will care because the Cowboys will be winning the majority of those contest anyway.

 

[CCBoy]

Can't believe I forgot we signed durant! The dl got Thornton but they lost hardy. There isn't a starting caliber DE on one side and dlaw is suspended. Dlaw had a good half year last year but also had a bad back injury. We're relying on unproven players. That's a risk I don't take when romo only has 3 years left at the most.

Opportunity waits for no conservative action...

 

[AshyLarry06]

This secondary is not the same it is better. Did you forget Scandrick missed all of last season? And Jones was jumping from corner to safety every other week? And the light seems to have gone off for Claiborne. Our lb corps is the same as a non dependable McClain is equal to Durant. DL simply through health got better plus we signed players (Crawford can use both arms now) David Irving 2nd year in system Hayden gone for Thornton. Our depth is much better. So if you didn't see improvement it's because you weren't trying.

The problem with some fans are that they only notice "improvement" if the offseason additions are "big name" players. Guys like Mayowa, Thornton, Tapper, and Collins mean nothing to them because we didn't sign MARIO WILLIAMS or OLIVIER VERNON to the highest defensive contracts in NFL history. They don't realize that the teams that have won the most games in the past decade (Pats, Ravens, Steelers, Seahawks, etc) don't go out and sign "big name" guys just to please their fanbase but instead, sign guys like CHRIS CLEMONS (seahags a couple years back who turned into a COMPLETE steal) or MICHAEL BENNETT (who wasn't much coming outta TB a few years ago when Seattle snagged him) or guys like Jabaal Sheard (New England) etc, etc. No, they only think the team improved if the FO went out and signed Ndamukong Suh two years ago or snagged Vernon this year because hey, they are better than anything we have right now!! To all the geniuses I've described above, why don't yall take a look at HOW WELL the Fins have fared since signing Suh...

 

[CATCH17]

I do believe the Cowboys defense is better now than it has been in a long time. That said, it is important to note that the above rankings are reliant on stats that don't tell the whole story. Last year, the opposition could feel comfortable taking a conservative approach to winning...and still win. This year, with a healthy Romo, they will not have that luxury. Given that, there's a good chance, as far as the stats are concerned, that the Cowboys will take a step back in the defensive rankings. Because of the aforementioned, that should in no way suggest that the Cowboys defense fell off...it simply means that the opposition will be forced to take chances they wouldn't normally to keep pace on the scoreboard...my bet is, though, most team's won't be able to keep pace and therefore, despite the supposed step back on defense, no one will care because the Cowboys will be winning the majority of those contest anyway.

We need a few guys to step up and be better than we expect. Someone one.. Anyone..


We have to drastically increase our takeaways. I'm fine with our Yards & PPG but the takeaways has to rise.

The football nerd in me is kind of excited for this defensive line but the realist in me just tells me to not expect a whole lot.

 

[Denim Chicken]

The problem with some fans are that they only notice "improvement" if the offseason additions are "big name" players. Guys like Mayowa, Thornton, Tapper, and Collins mean nothing to them because we didn't sign MARIO WILLIAMS or OLIVIER VERNON to the highest defensive contracts in NFL history. They don't realize that the teams that have won the most games in the past decade (Pats, Ravens, Steelers, Seahawks, etc) don't go out and sign "big name" guys just to please their fanbase but instead, sign guys like CHRIS CLEMONS (seahags a couple years back who turned into a COMPLETE steal) or MICHAEL BENNETT (who wasn't much coming outta TB a few years ago when Seattle snagged him) or guys like Jabaal Sheard (New England) etc, etc. No, they only think the team improved if the FO went out and signed Ndamukong Suh two years ago or snagged Vernon this year because hey, they are better than anything we have right now!! To all the geniuses I've described above, why don't yall take a look at HOW WELL the Fins have fared since signing Suh...

Stop. The Broncos filled their holes in FA and won the Super Bowl.

Mario Williams contract was reasonable for a pass rusher.

MICHAEL BENNETT was coming off a 9 sack season before going to SEA.

Jabaal Sheard averaged 7 sack per season before going to NE.

Mayowa has had 2 sacks in 3 seasons. The rest are rookies.

Guys like Guys like Mayowa, Tapper, and Collins are unproven. Hope is not a plan.

 

[Sydla]

I think if everything breaks right for the Cowboys, they can have a defense in that 12-15 range. They simply lack the overall talent (and coaching at this point) to be a legit Top 10 defense.

 

[CATCH17]

The Cowboys will have a top 10 defense
I deliberately put this last in case people stopped reading when they saw it. Over the last three years the Cowboys defense has shown steady improvement. They have gone from dead last in 2013 (415 yards/game), to 21st in 2014 (361 ypg), to 16th last year (348 ypg). It’s even more impressive that they showed improvement despite having one of the worst offensive performances in the league.

The Cowboys defense continues to get better. Just look at the areas where they have improved:

The interior defensive line now has better starters and better depth.

The secondary is stronger as they’ll have all three corners, plus Jones now at safety.

The linebacker group is a big question mark, but they only have two of them on the field 70% of the time. With Sean Lee being one of them, that means they’ll only need production out of 1.3 linebackers. They should be able to find that with these options:

• Anthony "party like it's 2014" Hitchens
• Justin "I’m only good when I’m playing" Durant
• Damien "paintball warrior" Wilson
• Mark "rhymes with Gotcha" Nzeocha

They’ll find some good contributions from these candidates.

The only real issue comes from the defensive end position. DeMarcus Lawrence is demonstrating some great play so far this preseason. This is year number three and could be his breakout season. Is he capable of 35 tackles and six sacks? That’s what Greg Hardy gave the team in his 12 games of action. Tank should be a solid fixture on the edge, so it all comes down to finding other pass rushers to complement him. It’s hard to guess where that would come from, but once again there are plenty of young players who have a shot at breaking out. They just need one of those guys to come through.

Collectively this group has some real potential. They are not going to be one of those elite defenses that carries a team, but they are going to surprise some people.

Three Bold Predictions For The Dallas Cowboys In 2016

They have to find a better way to rank defenses.

I don't care if we are ranked #1 because of YPG. I'd rather have the 20th best defense and be ranked high in Takeaways and PPG.