DL actually very good

[CWR]

This year the Ravens had a decent pass defense, a great run D, and nothing on the other side of the ball.

Thier offensive line has been putrid. Steve Smith, however is immortal.

 

[The Realist]

Does this mean we don't have to go DL with the first 7 picks like most fans want?

 

[Risen Star]

They've been better this month but I wouldn't call them good and I won't trust them in the playoffs.

 

[gmoney112]

Thier offensive line has been putrid. Steve Smith, however is immortal.

Except when he's hurling his guts up after a JJ Wilcox hit. Ha ha ha.

Does this mean we don't have to go DL with the first 7 picks like most fans want?

Well, DLaw already has neurological back problems which limited him in every practice this season, and will be a FA after next season. Gregory could be a year away from suspension. Tapper has a pars defect which could have a big impact on his career. Thornton is set to make over 5mill in 2018 if he's on the roster. McClain is a FA this year. Jack Crawford is a FA this year.

So, basically we have Collins, TCrawford (who seems to get banged up a bit as well), Irving (who I think we'll extend in the offseason), Thornton, and Benson for two more years. Other than that, we have 3 DE's who are question marks, one who's going to be a FA after next season and another guy who might not even play next year.

We'll know more by draft time, but right now it's not looking too great.

 

[LatinMind]

I don't think the defense has the talent to be a true attack style defense.

We are more of a read and react style. But that is dictated by the talent, or lack of it, IMO. That being said, you can't really argue with the results so far.

But yes, we need a real edge pressure player.

what is david irving?

 

[CCBoy]

NO NO YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND MARINELLI HAS TO GO, THIS DEFENSE SUCKS, TEAMS MARCH RIGHT DOWN THE FIELD ON US AND.....

[remembers the Cowboys are 13-2]

...and...and now I will quietly go away.....

You forgot the so ignorant pundit whitewash stuff...

 

[CCBoy]

we have this notion that Dallas isnt very good and hey get no pressure. And some people say this when they see teams going 1 step and quick pass or short gun with a primary read then a dump off. Thats not Dallas not having pressure but thats a team trying to get it out quick.

Dallas is 12th in the NFL with 34 sacks. And only 3 teams in the playoff hunt have more sacks then them(GB, SEA, TB). And that doesnt even tell the whole story about how good this DL is playing now. Over the last month Dallas leads the league in sacks.

Dallas is 1st in the nfl against the run.

Credit is deserved for this DL. They are really young too so theyre only going to get better. IDK if in this coming draft i would put DL over secondary in the draft.

Carr, Claiborne, Wilcox are all FAs. Scandrick is a injury bug lately too. CBs are really deep this draft whereas DEs coming out more tweeners then true DEs. Then with the way Irving, Mayowa are playing its going to be hard to crack that lineup with players like Tapper and Lawrence there too.

Sounds like we are enjoying this season, finally. The defense is doing as designed: youthful improvement and hustle.

There is still good life in the secondary members that are subject to new contracts or free agency. But for now, I'll enjoy all returning and watching that defensive line, both get healthy and grow some more.

They have met the litmus test of December...head on!

 

[haleyrules]

every week I curse the D and every week they come up good.

I dont like the base scheme, don't like the 3 man rush or dropping a de in a zone but I can't deny they have been way better than I give them credit for.

marinelli has them rallying to the ball and the DL is allowing Sean lee to be playing like a man possessed .

Still think we need a true edge rusher

Same here. But the defense grows on you! They give up yardage but not many points. The FO will certainly address the defensive needs in the off season.

 

[Bullflop]

If the OP is correct about the upcoming draft containing more "tweeners" than true DEs, perhaps another source of DE talent is in order. Considering how late the Cowboys are likely to be drafting this year, I would hope the FO is amenable to the idea of acquiring a veteran free agent at the DE position. Doing so would eliminate the necessity to develop a youngster at DE, which might take a year or two to complete.

 

[CCBoy]

They've been better this month but I wouldn't call them good and I won't trust them in the playoffs.

Now, that is some kind of uplifting surprise...but what is expected with a zero Lombardis in over 20 year count?

 

[CCBoy]

Rookie Collins rushing toward bright future on Cowboys’ defense - Drew Davison, The Star-Telegram
The emergence of third-round pick from Nebraska has helped solidify the Cowboys’ defensive line.

Collins, a third-round pick out of Nebraska, has developed into a solid three-technique with five sacks and 15 quarterback pressures. His emergence allowed the Cowboys to move Tyrone Crawford to left end earlier this season and really solidified the defensive line.

