I know defense is a huge issue, but we do have some nice young players

[haleyrules]

The defense is a serious issue. The Cowboys is not good enough. NO club can win in the SB without a great defense. That must be the priority in the next draft. The offense is set and solid...maybe add OT in FA and get a burner at wideout...somehow..but concentrate on the defense. Thats the road to the SB!!

 

[haleyrules]

Kudos to those here who knew enough not to lobby for Hardy's return. Teams need players with character, not just characters.

I don't know...Haley...Randy White...HARVEY MARTIN and many previous great Cowboys were extreme characters. Not defending Hardy...just saying and yes l liked Hardy!! Saddens me whats happened to him.

 

[LocimusPrime]

I don't know...Haley...Randy White...HARVEY MARTIN and many previous great Cowboys were extreme characters. Not defending Hardy...just saying and yes l liked Hardy!! Saddens me whats happened to him.

A lot of stuff was kept hush hush back in the day. Now with all the social media and publicity everything gets out.

 

[kevm3]

I'm just glad we're in a position to where we can start focusing on defense. We have our O-line. We have a solid receiving core. We have solid runningbacks and we were very blessed to find a solid option at QB. Now we're free to shore up the defense. Don't particularly care for Garrett's on the field generalship, but you have to admit that the drafts have made much more sense since he's been here. In fact, I think he'd do much better in the front office.

 

[haleyrules]

A lot of stuff was kept hush hush back in the day. Now with all the social media and publicity everything gets out.

Yes. Too bad. I really could care less what players do in their private lifes if they come out on Sunday and play hard for the club. Football and people for that matter have become robots and sissified.

 

[haleyrules]

I'm just glad we're in a position to where we can start focusing on defense. We have our O-line. We have a solid receiving core. We have solid runningbacks and we were very blessed to find a solid option at QB. Now we're free to shore up the defense. Don't particularly care for Garrett's on the field generalship, but you have to admit that the drafts have made much more sense since he's been here. In fact, I think he'd do much better in the front office.

Agreed completely. The club is ready to take the next and most important step. DEFENSE WINS!!

 

[Bizwah]

Nice pieces...yes. Like many have said, we have to get production from the DE position.

 

[waving monkey]

`This is a young defensive team. As mentioned M.Collins is growing into his role fairly quickly considering.
I think Terrell McClain has been a big contributor already. He has surprised me a little.
I think T.Crawford is knocking off a little rust.IMO he'll contribute more.
David Irving has a lot to offer,lets see.
I'm glad to see JJ Wilcox and Church showing something.

The thing we will keep seeing is high effort thats the Marinelli magic.

 

[haleyrules]

`This is a young defensive team. As mentioned M.Collins is growing into his role fairly quickly considering.
I think Terrell McClain has been a big contributor already. He has surprised me a little.
I think T.Crawford is knocking off a little rust.IMO he'll contribute more.
David Irving has a lot to offer,lets see.
I'm glad to see JJ Wilcox and Church showing something.

The thing we will keep seeing is high effort thats the Marinelli magic.

Lawrence will add something when he returns also!!

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I think people are minimizing some of the young guys.

Maliek Collins didn't have much of a training camp, has had to learn and round into shape on the fly and has quickly become a starter and even when Lawrence gets back will likely get a lot of playing time.

Lawrence is still a young, developing talent. Tapper may end up needing a year off, but he has talent. Jaylon Smith was a top tier talent, there obviously is the nerve issue but if it triggers, he will be a nice addition to the defense. Jones is looking like an above average safety. Claiborne is playing at the level of a first rounder. Brown looks good in the nickle.

What we have under contract:

QB - Romo, Prescott
RB - Elliott, Morris, Jackson
FB - K. Smith
TE - Witten, Swaim, Hanna
WR - Bryant, Beasley, Whitehead
OT - Smith, Free, Green
OG - Martin, Collins, Looney
C - Frederick
LS - LaDouceur
K - Bailey

P - Jones
DE - Lawrence, Mayowa, Gregory, Tapper
DT - Crawford, Lawrence, Thornton
LB - Lee, Smith, Wilber, Hitchens, Wilson, Nzeocha,
CB - Carr, Scandrick, Brown,
S - Jones, Heath, Frazier

From PS we have 4-5 guys that very well could be on the roster. WR Jones, WR Mayle, TE Gathers, C Brendel, DE McCain, DE Moore

ERFA - R. Smith, David Irving
FA that we might look to resign - Claiborne, R. Davis, J. Thomas, B. Church, T. McClain, B. Butler, T. Williams

Basically, on offense, biggest need is going to be WR.

