Goals and Plateaus for the Cowboys defense

[Manster68]

Greetings Cowboy fans. I am so anxious to see what strides the Cowboys have made on the defensive side of the ball for this upcoming NFL season. So I wanted to see what the “Haley” affect was as well as team defensive statistics from previous seasons.

The source I am using is right from the Dallas Cowboys Official Website: http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/history/1992-dallas-cowboys
Also http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2014.htm
You can scroll to all of the seasons.

Statistically, it appears that 1966 had Dallas’ best pass rush with 60 sacks in only 14 games. That is 4.28 sacks per game. That is an unreasonable goal for this defense.

The most sacks in a season was 1985 with 62. That was not a great defense though as they gave up 350.5 yards a game; 5.2 yards per play (see losses to Bears 0-44 and Cincinnati 24-50).

In 1991, the Cowboys had an abysmal 23 sacks while giving up 5.3 yards per play and 316.6 yards per game.

Then came Haley with help from first round picks Kevin Smith and Robert Jones.

In 1992, the Cowboys improved to 44 sacks, 4.5 yards per play and 245.8 yards a game.

Let’s hope the Cowboys can get the same improvement from 2014 to 2015.

Personally, I still think the 1977 Cowboys have the best defense in Cowboys history. Their 53 sacks in 14 games is an outstanding 3.8 sacks a game while only giving up a franchise best 3.7 yards per play and 229.5 yards a game. The 1966 Cowboys gave up 4.1 yards per play and 254.1 yards per game.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The '77 team is the best Cowboy team period IMO... The only Cowboy squad ever to rank 1st in offense and defense in the same season.

Needless to say, if the current defense doesn't rank in the top-10 this season, I'll be disappointed.

 

[windjc]

Greetings Cowboy fans. I am so anxious to see what strides the Cowboys have made on the defensive side of the ball for this upcoming NFL season. So I wanted to see what the “Haley” affect was as well as team defensive statistics from previous seasons.

The source I am using is right from the Dallas Cowboys Official Website: http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/history/1992-dallas-cowboys
Also http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2014.htm
You can scroll to all of the seasons.

Statistically, it appears that 1966 had Dallas’ best pass rush with 60 sacks in only 14 games. That is 4.28 sacks per game. That is an unreasonable goal for this defense.

The most sacks in a season was 1985 with 62. That was not a great defense though as they gave up 350.5 yards a game; 5.2 yards per play (see losses to Bears 0-44 and Cincinnati 24-50).

In 1991, the Cowboys had an abysmal 23 sacks while giving up 5.3 yards per play and 316.6 yards per game.

Then came Haley with help from first round picks Kevin Smith and Robert Jones.

In 1992, the Cowboys improved to 44 sacks, 4.5 yards per play and 245.8 yards a game.

Let’s hope the Cowboys can get the same improvement from 2014 to 2015.

Personally, I still think the 1977 Cowboys have the best defense in Cowboys history. Their 53 sacks in 14 games is an outstanding 3.8 sacks a game while only giving up a franchise best 3.7 yards per play and 229.5 yards a game. The 1966 Cowboys gave up 4.1 yards per play and 254.1 yards per game.

I think the '92 comparison is a good goal. That defense wasn't dominant, but they were more than good enough to get the job done.

 

[conner01]

Mid 40's in sacks would be a good improvement
Main thing is turnovers and we did well there last year
I think top 10 is a reasonable expectation
Having the top defense is probably a bit too optimistic
One thing that can really help the defense is if the offense can convert 3rd downs like last year and keep opponents off the field

 

[jazzcat22]

Not sure on what stats I would want to see but just an overall improvement again. That is obvious.
We went from last to 19th. With just a few players added, Ro being the biggest, then DLaw coming on at the end. Just by staying healthy helped a lot.

This year with the 2nd year under Marinelli, and even better players added. They should make that next jump.
This year I want to see all 3 of those areas improved upon.

More sacks, we had what 28 last year, so if we get 40, that would be great, but get them at the right times too.
Less yards per play, especially by not giving up big plays, especially in the passing game.
Less points scored too. Improve that red zone defense even more than they did last year.
And to maintain the take aways, they were I believe 2nd last year in that category.

Even if we don't finish in the top 10, as long as they are playing like it come the playoff push time.
But I think finishing top 12 should be a goal.

 

[conner01]

Not sure on what stats I would want to see but just an overall improvement again. That is obvious.
We went from last to 19th. With just a few players added, Ro being the biggest, then DLaw coming on at the end. Just by staying healthy helped a lot.

This year with the 2nd year under Marinelli, and even better players added. They should make that next jump.
This year I want to see all 3 of those areas improved upon.

