Have we improved the pass rush?

[NorthwestDallas40]

Stephen said this was offseason priority number one. We added Taco, D. Moore, Paea, and have a healthy Tapper. The suspensions suck. But looking at week 5, when we are past them and full strength, do we think our pass rush versus Rodgers will be appreciably better? And for remainder of the year?

 

[elcowboi]

When all the players are playing and some not suspended, yes. Until then, no.

 

[SlammedZero]

I keep forgetting about Tapper. Hopefully he can be the welcomed addition we are all hoping he will be.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

When all the players are playing and some not suspended, yes. Until then, no.

I wouldn't say that (no). I wouldn't say "yes" either.

Need to see what Tapper, Lawrence and to some extent Crawford bring to the table. All are coming off of some sort of injury/surgery/rehabilitation.

If Tapper shows some of the athletic ability he displayed in college and at the combine, and Lawrence is past his back issues and Crawford is no longer dealing with rotor cuff issues there remains realistic potential for a better pass rush prior to the return of Moore and Irving.

 

[Macnalty]

I also think Collins with one year removed from his foot injury should be included. He had the same injury that took Dez out for a season.

 

[cowboyblue22]

do we really know either way for sure yet?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I also think Collins with one year removed from his foot injury should be included. He had the same injury that took Dez out for a season.

That's a good point.

Collins has the potential to be a double-digit sack guy from the DT position, which is saying something. In addition it will make things easier for the DE's.

The suspensions suck... Especially Irvings... But I'm not going to cry like some are about the cupboard being totally bare.

 

[conner01]

We will start to see about week 8 when your full arsenal has had a couple games under their belt

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

do we really know either way for sure yet?

No just wondering what people think

 

[Cumart21]

I'm afraid Irving will never be a player who can be relied on, much like Gregory and McClain. Knucklehead status.

My gut tells me the pass rush will be improved to average, which is fairly significant considering where it's been. Thinking it will improve as the season goes along.

 

[TrailBlazer]

No. We're relying on unproven guys to play meaningful snaps. Especially with Irving out. Compare our front seven to other legit contenders. When all the money is on the table, we stand little chance versus aaron rodgers. At least the secondary got younger/better. One thing at a time i suppose.

 

[Redball Express]

Stephen said this was offseason priority number one. We added Taco, D. Moore, Paea, and have a healthy Tapper. The suspensions suck. But looking at week 5, when we are past them and full strength, do we think our pass rush versus Rodgers will be appreciably better? And for remainder of the year?

This team is built offensively.

Always has been.

The organization has always worked under the belief that defensively..

players have to support one or two players on defense who are the "war daddy's".

This goes back to Bob Lilly and Randy White, Charles Haley and Demarcus Ware.

Show me those players and I will give it some hope.

Otherwise..

the defense is still a road bump.

With 3 new guys at defensive secondary positions..

it's going to leak more until some of them step up.

It puts a lot of pressure on the offense.

I have no idea how that turns out.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

No. We're relying on unproven guys to play meaningful snaps. Especially with Irving out. Compare our front seven to other legit contenders. When all the money is on the table, we stand little chance versus aaron rodgers. At least the secondary got younger/better. One thing at a time i suppose.

The suspensions will be over by the time they play the Packers.

By that point there we'll see what sort of contributions Tapper, Lawrence, Moore & Charlton can bring.

I'm not expecting "all-good" nor "all-bad".

I don't think it will be that dire.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

This team is built offensively.

Always has been.

The organization has always worked under the belief that defensively..

players have to support one or two players on defense who are the "war daddy's".

This goes back to Bob Lilly and Randy White, Charles Haley and Demarcus Ware.

Show me those players and I will give it some hope.

Otherwise..

the defense is still a road bump.

With 3 new guys at defensive secondary positions..

it's going to leak more until some of them step up.

The defensive tackle rotation is decent. Maybe the best it's been in several years.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

As a matter of fact here's what Rob Phillips had to say about what has impressed him so far in camp...

Rob Phillips: Two under-the-radar defensive linemen have caught my attention the first week. One, defensive tackle Stephen Paea, was a free-agent addition. The other, Charles Tapper, missed last season. For a thickly-built, 295-pound nose tackle, Paea has some quick-twitch pass rush ability. Drafted by Rod Marinelli and the Bears in 2011, he’s excited to be back in Marinelli’s scheme where it’s more about movement and getting up the field. Tapper’s quick first step off the edge is really impressive in these pass rush drills. The Cowboys were excited about his potential last year before the back injury. Will keep an eye on both players once the preseason games get underway. They have a chance to be contributors in Marinelli’s rotation.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Here's what caught Dave Helman's attention the first week of camp:

David Helman: I’m about to state the obvious if you’ve been following along with our coverage, but this new-look secondary has had an impressive start to camp. We knew going in that all eyes were going to be on Chidobe Awuzie, the No. 60 overall pick in the draft. So far, he is delivering on the hype with a pair of interceptions and another pair of deflected passes in just two padded practices. It’s only two real days of work, but it’s exciting to see him moving around the formation, handling different duties – and handling them well. Fellow rookie Marquez White is also off to a strong start, as he has looked physical and unafraid in one-on-one matchups as well as full-team repetitions. With all of that said, we haven’t even seen Jourdan Lewis yet – so his arrival will be another fun development to watch. Obviously, the rookies are the big talking point, but the veterans deserve some mention, too. Anthony Brown nabbed the first interception of training camp when he picked off Dak Prescott on Thursday morning. Orlando Scandrick also had a really strong first day of practice, as he got the better of Dez Bryant on multiple occasions. It’s incredibly early, but it’s encouraging to see a strong start from a position group that’s facing a lot of scrutiny heading into 2017.


A secondary that can actually cover will help make the defensive line that much better.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Bottom line...

I think by the end of the season we'll be thinking that this is the best defense the Cowboys have had since 2009.

Now will it be good enough?

Don't know.

But it'll be better than what we've seen in several seasons.

 

[CATCH17]

I'm sure we did a little but beI bet we don't see the potential until October.

 

[Sarge]

do we really know either way for sure yet?

Nope and that's why they play the game.

 

[TrailBlazer]

I don't think it will be that dire.

Not until we really need it.

Like when it's 3rd and 20 with 10 seconds left, Rodgers has all day to throw, we get ripped for 35 yards and lose the game and season is over. Remember that? I don't want to keep watching that.