High praise for Cowboys defense

[gimmesix]

Is the team there yet with the right players, or do they need to go out and bring in another good back?

Pollard was one of the best backs in the league last year, so unless the injury slows him down, we should be in good shape from a starting standpoint. Your question can't be answered, though, until we see the rest. Can Ronald Jones regain the form he showed in 2020 or at least be more worthy here of a No. 2 role than he was in KC? Can Deuce Vaughn overcome his size limitations like he did in college? Can Malik Davis be the latest UDFA success story at RB, building on what he showed as a rookie? Can Hunter Luepke be a successful short-yardage back on this level? I think we have to find out the answers to those questions to know if we need to do more at the position.

 

[DanA]

The addition of Gilmore, Mazi and potential heat-seeking Overshown could make this a top 5 unit.

those dudes give me hope that we can get to that next level in the playoffs

Having said that the offense MUST not faulter in the playoffs and forget about just getting 12 points in a playoff game. IF they fix that, we could be in for a real ride.

I thought it was a top 5 unit last season, and on paper at least, it’s much better this season mostly because of Mazi and Gilmore upgrading the weakest links but also a young group showing natural progression.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I can't emphasis the importance of a strong running game when it comes to the success of the defense.

A strong running game controls the clock and keep the opponent defense on the field. This results in additional rest for our defense and additional stress for the opponent offense.

LOL...MM could have written this

 

[Pantone282C]

I am now officially geeked about the upcoming season

Starting to look very promising on defense. Waiting to see how the offense operates under McCarthy.

 

[Buzzbait]

The addition of Gilmore, Mazi and potential heat-seeking Overshown could make this a top 5 unit.

those dudes give me hope that we can get to that next level in the playoffs

Having said that the offense MUST not faulter in the playoffs and forget about just getting 12 points in a playoff game. IF they fix that, we could be in for a real ride.

Shabazz I'm in total agreement with your assessment. If Mazi and Overshown can have good rookie seasons which I think they're talented enough to do, combine that with talents like Parsons, Sam Williams, Gilmore, Diggs, etc this defense is going to be tough!

 

[TheCritic]

Add Williams , Damone and Cox taking the next step.

I remember once comparing the 1992 Cowboys to the 1989 Cowboys and was shocked about how many players were already on the roster in 1989. Sure we added key players through the draft and trades, but a lot of it had to do with players coming of age at the right time. That's what this year's defense reminds me of.

 

[ChuckA1]

I remember once comparing the 1992 Cowboys to the 1989 Cowboys and was shocked about how many players were already on the roster in 1989. Sure we added key players through the draft and trades, but a lot of it had to do with players coming of age at the right time. That's what this year's defense reminds me of.

Great point

 

[TexasHillbilly]

While I don't feel this will be a completely dominant D (like the Doomsday D or the Jimmy era Ds), I feel really good about it.
Going into the offseason, I felt we had 4 importany needs to get better.
CB2, DT, LB and keeping some key FA's, especially keeping out depth at S by keeping Wilson, which we did.
The Gimore trade was a great move, and addressed a weakness. What a great pick Bland turned out to be, and our secondary is so much better than last years.This corner competition this year is going to be something to watch. Again, our secondary is better and deeper than a year ago.
The Mazi pick likewise addressed a longstanding weakness, and combined with keeping Hankins has turned that 1 tech defensive hole into a strength. We kept our Edge depth too, and again, the DLine as a whole is better than a year ago.
I do have a bit of concern at LB, though keeping LVE was a solid move.
Also, by keeping Wilson, Kearse remains a de facto LB.
We have some talented kids and it's their time to step up. If they do we are set. If thet do not, we could have some chinks in the armor.
All in all, it was a great off season for us on that side of the ball.
My great hope is that the offense can be a bit more ball control and clock chewing.
A simpler, West Coast, short passing game I believe will help Dak make better decisions.
Fewer TOs, more ball control.
We may gain fewer yards and score fewer points, but I believe we could be better overall with this type of Offense vs Moore's more open and deep passing Offense.
Really hope Tyron can stay healthy too. OLine looks great with him there, without him, it looks thin.
Time will tell.

