Cowboys Defense

[Denim Chicken]

We have ONE starting caliber player at LB and the rest are all backup material. Time to face reality.

Durant is starting material when healthy, which he seemingly is. Hitchens, is not spectacular, but has proven capable to start. We have a few redshirts that will need to prove themselves.

 

[Denim Chicken]

They are definitely worse than the 2015 version and that team was bad in the pass rush.

There is no absolute, interior pressure and upgraded secondary play can make a difference.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Durant is starting material when healthy, which he seemingly is. Hitchens, is not spectacular, but has proven capable to start. We have a few redshirts that will need to prove themselves.

If someone throws you in the lineup because they have no one better then by definition you are a starter. But he is a low end starter. That is why we didnt resign him and that is why the next team that did cut him. And its why he wasnt signed when we did sign him. Any way you slice it he is a stop gap addition. He may be starting for the Cowboys, but he probably wouldnt be starting for 80% of the rest of the league.

 

[CowboyRoy]

There is no absolute, interior pressure and upgraded secondary play can make a difference.

I believe that we will have improved secondary play. But its not going to be that much of an improvement. And as far as interior pressure I dont see a big uptick in that either. Thornton was never a pressure guy in Philly. And when your DE's are as bad as ours are, Im not sure it matters. We have no blitzing linebackers that are great at it, no DE's and no pass rushing DT's.

If you want to think different, by all means that is your opinion. Personally, I dont see how the pass rush could be any worse then it will be the first 4 games.

 

[Sydla]

Durant is starting material when healthy, which he seemingly is. Hitchens, is not spectacular, but has proven capable to start. We have a few redshirts that will need to prove themselves.

Hitchens starts because he needs to. He doesn't start because he's good enough to be a starter.

Again, I am not trying to disparage Hitchens. He fills a valuable role here as a flex LB. But he starts because the Cowboys have real issues at any LB spot not manned by Lee.

 

[Denim Chicken]

If someone throws you in the lineup because they have no one better then by definition you are a starter. But he is a low end starter. That is why we didnt resign him and that is why the next team that did cut him. And its why he wasnt signed when we did sign him. Any way you slice it he is a stop gap addition. He may be starting for the Cowboys, but he probably wouldnt be starting for 80% of the rest of the league.

His problem has always been staying on the field, not his play. Dude's been a starter for 9 years. Was second in tackles for ATL last year while missing three games.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Hitchens starts because he needs to. He doesn't start because he's good enough to be a starter.

Again, I am not trying to disparage Hitchens. He fills a valuable role here as a flex LB. But he starts because the Cowboys have real issues at any LB spot not manned by Lee.

I think the jury is still out on Hitch. This is his third year. He looked good in 2014 and I think, perhaps, regressed a tad in 2015. An up-gradable player, no doubt, but they can't all be pro bowlers.

 

[CowboyRoy]

His problem has always been staying on the field, not his play. Dude's been a starter for 9 years. Was second in tackles for ATL last year while missing three games.

He played here for 4 years. He was a complete disappointment until he had a good year that final year. Nice to know he did well in Atlanta last year.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I believe that we will have improved secondary play. But its not going to be that much of an improvement. And as far as interior pressure I dont see a big uptick in that either. Thornton was never a pressure guy in Philly. And when your DE's are as bad as ours are, Im not sure it matters. We have no blitzing linebackers that are great at it, no DE's and no pass rushing DT's.

If you want to think different, by all means that is your opinion. Personally, I dont see how the pass rush could be any worse then it will be the first 4 games.

If Thornton and/or McClain can command double teams, you'll see increased pressure from the 3-tech that is singled and that is where the interior pressure comes from. I'm hopeful for a healthy Crawford being formidable at that position. I'm also hopeful for one of the youngsters to step up at end. The point being, I cannot say for sure this defense is worse until I see it's final form in action.

 

[Denim Chicken]

He played here for 4 years. He was a complete disappointment until he had a good year that final year. Nice to know he did well in Atlanta last year.

He played here for two years (12' & 13') in which he was injured all the time (only played 16 games). He had over 100 tackles the year before he came to Dallas. Though, he's not getting any younger.

 

[Jstopper]

Average is bad to me. If its not good, its bad. Maybe a little too generalizing. And again, I dont buy that the defense is better because of an offense. You are either good or bad, nothing to do with the offense. Now will the "yards given up" and the "points given up" stats give a false impression because the Offense is hogging the ball? Now that I can agree with.

But this team will have a "bad" pass rush that I can say with confidence. I dont care if they appear better than the 2014 version or not. They are definitely worse than the 2015 version and that team was bad in the pass rush.

Turnovers seems to be a bit of a mystery. bad pash rush and lack of play makers in the secondary typically has meant low turnovers. But when the offense goes off and we run the ball teams seems to take more chances and that leads to turnovers like 2014. So who knows there. Frankly, I think the turnover thing in 2014 was a fluke.