More sacks, we had what 28 last year, so if we get 40, that would be great, but get them at the right times too.
Less yards per play, especially by not giving up big plays, especially in the passing game.
Less points scored too. Improve that red zone defense even more than they did last year.
And to maintain the take aways, they were I believe 2nd last year in that category.

Even if we don't finish in the top 10, as long as they are playing like it come the playoff push time.
But I think finishing top 12 should be a goal.

I think the sacks will come but the turnovers have to stay in the range of last year
And we can't turn the ball over and give teams more drives

 

[dallasdave]

Greetings Cowboy fans. I am so anxious to see what strides the Cowboys have made on the defensive side of the ball for this upcoming NFL season. So I wanted to see what the “Haley” affect was as well as team defensive statistics from previous seasons.

The source I am using is right from the Dallas Cowboys Official Website: http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/history/1992-dallas-cowboys
Also http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2014.htm
You can scroll to all of the seasons.

Statistically, it appears that 1966 had Dallas’ best pass rush with 60 sacks in only 14 games. That is 4.28 sacks per game. That is an unreasonable goal for this defense.

The most sacks in a season was 1985 with 62. That was not a great defense though as they gave up 350.5 yards a game; 5.2 yards per play (see losses to Bears 0-44 and Cincinnati 24-50).

In 1991, the Cowboys had an abysmal 23 sacks while giving up 5.3 yards per play and 316.6 yards per game.

Then came Haley with help from first round picks Kevin Smith and Robert Jones.

In 1992, the Cowboys improved to 44 sacks, 4.5 yards per play and 245.8 yards a game.

Let’s hope the Cowboys can get the same improvement from 2014 to 2015.

Personally, I still think the 1977 Cowboys have the best defense in Cowboys history. Their 53 sacks in 14 games is an outstanding 3.8 sacks a game while only giving up a franchise best 3.7 yards per play and 229.5 yards a game. The 1966 Cowboys gave up 4.1 yards per play and 254.1 yards per game.

Good write up , enjoyed that !

 

[dallasdave]

The '77 team is the best Cowboy team period IMO... The only Cowboy squad ever to rank 1st in offense and defense in the same season.

Needless to say, if the current defense doesn't rank in the top-10 this season, I'll be disappointed.

I remember that season and the great Super Bowl finish against the Bronco's. Randy White was TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

 

[Manster68]

Keep in mind that Dallas in 2014 gave up 355 yards a game. So if they are to improve like from 1991 to 1992, then the Cowboys need to average giving up somewhere between 290-280 yards a game in 2015.

Do you think that is obtainable - even considering that Hardy and McClain will be out the first four games?

Oh am I ever hoping for that! That and with the sack total to be in the 40s.

 

[jazzcat22]

Keep in mind that Dallas in 2014 gave up 355 yards a game. So if they are to improve like from 1991 to 1992, then the Cowboys need to average giving up somewhere between 290-280 yards a game in 2015.

Do you think that is obtainable - even considering that Hardy and McClain will be out the first four games?

Oh am I ever hoping for that! That and with the sack total to be in the 40s.

That is why I say, we may not finish in the top 10, but can or hope to playing like it in the last half of the season.
Adjustment and learning curve, getting guys back from being suspended will help.

At first, I think they will improve from that 355, maybe only 325, Hardy and Ro return, team gels a bit more better. Then they may get near 300 average would be a great leap. I mean 300 after those guys return, not total overall. So say 325 for first half of season, 290 to 300 second half, so a 310 to 315 average.

But for playoff push, less than 300 would be great. Or playing at that level.

 

[DogFace]

I think we'll be ranked comfortably in the top 10 on D.

 

[CCBoy]

Manster, nice snap shot view for a thread...

I think this Dallas offense surely has the talent to be top five.

From the start of this season, I'm thinking that the Dallas defense is a top 10. We shall see from here.

 

[jazzcat22]

I know one thing for sure. Marinelli will have this D fired up and ready to play, and play hard.
Even though it was preseason, but you seen it, even late in the games with all the guys knowing they had a long shot to make the team. They played hard and swarmed to the ball.

 

[Proximo]

I honestly don't care so much about the yards per game and yards per play stats. Not saying they're meaningless, but I'm looking at takeaways, points allowed, sacks, and opposing team's QB rating.

If we're average to above average in those areas, and our offense can stay on the field, that's a pretty good recipe in my book.

The takeaways have been key for us the last couple seasons. Which is refreshing, because it seems like we struggled forcing turnovers under Rob and Wade. I think the bottom line is if we can continue to get takeaways, AND our pass rush improves, we'll be where we want to be. And it certainly looks like our D line is better than it has been the last few years.