How Much Did We Improve on Defense?

[Pass2Run]

Yeah we’ve heard the same arguments before.

I prefer to wait and see actual results first.

You can say this. But people see a different set of characteristics and approach with CP. We haven't seen this kind of hire before. Ever. And it needed to be done.

You can say this is the same thing as every year, but it's not. I was as deflated and discouraged about the defense as anyone. But I know why that was. And I'm optimistic about how they corrected it.

I just wish we had Bones back on ST. He should have stayed.

 

[Stash]

You can say this. But people see a different set of characteristics and approach with CP. We haven't seen this kind of hire before. Ever. And it needed to be done.

I agree. This one is different. On so many levels.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

Even if they're a lousy, below average soft defense with no heart (see 2024 and many seasons before that) that will still be better than 2025.

I'll be happy with "hey, our defense kinda sucks". That would be a monumental improvement

 

[Pass2Run]

Even if they're a lousy, below average soft defense with no heart (see 2024 and many seasons before that) that will still be better than 2025.

I'll be happy with "hey, our defense kinda sucks". That would be a monumental improvement

For sure.

 

[DuncanIso]

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.

Don’t over look James at ILB.

Word is the kid has been putting in the work.

 

[HungryLion]

You can say this. But people see a different set of characteristics and approach with CP. We haven't seen this kind of hire before. Ever. And it needed to be done.

You can say this is the same thing as every year, but it's not. I was as deflated and discouraged about the defense as anyone. But I know why that was. And I'm optimistic about how they corrected it.

I just wish we had Bones back on ST. He should have stayed.

I feel like his hiring is different too.

But it’s gonna be his first year being a DC and the cowboys defensive roster while improved, still has big question marks and needs more improvement.

I expect Parker to be good. But I think people also need to be patient as well.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The idea that Parker is better is just a guess

There is no guessing. An ascending coach who will someday soon be a HC is a big improvement of the disaster Flus was last year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

You can say this. But people see a different set of characteristics and approach with CP. We haven't seen this kind of hire before. Ever. And it needed to be done.

You can say this is the same thing as every year, but it's not. I was as deflated and discouraged about the defense as anyone. But I know why that was. And I'm optimistic about how they corrected it.

I just wish we had Bones back on ST. He should have stayed.

Great post!

 

[big dog cowboy]

Don’t over look James at ILB.

Word is the kid has been putting in the work.

Not going to say this. Not going to say this. Ok I'm going to say it.

James is my pet cat this year. Ducking for cover.

 

[HungryLion]

Here’s what the cowboys did improve from last year: (not counting coaching which I discussed in other posts)

Both safety spots.

Thompson and Downs and Locke will be SIGNIFICANTLY better than the slop we have had at safety for years.

Corner has potential to be better. Bland is still bland (hopefully healthier). I think Revel WILL be better than what Diggs was since his injuries and Cobie Durant is solid.

Linebacker is better. Winters is an upgrade. Overshown is an upgrade IF he can stay healthy.
I like Barham but he’s a rookie so we shall see.

OLB- it all depends on Eze and Lawrence. We really need Eze to take a year 2 jump. Lawrence I like a lot as a prospect. But he’s a rookie and it takes time for rookie edge rushers except for the best of best prospects.

Gary is a solid run defender and ok pass rusher. Not much of an upgrade from Clowney.

DL is basically the same, post Quinnen trade from last year.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

We have the #1 ranked defense this offseason bros.

 

[kskboys]

Even if they're a lousy, below average soft defense with no heart (see 2024 and many seasons before that) that will still be better than 2025.

I'll be happy with "hey, our defense kinda sucks". That would be a monumental improvement

Just taking a quick gander at who we've acquired, being a below average soft D isn't possible.

 

[kskboys]

Here’s what the cowboys did improve from last year: (not counting coaching which I discussed in other posts)

Both safety spots.

Thompson and Downs and Locke will be SIGNIFICANTLY better than the slop we have had at safety for years.

Corner has potential to be better. Bland is still bland (hopefully healthier). I think Revel WILL be better than what Diggs was since his injuries and Cobie Durant is solid.

Linebacker is better. Winters is an upgrade. Overshown is an upgrade IF he can stay healthy.
I like Barham but he’s a rookie so we shall see.

OLB- it all depends on Eze and Lawrence. We really need Eze to take a year 2 jump. Lawrence I like a lot as a prospect. But he’s a rookie and it takes time for rookie edge rushers except for the best of best prospects.

Gary is a solid run defender and ok pass rusher. Not much of an upgrade from Clowney.

DL is basically the same, post Quinnen trade from last year.

Not really, we now have a true NT in Ogboner, albeit a 2 down NT. We have Overton, a noted run stopper, and an ultra solid rotational guy in Bullocks. And then add in some top end but raw talent in EZ and Malachi. I'd say it's much improved.

 

[AsthmaField]

DL is basically the same, post Quinnen trade from last year.

Quinnen and Kenny were here last year but the situation is much different for them.

First, Parker’s scheme is a better fit for them, IMO. It is exactly what Williams did for Saban at Alabama and what got him drafted 3rd overall. Kenny ran a similar scheme in GB for the first part of his career and was very good at it.

Secondly, they’ve both had OTA’s, Minicamps, and unlike last season, they will have a full training camp preparing to run this defense.

