GB Run Defense stats

[vlad]

This made me chuckle. Hopefully it wasn't him, but still funny.



2017 – 17th (1,793 yards, 112.1 yds/game)
2018 – 22nd (1,918 yards, 119.9 yds/game)
2019 – 23rd (1,921 yards, 120.1 yds/game)
2020 – 13th (1,805 yards, 112.8 yds/game)
2021 – 11th (1,855 yards, 109.1 yds/game)
2022 – 20th ( No Data Available )
2023 – 28th (2,181 yards, 128.3 yds/game)
2024 – 7th (1,689 yards, 99.4 yds/game)

The Cowboys run defense rankings
2017 – 8th (1,664 yards total, 104.0 yds/game)
2018 – 5th (1,540 yards total, 96.3 yds/game)
2019 – 11th (1,646 yards total, 102.9 yds/game)
2020 – 31st (2,541 yards total, 158.8 yds/game)
2021 – 16th (1,918 yards total, 112.8 yds/game)
2022 – 22nd (2,198 yards total, 129.3 yds/game)
2023 – 16th (2,008 yards total, 118.1 yds/game)
2024 – 30th (2,331 yards total, 137.1 yds/game)

 

[Reality]

All I see is we're going to have the 16th ranked defense this year!

 

[EPL0c0]

DT was an issue after the 2024 season.

DT was an issue when free agency kicked off.

DT was still a problem up to and during the 2025 draft.

DT was still a problem at the start and during training camp/pre-season games.

DT might still be a problem, but Kenny Clark is the first time DAL legit addressed the problem (a week before Week 1)

Clark is an upgrade and probably their top interior DLman now. It makes the depth at DT look a little better.

We'll see.

 

[MMObserver]

As a Packer fan who believes Kenny Clark is on the decline, I firmly believe that without him the Packers run D between 2016-2023 would have been much, much worse.

Kenny played for some BAD Defensive Coordinators and with a lot of JAG defensive players.

That he was not much of a contributor to a much improved Packer run D in 2024 is a product both of Clark's early season injury and the fact he was a bad fit for new Packer DC Jeff Hafley's scheme. He has also played a lot of football since he entered the league at at 20.

 

[CWR]

Idc what those rankings say.

A vast majority of those numbers are based on us having a high scoring offense with teams playing catch up.

We couldn't get a stop when we needed one.

Of course the bottom fell out last year, we had no QB. Nobody needed to "keep up" with us.

 

[Acceptablename]

As a Packer fan who believes Kenny Clark is on the decline, I firmly believe that without him the Packers run D between 2016-2023 would have been much, much worse.

Kenny played for some BAD Defensive Coordinators and with a lot of JAG defensive players.

That he was not much of a contributor to a much improved Packer run D in 2024 is a product both of Clark's early season injury and the fact he was a bad fit for new Packer DC Jeff Hafley's scheme. He has also played a lot of football since he entered the league at at 20.

Thanks appreciate your input

 

[CATCH17]

I wish Dallas could’ve got Rashon Gary back in return instead of Clark.

 

[jazzcat22]

We will see how he fits in with Eberflis and his schemes. Could be a great fit. Just what everyone wants. Better upside with him here than without him.

 

[Praxit]

..meh, stats are just an idea. Dallas acquired many new faces on defense, includes Kenny now.

But I'm feeling good about it.

 

[Reality]

We will see how he fits in with Eberflis and his schemes. Could be a great fit. Just what everyone wants. Better upside with him here than without him.

I'm still not sure how well Eberflus is going to do with the defense nor am I sure they have the personnel to consistently do their jobs without freelancing or ad-libbing like they could Quinn's defensive scheme.

The best defenses are meticulous and consistent, not splashy. Splashy defenses make big plays but give them up as well and often too many of them.

I am hoping Clark can fill the role of leader of the defense and between him the defensive coaches establish a more consistent "do your job" mindset among the entire defense.

The Cowboys have some really good (not great, but good) players on defense but they really need to improve their consistency and work on covering their responsibilities every single play.

It remains to be seen if this defensive team and/or staff will improve that.

 

[Kwyn]

This made me chuckle. Hopefully it wasn't him, but still funny.



