Dak's window is closing-have to go veteran route to fix D

[darthseinfeld]

You cannot fix this D this year

you need at least six new starters; not going to happen in one year

Im all for bringing in vets as long as they are here for more than a year.

 

[Cowboyny]

Thank the awful front office for trying to rebuild when you have a veteran quarterback, makes no sense. Blowing it up wont help because this front office is totally inept and will never be able to build anything. Their better off trying to fix the holes.

Schotty or Jerry or whoever the heck is in charge needs to order Eberflus to adapt his defense to base man coverage.
Then if he refuses he's fired. Platoon Sanborn, Wilson, Toia on running downs or under center. Then get them off the field on passing situations or shotgun.

Osa needs to only be in passing situations, he;s too small to play the run. Clark and Toia both give you better size to clog the middle. Sanborn helps vs run but cant cover downfield.
Wilson needs to be nickel lb or safety vs run in the box, get him off the field passing situations. Bring up Julius Wood to play cover safety.

Marist and James should be used in passing situations/spy the QB but one has to cover backs out of the backfield and one has to spy the QB but neither can freelance, meaning if the QB is scrambling and you are covering the back you cant break coverage you have to stay on your man.

It's a total wreck, but we have seen most of these players play much better in the past. This suggests the scheme is a big part of the problem. Yes, there are personnel issues as well, but Eberflus is trying to force his scheme on players that have a different skill set.

 

[Cowboyny]

Im all for bringing in vets as long as they are here for more than a year.

That's what I am suggesting, start adding players now even if it isn't enough as it will be needed moving forward. Take on the salaries for late draft picks.

 

[dacopacabana]

We have two - close to $100mm - cornerbacks that are middle of the pack at best. Diggs is terrible and Bland is slow and doesn't see down and distance when it’s critical.

This is how dumb this organization is. They give those guys money over your best player.

 

[gtb1943]

That's what I am suggesting, start adding players now even if it isn't enough as it will be needed moving forward. Take on the salaries for late draft picks.

but only guys they believe can help in the future; this year is toast; do not spend money or picks on quick fixes that cannot work

 

[shabazz]

That wouldn't fix the defense. That's the problem. Say they didn't trade Parsons. By your thinking they would only need one more impact player. With Parsons, do you think the defense is one impact player away?

Buy 2 legit starting defensive players in FA and draft 2 defensive players in the first round.....that 36% of your starting defense addressed.


It has been done many times by other teams and by Parsons contract not here, makes it very doable by just the average NFL GM.

 

[shabazz]

but only guys they believe can help in the future; this year is toast; do not spend money or picks on quick fixes that cannot work

I would add a proven veteran at any time here IF we could retain him for the following 3 seasons.....if a team starts shedding salaries it might make for a good deal at the time......but yes, its not for this season but for the future

 

[baltcowboy]

Figure Dak has 3-4 years left of being a high-level starter. Makes zero sense to rebuild the defense with a bunch of young prospects. Either you blow it all up or try to fix your need areas with proven NFL Talent. We all know that Eberflus is on burrowed time and he isn't the sole reason why the defense is terrible, but he isn't going to survive after this season.

The first question, is who do we replace Eberflus with and what type of scheme fits this roster?

With the current players we have under contract, I see these needs:

Edge, MLB, Free Safety, Corner, NT-I think the 1st three are priority, where the last two might be more depth.

MUST sign or trade for 2 impact defenders within these three positions and try to fill out the roster with those extra picks acquired in the Parsons trade. As I have been saying for weeks, Edge players have a long, developmental curve, go get your veteran pass rusher, then it becomes easier to fill out the defense.

Disagree look at what the Rams did in two seasons with an older quarterback in Stafford. They have the youngest defense line in the league. The Cowboys just need to do a better job of drafting. None of their defensive players where top 15 picks.

 

[Cowboyny]

but only guys they believe can help in the future; this year is toast; do not spend money or picks on quick fixes that cannot work

No quick 1 year fixes, but long-term pieces. If a bad team wants to get out of a contract, give them a late pick to do so and take on the salary. Fitzpatrick for example is signed through 2026, give them a mid day 3 pick for the salary dump.

