Defensive positives and negatives and where improvement must come

[Bobhaze]

Game 3 positive and negatives vs the ravens and more importantly where this defense MUST improve…
POSITIVES - honestly not many but here they are:

• The ravens had 12 possessions and we forced 3 punts and two 4th down stops.
• We had two red zone stops
• Held Derrick Henry to less than 4 yds per carry.

NEGATIVES

• 34 points on 387 yds; 7 splash plays (20 yards or more)
• Lamar Jackson had no pressure and had a 9.2 yards per attempt passing, well above leave avg.
• Gave up nearly 200 yds rushing
• No sacks
• Zero turnovers

Btw - interesting stat from Bob Sturm on Cowboys defense the last decade: We are 0-10 in games where we get no sacks and no turnovers. The defense that led the NFL in TOs during the Dan Quinn era is long gone, at least at the moment.

WHERE WE MUST IMPROVE TO HAVE A SHOT AT BEING A PLAYOFF TEAM

• We must start getting some sacks and TOs) No sacks or to’s mean we have no chance. (Again we are 0-10 in last decade when we get no sacks and no TOs)
• Stop giving up so many big plays.
• Stop the run. (Where have we heard this before?)

One reason I’m a little “meh” on the Joey Porter trade - he won’t pressure the QB. It’s hard to get picks when there’s no pass rush.

So I will be watching to see if we can manufacture any kind of pass rush the next few weeks. Through 18% of the season, our defense has to blitz to get pressure which puts it all on the secondary. Maybe Porter helps in coverage some. Time will tell.

 

[Cowboys5217]

Sacks and picks. Can't generate much of either. Of the two sacks we do have, they only amounted to -1 total yards lost. Basically, no-gain plays rather than an effective sack that costs a team 5 to 8 yards or more.

 

[Bobhaze]

Sacks and picks. Can't generate much of either. Of the two sacks we do have, they only amounted to -1 total yards lost. Basically, no-gain plays rather than an effective sack that costs a team 5 to 8 yards or more.

That’s why I thought getting some help for the pass rush was way more important than getting a corner. Porter can be good but I’m not sure even a guy like Deion or Champ Bailey can cover somebody for 10 seconds, lol

 

[cald0d30s0]

Another great post, Bob.

I believe they all look lost most of the time, the scheme isn’t there and I believe our beloved DC has no sense of adjusting to play situational football, just look at the pitiful last play vs Ravens.

Dallas needs real coaching, but that won’t be happening in this so called football team.

 

[75boyz]

To your successes list I thought Barham was THE catalyst to most of those by his own production or by setting the example/mentality that others followed his lead.

I hope this last game wasnt one where the defense just got really up for the challenge of tackling Henry and now will regress to Game one and 2 standards.

BUT.. Does that sound even close to good enough after reading all the negatives listed to include still giving up 192 yards rushing anyway?

I guess it's still a CowboysZone suffering from that 2025 hangover, debacle or PTSD in which any almost bare minimum improvement can be a positive.

I still think there's no edges. 1 linebacker and 1 and a half corners (since Durant is currently hurt) at all 3 levels.

My opinion.

 

[beware_d-ware]

The interior run defense did a good job - shockingly good, cause Baltimore is about as tough as that test gets. Our weakness is on the edges.

And of course, the secondary is trash. You aren't going to win many games where you give up 9 YPA.

 

[Redline360]

It doesnt matter if you have all pros in the backfield. When you generate no pressure and get run over in the trenches its going to be a loooong game.

Let alone the scheme and miscommunication