Coaches and teammates feel Collins could become among the best in the league at the position.

"This is a real talented individual and I know he’s going to be up there with the Aaron Donalds and all the good under tackles in the league that people talk about," Crawford said. "A little more work with Marinelli and he’s going to be one of those unstoppable guys later on in his career."

Added guard Ron Leary: "He left an impression on me the first time I went against him in practice. He’s gotten better every day and takes coaching real well. I definitely see him being one of best three-techniques in this league."

"He’s got the work ethic you look for as a young guy," Marinelli said. "All he does is just grind away. Every week, he just grinds away. He’s becoming really a rusher we hoped he’d be, and he’ll get better and better in there."

 

[CCBoy]

Benson Mayowa, David Irving lead Cowboys' rejuvenated pass rush - JJ Taylor, ESPN
The Cowboys' pass rush is rounding into shape at just the right time.Here's why:


Marinelli would tell you he's not surprised by the improvement in the Cowboys' pass rush because of the effort his players give each day.

Marinelli is old school. Football is a game of repetition, and he's relentless about teaching technique. Master the techniques, give relentless effort and eventually the results will come.

Well, the day Marinelli has been talking about since the start of training camp has finally arrived, just in time for the playoffs.

 

[jobberone]

If the OP is correct about the upcoming draft containing more "tweeners" than true DEs, perhaps another source of DE talent is in order. Considering how late the Cowboys are likely to be drafting this year, I would hope the FO is amenable to the idea of acquiring a veteran free agent at the DE position. Doing so would eliminate the necessity to develop a youngster at DE, which might take a year or two to complete.

I agree and I don't like FAs often. Now that have to find that Peppers etc out there.

They still need to go after an edge rusher. And people are going to howl but to get one with a late first or upper second round pick should we drop a few will require acquiring a risky type player. Impact edge rushers don't fall that far without a reason. Or you have to scout better than others as well as get lucky and find one later in the draft.

I'd look for:

1. edge rusher and 3-4 OLB looks more likely here given our low draft pick in R1
2. true WDE
3. Vet FA who can turn the corner
4. another SDE

 

[Silverstar]

They've been better this month but I wouldn't call them good and I won't trust them in the playoffs.

I'm a little pessimistic myself going into the playoffs with this pass defense. They will no doubt be facing some combination of Rogers, Ryan, Wilson and then probably Rothlisberger or Brady if we get that far. Our offense leads the league in TOP and yet we have guys on defense dropping like flies lately...not good. I'm just concerned our pass defense won't be ready for that 4 receiver no huddle score fast make Elliott a non-factor extreme onslaught to the jugular offense, that the above mentioned QB's are certainly all capable of.

 

[CCBoy]

I agree and I don't like FAs often. Now that have to find that Peppers etc out there.

They still need to go after an edge rusher. And people are going to howl but to get one with a late first or upper second round pick should we drop a few will require acquiring a risky type player. Impact edge rushers don't fall that far without a reason. Or you have to scout better than others as well as get lucky and find one later in the draft.

I'd look for:

1. edge rusher and 3-4 OLB looks more likely here given our low draft pick in R1
2. true WDE
3. Vet FA who can turn the corner
4. another SDE

I guess that approach would have to be married with retention of Carr, Claiborne, and yet one more corner from the draft or free agency.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

They've been better this month but I wouldn't call them good and I won't trust them in the playoffs.

I agree.

I wouldn't call them good either... There's a little bit of a heart-beat there but the line overall is unproven.

 

[CCBoy]

I agree.

I wouldn't call them good either... There's a little bit of a heart-beat there but the line overall is unproven.

While at USAFA, we played Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl. They only outweighed us about 76 pounds per player. Back then, there weren't football waivers for size at the Academy.

I don't think the low mileage defensive front, is without valid veteran experience or talents. Most Heavy Weight Champions are the very best, until hit squarely in the face.

Oh, and the fist is a hereditary feature of man, developed over time.

I'm not going to be lured into describing a brown bear as not a threat, because it's not a grizzly.

 

[Everson24]

I just wish we knew we had Randy Gregory going forward. I still think he could be that up-field pass rusher that we really need.

 

[xwalker]

Let's assume Dalvin Cook is that lifetime talent available when we pick, do you select him? Would you select him?

He is a "lifetime" talent but 31 other teams passed on him?

 

[Direwolf63]

what is david irving?

A guy who has shown flashes but nobody has no idea if he is a long term answer. Two games doesn't make a career.