This pass rush will not be as bad as you're saying. Want to make a signature bet out of it?

 

[Jstopper]

He played here for 4 years. He was a complete disappointment until he had a good year that final year. Nice to know he did well in Atlanta last year.

Durant definitely was not here for 4 years. It was two.

 

[CowboyRoy]

If Thornton and/or McClain can command double teams, you'll see increased pressure from the 3-tech that is singled and that is where the interior pressure comes from. I'm hopeful for a healthy Crawford being formidable at that position. I'm also hopeful for one of the youngsters to step up at end. The point being, I cannot say for sure this defense is worse until I see it's final form in action.

Why would Thorton command a double team? Crawford is already ailing and has he commanded a double team on a consistent basis? If this guy doenst break out this year, then he has to be considered a bust in terms of what we signed him to be.

 

[CowboyRoy]

This pass rush will not be as bad as you're saying. Want to make a signature bet out of it?

wow, a guy that wants to back up his statement with a bet. I love it.

But first, what is the bet? Do you want me to make an over under bet on number of sacks? How should we proceed?

 

[Denim Chicken]

Why would Thorton command a double team? Crawford is already ailing and has he commanded a double team on a consistent basis? If this guy doenst break out this year, then he has to be considered a bust in terms of what we signed him to be.

Thorton has a lot of power. To have him command double teams is the point of upgrading the position. That's what make this scheme work.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Durant definitely was not here for 4 years. It was two.

Yah, I think I am getting him mixed up with another 2nd round pick Lber. What was his name?

Needles to say.........Durant is not better than what McClain brought to the table when he was on the field.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Thorton has a lot of power. To have him command double teams is the point of upgrading the position. That's what make this scheme work.

This scheme has never worked in Dallas. The 1 technique has always been the red headed step child with Marinelli. Im glad we upgraded, but I doubt this guy is all of a sudden going to command a double team. He didnt command that consistently in Philly. Thorton has all of 2 or 3 sacks his entire career? What is going to change here?

 

[Denim Chicken]

This scheme has never worked in Dallas. The 1 technique has always been the red headed step child with Marinelli. Im glad we upgraded, but I doubt this guy is all of a sudden going to command a double team. He didnt command that consistently in Philly. Thorton has all of 2 or 3 sacks his entire career? What is going to change here?

How are you going to get sacks if your double teamed? Look at the best 1-techs in the leauge--they don't have a ton of sacks. Its all about opening up single blocks for the 3-tech and stuffing your gaps. I can't comment if he was doubled in Philly often because I never studied his tape (I'm assuming you haven't either). We also have McClain, who I think might be better than Thorton if he stays healthy. That's a pretty good rotation. But, even if it works it still hinges on penetration from Crawford and the 3-tech rotation. He has really got to step up this year if our pass rush has any chance.

 

[CCBoy]

This scheme has never worked in Dallas. The 1 technique has always been the red headed step child with Marinelli. Im glad we upgraded, but I doubt this guy is all of a sudden going to command a double team. He didnt command that consistently in Philly. Thorton has all of 2 or 3 sacks his entire career? What is going to change here?

The rebuild based upon the turn-around following the lock out, has been successful. First, the resources went to the offensive line. The team had to also stick to rebuilding the cap, from that point. It was based upon selection of top physical trait players. But roster spots were determined by the best group of instincts at position.

But thing here, is that offense was the first priority. After that was staffed with preferred players, with the change in Scouting...the defensive side has been primarily addressed over the past two seasons. To be fair, one more draft and current development of talent has to be given a chance. That is what it is...no matter how many complaints one comes up with. Be patient and give it a valid chance...stay away from sky is falling views.

 

[CowboyRoy]

How are you going to get sacks if your double teamed? Look at the best 1-techs in the leauge--they don't have a ton of sacks. Its all about opening up single blocks for the 3-tech and stuffing your gaps. I can't comment if he was doubled in Philly often because I never studied his tape (I'm assuming you haven't either). We also have McClain, who I think might be better than Thorton if he stays healthy. That's a pretty good rotation. But, even if it works it still hinges on penetration from Crawford and the 3-tech rotation. He has really got to step up this year if our pass rush has any chance.

I think you are optimistic by nature. And that is fine. I like to see it first and Thornton, Crawford, and McClain hasnt shown it yet. Crawford maybe in flashed. Now I like the Thorton pick. I have Philly friends and they told me they will miss the guy. He was great against the run. Seems perfect for what Marinelli wants for the 1 technique. But I have heard nothing about this guy being a big difference maker or a push the pocket pressure player. Pressure in this defense comes from the DE's and the 3 technique. I dont see any pro bowl caliber types on our team at those 3 positions. Lawrence maybe in the future. Crawford cant stay healthy. Can he break out one year? Hope is all we can do at this point. He already dinged up again.