I think the defense will be better than expected

[CrownCowboy]

I agreed from the start as to getting better. Just was interjecting that directions of expectations are not always the route taken. Applied, this is a group that scraps as good as any team that the Cowboys have fielded. They are young, so they need to still come together as a team.

That's still the element of maturation that is required in every organization that was successful in the NFL. Even the Steelers need five 'rooks' to come together in one season to become a Dynasty.

As Cosner said in the Post Man: 'Things are getting better every day, and then, they did.'

I agree.

Hopefully they can come together as a unit, whoever can stay healthy, that is.

It would really help for some of these guys to get back on the field soon so they can get a preseason game or two and some practices under their belt together.

 

[Gaede]

I know it's tempting to take a contrary position when the majority start hollering about something, however, I just can't stand up for this defense.

Who are the playmakers? Where is the depth? Not to mention, our starting lineup is literally filled with journeymen unwanted by every other team, completely unproven young players, rookies (and lowly regarded rookies at that), and post injury question marks. The main thing is: where will the pass rush come from? Selvie, Mincey, McClain, Crawford are absolutely not quick twitch pressure guys. We have one guy to provide that. What happens when he's hurt? When he's double teamed? Melton is hardly Warren Sapp, and even Sapp had Rice and Brooks and McFarland.

I look at this defense and see two sure players we can rely on: Barry Church and Scandrick. Neither is a playmaker. Where will the plays come from to make up for porous run defense? Where will the sacks come from to cover up for Claiborne and who is our 3rd corner? Where will the picks come from when teams are throwing all over us? None of our CBs have shown ability in that regard and our FS is entering his third year playing that position. Who is the lb that is going to make up for Nick Hayden? Who will cover the RBs on wheel routes? Carter?!

Too many question marks to honestly believe in the defense

 

[Bluestang]

And some people need to understand that you can't just have a castoff and expect Marinelli to put some of that secret sauce on them and expect them to be good.

The Seahawks had players with a proven track record of rushing the passer. Guys with good talent, not superstar talent but at least good talent.


The Cowboys have guys that aren't that talented and/or are coming off a significant injury.

 

[xwalker]

I am not a troll nor part of the snark patrol.

However I think this defense is going to be bad again this year. We have to hope that all players get healthy, hope that all players stay healthy, hope that a few of our low round guys pull a ratliff or hatcher, hope that some of our undrafted guys pull a selvie (at least last years selvie), hope that our secondary rebounds and hope we get some lucky calls and bounces.

I think the bad games by the defense will FAR outweigh the good ones.

This does not mean I am belittling anyone that thinks there is some promise by this or that player or the defense as a whole. I just don't think they will be very good this year and even if it is better I don't know that it would be by a margin that will make much difference in the final win/loss or stats tally.

I might have stolen the term snark patrol from you. I know I got it from somebody recently.

 

[xwalker]

It's the run D that scares bejeebers out of me.

That's where they need R. McClain to stay motivated. He can be as good as any MLB against the run if he gets himself together.

 

[dstovall5]

There's a lot of ifs with our defense, and that's never a good thing. I'm not going to get my hopes up too much, but I definitely do see the upside of this young defense. I don't think we'll be much better this year on defense, but 2-3 years from now I think we'll be in a great place on that side of the ball.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I wish I could share your optimism.

I am not a Jerry Jones fan at all. Cannot wait until he know longer is running this team. But The draft picks/money spent on offense is well documented. And the draft picks/money spent on defense...while it is not what we spent on offense...it is enough in THIS division. Again...when you are in it until the final drive with a defense as bad as it was last year...why can't we do the same this year. I would argue we are better on offense this year. And when I reflect on the Green Bay game...or the Detroit game...when running the football wins you the game.....we would have won the division last year! I am not optimistic because of this defense. I am optimistic because this division is up for grabs. And so I want the expectations to stay high. Because we have to know once and for all...if Garrett is woth hanging on to. When you reflect on what Bill Parcells did his first year in Dallas...that was all COACHING. And I am not suggesting Garrett should be Parcells...but he has blown some games by violating SIMPLE...HIGH SCHOOLISH...Football 101 type stuff. He has enough in that lockeroom to compete in this division. And I am not letting him off the hook because of a defense that looks terrible on paper.

 

[xwalker]

No, people don't have to agree with me. Look at Gaede's post. He disagrees, but provides reasonable feedback with some detail. He didn't just go for snarky one liners in an attempt to be the likes leader or some nonsense like that.

