Defense this and Defense that. What got us somewhere in 14?

[Doomsday101]

How do you score 14 points with the game being 0-0?

The game was 0-0 until Carolina picked off Romo and returned it for TD and Carolina would pick yet another for a TD.

 

[Dhragon]

I'll tell you what didn't get us anywhere in Green Bay in 2014.............. You guessed it Defense Oh I remember it lije it was yesterday looking at our FS standing frozen in the end zone looking at Rodgers throw a TD. Where was the offense on the sideline nothing they could do. Build your defense

Then become what? The Houston Texans? Very good defense, but poor offense because they have no QB. Romo's time is limited. Get the next QB to groom, then you can go crazy fixing the defense. Hopefully then when it's time for the new QB to start, the defense can be good enough to help him out. But if you are stuck with the Weedens and Hoyers of the NFL world, good luck with making any noise in the playoffs ever.

 

[Satchel89]

I agree that they can't forget about the offense, Especially for me is Tight End. After Witten who's on the downside of his career, There's some question marks after him. I would like to see them go after Vannett out of Ohio State. That would be nice for me anyways. But defense is the priority. They have to get playmakers in the secondary. They need cornerbacks that can catch the ball. We seen too many misses on interceptions and they still need guys that can rush the Quarterback. And there's a bunch of really good players available for defensive tackle, So they can address that position too

 

[ccb04]

All highlighted areas stem from the running game.

While the running game was undoubtedly critical...that's a bit of over simplification. The passing game was missing it's 2 key cogs for a good deal of the year...and the defense was missing several players that forced those turnovers...to include: Bruce Carter, Scandrick, Sterling Moore, Justin Durant, & Anthony Spencer.

- Carter: 5 Int's
- Scandrick: 2 Int's, 2 forced fumbles
- Moore: 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries
- Durant: 1 Int, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
- Spencer: 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery

While the rushing attack certainly wasn't as effective or efficient in 2015...it was still fairly solid once McFadden took over. Meanwhile, the QB play minus Romo, was for the most part very sub par. As Murray mentioned...with Dez, Romo, Witten, etc...he faced fewer loaded boxes. The threat of a solid passing game can also enhance/compliment the running game, and that's something the Cowboys didn't have for a good portion of the 2015 season, particularly without Romo & Dez.

 

[Zekeats]

While the running game was undoubtedly critical...that's a bit of over simplification. The passing game was missing it's 2 key cogs for a good deal of the year...and the defense was missing several players that forced those turnovers...to include: Bruce Carter, Scandrick, Sterling Moore, Justin Durant, & Anthony Spencer.

- Carter: 5 Int's
- Scandrick: 2 Int's, 2 forced fumbles
- Moore: 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries
- Durant: 1 Int, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
- Spencer: 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery

While the rushing attack certainly wasn't as effective or efficient in 2015...it was still fairly solid once McFadden took over. Meanwhile, the QB play minus Romo, was for the most part very sub par. As Murray mentioned...with Dez, Romo, Witten, etc...he faced fewer loaded boxes. The threat of a solid passing game can also enhance/compliment the running game, and that's something the Cowboys didn't have for a good portion of the 2015 season, particularly without Romo & Dez.

Defensive players play better when playing with a lead. See Barry Church.

 

[perrykemp]

In 2014 the Cowboys won 1 playoff game.

Is that the incredible success you are hoping to replicate?

Best chance for winning a Superbowl in maintaining some sense of offensive / defensive balance.

Just because the power running game won the team 1 playoff game in 2014, it does not that's the absolutely key to success in 2016.

 

[percyhoward]

Defensive players play better when playing with a lead.

We didn't build leads in 2014 by running the ball. Here are all the offensive touchdowns by Dallas when not already leading by more than two scores.

2014
35 pass, 11 rush

2015
16 pass, 8 rush


In 2014, when the margin was one score or less in quarters 1-3, we ran the ball 48.1% of the time, averaged 4.8 ypc, scored 4 TD, and converted 76.9% (10 of 13) in short yardage. Our average possession lasted 3:37, which led the league.

In 2015, when the margin was one score or less in quarters 1-3, we ran the ball 48.2% of the time, averaged 4.7 ypc, scored 6 TD, and converted 75.0% (12 of 16) in short yardage. Our average possession lasted 3:13, which ranked 2nd in the league.

In a typical game situation, the performance of the running game the two seasons was almost identical.

In 2014, when the margin was one score or less in quarters 1-3, we passed 51.9% of the time with a passer rating of 117.8, scored 18 TD, and converted on 51.9% of our 3rd-down passes to lead the NFL.

In 2015, when the margin was one score or less in quarters 1-3, we passed 51.8% of the time with a passer rating of 68.3, scored 4 TD, and converted on 30.6% of our 3rd-down passes, which ranked 29th.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Did we get somewhere last year? Thought we lost in divisional round cause we couldn't stop Rodgers and the time before that we couldn't stop Favre.........we have had top offenses and can't make it past divisional round. .....all 4 teams in conference championship had great to elite defenses

Let's try something different and not the same thing over and over. You give Romo a top 5 defense and watch us win a championship. ......offense doesn't win titles, defense does

 

[percyhoward]

- Carter: 5 Int's
- Scandrick: 2 Int's, 2 forced fumbles
- Moore: 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries
- Durant: 1 Int, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
- Spencer: 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery

Here's what that list looks like when you filter out the plays when Dallas was leading by 10+ points:

- Carter: 1 Int
- Scandrick: 1 Int, 1 forced fumble
- Moore: 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
- Durant: 1 fumble recovery
- Spencer: 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

edit: You're right about the passing game being the difference, though. It's what built those leads.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

All highlighted areas stem from the running game.