Third, Ogbonnia, Bullard, and Overton are better than the group of guys that was backing up the two starters last season (IMO). Ognonnia in particular is a really good DT who will bring toughness and physical play inside. I thought he was an important FA pickup and I feel like people are sleeping on him.

Side note: I do like Osa as a player. He’s a solid pass rushing DT, who is the right kind of guy. He just isn’t particularly a good fit for what he’d be asked to do for Parker. He could do it, but he was paid like (and is) a pass rusher and that wouldn’t be money well spent in this defense. He also isn’t a big, brutishly strong guy like Parker wants in there much of the time.

Anyway, my expectations are that the DL is going to play very well and work much more smoothly with the LB’s and DB’s in a cohesive defense. Cohesion is where a chunk of the defensive improvement will come from, I think. It is a really important part of playing good defensive football, and it was sorely lacking last year, which was unfortunately very evident.

IOW, I expect the DL to be significantly improved even though the best two players on it played the last half of 2025 in Dallas.

Playing together as parts of a bigger machine can drastically change how good (or not) that a defensive unit can be.

I’m excited about it.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

Just taking a quick gander at who we've acquired, being a below average soft D isn't possible.

Which player did we acquire is better than Micah Parsons.

DISCLAIMER: WITH Micah Parsons... we were a below average, soft defense.

 

[kskboys]

Which player did we acquire is better than Micah Parsons.

DISCLAIMER: WITH Micah Parsons... we were a below average, soft defense.

You base your conclusion on one player?

Q is as good a DT as Micah is a DE. Prolly better.

Do you really not see the dawgs we've added? I mean, we got some football players here. Soft is simply not even an option.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Quinnen and Kenny were here last year but the situation is much different for them.

First, Parker’s scheme is a better fit for them, IMO. It is exactly what Williams did for Saban at Alabama and what got him drafted 3rd overall. Kenny ran a similar scheme in GB for the first part of his career and was very good at it.

Secondly, they’ve both had OTA’s, Minicamps, and unlike last season, they will have a full training camp preparing to run this defense.

Third, Ogbonnia, Bullard, and Overton are better than the group of guys that was backing up the two starters last season (IMO). Ognonnia in particular is a really good DT who will bring toughness and physical play inside. I thought he was an important FA pickup and I feel like people are sleeping on him.

Side note: I do like Osa as a player. He’s a solid pass rushing DT, who is the right kind of guy. He just isn’t particularly a good fit for what he’d be asked to do for Parker. He could do it, but he was paid like (and is) a pass rusher and that wouldn’t be money well spent in this defense. He also isn’t a big, brutishly strong guy like Parker wants in there much of the time.

Anyway, my expectations are that the DL is going to play very well and work much more smoothly with the LB’s and DB’s in a cohesive defense. Cohesion is where a chunk of the defensive improvement will come from, I think. It is a really important part of playing good defensive football, and it was sorely lacking last year, which was unfortunately very evident.

IOW, I expect the DL to be significantly improved even though the best two players on it played the last half of 2025 in Dallas.

Playing together as parts of a bigger machine can drastically change how good (or not) that a defensive unit can be.

I’m excited about it.

Excellent post!!!

 

[Kwyn]

Q is as good a DT as Micah is a DE. Prolly better.

Years: 7
All- Pro: 1

Years: 5
All-Pro: 4

 

[HungryLion]

Quinnen and Kenny were here last year but the situation is much different for them.

First, Parker’s scheme is a better fit for them, IMO. It is exactly what Williams did for Saban at Alabama and what got him drafted 3rd overall. Kenny ran a similar scheme in GB for the first part of his career and was very good at it.

Secondly, they’ve both had OTA’s, Minicamps, and unlike last season, they will have a full training camp preparing to run this defense.

Third, Ogbonnia, Bullard, and Overton are better than the group of guys that was backing up the two starters last season (IMO). Ognonnia in particular is a really good DT who will bring toughness and physical play inside. I thought he was an important FA pickup and I feel like people are sleeping on him.

Side note: I do like Osa as a player. He’s a solid pass rushing DT, who is the right kind of guy. He just isn’t particularly a good fit for what he’d be asked to do for Parker. He could do it, but he was paid like (and is) a pass rusher and that wouldn’t be money well spent in this defense. He also isn’t a big, brutishly strong guy like Parker wants in there much of the time.

Anyway, my expectations are that the DL is going to play very well and work much more smoothly with the LB’s and DB’s in a cohesive defense. Cohesion is where a chunk of the defensive improvement will come from, I think. It is a really important part of playing good defensive football, and it was sorely lacking last year, which was unfortunately very evident.

IOW, I expect the DL to be significantly improved even though the best two players on it played the last half of 2025 in Dallas.

Playing together as parts of a bigger machine can drastically change how good (or not) that a defensive unit can be.

I’m excited about it.

Ok. So the depth of the DL is better. That’s good.

I’ve said repeatedly I like the direction the cowboys defense is headed. The biggest issue right now is that we still have a bunch of questions marks/young players at key spots. We need the rookies/2nd year players to play well.

 

[AsthmaField]

Ok. So the depth of the DL is better. That’s good.

I’ve said repeatedly I like the direction the cowboys defense is headed. The biggest issue right now is that we still have a bunch of questions marks/young players at key spots. We need the rookies/2nd year players to play well.

I agree. We do need them to play well.