2017 – 17th (1,793 yards, 112.1 yds/game)
2018 – 22nd (1,918 yards, 119.9 yds/game)
2019 – 23rd (1,921 yards, 120.1 yds/game)
2020 – 13th (1,805 yards, 112.8 yds/game)
2021 – 11th (1,855 yards, 109.1 yds/game)
2022 – 20th ( No Data Available )
2023 – 28th (2,181 yards, 128.3 yds/game)
2024 – 7th (1,689 yards, 99.4 yds/game)

The Cowboys run defense rankings
2017 – 8th (1,664 yards total, 104.0 yds/game)
2018 – 5th (1,540 yards total, 96.3 yds/game)
2019 – 11th (1,646 yards total, 102.9 yds/game)
2020 – 31st (2,541 yards total, 158.8 yds/game)
2021 – 16th (1,918 yards total, 112.8 yds/game)
2022 – 22nd (2,198 yards total, 129.3 yds/game)
2023 – 16th (2,008 yards total, 118.1 yds/game)
2024 – 30th (2,331 yards total, 137.1 yds/game)

Clark Run Defense Grades
2021: 54.7
2022: 53.0
2023: 61.2
2024: 57.1

 

[tm1119]

2 things can be true:

Kenny Clark improves the Cowboys defense

The Cowboys defense is still bad

DT is better.
DE/Pass rush got much worse.
S’s are still mediocre(at best).
CB’s should be solid, but not great, IF healthy. Depth is extremely thin without Diggs.
LB’s are a giant ?. Likely mediocre at best if Overshown doesn’t get back to his former self.

If Overshown doesn’t get back to 100%, there isn’t a single standout talent on this D that can significantly impact a game. We will basically be relying on outstanding scheme, technique and team play all season.

 

[conner01]

All I see is we're going to have the 16th ranked defense this year!

If we have 16th ranked run defense I’ll be excited and we will have a good season

 

[conner01]

I'm still not sure how well Eberflus is going to do with the defense nor am I sure they have the personnel to consistently do their jobs without freelancing or ad-libbing like they could Quinn's defensive scheme.

The best defenses are meticulous and consistent, not splashy. Splashy defenses make big plays but give them up as well and often too many of them.

I am hoping Clark can fill the role of leader of the defense and between him the defensive coaches establish a more consistent "do your job" mindset among the entire defense.

The Cowboys have some really good (not great, but good) players on defense but they really need to improve their consistency and work on covering their responsibilities every single play.

It remains to be seen if this defensive team and/or staff will improve that.

As a leader he could be huge. Don’t know enough about him as a leader to say he could or couldn’t be but effort can be contagious

 

[Gambit]

Clark Run Defense Grades
2021: 54.7
2022: 53.0
2023: 61.2
2024: 57.1

This has been discussed.

Pettine (2018–20): Clark averaged an elite/very good 84 run grade — balanced anchor & disruptor.

Barry (2021–23): Clark averaged about 60, a big decline — due more to scheme (light boxes, gap-control) than talent erosion.

 

[gtb1943]

Clark Run Defense Grades
2021: 54.7
2022: 53.0
2023: 61.2
2024: 57.1

Considering the league thinks he is pretty good at Run D, just another example of PFF being kind of meaningless

 

[gtb1943]

This has been discussed.

Pettine (2018–20): Clark averaged an elite/very good 84 run grade — balanced anchor & disruptor.

Barry (2021–23): Clark averaged about 60, a big decline — due more to scheme (light boxes, gap-control) than talent erosion.

That is what I have been able to gleen from going to some packer forums. They think that is the big reason he was thrown in as part of the trade; a bad fit for their scheme rather than a declining player

 

[speedkilz88]

Packers were 3rd in avg per attempt which is a much better gauge of how well they did than yardage overall.

 

[MMObserver]

As a leader he could be huge. Don’t know enough about him as a leader to say he could or couldn’t be but effort can be contagious

Kenny Clark was universally adored IN THE LOCKER ROOM (players, coaches, press) in Green Bay. He is also a great human being off the field.

A consummate professional.

He is, however, more of a lead by example guy than a vocal leader.

From the perspective of this Packer fan, the inclusion of Kenny Clark in the deal is a win-win for the Cowboys and Kenny Clark.

Kenny, a good guy (and longtime good player who was miscast in the defensive system installed in 2024), gets a chance at another payday by playing in a system that better suits his skills and the Cowboys get an apparently much needed DT.

 

[Kwyn]

Considering the league thinks he is pretty good at Run D, just another example of PFF being kind of meaningless

Who is “the league” and what criteria do they use?