How many of our defenders would you say are above average for their position?

[MarionBarberThe4th]

?

 

[Cebrin]

Who knows until they get some chemistry and what we hope is good coaching.

 

[jday]

We should probably table this question until we've seen at least 1 regular season game. Right now, it's anybody guess what we have.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

We should probably table this question until we've seen at least 1 regular season game. Right now, it's anybody guess what we have.

This.

Too many question marks at this point.

There aren't going to be nearly enough "above average" guys for a top-10 defense.

But there may be enough to escape the bottom 1/2 dozen teams of the NFL. However at this point we just don't know who they are.

 

[perrykemp]

I'll take a swing:

• Melton is far above average for his position if removing injury from the equation
• Scandrick is top echelon nickel back (which is where I think he'll end up this year)
• Barry Church is a slightly better than average SS

That's it based on what we know TODAY.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I'll take a swing:

• Melton is far above average for his position if removing injury from the equation
• Scandrick is top echelon nickel back (which is where I think he'll end up this year)
• Barry Church is a slightly better than average SS

That's it based on what we know TODAY.

Haha thanks for answering at least sheesh. Why don't we table all discussions until the season starts guys ?

So you think claireborne fights for his spot back then? That'd be such a bonus. I've kind of written him off bc he isn't any good but corners are fickle so who knows maybe the light comes on.

And idk about Melton I really forgot he was still In the league tbh. He very well could have a big season.

 

[Tawney88]

None are above average until they prove otherwise. We had the worst defense in team history last season and I didn't see it markedly improve this year.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Lee when he's healthy. That's about all. There's a few average players and a lot of below average ones.

 

[Idgit]

Lee, Melton, Scandrick

Then we've got a handful of guys who have a little bit of experience and might have the ability to be above average this season: Carter, Wilcox, Claiborne, Crawford, Lawrence.

We've got some other players I'm looking forward to watching develop, but it'd be too soon to expect anything much from them right now. It's a pretty bare cupboard on defense this season.

 

[boyzjunkie]

With the offense I imagine, we don't need above average defenders. If they are all just average we will win out over the gnats, girls and skinnies.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

This defense was top 10 in takeaways. The defense is better than last year.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Lee, Melton, Scandrick

Then we've got a handful of guys who have a little bit of experience and might have the ability to be above average this season: Carter, Wilcox, Claiborne, Crawford, Lawrence.

We've got some other players I'm looking forward to watching develop, but it'd be too soon to expect anything much from them right now. It's a pretty bare cupboard on defense this season.

You forgot Carr

 

[BigStar]

I'll take a swing:

• Melton is far above average for his position if removing injury from the equation
• Scandrick is top echelon nickel back (which is where I think he'll end up this year)
• Barry Church is a slightly better than average SS

That's it based on what we know TODAY.

Good rundown but I feel Church is average in that he is a liability in the passing game. We seem to give him a pass being undrafted and turning himself into a player (starter). Ideal third safety. Lee would lead the group if healthy.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

When healthy:

Lee (superstar)
Melton (low end pro bowler)
Church (definitely above avg)
Carr (20-25th best cb so above avg)
Scandrick (top 3 slot corner and above avg outside corner)

Just my 0.02

 

[xwalker]

They have a lot of players with the potential to be above average. That has not always been the case. Years like the one where Alan Ball was the projected starting safety, there was really no chance that he was going to be above average as a Safety.

Church - On a good defense he could be very similar to Seattle's Kam Chancellor.
Wilcox - High upside.
Other Safeties: Several with really good physical ability.

Carr: He's done it before.
Scandrick: Above average as a Nickel CB. Would need to have better ball skills to be above average on the outside.
Claiborne: Probably already above average as a 3rd CB. Needs to become above average as a starter.

Carter: Was good in 2012 and has as much physical ability as just about any LB in the league.
Holloman: Was above average for a late round rookie. Has a high upside.
Wilber: Interesting combination as a SLB with pass rushing experience and better than average size. Measureables are almost identical to Seattle's starting SLB.
Hitchens: Leading tackler in conference at a big college.
Durant: Would be above average backup or OK starter.

Lawrence: One of the most well developed DEs in the draft. Not as good of an athlete as guys like Barr, but a more developed football player.
Melton: Was one of the best just a couple of years ago. Still young.
McClain: Appears to have the required physical ability and has significantly developed as a player since his rookie year (2011). Defensive star of OTAs.
Selvie: At least average last season.
Crawford: Everybody in the Cowboys organization thinks he has it.
Backup DL: Many young guys with really good physical ability for possible above average depth. Spencer and/or Okoye could add to the mix if healthy.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Carr loved the signing played great his first year imo but he'll step up this yet big time.
scandrick been a fan for years
church been a fan for a while plus coolest jersey on dallas lol
lee when healthy
melton depending on how he plays after Injury

eager to see all the rookies and im hoping for a healthy spencer because I noticed him as much or more than ware over the years. I know his stats dont say that but dude is disruptive!

 

[CF74]

I'll take a swing:

• Melton is far above average for his position if removing injury from the equation
• Scandrick is top echelon nickel back (which is where I think he'll end up this year)
• Barry Church is a slightly better than average SS

That's it based on what we know TODAY.

I'd add Carr to the mix, he's not all world but he's a couple notches above average...

 

[KingintheNorth]

Free Safety situation is amongst the worst in the league.
Strong Safety - I would say Church is slightly less than average. Incredibly overrated on this board.
Corners - Man, I had high hopes for this group but they have got to show something this year. On paper, Carr, Claiborne, and Scandrick should be as good as any trio in the NFL.
Linebackers minus Sean Lee has also got to be one of the worst units around.
Defensive Line - Hopeful about Crawford, Melton, and Lawrence but serious, serious question marks here.

It's a good thing Romo can put up a lot of points because he is going to need to. Hopefully, less turnovers from Tony and a grind-it-out run game behind this O Line and we can keep the defense off the field as much as possible.

 

[jnday]

You forgot Carr

For good reason.

 

[ChooChoo73]

Church. I can't even pretend there's anyone else as we start the season. Maybe by the end.