News: Dallas Cowboys: Why defense doesn’t win championships

[Idgit]

It's passing effectiveness differential. Doesn't matter if it's offense, defense, or some of both.

But addressing our defense has been the best bang for our buck each of the last three seasons given how effective our offense is. And we've been pulling punches there for whatever reasons.

 

[Doomsday101]

One of them balanced teams. How'd they do that? But seriously it generally comes down to the QB of the team w the help of the defense; not vice versa.

I notice you say generally. No team is built the exact same way. There are still hardcore defense that does more than their share to win games. Peyton Manning was not all that great this year but Denver defense was fantastic and even Carolina their defense made big plays they scored they kept the pressure off the offense. It is hard on any offense when they know they must score a lot to win because their defense in incapable, that is when offense and QB start forcing things and that leads to turnovers.

I think any team expecting to win a championship must bring both offense and defense to the table because there are some teams out there who can and do. I don't see too many 1 arm boxers winning championship nor do I see many NFL teams winning SB with major weakness be it offense or defense.

 

[BigStar]

I notice you say generally. No team is built the exact same way. There are still hardcore defense that does more than their share to win games. Peyton Manning was not all that great this year but Denver defense was fantastic and even Carolina their defense made big plays they scored they kept the pressure off the offense. It is hard on any offense when they know they must score a lot to win because their defense in incapable, that is when offense and QB start forcing things and that leads to turnovers.

I think any team expecting to win a championship must bring both offense and defense to the table because there are some teams out there who can and do. I don't see too many 1 arm boxers winning championship nor do I see many NFL teams winning SB with major weakness be it offense or defense.

DEN was part of that outlier point; similar to Roth getting one of his SBs having a putrid QB rating, etc and SEA to some extent. Osweller (sp?) still got them into the playoffs but he's not TR. I would like a dominant defense to help TR, but we are too late for that at this point after having wasting resources along the way, etc. IF TR stays healthy all year and we use Zeke as expected, an average D will win the East.

 

[Doomsday101]

DEN was part of that outlier point; similar to Roth getting one of his SBs having a putrid QB rating, etc and SEA to some extent. Osweller (sp?) still got them into the playoffs but he's not TR. I would like a dominant defense to help TR, but we are too late for that at this point after having wasting resources along the way, etc.

I see no way around it, Dallas defense will have to step up and make plays. I don't mean being a top 5 defense what I do mean is much like 2014 a team with not a lot of talent overall on defense was 2nd in the NFL in turnovers, they made plays that helped make the difference. I think anyone hoping Dallas can win, go to post season and do something with offense alone is kidding themselves. Defense will have to do their part.

 

[BlueNSilver88]

No, defenses by themselves don't win championships, TEAMS do. It takes a total TEAM effort to win a ring, and there are various ways of winning one. Sure, having a great D like the Broncos had this past season definitely helps, but they would not have won if the offense didn't play conservatively and let the D and ST carry them.

For OUR team, our O is our key. IF our O is able to play with the identity they are trying to form (run heavy & ball control) then our D is not going to be tasked with as much of a heavy burden. If we can get just solid production from our D on the time they are actually on the field, that is a huge plus to our chances of winning.

Not to mention, ideally, they are more fresh because of our O controlling the ball and the clock. It then shouldn't matter if we have a dominant defense, just that they don't totally **** the bed every time they see the field. And let's face it, last season to my naked eye, our D was pretty solid until they gassed out late in the 2nd half of games.

Winning a championship requires a team to be in unison, to have a gameplan and understanding of what they as a TEAM need to do to produce a favorable result.

There are multiple ways to reach a destination.

 

[BigStar]

I see no way around it, Dallas defense will have to step up and make plays. I don't mean being a top 5 defense what I do mean is much like 2014 a team with not a lot of talent overall on defense was 2nd in the NFL in turnovers, they made plays that helped make the difference. I think anyone hoping Dallas can win, go to post season and do something with offense alone is kidding themselves. Defense will have to do their part.

Me too. Initial post was more generally speaking statistics yada yada not straight contradiction to your point or nothing. I agree with your point about the D "holding up" and being opportunistic too. I think adding Thornton as the 1 will help the LBs (soft middle) and pass rush by collapsing the pocket to help Law/Gregory once they return so there is potential on the Dline to help the secondary.

 

[yimyammer]

And some won't bother with all the thinking and just complain about everything else...

I thought being a fan provided privileges as to support...oh, you prefer Platex Living Bras.

Whatever. If somebody's not waving Pom-poms, you're quick on the attack. And then have the nerve to try to play the victim card when somebody gives it back to you. The record clearly shows who it is that initiates strife and conflict.

Check the mirror.

Roll out the burn barrel, we'll have a burn barrel of fun

Roll out the burn barrel, we've got the blues on the run

Zing boom tararrel, ring out a song of good cheer

Now's the time to roll the burn barrel, for the gang's all here

Da da da da, da da da da, da da da da da da da da

Roll it out, roll it out, roll out the burn barrel

Da da da da da da da da da da da da

Sing a song of good cheer

'Cause the whole gang is here

Roll it out, roll it out

Let's do the burn barrel polka!!!