Exactly right.

snark patrol/trolls = people who disagree with me

I know it's tempting to take a contrary position when the majority start hollering about something, however, I just can't stand up for this defense.

Who are the playmakers? Where is the depth? Not to mention, our starting lineup is literally filled with journeymen unwanted by every other team, completely unproven young players, rookies (and lowly regarded rookies at that), and post injury question marks. The main thing is: where will the pass rush come from? Selvie, Mincey, McClain, Crawford are absolutely not quick twitch pressure guys. We have one guy to provide that. What happens when he's hurt? When he's double teamed? Melton is hardly Warren Sapp, and even Sapp had Rice and Brooks and McFarland.

I look at this defense and see two sure players we can rely on: Barry Church and Scandrick. Neither is a playmaker. Where will the plays come from to make up for porous run defense? Where will the sacks come from to cover up for Claiborne and who is our 3rd corner? Where will the picks come from when teams are throwing all over us? None of our CBs have shown ability in that regard and our FS is entering his third year playing that position. Who is the lb that is going to make up for Nick Hayden? Who will cover the RBs on wheel routes? Carter?!

Too many question marks to honestly believe in the defense

 

[TheDude]

People need to see Super Star players. They can't understand that a team like the 2013 Seahawks didn't have any Super Star players on their DLine. Their 2nd and 3rd DTs were free agents after the Super Bowl and only got contracts averaging 3M and 3.75M per season.

The Cowboys don't have to have Super Stars, they just need players that are better than Nick Hayden and Jeff Heath were in 2013. They also need to stay healthy enough to avoid having the 7th LB and 5th Safety starting games at some point like they did last season. Even if some of the players are not super talented, they will have the benefit of being in training camp which was not the case for a large portion of the 19 or so DL that played last season.

How was Seatlles defense in 2012? Then they went out and added Cliff Avril and Michael Bennet. They dont have super stars on the DL, but they have proven, young, productive players and FA. There wasn't much nail biting going into 2013 that the Seattle defense may have unproven and a horrid defense - the 2012 beatdown of Dallas should prove that around here.

ANything is possible, but thinking this defense is about to become the 2012 or 2013 Seahawks is doubling down on boxcars at the craps table

 

[Iron_Man]

This should be fun for the snark patrol (also known as trolls) to criticize:

Looking at individual positions, I just don't see the doom and gloom. Getting both McClains on the field would be a big help. The Cowboys defense appears to have players with legit NFL talent at most positions.

It will be a struggle without Scandrick for 4 games, but after that I think they can be a decent defense if no more big injuries occur. Getting Lawrence back will be a big boost also. They could even end up with Spencer and/or Josh Brent at some point in the season.

DE Selvie, Crawford and Mincey seem like legit NFL players. They need a Nickel rusher while Lawrence it out (maybe Wilber or Boatright).

DT3t Melton should be good.

DT1t This is is biggest concern for me. T. McClain needs to get healthy.

DT3t-2 The DT1t is out in the Nickel which was 61% of the snaps last season. Crawford, Mincey and McClain are options.

MLB Durant is reported to be performing really well. If R. McClain plays it gives them options to use Durant elsewhere.

WLB If Carter struggles, Durant could replace him if McClain is the MLB.

SLB Wilber or Holloman (not a super critical position in this defense)

Nickel LBs Holloman and Durant or Carter (Holloman has shown good coverage ability)

CB1 Carr has been better than he gets credit for, but he has to have reasonable Safety play and some pass rush.

CB2 Claiborne with Scandrick out for 4 weeks.

CB3 This will be a problem until Scandrick returns.

Safety1 Church is solid.

Safety2 Wilcox has the potential to be good.

Final thought: They must find somebody better than Nick Hayden as the 2nd DT.

Xwalker,

I have to agree with your assessment. The media drives the doom and gloom. I believe the rotation approach will work well as long as they make it through training camp. I do not see the team making the playoff push this year, however next year to be the year we see some major progression and a playoff run.

 

[TwoDeep3]

My critics eye suggests this will be a poor defense. It could be better than last year and still be bad.

My heart - which most of you will not believe - hopes for a pleasant surprise. That this defense doesn't struggle and can make a significant stop at just the right time enough so this isd a play-off team.

Because as much as I hope, I cannot see this team being anything but one shoot-out after another.

If Romo were to go down early and for the season, this will be a team destined for a top four pick, I believe.

But there is always hope. Hope has a way of taking unrealistic chances and breathing in a breath of suspense.

I think the best I can hope for is this is a suspenseful season for the defense.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Maybe so. I mean, people are claiming literally the worst NFL defense of all time. Wouldn't take muck luck to be better than that.