Please explain how defense take aways came from running the ball

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Here's what that list looks like when you filter out the plays when Dallas was leading by 10+ points:

- Carter: 1 Int
- Scandrick: 1 Int, 1 forced fumble
- Moore: 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
- Durant: 1 fumble recovery
- Spencer: 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

Boom

 

[Sydla]

Our running game is what was the difference maker in 2014. We had a true running back for the first time since 22. Our running game limited Romo to 30 passes or less in most cases. We controlled the clock. It kept a sorry defense off the field for most of the game. It allowed us to control the tempo too.
I laugh when everyone on here says we need a 1tech DT. Or another safety or corner that will touch the ball 2 times a year. Give me the guy that will touch the rock 30+ times a game and set the tone for not only the offense but the whole team. I still say the one guy I want at number 4 even is the RB from Ohio State. I think he is exactly what our team needs.

Interestingly enough, the difference maker as you want to call it in 2014 was a TB drafted in the 3rd round and some around here weren't even sure was going to be able to be an every down back.

Kind of undercuts this whole argument that you need to use the 4th pick to draft a TB to get back to the 2014 type team.

 

[Sydla]

Brian Broaddus on Talking Cowboys said the same thing..........he would love to see Zeke play behind this offensive line.

Personally, I still go QB.

I'd love to see Elliott behind this OL too.

Just not with the 4th pick. That would be lunacy.

 

[KJJ]

We were 10th in the league in 2014 in turnovers and dead last this year. We didn't have a good defense but we were in the top half of the league in turnovers. Might of had something to do with our success in 14

Part of the reason the defense got more turnovers in 2014 they were fresher and more alert from not having to spend so much time on the field. We missed opportunities this season recovering fumbles and our corners dropped some int's. We don't have an opportunistic defense which is another thing that keeps them on the field.

 

[plasticman]

Teams get am overwhelming majority of their turnovers when the opponent is behind and forced to take risks.

The Cowboys got turnovers in 2014 as a direct result of their powerful running game putting pressure on opponent offenses because the running game sucked time off the clock as well as being efficient at scoring.

2015 was the exact opposite. No turnovers because the Cowboys were rarely ahead. Besides, you could key on the running game without consequence.

 

[KJJ]

What got us somewhere in 14?

On offense: A healthy Romo and Dez that offered some passing threat that opened up the running game.

On defense: turnovers

Our offense wasn't moving the chains on 3rd down as consistently this season like we were in 2014 and we were last in the league on 3rd and one which was practically automatic in 2014. With the OL the Cowboys have there was no excuse for being that poor in short yardage. Many of us knew short yardage would be a problem this season with the loss of Murray resulting in more passing attempts and less consistency. With Murray in 2014 we moved the chains on 3rd and 1's and 2's not having to rely on our passing game as much which helped Romo have the best season of his career.

He tied a career low in int's in 2014 with 9 and this season with 7 in only 4 games would have had him on pace for a career high. Against Carolina he looked like he did a few years ago having to press due to the lack of help around him. The Panthers exposed how bad a team the Cowboys were this season. The lack of efficiency running the ball in 2015 put a lot pressure on our backup QBs who weren't efficient which exposed our defense that continues to struggle making critical stops.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Then become what? The Houston Texans? Very good defense, but poor offense because they have no QB. Romo's time is limited. Get the next QB to groom, then you can go crazy fixing the defense. Hopefully then when it's time for the new QB to start, the defense can be good enough to help him out. But if you are stuck with the Weedens and Hoyers of the NFL world, good luck with making any noise in the playoffs ever.

Then you wasting the rest of Romo and Witten careers. Without a defense we ain't making noise with them so might as well get rid of them and start the rookie QB. Fixing the defense gives us a chance to compete for a superbowl before Romo is gone. You want to develop a QB grab one in the 2nd to 3rd rounds or get one next year. At pick 4 you don't reach on a developmental QB that might start in 3 to 4 years

 

[KJJ]

Brian Broaddus on Talking Cowboys said the same thing..........he would love to see Zeke play behind this offensive line.

Personally, I still go QB.

Would be a lot easier finding a RB who can run effectively behind our OL than a QB who can play in a Romo friendly system so yes I would go with a QB over a RB with a high pick.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

When good teams consistently win the differential battle, it's obviously not random. Getting rid of the ball in the pocket, 5 pointing it in traffic, strips, tomahawks, traps, disguised coverages. There are tons of things teams do to bring pressure, force throws, and cause fumbles. Sure, the ball is oblong and bounces funny, too, but we brought Marinelli in in part to get takeaways. The facts that we didn't and lost a lot of close games in the process last year are probably pretty closely related.

in 2014, this team played with leads or were keeping the pressure on the opposing teams to keep trying to score. That in itself contributed quite a bit to the creation of turnovers. Knowing that Romo was not playing didn't put much pressure on opposing teams to try too hard to keep trying to score, knowing Garrett was playing to punts and field goals. Bring back the high scoring offense and more turnovers will become easier to come by. There was far more talent on defense on defense in 2014 than last year. Marinelli, also didn't forget how to coach turnovers in one year.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

I'll tell you what didn't get us anywhere in Green Bay in 2014.............. You guessed it Defense Oh I remember it lije it was yesterday looking at our FS standing frozen in the end zone looking at Rodgers throw a TD. Where was the offense on the sideline nothing they could do. Build your defense

didn't they address the pass rush last year? didn't they get Gregory and Hardy to rush the passer?