CW: So You're Saying There's a Chance: Cowboys may overcome defensive woes

[jobberone]

So You're Saying There's a Chance: Cowboys may overcome defensive woes

By: Khari Murphy and Patrik Walker | July 5, 2016 6:00 pm ET


When it rains, it pours.

This seems to be the case with the Cowboys this 2016 off-season having now received suspensions to three starters in linebacker Rolando McClain, DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory.

Add injuries to the mix such as rookie defensive tackle Maliek Collins (foot) and running back Darren McFadden (elbow), and it makes for a brutal summer for Dallas.

Fortunately, just as quickly as things can go downhill…they can reverse fortune.

Recall when QB Tony Romo had season ending surgery in 2013, DeMarcus Ware was released and Sean Lee tore his ACL; leaving the compass to the 2014 season pointed due south. The Cowboys went on to deliver a 12-4 record and won their first playoff game since 2009; after being predicted to finish last in the NFC East.
Realistically, though, what are the Cowboys’ chances of competing for a Super Bowl win given their current defensive woes?

After assessing several teams throughout history, this Cowboys club apparently does have a shot beyond the obvious offensive juggernaut side of the equation.

Here are four teams’ historical data given in a blind set to prove the point.

Test your knowledge to see if you can figure out which is the Cowboys’ team.

Defense RankSacksINTForced FumblesAvg. Points given up per driveTurnover %Team Record
?24th3922121.317.6%?
?21st2415202.0816.7%?
?19th2818201.8316.8%?
?27th4820151.9214.8%?
All four of the above organizations finished in the bottom half of the league in terms of yards allowed. Two of the teams, however, excelled at getting to the quarterback and forcing turnovers; both of which have plagued the Cowboys recently.

***snip***

http://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/201...a-chance-cowboys-may-overcome-defensive-woes/

 

[jobberone]

Middle of the pack. Pressure and TO Diff will determine whether we are 11-14 wins or 8-10 though.

 

[Alexander]

Middle of the pack. Pressure and TO Diff will determine whether we are 11-14 wins

14 wins?

 

[RJ_MacReady]

Obligatory:

 

[jobberone]

14 wins?

What you delusionally think above and what we see is this:



Grow up Alexander and find someone else to be the butt of your agenda. Don't mess with me.

 

[MWH1967]

Quincy Carter found himself in a 10 win season.....True story. just saying.If that can happen this team can win 14. The schedule is not world beaters every week this year. 4 games and you will have 3 out of the 4 back unless Mac Fad finds a new home. not sure about the rookies foot...

 

[DandyDon1722]

I think middle of the pack is reasonable. The turnovers will be much improved simply from sheer dumb luck. TOP will be a huge help as will Jones at safety and Thorton in run stopping. The difference makers will be if Tapper and a player like Nzeocha can emerge early on.

Funny but the best we may ever see of the defense until later in the season will be in first quarters of pre-season games when Ro, DLaw & Gregory all on the field along with a healthy Scandrick.

 

[endersdragon]

14 wins?

And I am sure you would have posted the same thing if someone had said 12 wins before the 2014 season.

 

[Califan007]

And I am sure you would have posted the same thing if someone had said 12 wins before the 2014 season.

There have only been a handful of teams that were able to get 14 wins over the last 10 years (the Pats did it twice), and I think they each had a QB in the prime of their career at the time.

 

[Alexander]

And I am sure you would have posted the same thing if someone had said 12 wins before the 2014 season.

Only 18 teams have registered a 14 win season; it is very hard to do.

But thanks for reading into it though.

 

[jazzcat22]

Well, then we can have a chance to be the 19th team to get to 14 wins.

Chances are we can get closer to 14 wins than we will fail and only get 8 wins. In the middle at 11 wins, will be considered a success, not a push on the range of wins.
The offense can get back to the 2014 level, or better.
We have more talent overall on defense now then the 2014 team, and stat wise the 2015 defense did not get worse. They seemed worse because the offense was worse without Dez & Tony.
There is no reason to believe, if healthy [as that really should go without saying it] that this team can't win the division and make the playoffs. Many reasons to believe it can win and make the playoffs.

 

[TrailBlazer]

I don't understand how anyone could think this will be a good enough defense. The talent is unreliable, suspended or will be injured. Recent history says no. Our offense better start fast so we can play with the lead and milk clock because I don't see this defense making many stops.

 

[DFWJC]

9-12 win team, imo

check back in at the end of pre-season

 

[jazzcat22]

I don't understand how anyone could think this will be a good enough defense. The talent is unreliable, suspended or will be injured. Recent history says no. Our offense better start fast so we can play with the lead and milk clock because I don't see this defense making many stops.

Well, I think that is the plan.

However this defense has better players in position to improve from the last 2 years defenses. Though we won't see it the first four games.
But Lawrence in his 3rd year, Gregory in his 2nd. Jones as a true FS, therefore allowing Church to be a better true SS. Claiborne coming off a solid year, as he and Carr are flipping sides.
Scandrick is back.
We actually have what could be a very good DL interior with Thornton and a healthy T. Crawford, a healthy T. McClain, and some depth in Irving and others. Malik Collins if he recovers in time.
We are not devoid of talent like we were in the past. Now they do need to step up and show that.
So in TC we shall see any glimpses of this.

It is not as bad as it seems. But they do need to get it together. Get through the injuries and suspensions.

 

[jazzcat22]

9-12 win team, imo

check back in at the end of pre-season

Probably a good range for wins right there at this point in time.

 

[KingLerxst]

Only 18 teams have registered a 14 win season; it is very hard to do.

But thanks for reading into it though.

True. Even with Collins fully healthy. Lawrence,Gregory and McClain playing a full 16 games. 14 wins would have been pretty tough to predict for this team.

 

[cowboyblue22]

no cowboys team in the history of the dallas cowboys have won games and have won 13 twice. they have a really good offense and if they stay really healthy and some of the young players on defense step up could be a pretty good season if they don't step up then more than likely a 8 or 9 win team and they also have to stay really healthy.

 

[cowboyblue22]

sorry didn't proof read my post should be 14 games they have never won in their history.

 

[Omegasupreme]

Middle of the pack. Pressure and TO Diff will determine whether we are 11-14 wins or 8-10 though.

Rankings are kind of secondary to plain stats. The 2015 Dallas defense held 9 opponents to 19 points or less. Dallas won four of those games. Dallas went into OT against the Saints tied at 20. So those are 10 games where the Dallas defense allowed the Dallas offense to try to use it's favorable time of possession (ie holding the ball longer than the opponent _51.88% in 2015) to try to score at least 2 TDs and 2-3 FGs.

It's really not that bleak. Dallas still had a good chance last year with this defense. Just needed to put offensive points on the board series by series. and not allow pick sixes and special teams errors.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Rankings are kind of secondary to plain stats. The 2015 Dallas defense held 9 opponents to 19 points or less. Dallas won four of those games. Dallas went into OT against the Saints tied at 20. So those are 10 games where the Dallas defense allowed the Dallas offense to try to use it's favorable time of possession (ie holding the ball longer than the opponent _51.88% in 2015) to try to score at least 2 TDs and 2-3 FGs.

It's really not that bleak. Dallas still had a good chance last year with this defense. Just needed to put offensive points on the board series by series. and not allow pick sixes and special teams errors.

Second to last in PPG. Dead last in turnover ratio. Yet still led or tied in 11 games last season.