ESPN: Cowboys' front seven ranked 32nd in NFL

[Idgit]

Ditto with the ranking. It should be posted on every DL and LB Locker. We have some good ingredients imo but until they hit the field this year the skeptics will continue to use them as news fodder.

I still feel that we will shock some people, I cannot wait to watch it unfold.

Yeah. I agree. I think there's a decent chance our front 7 really surprises people. I think it's unlikely, but it might well happen.

For example, I could imagine Crawford, Melton, and Lawrence all turning in above-average seasons fairly easily. The same goes with Bruce Carter, and I could see Holloman overdeliver, too, when he finally gets into the lineup. There are just so many question marks everywhere--and the overall defense so pedestrian--it's unlikely. If we're able to go four deep at CB, play decent S, and swing a higher percentage of press-man, though, I think the defense could look very different by the end of the season. I just hope the offense or STs don't take a step back in the process.

 

[waving monkey]

I remember there was a point when we use to be considered to have one of the best front 7's in the league with Spears, Hatcher, Ware, Spencer, Ratliff, Bruce and Lee. That wasn't long ago.

I've stated that I think our front 7 will be better than people think this year. But as it stands, its hard to argue against anyone ranking us last in the NFL. Its not even debatable actually. But I am excited to see how some of our guys like Crawford and D-Law perform. We're more so last ranked based on the uncertainty's of our front 7.

I agree,it's easy to see guy the media reporters grade us out like this. We have mostly jags and unknowns.
Like you I think we'll play better then the worst defense in the league but I am not expecting a top ten defense.
The offense has to help us out this year. No matter what this will be an interesting season.

 

[coult44]

I think this is right on, actually. Though, I do think 'shambles' probably isn't a fair estimation of the young depth we'll be counting on. They're all question marks, though. We were really bad last year, lost three of our best players, and added a bunch of unknowns with relatively limited upside (and two or three with actual significant upside potential). We had a truly awful defense last year, and it's easy to look at things on paper and say that the front 7 got worse.

At least now we know there is only one direction we can move...

 

[phildominator]

I don't argue we're at/near league bottom, but luckily, "that's why they play the games"

 

[Redball Express]

I'd say they would have to be 32nd. No lee so whos worth saying anything about besides melton and church. Its a front 7 full of more question marks than last year. Doesnt mean they cant be decent but for now it looks bad.

I don't know.

We have been 8-8 and in the mix each season.

So we can't be 32nd in anything except in some bodies fantasies.

 

[perrykemp]

Our front seven on paper isn't impressive. But I'm optimistic about this unit. It's a much cheaper unit and cannot be much worse than last years bunch.

Well stated. This is exactly how I feel. I'm "optimistic -- as you said, it can't be any worse than 2013.

 

[Idgit]

I don't know.

We have been 8-8 and in the mix each season.

So we can't be 32nd in anything except in some bodies fantasies.

Well, this is after the loss of Ware, Hatcher, and Lee from last year's very weak group.

 

[DFWJC]

I'd be surprised if they have the worst defense two years on the bounce. They will probably end up around 28th, should be good for about 8 wins.

They won't have the worst. True

 

[Wolfpack]

Its interesting that they graded the Dallas OL as #1.

http://www.sportsonearth.com/articl...-new-england-patriots-baltimore-ravens#!WRavt

Thats impressive, happy to see a dominate OL again.

 

[DFWJC]

Open bet to anyone who thinks well end up 32nd in points allowed.

Name your price

 

[burmafrd]

frankly yes we can get worse. As injured as Ware was he was still ranked even then at about average in the NFL. Hatcher had a career year. We will be without Lee. Melton might be able to make up for Hatcher. Sylvie might be able to equal or better 2013 Ware over a season. But otherwise? Who do we have that has been there and done that and is healthy? And if we are able to equal production in those two areas (and remember Sylvie's production was EXTRA besides Ware) is there serious reason to expect significant improvement? That old saw that young players get better was disproven by Carter and others. does not always happen. I think if we got up to about 20th Marrinelli should be anointed Pope.

