Even if Cowboys are convinced they can win games playing keep away, they'll need these defenders to

[DogFace]

Nothing similar in terms of those 90s teams in terms of quality starters/depth.

Could have. We really don't know how good several of these young guys could be.

Did we know Lett would be all pro?

 

[Jstopper]

Deep playoff run? Don't think we can expect that or should. Unless Zeke is the real deal and Romo/Bryant are back to form.

the 2014 year we were projected to finish 3-13 before the season started.

 

[Idgit]

This defense isn't any worse than the one that went 12-4.

But it's been two years and it's not much better. And that 12-4 defense was the Achilles heel of the 2014 team. Treading water should not have been the goal.

 

[erod]

But it's been two years and it's not much better. And that 12-4 defense was the Achilles heel of the 2014 team. Treading water should not have been the goal.

I don't think adding Jones, Thornton, Lawrence, Gregory, J Smith, Collins, and Tapper was treading water.

In due time, I think Jaylen Smith will have an astronomically greater impact than Ramsey would have, and Elliott will punctuate it from the other side of the ball.

 

[DFWJC]

You get takeaways when the offense makes the opponent play from behind and take chances. Last year there was no need to take chances against Dallas because the cowboys couldn't score.

Yep
In 2014, the vast majority of the turnovers came when the offense had established a lead.

I do think the 12-4 in 2014 was a bit deceptive though. Romo pulled 3-4 of those guys out of a hat at the end of the 4th or in OT. I wouldn't expect that every year.

Then again, I also agree that the talent is slightly better on defense in 2016 than is 2014.
Sean Lee--the team's best defender--was out the entire season, I think.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

I am putting a lot of this on the strategy, decisions made during the game by coaching, plays called......

They have got to manage this better then they did last year, that's for sure. All of them. HC,DC,OC.....they all gotta be on the same page as what they want to accomplish from play to play...

 

[conner01]

True but then the 2014 defense went out and created turnovers while last years unit never could seem to come up with the big plays to put the ball back into the hands of the offense.

That was a huge factor

 

[Doomsday101]

That was a huge factor

Yes it is, I don't care about giving up yards what I care about is preventing points and getting the ball back into the hands of the offense. 2014 saw Dallas 2nd in the NFL in take away at 31 (18 int, 13 fumbles) but in 2015 we were dead last in creating turnovers with 11 total (8 ints and 3 fumbles) Some have claimed it was because we lacked pressure but yet we had more sacks in 2015 with 31 than we did in 2014 where we had 28. Turnovers in my view is the big key for defense, yards are pretty much meaningless. I don't care if a team moves the ball from the 20 to the other end of the field as long as you are not giving up the TD's and creating turnovers. Despite having more talent on the field in 2015 they played poorly as opposed to the rag tag group in 2014

 

[jday]

This defense isn't any worse than the one that went 12-4.

Actually...potentially better. Sean Lee was out for the entire season that year...and we have a few younger players that are getting close to the point where it is time to start showing something.

 

[conner01]

Yes it is, I don't care about giving up yards what I care about is preventing points and getting the ball back into the hands of the offense. 2014 saw Dallas 2nd in the NFL in take away at 31 (18 int, 13 fumbles) but in 2015 we were dead last in creating turnovers with 11 total (8 ints and 3 fumbles) Some have claimed it was because we lacked pressure but yet we had more sacks in 2015 with 31 than we did in 2014 where we had 28. Turnovers in my view is the big key for defense, yards are pretty much meaningless. I don't care if a team moves the ball from the 20 to the other end of the field as long as you are not giving up the TD's and creating turnovers. Despite having more talent on the field in 2015 they played poorly as opposed to the rag tag group in 2014

It is hard to explain but turnover are about as big as anything a defense can do. Rod needs to be riding them every second of camp because that's what will make this defense and offense better is taking back the ball

 

[BAT]

Great point.
The sack leaders from Dallas in the SB years in the 90's.
Haley, 6 in 92, 4 in 93, 12.5 in 94, 10.5 in 95
Jeffcoat 10,5 in 92, and he had 11.5 in 89, the 1-15 year.

Tolbert also had a double digit sack season in there too.

Edit: Tolbert had his double digit sack season and pro bowl in 1996. But during SB years he had 3 straight seasons of 7-8 sacks. Definitely a top 10 DE.

 

[Doomsday101]

It is hard to explain but turnover are about as big as anything a defense can do. Rod needs to be riding them every second of camp because that's what will make this defense and offense better is taking back the ball

I have no doubt that Marrinelli will continue to stress creating turnovers and working his unit in drills to help create the opportunities

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

The additions to that 2014 defense include Lee, Thornton, Gregory, Jones, Mayowa and all the rookies. None of the losses are impact players, Selvie, Mincey, Hayden, etc. The floor of this defense is on par with the 2014 group. The ceiling is significantly higher if we have added some quality with Collins, Tapper, Mayowa plus getting back T. McClain.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Wait until the injuries hit. They always do.

Even then, we have a lot more depth than we have in quite some time. Hitchens, Gachkar, Heath, Wilcox, Crawford, Gregory, and all the rookies are all on the depth chart now.

In 2014 we lost DLaw and were paper thin at the line where Selvie struggled. Lee went out and the scrub brigade went in. I think we are better equipped to handle injury on defense than in quite a long time.

 

[percyhoward]

This defense isn't any worse than the one that went 12-4.

If 50 years of playoff history means anything, this defense will need to be better.