Dallas still ranked 22nd in total Defense but in 08 were

[thewireman]

Ranked 8th overall? Man thats a big drop off, what do you think has caused the low ranking so far and do you guys think the Boys will remain close to the bottom of the league in total defense by the years end, or do you think they will break the top 10 mark?

 

[RainMan]

A few things:

We had a stretch earlier this season where we were playing bad, bad defense. Tampa Bay and New York comes to mind. Having those two teams total for like 900 yards isn't going to help your ranking.

Secondly, even a team like Seattle the other day "got yards" because they were playing catch up for so long, but clearly it was a dynamic defensive effort. Sometimes stats lie. We're playing pretty good D right now.

 

[JBS]

total defense is based on yards..who cares...what is important is pts per game and we are ranked 10th...last year we gave up 22.8 pts per game, while this year that number is down to 19.4

 

[theogt]

A few things:

We had a stretch earlier this season where we were playing bad, bad defense. Tampa Bay and New York comes to mind. Having those two teams total for like 900 yards isn't going to help your ranking.

Secondly, even a team like Seattle the other day "got yards" because they were playing catch up for so long, but clearly it was a dynamic defensive effort. Sometimes stats lie. We're playing pretty good D right now.

Yup, if you exclude those first two games of the season, we're just outside the top 10. And I think we're continually getting better on defense.

If you looked at only points per game over the last five games, we'd be 4th in the league.

The important thing isn't necessarily where your season long stats are, but where you're trending. And we're trending upwards into the top 10, possibly top 5.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

We're 10th in the league in scoring defense... And if not for that Romo fumble at our own 15 or whatever, we'd probably be 8 or 9. (Edit, darn you glorydays!)

It's funny, back in 03 when Zimmer's D was #1 in yardage, everyone said there was no way that was the best D in the league because yardage didn't matter -- only points did. Now, the points stat is flawed IMO because it counts special teams scores and scores by other teams' defenses on fumble and interception returns... But just saying.

Anyway, maybe it's a good thing that we haven't played great D yet and are still 5-2. Our D will start to look better as the weather and grass fields up north start to get nasty. I still say weather is the big factor no one talks about in helping some of the northern teams to better defensive stats, especially later in the year.

 

[Future]

It would help if we didn't give up a garbage time TD every week too...

TB, Atl, and Seattle all had one

 

[DEZBRYANT x88x]

It would help if we didn't give up a garbage time TD every week too...

TB, Atl, and Seattle all had one

You could probably throw KC in there too.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm not concerned with the stats if the Cowboys continue to play defense as they have been doing over the last 2 to 3 games the stats will take care of themselves. This unit is playing some hard hitting defense and making plays

 

[craig71]

I don't think that the defense will move up in the rankings all that much,if any.As of right now Dallas is ranked #22 giving up 342.1 yards per game,Philly is ranked #10 giving up 296.9 yards per game.This years defense hasn't played all that well at times but they seem to be a bend but don't break unit so far.While I don't believe that this teams total defense ranking will improve I do believe that they can improve on their points allowed per game stat which is 19.4 points per game at this time.

Craig

 

[JBS]

We're 10th in the league in scoring defense... And if not for that Romo fumble at our own 15 or whatever, we'd probably be 8 or 9. (Edit, darn you glorydays!)

It's funny, back in 03 when Zimmer's D was #1 in yardage, everyone said there was no way that was the best D in the league because yardage didn't matter -- only points did. Now, the points stat is flawed IMO because it counts special teams scores and scores by other teams' defenses on fumble and interception returns... But just saying.

Anyway, maybe it's a good thing that we haven't played great D yet and are still 5-2. Our D will start to look better as the weather and grass fields up north start to get nasty. I still say weather is the big factor no one talks about in helping some of the northern teams to better defensive stats, especially later in the year.

yeah, well, no one scores on our special teams! so take that...lol :laugh2:

 

[Hypnotoad]

Ranked 8th overall? Man thats a big drop off, what do you think has caused the low ranking so far and do you guys think the Boys will remain close to the bottom of the league in total defense by the years end, or do you think they will break the top 10 mark?

Our defense is underrated. Trends look good. AVG Points allowed look great especially if you consider how our offense sometimes gives away the ball in our own redzone.

 

[21Savage]

The number will look different after we play Washington twice and Oakland.