It's really about who can stay healthy. A few injuries and the D changes as a whole. I know ya'll know this but I thought I would bring it up again.

 

[Havic]

The defense has me really excited. This unit is good enough to win a superbowl with. Just need similar play on the offensive side

 

[McMicah]

If Gholston or Fehoko can surprise this year and compliment Osa in a rotation at 3T….good gravy this defense will be so scary

 

[McMicah]

I thought it was a top 5 unit last season, and on paper at least, it’s much better this season mostly because of Mazi and Gilmore upgrading the weakest links but also a young group showing natural progression.

Honestly outside of LB, I expect virtually every draft pick to be on offense next year lol. And that’s not even because offense is weak, it’s just because the defense is so filthy.

 

[Diehardblues]

Is the team there yet with the right players, or do they need to go out and bring in another good back?

Defensively we should be ok. Bless there’s a key injury.

 

[nobody]

I agree…. And for a couple of years hopefully.

Personally, I am calling for a SB run akin to the early 90s! And yes, because we took a DT round one…. History and Karma colliding in a spectacular flurry of SB appearances!!!

Go Cowboys!!

I like your enthusiasm, but Dak is no Troy Aikman in the playoffs. Aikman kicked it up a notch and got better for the playoffs. Dak choked. Hopefully getting rid of Moore fixes that, but I am not holding my breath. Dak showed what he is.

 

[Diehardblues]

I like your enthusiasm, but Dak is no Troy Aikman in the playoffs. Aikman kicked it up a notch and got better for the playoffs. Dak choked. Hopefully getting rid of Moore fixes that, but I am not holding my breath. Dak showed what he is.

Of course he’s no Aikman. I’m not sure why fans expect him to be.

I’m just not sure I’ve seen a Cowboys team this era with maybe exception of 2007 or 2014 that should have reached a championship game and or the best team didn’t win.

Yes, we could use a greater QB but that hasn’t been the only area we’ve been inferior than our opponents in playoffs.

Did he have a bad game in SF, yes, but I think the best team won.

 

[Cebrin]

Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently finished a series in which they ranked the top 32 players by position. Not so surprisingly the Dallas Cowboys landed quite a few of their players on the list. Today will take a look at Dallas’ defensive players who made PFF’s cut.

Parsons finished top five in both pass rush grade (92.2) and win rate (19.6%) over the last two years and is No. 1 in the league in our pass rush productivity metric.

Lawrence leads off the Tier 4 list. His pass-rush stats have faded a bit over the past few seasons, but he’s one of the top all-around edge players in the league due to how good he is against the run. He’s recorded 85.1 run defense and 88.1 pass rush culmulative grades since 2020.

LVE claimed the very last spot in PFF’s top 32 LB rankings. He was a key component to Dallas’ defense last season and and should continue to be so in 2023. He will be relied upon to lead a young group of LBs for the Cowboys this season.

According to PFF, the Cowboys have the top CB duo starting on the outside for them heading into 2023. Throw in DaRon Bland in the slot as their third CB, and they could possibly have the best trio starting for them the season as well.

The Dallas Cowboys were the only team to have three safeties make it into PFF’s top 32 rankings. Jayron Kearse, Donovan Wilson, and Malik Hooker all bring something a little different to Dallas’ defense and are all perfect fits for what Dan Quinn needs on the backend.

Full listings and story below..

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...AEdeqpggtSR94qsit13ya0inbfPjo&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Add Mazi, and two second year players in Sam and Damone. May health be in our favor.

 

[SlammedZero]

While I should know better being a Cowboys fan, lol, my excitement for the defense is through the roof. On paper, they look to be the real deal. I've always been more of a fan of defense vs offense anyway, so I think it could be exciting watching them.

I love a mean defense.