Cowboys quietly upgraded every group on defense

[Galian Beast]

Secondary - Only added one player, but it was first rounder Byron Jones. And as I've said, I think there is real potential to get some investment back from a returning Morris Claiborne, especially in a reduced role, with an improved pass rush.

Linebacker - Not only did they draft a linebacker fairly high, but the return of Sean Lee is like adding a pro bowl player in the off-season.

Defensive line - Defensive line was the greatest weakness on this defense last year, and is why people are still overlooking the Dallas defense now. We signed Pro Bowler Greg Hardy, who I think we can all be more confident about not missing more than 2 games now. We didn't just stop there, but we also drafted first round talent Randy Gregory, and Ryan Russell in the 5th round.

We could easily have 6 (out of 11) new starters on defense this year, and people think we still have the same defense as last year? Have fun with that. I'm including a healthy Terrell McClain as a replacement for Hayden.

Our Nickel which is the package we're in the most, could look like this


Scandrick - Claiborne - Jones - Wilcox - Carr

Lee* - McClain* (though there are thoughts he wouldn't be in the nickel)

Gregory^ - Lawrence* - Crawford* - Hardy*

* - Clear pro bowl potential
^ - Clear defensive rookie of the year potential

 

[Macnalty]

I think you may have underestimated how well our LBers who are gone played last year. Carter made this team better along with Justin Durant. Press the brake a little on Sean Lee returning to full steam ahead. I also was expecting big things from our troubled Dline especially with Josh Brent who I think would of been a handful if he made it through training camp.
If Claiborne comes back it will be a huge surprise in my mind. In three years I think we have seen the real player and that guy did not get an extension of his contract.

 

[Sasquatch]

I am not sure signing Hardy, drafting Gregory, and signing Collins as UDFA qualifies as "quiet" although the main point is valid and encouraging for the upcoming season. I am a little more concerned about the LBs, though, including the "return of Sean Lee" given his injury history.

 

[Alexander]

Every "group", yes, technically.

The middle of the defense, mainly defensive tackle and safety has been untouched or even weaker by attrition (if you think Brent counts).

They still look like they prefer building outside in, which I do not necessarily agree with.

 

[Craig]

What the cowboys did this offseason was the least quiet of any team in the league with the potential exception of philly.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Every "group", yes, technically.

The middle of the defense, mainly defensive tackle and safety has been untouched or even weaker by attrition (if you think Brent counts).

They still look like they prefer building outside in, which I do not necessarily agree with.

This a joke about the outside in philosophy? We have our 3 tech with some interesting backups to Crawford.

Why people continue to wail and gnash their teeth over our 1 tech indifference I'll never quite understand.

 

[Alexander]

This a joke about the outside in philosophy? We have our 3 tech with some interesting backups to Crawford.

Why people continue to wail and gnash their teeth over our 1 tech indifference I'll never quite understand.

Big difference here is that I don't consider Terrell McClain and Chris Whaley "interesting" until they either learn to stay healthy or do, well, anything. Until then it is just a bunch of finger crossing that has not much behind it. These are not undeniable talents here.

It is not just griping about 1-T. It is bad with Hayden, worse after him with Bishop and Coleman.

Aside from Crawford, each and every one of them is replaceable and the group reminds me of what we had in 2013.

Crawford is the only one of the six on the roster at DT that I would keep if I blew up the roster.

And no, it is not a joke about building outside in. They were serious about adding talent at the perimeter (corner, end) and did next to nothing through the middle.

 

[waving monkey]

that some of us dont understand the front offices view on the in house 1 tech DT
might be a problem of our own lack of inside knowledge or the cards didn't fall right?

 

[Alexander]

that some of us dont understand the front offices view on the in house 1 tech DT
might be a problem of our own lack of inside knowledge or the cards didn't fall right?

I think everyone is well aware of how little they value 1-T. They have had Hayden starting there for three years. They just want a body that apparently knows what to do and tries hard. Nevermind if they do not have the ability to do more, like, make a play every now and then to attract more attention to allow others to make plays of their own.

 

[viman96]

Signing Greg Hardy and drafting Randy Gregory were statement moves that made plenty of noise. Also you overlooked resigning Rolando McClain for the LBer group which is huge.

 

[CF74]

I wasn't aware we drafted a new nose guard this year...