 

[casmith07]

Ranked 8th overall? Man thats a big drop off, what do you think has caused the low ranking so far and do you guys think the Boys will remain close to the bottom of the league in total defense by the years end, or do you think they will break the top 10 mark?

I think if you were to look at the spread from about 5th through 25th, you'd see that there really is not a whole lot separating us from the all of the other teams. Ultimately what matters too is Points For vs. Points Against. A team can gain 500 yards of offense in a game against us but if every drive results in a field goal, we're good to go.

 

[NextGenBoys]

We're 10th in the league in scoring defense... And if not for that Romo fumble at our own 15 or whatever, we'd probably be 8 or 9. (Edit, darn you glorydays!)

It's funny, back in 03 when Zimmer's D was #1 in yardage, everyone said there was no way that was the best D in the league because yardage didn't matter -- only points did. Now, the points stat is flawed IMO because it counts special teams scores and scores by other teams' defenses on fumble and interception returns... But just saying.

Anyway, maybe it's a good thing that we haven't played great D yet and are still 5-2. Our D will start to look better as the weather and grass fields up north start to get nasty. I still say weather is the big factor no one talks about in helping some of the northern teams to better defensive stats, especially later in the year.

Living in Iowa, you bet it is.

However, that didnt stop NE from dropping 56 on the Titans.

 

[burmafrd]

it is frankly stupid to use yards as the critical number in ranking Defenses. I mean 10-20 yds a game can move you 10 spots in D ranking and how much does that really mean?

 

[TD-33]

It was the first two games that killed them statically, but for me I love the direction their defense is headed. Before, (like early on this year and alll last year) when the defense was on the field I always 'waited' for that big run or big catch but now I find myself trusting the defense to punish the other team and fly to the ball more.
Dallas still lacks an elite FS and that hurts the team on those late scoring drives. Those are times when elite safeties like Reed, Polamalu, or Sharper for example are ending the other teams chances. Maybe Dallas can get Eric Berry. (j/k)
Eliminate the garbage touchdowns and go into kill mode when the other team is trying to catch up. Then the Cowboys could be top 5 defensively. They have every position covered imo except FS.

 

[jterrell]

This defense is about 10th best in the NFL and that's where it ranks in scoring allowed.

Yardage is rather pointless now and always has been. Good teams should force teams to need more yardage per score than bad ones.

We won't move above the 10 area until we play a little more consistently on defense but that does appear to be coming. Jenkins and Sensabaugh have really solidified the secondary of late and that will show up after they've had a lot more games to effect the stat totals.

 

[DallasDomination]

Tampa and NY make those stats all messed up...Overall these last 2 games we've showed improvement. Not to mention the secondary looks like it's better then last year. Bottom line we have better players and improved players. This defense is better then last years IMO.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Ranked 8th overall? Man thats a big drop off, what do you think has caused the low ranking so far and do you guys think the Boys will remain close to the bottom of the league in total defense by the years end, or do you think they will break the top 10 mark?

It's because Roy Williams isn't playing safety anymore. Now they are exposing Ken Hamlin and Newman instead of just Roy Williams. 2x the exploits means x2 times worse defense. :laugh2:

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

our 2 min defense is TERRIBLE...whether it is the end of the half or end of the game. Ultimately that is what scares me about this team...this team is under so much pressure to perform, that they let out a sigh of a relief when the game is "in the bag". Dominant teams do NOT do that. That drive to end the Giants game earlier in the year....I mean are you kidding me. The Giants were 2-18 from their own 15....the good teams NEVER let them score on that drive.

The end of the 1st half against TB...were Newman gave up a bomb. And Jenkins let a guy get behind him but Leftwich makes a bad throw. They ended up missing the FG...but dominant teams put that away.

The end of the KC game.

The end of the ATL game where we just GAVE them a TD

The end of the Denver game, I mean that was a 10-10 game with 3 mins to go.

Ultimatley EVERY game this year except Carolina we gave up something at the end. ANd I THINK we gave up something at the end of the 1st half against Carolina.

I mean we have to have more confidence on defense and become obsessed with DOMINATING teams..not just winning. Sure winning is ULTIMATLEY what matters, but it is not ALL that matters.


The one that puzzles me is why are we DETERMINED to stay in a 3-4 when teams are throwing? Get you best cover LBer in the game who can also tackle. Let Ware put his hand in the dirt. And get as many safeties and CBs in the game.