The rest we can pretty much focus on D and specifically DE and LB.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

We do have some nice pieces on D, yes. But I feel like need a couple of elite pieces. We have a ton on offense.

 

[tyke1doe]

Yes. Too bad. I really could care less what players do in their private lifes if they come out on Sunday and play hard for the club. Football and people for that matter have become robots and sissified.

Right, because women should just take their beatings like a man.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Looking towards the future, obviously the offense is in incredible shape with Dak, Zeke and the o-line. We do need to look at another elite WR to complement Dez and to take over once he loses a step.

But the defense does have some nice pieces going forward. Demarcus Lawrence, Byron Jones, Morris Claiborne (so happy I can say that) and Jaylon Smith (God willing, if his health permits, he'll become a stud). All those guys could be potential studs.

Then we have guys that are already showing some promise in Maliek Collins and Anthony Brown. Then there's the Randy Gregory factor, but of course I'm not going to trust that for now.

Anyways, D-Law, Jones, Claiborne and Jaylon is a pretty good core to start building the defense around. As bad as we are now, and as much as we need a pass rush, that young foursome could blossom into something pretty good. Our focus and priority should be getting another pass rush specialist opposite Lawrence (Gregory, that's supposed to be you).

I like that there's at least one young stud in each line of the defense.

That's a lot of "what might be's" and if history has taught us anything, our studs tend to succumb to injury, chemicals and never-ending "potential."
Still, what you say makes sense if a bit optimistic.
But, whether it is bad drafting, poor coaching or the Garrett coddling approach, we seem to be 20 years into that type of optimistic mode that has brought nothing but despair.
I hope that after 20 years we can at least get lucky some day.

 

[Risen Star]

Add a quality DE, and a healthy Smith in the middle and you have the makings of a decent defense.

Next season.

Commitment To Decent

 

[perrykemp]

thats the Marinelli magic.

You still believe in the Marinelli magic huh?

 

[Zekeats]

Randy Gregory is a moron with a drug addiction.

Jaylon Smith is a generational talent who was injured.

I said it once and I will say it again.......I was joking regarding Gregory.

 

[RS12]

Why does everyone consider Jaylon a lock to be a superstar even if he comes back. Don't get me wrong, I am pulling for him but it never works out too good when a rookie misses the entire season. Just look at all the guys we have redshirted over the years. A year off from football is more than most think.

Because their favorite team drafted him.

 

[Rogerthat12]

The defense is a serious issue. The Cowboys is not good enough. NO club can win in the SB without a great defense. That must be the priority in the next draft. The offense is set and solid...maybe add OT in FA and get a burner at wideout...somehow..but concentrate on the defense. Thats the road to the SB!!

Yes but they also need some FA help on defense outside of the dumpster bin, get a pass rusher that can play and pay the guy properly.

You do not always need break the bank on FA talent that can help and sometimes you need to pay the piper so you can field some impact talent.

The Cowboys have unilateral allocation of finances on offense right now, they need to treat the defense again but choose wisely this time.

Then attack the draft for further defensive talent and that WR and/or OL depth.

 

[Dale]

We do have some nice pieces on D, yes. But I feel like need a couple of elite pieces. We have a ton on offense.

Totally agree. Claiborne is covering well at corner. Jones is covering well at safety. We've got some pieces up front we like.

But you don't really see anyone jumping off the screen defensively when you watch our team. We need one or two of those players. A ball-hawking safety/corner who makes opponents pay for throwing their way; a terror off the edge; or the kind of playmaking Lee flashed earlier in his career.

 

[jobberone]

Totally agree. Claiborne is covering well at corner. Jones is covering well at safety. We've got some pieces up front we like.

But you don't really see anyone jumping off the screen defensively when you watch our team. We need one or two of those players. A ball-hawking safety/corner who makes opponents pay for throwing their way; a terror off the edge; or the kind of playmaking Lee flashed earlier in his career.

Couldn't agree more. Gregory was supposed to be that 10-15 guy at RDE. Add another guy at LB and a playmaker at DB and then add better depth. Then you start strengthening it.