 

[Bungarian]

Pre-season rankings are meaningless. That said I don't disagree.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I prefer a no name defense... Everyone is hungry and trying to make a name for themselves!

 

[The Natural]

I remember there was a point when we use to be considered to have one of the best front 7's in the league with Spears, Hatcher, Ware, Spencer, Ratliff, Bruce and Lee. That wasn't long ago.

I've stated that I think our front 7 will be better than people think this year. But as it stands, its hard to argue against anyone ranking us last in the NFL. Its not even debatable actually. But I am excited to see how some of our guys like Crawford and D-Law perform. We're more so last ranked based on the uncertainty's of our front 7.

Nah, they were never one of the best front sevens in the league. At best they were respectable

 

[RS12]

Cowboys' front seven ranked 32nd in NFL

And?

 

[TrailBlazer]

Yeah. I agree. I think there's a decent chance our front 7 really surprises people. I think it's unlikely, but it might well happen.

For example, I could imagine Crawford, Melton, and Lawrence all turning in above-average seasons fairly easily. The same goes with Bruce Carter, and I could see Holloman overdeliver, too, when he finally gets into the lineup. There are just so many question marks everywhere--and the overall defense so pedestrian--it's unlikely. If we're able to go four deep at CB, play decent S, and swing a higher percentage of press-man, though, I think the defense could look very different by the end of the season. I just hope the offense or STs don't take a step back in the process.

I agree, for some reason I'm feeling more and more optimistic as the season gets closer. Especially about the Dline. It's a much cheaper unit than in years past. So they won't have to be great to surprise ppl. Marinelli seems to get more out of less and hopefully barring injuries we'll have decent rotation along the Dline. I do think opposing offenses will be able to run effectively on our defense.

I'm not so confident in the LBs. Especially after the loss of lee. And I'm not too confident carter will have a bounce back year. Holloman I am excited to see get a shot at mike. I want to see Wilcox improve from year one to year two.

This defense will give up yards but i think it all comes down to how many turnovers this defense can produce. If the dline can get pressure on opposing qb's we got a chance.

It always seems that when one unit(DL) takes a step forward, other units take a couple steps back. For example, Dallas rebuilt the Oline and then the defense went to ****.

My prediction is still 7-9 and no shot at the playoffs just because of all the question marks and holes on defense, combined with bad HC'ing. I also don't think Dallas will come close to sweeping the division like last year.

But wouldn't be surprised if Dallas defense shows significant progress with marinelli calling the shots.

 

[Redball Express]

Well, this is after the loss of Ware, Hatcher, and Lee from last year's very weak group.

I suppose.

But I'll bet its more gleeful rhetoric from the Cowboys unfaithful than fact.

I believe in addition comes from the subtraction of player injury prones regardless of position.

Cleaning out the nare do wells is good business.

I look forward for the first time in years this season

I've hated the Parcels era and these last remnants of the failed 3-4 defense needed to go.

Whatever.

 

[Fredd]

I didn't read the article but this was an easy ranking (for #32)....they gave it little to no thought I will warrant...."last in 2013, got rid of the two names I know, I am going to make them dead last again"...

...I hope that having all of these guys in their positions early and fighting for jobs instead of plug-n-play guys off of the street makes a big difference...get some pressure and the back 7 will look really good IMO....

 

[George]

I don't disagree with the ranking. But, if competition means anything, the worst DL 7 should improve because they are practicing against the best OL.

 

[Doomsay]

I don't know.

We have been 8-8 and in the mix each season.

So we can't be 32nd in anything except in some bodies fantasies.

We were 32nd in total yards allowed, first downs allowed and passing plays of 20 yards or greater allowed and bottom 5th or 10th in just about every other defensive category.