Heard Mickey Say Dallas Worst In League At Yards Per Play

[Beast_from_East]

I was listening to Talking Cowboys and they were talking about the defense and Mickey said that Dallas was dead last in the NFL in allowing 6.4 yards per play. I was shocked at hearing this because the impression has been that this defense has been vastly improved, so this begs the question................

Is this defense really that improved?

 

[Idgit]

I was listening to Talking Cowboys and they were talking about the defense and Mickey said that Dallas was dead last in the NFL in allowing 6.4 yards per play. I was shocked at hearing this because the impression has been that this defense has been vastly improved, so this begs the question................

Is this defense really that improved?

Not vastly, though I don't know that the impression was that it was vastly improved. It's better. We still give up yardage between the 20's, though, and then live off of making you do it over and over again until you either make a mistake or we're backed up enough that the smaller positive plays are harder to make.

We're better, though. And we're still top 10 in scoring defense, which is a number that matters a lot more than the yardage defense numbers. That alone I'll take and run if I can get it all season. We'll see if we can keep it up.

 

[perrykemp]

Sturm posted an article last week (before the Texans game) that basically indicated the defense, through 4 games this year, is worsr than last's year defense after 4 games.

I personally think they are better than last year, however, this week will tell all of us a lot. The Saints game was very encouraging, however, the Saints are having problems so it's hard to determine what kind of barometer they are.

Kapernick, Austin, Locker, and Fitzpatrick collectively represent a fairly mediocre set of QBs -- although I think Austin has a lot of potential.

 

[dstovall5]

I think the defense has gotten better at getting out of 3rd downs, before they were just terrible in that situation. For the most part though, I think they're still very below average just our running game covers it up well. I really can't complain though, they haven't lost us a game yet and hopefully it stays that way.

 

[Beast_from_East]

I think the defense has gotten better at getting out of 3rd downs, before they were just terrible in that situation. For the most part though, I think they're still very below average just our running game covers it up well. I really can't complain though, they haven't lost us a game yet and hopefully it stays that way.

I agree that our running game is covering up a lot of worts on this defense...................mainly, keeping them off the field.................LOL

 

[Risen Star]

I was listening to Talking Cowboys and they were talking about the defense and Mickey said that Dallas was dead last in the NFL in allowing 6.4 yards per play. I was shocked at hearing this because the impression has been that this defense has been vastly improved, so this begs the question................

Is this defense really that improved?

That doesn't shock me. This defense sucks large. From scheme (head bowed for Marinelli) to players.

 

[The Quest for Six]

I was listening to Talking Cowboys and they were talking about the defense and Mickey said that Dallas was dead last in the NFL in allowing 6.4 yards per play. I was shocked at hearing this because the impression has been that this defense has been vastly improved, so this begs the question................

Is this defense really that improved?

nope!

 

[dstovall5]

That doesn't shock me. This defense sucks large. From scheme (head bowed for Marinelli) to players.

And that's putting it nicely.

 

[perrykemp]

I think the front seven is better despite having overall less talent than 2013.

My honest opinion is the pass defense is likely one of the worst in the NFL, however, the team has done a relatively good job of protecting the secondary this year. Kudos to Rod for that.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Sturm posted an article last week (before the Texans game) that basically indicated the defense, through 4 games this year, is worsr than last's year defense after 4 games.

We're giving up 6.4 yards per play this year, worst in the NFL.
We gave up 6.1 yards per play last year, 3rd-worst in the NFL.
We're giving up a lot fewer points so far this season, though. Of course, we haven't exactly been playing offensive juggernauts, with the exception of NO. And I'm not convinced it's sustainable, as long as we're giving up big chunks of yards the way we have been.

 

[conner01]

yards does'nt mean much. we are'nt allowing teams to score at will and thats what matters. they have done just enough and thats all we need

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

That doesn't shock me. This defense sucks large. From scheme (head bowed for Marinelli) to players.

There's definitely a sense that it could be exposed at any time. (Will largely depend on whether the running game continues to limit the D's time on the field.)

Not sure why Marinelli and the scheme are taking any blame, however, when there's a more obvious and reasonably complete explanation: mediocre talent on that side of the ball.

 

[daveferr33]

The problems on defense are being covered up by TOP by the offense. We are currently 5th in the league. Last season we ended up 24th.

This defense is still getting gashed. But when you limit the other team's offensive possessions (and their opportunity to score) you can still win some games despite a bad defense.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

According to resident stat guru @percyhoward , the Cowboys rank seventh in points per possession, which is a far more telling stat.

 

[Beast_from_East]

The problems on defense are being covered up by TOP by the offense. We are currently 5th in the league. Last season we ended up 24th.

This defense is still getting gashed. But when you limit the other team's offensive possessions (and their opportunity to score) you can still win some games despite a bad defense.

I think we saw some of that late in the Houston game. When the offense cant pick up first downs, the defense can get exposed. We blew a 10 point lead in the last 5 mins of the game and if not for a miracle Dez catch, we are punting the ball back to Houston and probably lose.

 

[Dwight]

The problems on defense are being covered up by TOP by the offense. We are currently 5th in the league. Last season we ended up 24th.

This defense is still getting gashed. But when you limit the other team's offensive possessions (and their opportunity to score) you can still win some games despite a bad defense.

I was just about to say that. Dallas' offense (oline) has helped them. There is hardly no pass rush at times from the defense. McClain, Crawford and Scandrick are the only ones that have been consistent on that side of the ball.

Next offseason the dline must be addressed.

 

[percyhoward]

According to resident stat guru @percyhoward , the Cowboys rank seventh in points per possession, which is a far more telling stat.

I don't know about more telling, but it'll win you more games.

 

[Doomsday101]

I was listening to Talking Cowboys and they were talking about the defense and Mickey said that Dallas was dead last in the NFL in allowing 6.4 yards per play. I was shocked at hearing this because the impression has been that this defense has been vastly improved, so this begs the question................

Is this defense really that improved?

I saw Mickey on Cowboys insider and he also said what makes this unit different is they are making the critical plays, in each of the 4 wins when this unit has had to make a play to help this team win they have. To me the most important stat of all for a defense points allowed Dallas ranks 8th. Lot of improvement still ahead of them but defense has done a lot of good things

 

[Galian Beast]

Yards is not an accurate determinant of how well a defense is playing. Not sure why it is used so often.

As people have said, our successful running game has helped limit teams to 58 plays per game, which is the 4th lowest in the nfl. This is compared to what we had last year which was 68.4 plays per game.

We also have the 5th best time of possession, with opposing teams having the ball 26:54 compared to what they had last year which was 30:58.

You could give all the credit to the running game for this, but that doesn't take into account that we are 5th lowest in first downs allowed per game at 18.6 per game this year compared to 24.2 last year.

I would say that it is due in part to our running game as well as some improvements on defense, but yeah the running game is helping tremendously. The passing game is also working well, I think if you look at Romo's 3rd down conversion rate you would see that it is a lot higher this year, but that is also a function of the running game.

We lead the NFL in 3rd down conversion percentage, and we've increased it over last year by 20 percent. If we can improve our red zone scoring and stop turning the ball over we're going to be difficult to beat.

 

[Galian Beast]

I think it is important to note that this defense is doing better, but we can still do A LOT better on defense, and that is why our next draft should still be entirely focused on defense, primarily the defensive line.

Our 3rd down conversion percentage is essentially unchanged from last year, and it's entirely too high. That being said it's average within the league.

By dropping it, our ability to beat teams will expand pretty wildly. This means we need to be able to rush the passer.