 

[Future]

I think you may have underestimated how well our LBers who are gone played last year. Carter made this team better along with Justin Durant. Press the brake a little on Sean Lee returning to full steam ahead.

Agreed.

This LB corps took a serious hit.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I think everyone is well aware of how little they value 1-T. They have had Hayden starting there for three years. They just want a body that apparently knows what to do and tries hard. Nevermind if they do not have the ability to do more, like, make a play every now and then to attract more attention to allow others to make plays of their own.

Why does this sentence bring to mind the kid in the Bad News Bears who was always sent out to intentionally get hit by the pitcher?

 

[Alexander]

Why does this sentence bring to mind the kid in the Bad News Bears who was always sent out to intentionally get hit by the pitcher?

Hayden is a bit bigger than Rudi Stein though.

 

[ThreeandOut]

Big difference here is that I don't consider Terrell McClain and Chris Whaley "interesting" until they either learn to stay healthy or do, well, anything. Until then it is just a bunch of finger crossing that has not much behind it. These are not undeniable talents here.

It is not just griping about 1-T. It is bad with Hayden, worse after him with Bishop and Coleman.

Aside from Crawford, each and every one of them is replaceable and the group reminds me of what we had in 2013.

Crawford is the only one of the six on the roster at DT that I would keep if I blew up the roster.

And no, it is not a joke about building outside in. They were serious about adding talent at the perimeter (corner, end) and did next to nothing through the middle.

What you aren't accounting for in evaluating the DT's is that you now have a glut of DE's, some of whom will be getting significant amount of playing time at DT. You could have proven players like Hardy or Mincey getting DT reps in passing situations.

 

[Galian Beast]

On the linebackers
Sean Lee's return brings a pro bowl caliber player back to the defense. A healthier and more in shape McClain is an upgrade as well. Carter was in and out of the starting lineup last year, and Durant was injured early on. The Cowboys drafted a linebacker in the 4th to shore up the depth of the position. Sean Lee is a huge upgrade to Carter, and Durant played 324 snaps last year. Carter didn't play well, he had some key plays, but that doesn't make him a consistent linebacker, which is why he sat on the bench most of the year, despite coming in as a starter.

On the 1 Technique
One day, people will learn that they don't want a 330 lbs guy there. That your expectation of that position is NOT what Marinelli is looking for.

On whether or not these moves were quiet
I do think they were quiet. I don't think much noise is being made about most of these players and what they bring to this defense. I think you'll start hearing a lot more people talk about this defense after Hardy's first game back, maybe even before then.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Big difference here is that I don't consider Terrell McClain and Chris Whaley "interesting" until they either learn to stay healthy or do, well, anything. Until then it is just a bunch of finger crossing that has not much behind it. These are not undeniable talents here.

It is not just griping about 1-T. It is bad with Hayden, worse after him with Bishop and Coleman.

Aside from Crawford, each and every one of them is replaceable and the group reminds me of what we had in 2013.

Crawford is the only one of the six on the roster at DT that I would keep if I blew up the roster.

And no, it is not a joke about building outside in. They were serious about adding talent at the perimeter (corner, end) and did next to nothing through the middle.

No you're just. Owing the goalposts.

"outside in" has always meant prioritizing skinny guys over beef.

Now that we hsv seriously invested in our line and our linebacker core.... Suddenly "outside in" means prioritizing DE over DT?

Some people will never be happy. And will make themselves look foolish to share their displeasure. Don't be that guy @Alexander

 

[big dog cowboy]

Cowboys quietly upgraded every group on defense

 

[Galian Beast]

What you aren't accounting for in evaluating the DT's is that you now have a glut of DE's, some of whom will be getting significant amount of playing time at DT. You could have proven players like Hardy or Mincey getting DT reps in passing situations.

Exactly, they've spoken about Hardy, Mincey, and Lawrence all sliding inside at times. Ultimately this defensive line is all about getting to the QB. The key for the linebackers, safeties, and corners is playing their part in run defense. Huge reason why Sean Lee returning is key. I wonder if we could get a stat about our success against the run with Sean Lee in games versus with him out of games for 2011-2013.

 

[Alexander]

Agreed.

This LB corps took a serious hit.

Yes and no. Durant got hurt too much and it depended on what Carter you would get week to week. That said, Brinkley, Gachkar and Rivers cannot come close to their talent and ability. Unless the Minnesota kid is a revelation, it is significantly weaker, even with Lee coming back, briefly before getting hurt again.