 

[BigStar]

It's passing effectiveness differential. Doesn't matter if it's offense, defense, or some of both.

But addressing our defense has been the best bang for our buck each of the last three seasons given how effective our offense is. And we've been pulling punches there for whatever reasons.

Gimme my SS! I think Jones will grow into a great FS. CBs will come later but thought we were going to attack that more aggressively this year as well tbh.

 

[JoeKing]

Good offence get's you to the playoffs. In most cases, having a good defence also, is the difference that wins championships.

 

[Doomsday101]

No, defenses by themselves don't win championships, TEAMS do. It takes a total TEAM effort to win a ring, and there are various ways of winning one. Sure, having a great D like the Broncos had this past season definitely helps, but they would not have won if the offense didn't play conservatively and let the D and ST carry them.

For OUR team, our O is our key. IF we can get solid production from our D, and our O is able to play with the identity they are trying to form (run heavy & ball control) then our D is not going to be tasked with as much of a heavy burden. Winning a championship requires a team to be in unison, to have a gameplan and understanding of what they as a TEAM need to do to produce a favorable result.

There are multiple ways to reach a destination.

Fully agree with you.

 

[percyhoward]

Over the last 50 years, every Super Bowl winner has had a defense that was playoff-caliber (Top 12) in scoring in the regular season, or that played to that level in the playoffs. There isn't one single exception.

This defense will have to play at that level -- in the regular season, the playoffs, or both -- in order for this team to win it all. Either that or it will have to make history.

 

[dogunwo]

...for the "our d sucks" posts a coming...LOL..

Oh, and how does he misspell Walter's last name......

Recency bias. "Peyton" Manning is what he was thinking about probably.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

How did this turn in to a Greg Hardy thread.

 

[Wizarus]

Wait, what? Did the Wade Defense not dominate an entire season, playoffs, and carry Manning during the Superbowl months ago?

 

[Jstopper]

This defense maybe not, but the 70's and 90's team had a defense that made the difference. A very good to great defense will take you a long way to a Superbowl, Look at the ravens an at best average o with a great defense, the 84 Bears (or was it 86) Bears, an at best average O with a tremendous defense. Look at any Steelers team that won it, an at best average O with a great defense.

You may be right, but I still believe a very good to great defense wins a superbowl in almost any year.

He actually mentioned the 85 bears in his article. Their offense was nowhere near average. You should read the whole article

 

[BAT]

No, defenses by themselves don't win championships, TEAMS do. It takes a total TEAM effort to win a ring, and there are various ways of winning one. Sure, having a great D like the Broncos had this past season definitely helps, but they would not have won if the offense didn't play conservatively and let the D and ST carry them.

For OUR team, our O is our key. IF our O is able to play with the identity they are trying to form (run heavy & ball control) then our D is not going to be tasked with as much of a heavy burden. If we can get just solid production from our D on the time they are actually on the field, that is a huge plus to our chances of winning.

Not to mention, ideally, they are more fresh because of our O controlling the ball and the clock. It then shouldn't matter if we have a dominant defense, just that they don't totally **** the bed every time they see the field. And let's face it, last season to my naked eye, our D was pretty solid until they gassed out late in the 2nd half of games.

Winning a championship requires a team to be in unison, to have a gameplan and understanding of what they as a TEAM need to do to produce a favorable result.

There are multiple ways to reach a destination.

The best offense in NFL history could do nothing in the SB when Manning, at the zenith of his powers, took the Broncos to the SB versus Seatle a few seasons ago. Even the very best offense of all time could not defeat the best defense in the league THAT season, Seahawks have never been touted as the best D in league history.

Need to be great in all 3 phases of the game, true, but not all 3 phases are equally important or impactful when it comes to winning championships.

 

[casmith07]

While I think you still have to have some defense, I think in the modern NFL its much less important with how they officiate the games.

The Illegal Contact penalty effectively eliminated 98% of secondaries from mattering in the NFL from a game to game basis.

 

[casmith07]

So it was something else besides simply having leads that caused their opponents to turn the ball over in 2009. Probably just better defense.

Or worse opponents?

It gets dangerous when people try too hard to compare things on a year to year basis. Always appreciate your statistical research and posts! They really put things in perspective.

 

[Sydla]

Great article in the sense he undermined his whole point halfway through the article. LOL.

Landryhat tends to be a homer-like blog.

For this team to get to the Super Bowl, their defense is going to have to play like a Top Ten defense.

 

[percyhoward]

Or worse opponents?

It gets dangerous when people try too hard to compare things on a year to year basis. Always appreciate your statistical research and posts! They really put things in perspective.

That was the first thing I looked at, but the schedule of offenses they faced was about the same -- among the five easiest -- both years.