How Much Did We Improve on Defense?

[Pass2Run]

It’s jsut there the once. I moved it to be a response to ksk

Meh, it's kinda funny people bag on Dak for keeping himself in great shape. That's not easy to do..

I'll be 50 in less than a week, and I still do circles around most 21 years olds. It takes time, consistency, discipline

 

[Proof]

It should be better, but it's not going to be by how much most on this forum seem to think. I suspect it will be a mid 20s ranked defense by the end of the year. That is an improvement, but it will still be a below average defense.

i just don't see it. there's some gamewreckers back there.

 

[Stash]

Another reason for my optimism.

Christian Parker has coached 2 of the top 10 outside corners in Patrick Surtain II and Quinyon Mitchell.

He has also coached 2 of the top 5 slot corners in the NFL in Cooper DeJean and Ja-Quan McMillian.

That’s not mere coincidence.

And now he’s got a 1st round player in Caleb Downs, a former Pro Bowl cornerback in Daron Bland, a big-money signing at safety in Jalen Thompson, a proven veteran in Cobe Durant, and a projected 1st round pick in Shavon Revel.

I can’t wait to see what he does with these guys.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Another reason for my optimism.

Christian Parker has coached 2 of the top 10 outside corners in Patrick Surtain II and Quinyon Mitchell.

He has also coached 2 of the top 5 slot corners in the NFL in Cooper DeJean and Ja-Quan McMillian.

That’s not mere coincidence.

And now he’s got a 1st round player in Caleb Downs, a former Pro Bowl cornerback in Daron Bland, a big-money signing at safety in Jalen Thompson, a proven veteran in Cobe Durant, and a projected 1st round pick in Shavon Revel.

I can’t wait to see what he does with these guys.

I'm hoping he works on the D-line a lot. We've got to get pressure up front to help those back guys.

 

[LouBrown]

Significant improvement at S and LB but no improvement on the DL.

People are too optimistic about this team's ability to rush the passer

 

[vlad]

Compared to last year, how much did we improve?

If we have Christian Parker last year, we win at least two more games. Just on coaching alone.

We also got Gary, Lawrence, Ezeiruaku more experienced, Quinnen, Kenny Clark, Caleb Downs? Who even does that? We also got Overton, Barham, Jalen Thompson, Dee Winters, Overshown is coming back, we picked up Cobie Durant. And we have guys like Bell and Reddy.

Pinch me. I was ready to give up last year. This is looking like a new team.

And that's a good thing.

Maybe it's not yet complete, but that is indeed one heck of a rebuild.

Anyone sense one more trade coming before the season starts?

I do.

I give the off-season rebuild a solid A.

I think they did a really good job in the secondary or at safety at least. The other additions are anywhere from "meh" to "lets hope" for me. Linebackers and rush scare the heck out of me.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Let's break it down from the back-end:

FS/S - Large improvements with Locke and Thompson now available doesn't force us to rely on Hooker and we should have an All-Pro in Caleb Downs if all pans out or at very minimum pro-bowl caliber play

CB - Diggs/Revel were relied on/needed to early into the season. This led to Carson and others getting more reps - with Revel another year under his belt and the addition of Durant I'll consider it a slight upgrade. We were at a D- last year and now have gone to C+ with potential to go higher depending on Blands injury.

MLB - Don't need to say much, this was an F. Overshown was lacklustre. Dee Winters & Barham should take this to a C+.

Front 7 - Huge improvement...Q and Clark without Osa will benefit the run game. Gary replaces Clowney and we have EzE and now a 1st round edge.

Defense went from D- to C+ with potential to be a B-/B tier defence.

Overshown was coming in cold off a knee injury with no offseason, no training camp, only a few practices, and joined a crap-tastic defense that had no direction.

He's going to be a lot better this season.

 

[gtb1943]

Overshown was coming in cold off a knee injury with no offseason, no training camp, only a few practices, and joined a crap-tastic defense that had no direction.

He's going to be a lot better this season.

assuming he is not injure; AGAIN

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Overshown was coming in cold off a knee injury with no offseason, no training camp, only a few practices, and joined a crap-tastic defense that had no direction.

He's going to be a lot better this season.

If this coach is as good as "they" say he is...he's gonna help 'shone "stay in his lane" and not try to superman all over the field. I think that will help him stay healthy.

 

[DCwarrior]

I like the turnover on staff and players. There is still a lot of question marks though. No premier pass rusher, razor thin in talent at LBer and questionable CBs. Very good DTs and safeties. All in all better than last year. If they stay healthy maybe 15-20 range in rank.

 

[Big D]

Time will tell, but it is encouraging that they finally seemed to be paying attention to defense building rule #1 and focused on strengthening right up the middle. Finally!

This is all that we needed after Dak and Zeke's rookie season in 2016. We're living life at the speed of Jerry!

 

[ghst187]

Players will communicate and know their responsibilities/assignments presnap….so probably over 100% even without the personnel upgrades

 

[kskboys]

Significant improvement at S and LB but no improvement on the DL.

People are too optimistic about this team's ability to rush the passer

You don't think Q and Clark are improvements? I don't get it.

 

[kskboys]

I compared people just saying stuff....then j said can we see at least one snap before claiming things are fixed. Prolly need several games or so to really see.

Not sure what your objection is but I hope I clarified it for you.

The post was about Dak. You didn't.

 

[kskboys]

It has to play out in the field.

It would seem we've made some good changes....and we'll all cheer them on. So...show us on the field.

We've tried to kick Lucy's football for 30 years. They've made promises and changes before. So show dont tell.

Q/Thompson/Gary/Locke/Durant/Winters have all already shown it on the field.

 

[HungryLion]

Exactly where is that? I haven't seen them say one word even close to what you posted.

I’m using a bit of hyperbole. But there are a lot of folks in the cowboys media world who are selling Christian Parker as the answer to the cowboys worried, and selling him hard. Without even waiting for one game to be played.

The hype around a first time DC has been crazy.

 

[beware_d-ware]

We'll be better this year. We won't be a good defense, but we won't be 31st again either.

Replacing Wilson, Diggs, and Murray with Downs, Durant, and Winters is instant addition by subtraction.

 

[DandyDon52]

better coaching and game plans will make a huge difference.It will be fun to watch.

 

[Cowfan75Lives]

No, it is not. We acquired proven starters. No idea how you don't see it.

Yes, it is. I haven't seen us play a game yet.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Christian Parker has coached 2 of the top 10 outside corners in Patrick Surtain II and Quinyon Mitchell.

He has also coached 2 of the top 5 slot corners in the NFL in Cooper DeJean and Ja-Quan McMillian.

That’s not mere coincidence.

And now he’s got a 1st round player in Caleb Downs, a former Pro Bowl cornerback in Daron Bland, a big-money signing at safety in Jalen Thompson, a proven veteran in Cobe Durant, and a projected 1st round pick in Shavon Revel.

I can’t wait to see what he does with these guys.

GREAT post.