Explain to me why this defense won't be the worst in NFL History

[JBell]

Last year's defensive accomplishments:
-32nd in yards allowed/game
-32nd in first downs allowed/game
-T-31st in penalties
-29th in 3rd down % allowed
-27th in points allowed/game

So what does the front office do to improve last year's abysmal unit:

a) Sign Henry Melton to replace Jason Hatcher, who was the best player on defense last season. Hatcher was dominant rushing the passer. Best case scenario is Melton returns to pre-injury form and replicates what Hatcher did. Not saying I disagree with the move of letting Hatcher go since he was commanding a lot of $ for a guy on the wrong side of 30, but this is a lateral move AT BEST.

b) Draft Demarcus Lawrence to replace Ware. We'll be lucky if he gives us George Selvie production his rookie season.

c) Reached for Anthony Hitchens. I'll give the front office a little slack since Sean Lee didn't look like anything special in his college YouTube highlights as well, but trading for Rolando McClain doesn't exactly give me confidence in this pick.

Those moves basically add up to last year's defense again, at best. Unless we're counting on Bust Carter, JJ Wil-whiff and Pourous Claiburnt to make huge leaps.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Because it's statistically improbable.

 

[S4 DGMS]

Wont even be close. In fact, I believe that stat wise the defense will be middle of the pack, maybe even slightly better than middle of the pack. BUT........I have a feeling they are going to be a force when it comes to creating turnovers.

 

[Wolfpack]

Because it's statistically improbable.

Jason went to Princeton. He seems to be able to break these sort of records.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Jason went to Princeton. He seems to be able to break these sort of records.

Touché.

 

[DFWJC]

Last year's defensive accomplishments:
-32nd in yards allowed/game
-32nd in first downs allowed/game
-T-31st in penalties
-29th in 3rd down % allowed
-27th in points allowed/game

So what does the front office do to improve last year's abysmal unit:

a) Sign Henry Melton to replace Jason Hatcher, who was the best player on defense last season. Hatcher was dominant rushing the passer. Best case scenario is Melton returns to pre-injury form and replicates what Hatcher did. Not saying I disagree with the move of letting Hatcher go since he was commanding a lot of $ for a guy on the wrong side of 30, but this is a lateral move AT BEST.

b) Draft Demarcus Lawrence to replace Ware. We'll be lucky if he gives us George Selvie production his rookie season.

c) Reached for Anthony Hitchens. I'll give the front office a little slack since Sean Lee didn't look like anything special in his college YouTube highlights as well, but trading for Rolando McClain doesn't exactly give me confidence in this pick.

Those moves basically add up to last year's defense again, at best. Unless we're counting on Bust Carter, JJ Wil-whiff and Pourous Claiburnt to make huge leaps.

I feel real comfortable in taking a bet that they will be better this year for many reasons.

The very long list of reasons why gave already been spelled out in many threads already.

But it's certainly your right to ignore them.

 

[RS12]

Because it's statistically improbable.

If your horse loses by 25 lengths instead of 30 lengths, have you really improved?

 

[JBell]

BUT........I have a feeling they are going to be a force when it comes to creating turnovers.

Thanks for reminding me. Last year's unit lead the league in forced fumbles and was 3rd in fumble recoveries.

That success isn't sustainable and proves that last year's defense should've been even worse.

I feel real comfortable in taking a bet that they will be better this year for many reasons.

I feel real comfortable in taking Dallas players early in fantasy drafts this year since they'll be having to score 30/game to be competitive.

 

[Idgit]

Somebody needs a hug.

 

[DFWJC]

I feel real comfortable in taking Dallas players early in fantasy drafts this year since they'll be having to score 30/game to be competitive.

Can't disagree with that part

 

[waving monkey]

just looking at the Mainelli philosophy of "Rushman" and acknowledging that we added
significant bodies that will go through training camp and not grabbed during the season
completely missing the close coaching period over the off season should be enough to
see we can be better. There are other factors but that one is all I need to know to
answer your question.

 

[waving monkey]

If your horse loses by 25 lengths instead of 30 lengths, have you really improved?

yes

 

[ScipioCowboy]

If your horse loses by 25 lengths instead of 30 lengths, have you really improved?

That wasn't the question.

 

[Tawney88]

I'll give you a real answer instead of the back handed jabs some have given you. Hope and prayers are the only thing anyone can point to when the say the defense will be better. There isn't anything tangible to pin those expectations on.

 

[RS12]

I'll give you a real answer instead of the back handed jabs some have given you. Hope and prayers are the only thing anyone can point to when the say the defense will be better. There isn't anything tangible to pin those expectations on.

This.

 

[Hoofbite]

Because it's statistically improbable.

Few less turnovers that erase some easy scores and they may statistically be better but hurt the team more than last year.

 

[waving monkey]

you review what methods have been reliable building a team.
you implicate the method and evaluate the skills of players
and hire or draft them. You teach your philosophy and believe.
If you stand on the sidelines saying 'we have no proof this will
work", then you have no confidence in your system or yours skills.

go home and sit by the fire your finished.

 

[Picksix]

If your horse loses by 25 lengths instead of 30 lengths, have you really improved?

Depends. All things being equal, was his time better?

 

[Blackspider214]

No one really has an answer other than "well we can't be that bad again, can we?" answer. We did not do much to address many issues. Just really have to hope Rob knows what he is doing and can make this unit work. I'm not terribly confident in this defense.

 

[Idgit]

I'll give you a real answer instead of the back handed jabs some have given you. Hope and prayers are the only thing anyone can point to when the say the defense will be better. There isn't anything tangible to pin those expectations on.

He didn't ask if the defense would be better. He asked why it wouldn't be the worst in NFL history.