 

[Cowboyny]

Disagree look at what the Rams did in two seasons with an older quarterback in Stafford. They have the youngest defense line in the league. The Cowboys just need to do a better job of drafting. None of their defensive players where top 15 picks.

They also have signed quality fa's to their rebuild.

 

[bottleKids]

We have two - close to $100mm - cornerbacks that are middle of the pack at best. Diggs is terrible and Bland is slow and doesn't see down and distance when its critical.

This.

 

[baltcowboy]

They also have signed quality fa's to their rebuild.

Not for their defense.

 

[darthseinfeld]

That's what I am suggesting, start adding players now even if it isn't enough as it will be needed moving forward. Take on the salaries for late draft picks.

I doubt Woolen will cost more than a 6th round pick. Bush probably the same. 26 and 27. Sign them both after the season and you have a few years of affordable starters

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I am not touching our 1st rd picks, but I would make several trades at the deadline to improve this defense. Players like Hendrickson, Fitzpatrick, R. Smith all can possible be had if we take on their contracts. I do not want to hear they don't have the cap space, they certainly do and get restructure other deals to create even more space.

There's no veteran leadership...
You can bring in all the young players you want but they need leadership. The three players you mention not only bring pretty good play quality players but veteran leadership in the locker room.
And like you said we will still have all our first round picks.

 

[charron]

The window was never really open to begin with. The owners are too scared to open the window out of fear they will lose the ac they pay for. What they do is clean the window really good so it appears open but its not. Sad thing is it wouldn't take much for them to fix this defense, mostly a couple of big run stuffing linebackers and a DC that isn't fixated on fast nimble guys in the front 7.

 

[Cowboyny]

There's no veteran leadership...
You can bring in all the young players you want but they need leadership. The three players you mention not only bring pretty good play quality players but veteran leadership in the locker room.
And like you said we will still have all our first round picks.

I feel this is the best way to field a capable defense until Dak retires or is off the team. Add 2-3 impact players either trade or fa and then use those 1st rd picks the next two seasons to draft ready talent.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I feel this is the best way to field a capable defense until Dak retires or is off the team. Add 2-3 impact players either trade or fa and then use those 1st rd picks the next two seasons to draft ready talent.

Makes a lot of sense........use the $42M we were going to pay Micah to sign the 2-3 impact players AND still have your four 1st round picks. That's potentially

3.....impact free agents
4....1st round picks
2.....2nd round picks

Total of potentially 9 top talented players, you can completely rebuild this D

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

That wouldn't fix the defense. That's the problem. Say they didn't trade Parsons. By your thinking they would only need one more impact player. With Parsons, do you think the defense is one impact player away?

This, even with Micah this D still would need a complete overhaul.

 

[Kingofholland]

Figure Dak has 3-4 years left of being a high-level starter. Makes zero sense to rebuild the defense with a bunch of young prospects. Either you blow it all up or try to fix your need areas with proven NFL Talent. We all know that Eberflus is on burrowed time and he isn't the sole reason why the defense is terrible, but he isn't going to survive after this season.

The first question, is who do we replace Eberflus with and what type of scheme fits this roster?

With the current players we have under contract, I see these needs:

Edge, MLB, Free Safety, Corner, NT-I think the 1st three are priority, where the last two might be more depth.

MUST sign or trade for 2 impact defenders within these three positions and try to fill out the roster with those extra picks acquired in the Parsons trade. As I have been saying for weeks, Edge players have a long, developmental curve, go get your veteran pass rusher, then it becomes easier to fill out the defense.

It is a shame, if the defense was just average this team is probably 5-1 at worst. Personnel wise other than Bland, Revel, and Carson they're probably starting over with a rebuild in the secondary. 2 LBs will be needed, then I'm not sure about the dline. I think the group has potential but it's so hard to evaluate when your lbs and secondary leave wide open receivers. When Revel and Carson are back I would pair them with Bland to see how that comes together. I'm still torn what to do with Diggs, but willing to try him as a coverage safety, the only issue is tackling may be subpar.

 

[DUO_CORE]

By the time this defense is fixed, we will need a shiny new offense and it will likely be the work of a shiny new GM.