Jumbo075
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Cowboys fans are right to be concerned about the decline of the offense since over the last 10 games. The passing game has been anemic, and the Oline has been in flux since the departures of Ron Leary and Doug Free (the most underrated member of the Cowboys Oline.) The Combination of Chaz Green/Jonathan Cooper/Connor Williams at Left Guard, and La'el Collins at Right Tackle just hasn't been up to the standard that Leary and Free provided in the magical 2016 season. Add in the unexpected rare disease diagnosis for Center Travis Frederick, and the vaunted Oline just hasn't been living up to it's reputation lately.
But, the defense has gradually, gradually, gradually, and then SUDDENLY improved. Over the past 7 regular season games, the Cowboys have only surrendered 91 points - an average of 13 points per game. The pressure from the front 7 has befuddled opponents, and Kris Richards' decision to move Byron Jones to his natural CB position this year is proving to be an excellent one. The Cowboys outside coverage with Awuzie and Jones has, for the most part, locked out receivers early this season. And that has allowed the Cowboys to unleash the linebackers to blitz. That blitzing, along with the pressure from a young, hungry Dline group, has produced 9 sacks in the first 2 games - on pace for a record tying 72 sacks this season if this keeps up - a mark set by the vaunted Chicago defense of the mid-80's. All this with 13 snaps from Randy Gregory, David Irving on probation, and the starting free safety injured.
It appears that we Cowboys fans may need to adjust our TV viewing habits early this season as this become a defensive show. For fantasy football aficionados, this is reason for mourning. There will be great wailing and gnashing of teeth for those who believe the only way to win games is score 30+ ppg. But if the defense can maintain the pace of only allowing 13 ppg, this 2018 version of the Cowboys team will win a lot of games - albeit in an ugly way.
But, the defense has gradually, gradually, gradually, and then SUDDENLY improved. Over the past 7 regular season games, the Cowboys have only surrendered 91 points - an average of 13 points per game. The pressure from the front 7 has befuddled opponents, and Kris Richards' decision to move Byron Jones to his natural CB position this year is proving to be an excellent one. The Cowboys outside coverage with Awuzie and Jones has, for the most part, locked out receivers early this season. And that has allowed the Cowboys to unleash the linebackers to blitz. That blitzing, along with the pressure from a young, hungry Dline group, has produced 9 sacks in the first 2 games - on pace for a record tying 72 sacks this season if this keeps up - a mark set by the vaunted Chicago defense of the mid-80's. All this with 13 snaps from Randy Gregory, David Irving on probation, and the starting free safety injured.
It appears that we Cowboys fans may need to adjust our TV viewing habits early this season as this become a defensive show. For fantasy football aficionados, this is reason for mourning. There will be great wailing and gnashing of teeth for those who believe the only way to win games is score 30+ ppg. But if the defense can maintain the pace of only allowing 13 ppg, this 2018 version of the Cowboys team will win a lot of games - albeit in an ugly way.
