Is it possible to fix the Defense in one year?

[Bobhaze]

Let me start off by defining what “fixing the defense” might look like. For example, it may be something like moving the D rankings from last to somewhere at least in the middle of the pack- like 12th-16th. That might be good enough to be a playoff team that could make some noise. Not easy. Maybe not probable. But it is possible.

So back to the original question, “Is it possible to fix the defense in one year”? My answer is simple: Maybe. Doubtful, but possible. Its certainly not impossible. But in order to move this defense to at least decent, most of these factors must happen next season:

• At least 2-3 defensive FAs have to have impact as starters or rotational players. The Cowboys signed 9 FAs this offseason, 6 of them on defense. None of them are “stars”, but if at least a couple of them are starters that play a key role, it’s an upgrade. For example Neal and Kazee are a talent upgrade at S if healthy. (Neal may play some LB) Urban and Basham are probably rotational players but if they can give us 15-20 quality snaps a game it’s an upgrade from last year. None of these guys have to be stars to help improve this D.

• At least 2 rookies must have immediate impact on D. As starters, and with promise that they have enough upside to grow into at least a 4 year major contributor to the defense. Whether it’s Surtain or Horn or some day 2 or 3 surprises, maybe we can get some impact from a couple of rookies. I remember in 2014 when 4th round rookie LB Anthony Hitchens developed into a solid player. Again, not a star but a solid, reliable player.

• New defensive coordinator Dan Quinn must make scheme fit the talent. As opposed to the other way around last year, where half the D looked like the Keystone Cops from the silent movie era, Quinn must make the defensive schemes support the talent. Confidence is needed to be restored and simplifying the scheme will make that process happen faster.

• Increase the number of sacks and takeaways. Not every team that has made major noise in the playoffs the last 21 years has been a top ranked defense. But all but a couple did have this common trait- lots of sacks and forced turnovers. Usually the combined number of sacks and turnovers of 60 or more is a golden ticket to at least a conference championship. The Cowboys have been just flat awful in the TO department for far too long. This must change.

• The offense can help the defense by avoiding a slow start and scoring early, taking pressure off defense at the beginning of the game. Last year this team had a first quarter TO in the first qtr 4 of the first 5 games. This team was often down 2-3 scores before even getting a drive going. That must change this year if we want to compete.

Now...do I firmly believe the Cowboys WILL fix this D in one year? Honestly, I don’t. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t see this team’s front office as a bunch that learns a lot from their past mistakes. Again- it’s possible. Hope I’m wrong.

After the last qtr century, my mantra with this team is simple: “I will believe it when it happens.” I’m hoping year 26 Lady Luck is smiling on us. That’s probably our best chance.

 

[J12B]

I think it's definitely possible. Just got to be average and force a few extra turnovers and that will make this team competitive with anyone. The offense is that good.

 

[Bobhaze]

I think it's definitely possible. Just got to be average and force a few extra turnovers and that will make this team competitive with anyone. The offense is that good.

We hope the offense is that good. I certainly think we have reason to believe they can be very good, But at this point, what’s on paper hasn’t proven anything yet.

 

[StarBoyz83]

No still 2-3 years before this team can be contenders

 

[GoCowboysGo]

There might be one player on D that could start for a championship contending team. Maybe.

I think the team is 2-3 years away.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

@Bobhaze The defense went bad in one year. Cowboys only lost Byron Jones, DL Malik Collins, and Jeff Heath. Any else of significance I forgot? They didn’t go bad because they lost a lot of talent.

So, the Cowboys should be able to get back to 2019 level pretty easily.

Gallimore is as good as Collins, Diggs as good as Jones, and Donovan Wilson as good as Heath. Cowboys will add a few more defensive players from the draft.

LVE’s injury and Gregory missing the first 6 games hurt. Awuzie missed 10 games with a hammy. Had those three been out there the defense would have performed better and the team would have won a few more games.

New coaches changing schemes with no off-season and a very limited camp made things much worse.

If LVE can stay healthy, Gregory can avoid a suspension, the Cowboys find a good CB, DL, and LB, players can stay healthy, then the defense should be much better. The offense can help out by scoring more and grinding the clock with the run game. The FA defensive additions should improve the team.

 

[plasticman]

I discussed this scenario on a different topic but it seems just as appropriate here.

Yes, it is possible to fix this defense in a year. Of course, certain events have to play out.

First, at least one of the LB's need to have a "redemption" season and I think that is entirely possible, the potential and talent is there, our linebackers just need to avoid injury. I've seen some players start their career with a rash of injuries only to go on to great careers. When Michael Irvin started in the NFL he got nicked up all the time, even had a serious injury that took 18 months to recover from. The same was true for Ken Norton Jr., he spent a of of his first two seasons hurt. Jaylon and LVE are still young, there is a good chance at least one of them ends up playing in all 16 games.

