Defense looked crisp

[cowboys2233]

I am right there with you on defense. Collinsworth was talking up the defense all night but I did not see it. Like you said, too many big plays but no starters either so I am not worried but the hype was not warranted throughout the game. We were fortunate to come away with a win IMO.

Loved Selvie!

Eh, things are going to be open in the middle of the field, that's just the way it is in today's NFL. A good defense makes its presence felt inside the twenties, less room to move and it really comes down to one on one battles. Frankly, the same can be said for an offense, moving between the twenties is all good and fine, but you need to be able to convert when the field gets smaller. Huge problem for us last year, even though our QB passed for a ton of yards. As far as I'm concerned, all valuable stats should focus solely around efficiency inside the twenties, anything else is just noise. And we did just fine when it really mattered last night.

 

[JPostSam]

i agree with both the enthusiasm over the hustle and the concern over the secondary.

also, i want to see more of selvie and taylor.

 

[Idgit]

Thought Wilcox struggled a bit in coverage. He was very active, but I think he's got a ways to go.

Our CBs played well, throughout. Especially Moore. And Matt Johnson looked good to me when he was in. No amazingly athletic plays, but in position and playing with plenty of range.
Overall, given that we weren't playing our starters, I thought schematically the defense was impressive. Love, love, love the emphasis on turnovers. You could see it paying off early. And it seems like the guys are bought into the scheme already and even the bottom-roster guys who are going to get cut more or less knew their responsibilities. Even when they were slightly out of position, we weren't seeing tons of blown safety coverages like we sometimes did under Ryan.

 

[texbumthelife]

I feel like this style of defense has always been that of, "bend don't break". So while we may give up chunks of yardage between the 20's, I think we give up far less points and come up with more turnovers.

 

[Bowdown27]

the defense looked very good and it was our back ups against some of their 1's. I'm impressed so far. Especially with wilcox and johnson. hopefully they stay healthy and we could have a nice back field.

 

[cowboys2233]

Thought Wilcox struggled a bit in coverage. He was very active, but I think he's got a ways to go.

Love, love, love the emphasis on turnovers.

Never understood this logic. How can you emphasize turnovers? By slapping or grabbing at the ball? If you're slapping at the ball, you ain't tacklin' and that's no good. How many times do you see some defensive player trying to rip a ball out, only to watch the RB or WR fall forward for extra yardage as a result? By being overly aggressive in the secondary and trying to jump more passes? That turns out for the worse more often than not. Any offensive coordinator worth his weight notices that and he's going to double move you all day. No, this is a case of something that plays well in the presses and people run with it. But if you really get down to it, it makes no sense.

When defenses play faster, stronger and bigger than their opponents, the turnovers will come. It's about playing fundamental football and getting as many players on the ball as possible.

 

[noshame]

If healthy, this will be a stout defense. So much so we'll be nicknaming the whole unit and maybe the front four too.

The great news, it'll just keep getting better.

 

[cowboys2233]

If healthy, this will be a stout defense. So much so we'll be nicknaming the whole unit and maybe the front four too.

The great news, it'll just keep getting better.

The only nickname I care about is "Defending Super Bowl Champions." And you know what? That's exactly the nickname they're gonna have after this year. Don't look now, but this team is LOADED.

 

[CalCBFan]

Thing I noticed (and liked) was the lack of jumping around and pointing at each other before the snap of the ball. These guys seemed to know where they were supposed
to be (or thought they did) and who was responsible for whom. This is a real step in the right direction, IMHO. I'd like to see the middle closed-up though, but I've been
wishing for that for 10+ years...

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm looking forward to seeing the 1st unit out there running Kiffins defense. backups did a good job of hustling to the ball but the main talent did not even play last night on defense. There was no Ware, No Lee or Carter, Hatcher or starting CB.

I think this defense is going to knock some socks off this year.

 

[Future]

This was like the Giants game last year.

WRs hold on to any balls and Dallas gets beat.

I agree that the pursuit and effort were good, but there were a lot of guys running around wide open.

 

[SportsGuru80]

....he was exotic, but still couldn't find creative ways to send heat.....in contrast to the Skins playoff game where they sent heat time after time right up the middle without an answer avail by us.......If Rob Ryan sent heat thru the season, it seemed as if the oppenents were ready for it and toasted us with it.

Exactly

 

[Verdict]

The fumble really didn't have anything to do with us "creating" it other than getting on the loose ball. I guess you could give the team credit for the awareness of getting the loose ball and actually being aware enough to make the INT.

 

[5Stars]

I'm not sure what I was watching last night? On both sides of the ball. But, the team looked sharp to me.

 

[cml750]

The defense did look good. Really excited to go back to the 4-3. I have never liked the 3 - 4