ESPN: We are 0 players away from contending for the Super Bowl

[ElGatoGrande]

We don't have a bad defense... we have an average defense... by every definition of the word. Though like I said, I think we need 2-4 players there to really contend.

"average" is a trick word. It implies "good enough" even though you've arrived at that description using statistics that include the entire NFL, more than half of whom are not contenders. Now throw in the fact that the Cowboys offense and time-of-possession game-planning protected their poor defense as best it could and still, even with this protection, the statistical results placed Dallas' D in the lower half of mediocre (22nd in defensive efficiency). Now throw in another fact, they played the 2nd or 3rd easiest schedule in the league last season, full of bad offenses and turn-over machines. It paints a scary picture, doesn't it?

I can't call a defense that is a liability in need of protection 'average', they need help big time if they're going to contend next year.

 

[jobberone]

We are at least in need of a pass rusher, one CB and a safety. If you want to add DT, LB, and another CB so be it. I could go on but there's too many variables right now.

 

[MRV52]

Well, we have a bad defense yet we are zero players away from being a SB contender, sounds legit..................

Yet we can beat any team in the NFL including the two that will meet in the Super Bowl.

 

[Tabascocat]

Yet we can beat any team in the NFL including the two that will meet in the Super Bowl.

Not saying that we did not contend this past season, they did. But, Dallas got some breaks to get as far as they did with a banged up defense with not a lot of talent. The special teams were pretty bad, especially in the return department.

If the same exact players returned next season, they will probably not win the SB. The defense needs a few different players and play-makers at that.

We were fortunate that the offense stayed relatively in tact for the entire season.

 

[DogFace]

This year we take the favorite title, or one of the favorites, and live up to expectations. We are good and we will be very good.
Romo will be fully recovered. Witten is still good and everyone else on O is entering their prime or in it.
Lee being back and a couple more new additions that can help will put us in a very good position.

Green Bay and Seattle look to be our biggest challenge and usually an up and coming team steps it up. I feel we can and will meet the challenge and take that next step and move above those teams. Health is obviously always a factor. The percentages should be on our side with injuries. I hope.

 

[tyke1doe]

We were contenders, but, the simple truth is we were not ready for the Super Bowl this year. And that was largely due to the defense and a lack of pass rush.

So we strengthen that side of the ball, we take the next step, assuming Romo's back stays healthy and upright. I'm really not worried about Murray being here or leaving. If he stays, great. If not, I'm betting AP is here next year, or we find Murray's replacement in the draft. Add a few more offensive linemen, and we'll be in the NFC Championship Game at the minimum.

 

[tyke1doe]

I think those are generally silly things to say, because it did come down to it, and it came down to it for Green Bay, too. Sure, we 100% could have made plays to make up for it. That was enormous.

But we had time to stop the Green Bay offense and couldn't. Everyone wants to make the no-catch the play of the game. But it never should have come down to that. We had the opportunity to extend an 8 point lead (21-13), and we couldn't stop a hobbled Aaron Rodgers. That is the theme lost in all the hoopla over the controversial call.

 

[MRV52]

Not saying that we did not contend this past season, they did. But, Dallas got some breaks to get as far as they did with a banged up defense with not a lot of talent. The special teams were pretty bad, especially in the return department.

If the same exact players returned next season, they will probably not win the SB. The defense needs a few different players and play-makers at that.

We were fortunate that the offense stayed relatively in tact for the entire season.

I agree that we need to shore up the defense as our #1 priority However you said we got some breaks this year and I am saying we didn't catch some breaks when Romo was injured. Just think what would have happened if he played every game and was healthy. This team probably loses 2 games at most.

 

[perrykemp]

Of course they are zero players away from contending for the Superbowl. They contended for the Superbowl in 2014.

Add that to this defense and we win the Super Bowl next year if Romo stays healthy.

That's upgrading half of the defense in one-offseason. Not impossible but highly challenging.

 

[TrailBlazer]

1 really good DB and 2 pass rushers away

 

[KJJ]

The Cowboys contended this year with a 12-4 record and the NFC East title. They were the only team to beat the defending SB champs in their house. They won a playoff game and gave Green Bay all they could handle at Lambeau in the divisional round. To reach the SB and win it they need some better players on defense they're going to have to improve their coverage and their pass rush.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

You don't want to add a pass rusher or three? That's what that statement meant...sure we could hope an average D gets us back...better to hedge your bets?

Of course I do.

But the article is backwards looking and talking about THIS season.

We were absolutely good enough THIS year to win the Super Bowl.

 

[endersdragon]

If we are being honest. The Detroit game is a loss if not for that bs call/no call...

Again, if we are being honest. That oline gave up 10 sacks in those two games? Some on Romo, most on them.
Got beat up and had lunch money taken away.

And it is probably a win again if they had called the exact same penalty the very next drive when Witten was held and no call came. You are acting like they called holding all game, they didn't. But that doesn't fit your narrative does it?

 

[endersdragon]

As far as this defense goes, there were quite a few games where the defense was the only reason we were in it in the first half. How many times this year did the defense hold the opposing team to 6 points or fewer in the first half while our offense was struggling, including a couple of one half shutouts (and almost a near full game shut out against the Colts). To say they had no firepower just seems silly as far as I am concerned. Sure it was a no name defense, but they played well as a unit and if not for a few untimely injuries, particularly in our LB unit they could have been, dare I say it, good. Remember they were top 10 in the league for like the first 10 weeks of the year when it came to keeping points off the board.

 

[JD_KaPow]

As far as this defense goes, there were quite a few games where the defense was the only reason we were in it in the first half. How many times this year did the defense hold the opposing team to 6 points or fewer in the first half while our offense was struggling

I think the answer to that is one.
The 1st-half offense didn't struggle against TEN, NO, SEA, JAC, PHI2, IND, WAS2.
The 1st-half defense gave up lots of points against SF, STL, ARI, PHI1 and NYG2.
The NYG1 game was 14-14 at the half. We were ahead of CHI 14-7 at the half.
The only game that fits your description (and that we won) is the HOU game.
The WAS1 game fits your description, but of course we lost that one.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

And it is probably a win again if they had called the exact same penalty the very next drive when Witten was held and no call came. You are acting like they called holding all game, they didn't. But that doesn't fit your narrative does it?

Wow. Narrative is the latest buzz word. Such a follower. Lol

There is nothing to fit.

That's what happened. That's all. Nothing more.

 

[theogt]

We need a dynamic pass rusher. Not a "hopeful" that's already on the roster. We need to acquire a proven DE. A DT that can push the pocket and help free up Crawford would be nice too.

Agree completely. We were to some extent lucky this year that Mincey and Crawford turned out to be pretty good players. If they hadn't, things would have been much worse. But like you say, you can't go into each season just being hopeful that the players you have will continue to develop. It's rare that players make huge jumps from year to year.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

It's kind of a goofy model since we were legitimate contenders this year. So were the Ravens.

I think we need to get better in the secondary though. I think that is what really separates the defense from Seattle's. That and they tackle better.





YR

 

[casmith07]

That's nice of ESPN, but I disagree. I think we need to add better depth at CB, improve at DT and add better depth at DE.

We also need to figure out what to do with our linebackers. I like the idea of bringing back Carter and Durant. Start Lee at the Will and Hitchens at the Mike, and then platoon the other guys in the nickel and at Sam.

 

[Risen Star]

Well, they're right. We were zero players away this year. There's no question about it, IMO. We were good enough to compete for the title. We did compete for it. There weren't any better teams in the conference. It was taken away from us.

But we are a lot of players away from a complete team.