The defense that Nolan was trying to install became as major detriment to the season. They were never able to fully grasp it with no minicamps, no training camp and no preseason games. they had to learn it on the fly amidst injuries and Covid restrictions. Only 4 defensive players started 15 or more games. That won't be the case this season.

However, the greatest contributor will be a fresh supply of defensive talent if the Cowboys play their cards right. They made some free agent additions but they have a real opportunity to grab at least 3 of the top 12 defenders in this year's draft, possibly 4 if the right player falls and teams begin calling to make a deal, The extra picks in the 3rd and 4th may also prove to be useful.

To summarize, I believe the defensive performance last season was partly an aberration, mostly due to a new defense being installed at the wrong time in conjunction with an unfortunate, even unlucky, rash of injuries that effected every Pro Bowler we had on the team. The law of Averages demand a more lenient injury situation this next season and the Cowboys have an opportunity to add incremental talent to the defensive squad through the draft.

Therefore, yes, I believe the Cowboys can be a top ten defense this season in at least one category, points or yards. Furthermore, i believe this defense will be more aggressive when it comes to their Achilles Heal, the dreaded turnover ratio.

 

[big dog cowboy]

 

[JayFord]

Yes you can fix the defense in one season

Despite how bad they were they got much better the last half of the season

They can become a top 10 unit this season if coached well and used to their talent

 

[black label]

yes trash jaylon and lve ez clap to better

 

[Zekeats]

Yes but you need to focus on the defensive line not the backfield.

 

[Zekeats]

Do corners make linebackers and lineman better? NO
Do lineman make linebackers and corners better? YES
it’s that simple and yet so many around here don’t get it

 

[JoeKing]

Define "fix". But yes it is possible through scheme and draft to greatly improve defense in one year. It will greatly hinge on Dan Quinn's input in the draft and on the practice field.

 

[plasticman]

Yes you can fix the defense in one season

Despite how bad they were they got much better the last half of the season

They can become a top 10 unit this season if coached well and used to their talent

I'm glad you mentioned that.

It's true. During the last half (8 games) of the season the Cowboys were ranked 18th, middle of the pack, in least points allowed. In the 1st half they were ranked 32nd.

They were still ranked a low 28th in yardage given up but it was still an improvement from 32nd place in the first half.

However, what is really astonishing is that they were ranked 3rd in takeaways during the 2nd half of the season after being 26th in the first half..

Obviously, this still does not meet expectation but they improve in every category defensively from the 1st half of the season to the 2nd half. They don't have as far to go as many might think.

 

[Bullflop]

I believe it takes time, more often than not, to improve a defense enough to uplift the team enough to become a serious contender. There's no question but what our offense has been performing at a level that outdoes our defense by a good margin. The offense does need help, however, for their OL to return to a better level of play to support good QB results. A healthy balance of offense and defense is crucial for success to follow.

I'm, certainly, extremely hopeful that the d-line, safety, LB and CB spots receive the help that is so sorely needed to become seriously competitive vs. the better NFL teams. There's no way even a good offense can bear the burden of making up for a defense that's sorely unable to perform at an acceptably capable level. Let's hope this defense improves noticeably well in 2021. Plugging the opposition's running game will be a key to that happening.

 

[morasp]

Too many holes on defense.

 

[plasticman]

Yes but you need to focus on the defensive line not the backfield.

I agree that the line has to be beefed up but i don't think this is the draft to do it, not a lot of D-line talent there this season in the top two rounds.

There may be 1 or 2 DT's drafted in the 1st round this season and they will most likely come in the bottom third of the round. In 2019 there were six DT's drafted in the first round, in 2011 there were 5.

In both 2011 and 2012 there were 7 DE's drafted in the first round, I doubt we will see half of that this season. The strength on defense this season in the 1st and 2nd rounds seem to be CB's.

 

[Bullflop]

Too many holes on defense.

Yep -- that, literally, speaks volumes in five words!

 

[CWR]

This time last season it wouldn't have been a jump to be a top 10 defense. We didn't lose that much. The scheme killed us.

I'd go a step further and say it's likely we have a middle of the road defense this season. Our FA additions will help, and the draft could be huge for this defense.

I laugh at the idea of having to wait 3 years for an improved defense. This league changes very quickly. Three years is an eternity.

 

[DuncanIso]

We hope the offense is that good. I certainly think we have reason to believe they can be very good, But at this point, what’s on paper hasn’t proven anything yet.

i will take an average defense this year.

we can win a lot of games with average.