I expect a defensive turn around

[Galian Beast]

I think a lot of people and perhaps rightfully so, think our defense stinks.

Well it's the same defense that was a year removed from being on of the top defenses.

People think that because Ryan hasn't had time to install the new defense, we'll struggle, but Broaddus brought up a good point. This is a veteran defense.

The youngest group of starters on defense are Mike Jenkins' draft class, and that puts them in their 4th year.

The defense certainly had problems, but I think that had to do more with scheme and some individual regression, not to mention the huge drop off with Alan Ball.

I think a more deceptive scheme + new safety will bring us back to where we were in 2009.

The offense putting the defense in better positions will also help.

 

[THUMPER]

I think a lot of people and perhaps rightfully so, think our defense stinks.

Well it's the same defense that was a year removed from being on of the top defenses.

People think that because Ryan hasn't had time to install the new defense, we'll struggle, but Broaddus brought up a good point. This is a veteran defense.

The youngest group of starters on defense are Mike Jenkins' draft class, and that puts them in their 4th year.

The defense certainly had problems, but I think that had to do more with scheme and some individual regression, not to mention the huge drop off with Alan Ball.

I think a more deceptive scheme + new safety will bring us back to where we were in 2009.

The offense putting the defense in better positions will also help.

I think every Cowboys fan is expecting a defensive turnaround this year. If Ryan can't get it done then we are screwed!

 

[Doomsday101]

I think a lot of people and perhaps rightfully so, think our defense stinks.

Well it's the same defense that was a year removed from being on of the top defenses.

People think that because Ryan hasn't had time to install the new defense, we'll struggle, but Broaddus brought up a good point. This is a veteran defense.

The youngest group of starters on defense are Mike Jenkins' draft class, and that puts them in their 4th year.

The defense certainly had problems, but I think that had to do more with scheme and some individual regression, not to mention the huge drop off with Alan Ball.

I think a more deceptive scheme + new safety will bring us back to where we were in 2009.

The offense putting the defense in better positions will also help.

I agree. I do think safety is a big need and that has to be addressed I also think this unit is very capable of turning things around.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think every Cowboys fan is expecting a defensive turnaround this year. If Ryan can't get it done then we are screwed!

Ryan is clearly part of it but I think there is some wounded pride that will factor in as well.

 

[CoCo]

If Ryan can't get it done then we are screwed!

At this point Ryan has inherited last years abysmal squad with 1 addition (Bruce Carter, a rookie who's rehabbing), 2 unsigned starters (Spears & Sensabaugh) & 2 more unsigned rotation guys (Bowen & Hatcher). Hopefully Jerry gets him SOME help in free agency.

Now I'm generally an optimist, but the above picture, I think, really reinforces Thumper's statement above.

 

[ChooChoo73]

I think Rob Ryan gets a good chance to make a splash impact on defense out of the gate. We face the Jets, 49ers, Commanders and Lions before our bye and we certainly can put a dent into those QBs. The first 3 teams will try to run it down our throat and I'm not too fearful of Detroit's attack. We just need to be very physical and stabilize the DE deficiency we have right now. I would kill for Cullen Jenkins who I think will also help Spencer's impact.

 

[Suave]

We need our defensive players to recommit themselves to playing at the highest level, and we need the coaches to keep a constant foot in their arses, especially for guys like Mike Jenkins.


Secondly, we need a more imaginative defensive scheme in which the opposing QB has to constantly guess where the pressure is coming from. The defense struggled partially because opposing offenses always knew WHO was coming and WHEN they were coming. Wade Philliips's scheme was entirely too predictable, and in many of the early games, it was like "pitch and catch" when watching the opposing QBs and WRs matriculate down the field.

Defensive gurus like Dom Capers, Rex Ryan, and Dick LeBeau aggressively and relentlessly bring pressure from all defensive units. Sure, they will give up a big play every now and then, but that comes with the territory of being an aggressive defensive unit.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I'm optimistic about a defensive turnaround, but the lack of practice caused by the labor issues might cause a lot of problems. I think we'll be hurt by all the missed time more than most teams because we have a new head coach and a new defensive coordinator. Yea, I know Garrett has been here awhile and took over mid-season last year, but it's still not like he's been the head coach for 4 or 5 years. I'm just worried that the terrible off-season will throw a big monkey wrench into everything. Even if we bring in several key free agent defensive players, they will need time adjusting to everything. Hopefully I'm worried about nothing.

 

[Hostile]

I think a lot of people and perhaps rightfully so, think our defense stinks.

Well it's the same defense that was a year removed from being on of the top defenses.

People think that because Ryan hasn't had time to install the new defense, we'll struggle, but Broaddus brought up a good point. This is a veteran defense.

The youngest group of starters on defense are Mike Jenkins' draft class, and that puts them in their 4th year.

The defense certainly had problems, but I think that had to do more with scheme and some individual regression, not to mention the huge drop off with Alan Ball.

I think a more deceptive scheme + new safety will bring us back to where we were in 2009.

The offense putting the defense in better positions will also help.

I have not been all that high on the hiring of Rob Ryan due to his unfortunate ancestry. That said, I think the transformation of the Defense back to respectability is vital to any success this year.

 

[casmith07]

I have not been all that high on the hiring of Rob Ryan due to his unfortunate ancestry. That said, I think the transformation of the Defense back to respectability is vital to any success this year.

Come on, Hos...you pimped Jason Garrett pretty hard here - you gotta give him some credit for his defensive coordinator hire!

 

[Hostile]

Come on, Hos...you pimped Jason Garrett pretty hard here - you gotta give him some credit for his defensive coordinator hire!

I don't fault him for it. Especially given the fact he interviewed him and I didn't. He clearly knows stuff I don't, though I love the story about him taking off his tie and diagramming schemes.