 

[xwalker]

Xwalker,

I have to agree with your assessment. The media drives the doom and gloom. I believe the rotation approach will work well as long as they make it through training camp. I do not see the team making the playoff push this year, however next year to be the year we see some major progression and a playoff run.

Agree. While I believe that the offense will be good and the defense will be better than last season, the other teams in the division are likely going to be better also.

 

[tm1119]

The only shot this D has to be passable is if both Spencer and Lawrence come back healthy and productive by week 6....you're a blind homer if you think otherwise. Simply not even close to enough talent on defense and it's not even debatable.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I think there's always a chance for everything to fall into place as we'd hope but there are far more questions than answers at this point in time. I'd be delighted to believe we're destined to be that fortunate but it'll be tough sledding to make all that materialize. If, by some chance we're that fortunate, I'll be giddy with excitement. In the present, I'll just keep my expectations at arm's length.

There are more questions than answers concerning the talent on defense but there is a possibility that, with some health, they develop into a decent unit. I don't think they are bad as much as they are unknown.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

The only shot this D has to be passable is if both Spencer and Lawrence come back healthy and productive by week 6....you're a blind homer if you think otherwise. Simply not even close to enough talent on defense and it's not even debatable.

Mincey, McClain, Crawford, and Melton have to play to expectations and Lawrence and Spencer have to exceed them.

 

[Derekmtl85]

I'm hoping for average, with our offense, average defense is enough to make the playoffs.

We do need our best players to play up to their potential, though. And when does that ever happen for our defense? Still have hope though.

 

[Wheeltax]

I dunno, man. I think it will be better early-season than the worst doomsayers are predicting, but with only a few injuries it could go downhill fast. Way downhill.

If this defense could just manage to be, like...20th in the league, this team could go a long way. It's a stretch.

 

[Alexander]

There is another factor people are overlooking that will make our defense better this year and it isn't even on the defense. We are going to have a very good O Line that is capable of controlling the clock in a lot of games. That's a huge factor and it was made much worst last year when we not only couldn't control the clock but had to rotate in street FA's at DL in an overworked defense.

Still has to be followed through by Garrett and Linehan. Not a lock we lean on the running attack to limit defensive exposure.

 

[Plankton]

No, people don't have to agree with me. Look at Gaede's post. He disagrees, but provides reasonable feedback with some detail. He didn't just go for snarky one liners in an attempt to be the likes leader or some nonsense like that.

What, then, was the point of leading your post with a reference to those that are snarks/trolls? Is that the preferred way to become the likes leader?

As for the rest of your post, there are two big keys to this defense being better than expected:

• The offense performing at a top 5 level, controlling the ball, and scoring points.
• Special teams coverage units winning the field position battle.

This defense will be challenged in generating a pass rush without blitzing, and stopping the run. The secondary should be improved over the long haul of the season (I expect both Claiborne and Wilcox to take big steps forward this year), with the first four games being a bit rough without Scandrick, especially in the New Orleans game. There isn't anyone in the front four that an offense has to game plan to stop. Melton had one good season and one pretty good season in Chicago, playing next to a Pro Bowl DE in Julius Peppers. He is coming off of a knee injury, and is not surrounded with any players on the DL that have demonstrated, consistent pressure ability. George Selvie benefited from playing with Hatcher and Ware (even if in a diminished state, he was a threat), and now will face more chip blocks and attention than before. Terrell McClain has washed out with three other teams, and, for a point of reference, Nick Hayden, who everyone wants to ride out of Dallas on a rail, had more tackles last year than Terrell McClain has had in his career. I believe that DeMarcus Lawrence will be a good player and contributor in Dallas, but he will likely not begin to emerge until late in the season. Jeremy Mincey is roughly the equivalent of what Marcellus Wiley was in Dallas in 2004 - someone that you want to replace.

The LB corps has potential, but if the front is getting blown off the ball, it won't matter. Carter is in a make or break year for his career. Durant is a solid, yet unspectacular player. Holloman still has a lot to learn and needs to become more physical. Kyle Wilber is an Al Singleton type who is also solid, unspectacular, yet willing to play different roles. Rolando McClain is a huge wild card - he has the potential to be the most talented player on the defense, but his commitment is a huge question mark. Counting on him is a mistake, IMO.

Will the defense be worse than last year? It very well could. It's not more talented than last year's team, and is already demonstrating issues with injury. That being said, last year's team was so bad defensively, it would be hard to imagine a unit being worse. I think it ends up being a bottom five unit.