CFZ Is The Defense Dominant?

[baltcowboy]

For the Cowboys to have a dominant defense they will need Sam to be a double digit sack threat opposite side of Parsons, Mazi/Hankins have to clog the middle to free up the linebackers, and Osa has to have high pressure totals and 5+ sacks, This will free up Parsons and the secondary to just play. It will be a tough task but they have the players to become dominant.

 

[NotForLong]

For the Cowboys to have a dominant defense they will need Sam to be a double digit sack threat opposite side of Parsons, Mazi/Hankins have to clog the middle to free up the linebackers, and Osa has to have high pressure totals and 5+ sacks, This will free up Parsons and the secondary to just play. It will be a tough task but they have the players to become dominant.

A full season of this man will help with the Run Stats

 

[Jarv]

Just get hot come December time frame. Remember the 2007 and 2011 Giants...Bla defense until the playoffs.

 

[LysleE]

Probably rated somewhere between 12-16th in total defense and 4th worst run defense last season; based on those metrics I would say not dominant. Is the defense markedly improved from last year’s squad…we shall soon see.

 

[CWR]

I’ll be watching to see if the defense is truly a dominant unit anywhere near top defenses from the 70’s and 90’s in Dallas or like other dominant defenses. Or will they again be a bunch of great pass rushers making some big plays, but still allowing long drives and struggling against the run. I started a thread this morning which some of you got shut down before I could come home from work and golf to respond….lol. Way to go!

One comment asked what I expect Mike and Brian to do that Linehan, Garrett, and Moore didn’t do? Duh, hate to be insulting, but for over a decade I’ve listened to fans complain about our outdated offense and heard defenses (including SF) say they knew what we were running before the snap and often ran the routes better than our receivers, so yes, I’m expecting more of the west coast offense, more screens, more FB, more short passes and YAC, and lots more picks and bunch plays. No more 3 receivers all running 5-7 yard curls at the same time.

Another comment acted like I started another Dak thread….ummm, the title had Dak’s name in it, but it was clearly notifying anyone reading the title that I was hoping to avoid that topic, and the thread was more about how I think the defense has something to prove too. It’s one thing to be a good defense with lots of pass rushers and takeaways. It’s another thing to be an elite defense that actually dominates the opposition and forces lots of punting and a lopsided time of possession. I keep hoping our defense is approaching being more than opportunistic, better than playing complimentary football. Maybe that’s asking a lot, but I’m hoping.

I hear you, but also aren't sure how possible it is to have a dominant defense in the modern era of offensively tilted football.

 

[Pass2Run]

I think the defense dropped off last season because Micah and DLaw got banged up, right?

Micah wore down down the stretch. But not nearly as much as he did the year prior. His offseason routine should help this year. Plus, his mentality. We'll see. I knew the defense would be good last year. I think they got better this year. Hankins is underrated here, IMO. I think our success depends as much on Hankins as it does Mazi Smith. If Smith ends up being a hit, that's twice as nice.

 

[Nova]

It's probably the best secondary we've had since the 90s.

But the front seven is still just 'meh'

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I’ll be watching to see if the defense is truly a dominant unit anywhere near top defenses from the 70’s and 90’s in Dallas or like other dominant defenses. Or will they again be a bunch of great pass rushers making some big plays, but still allowing long drives and struggling against the run. I started a thread this morning which some of you got shut down before I could come home from work and golf to respond….lol. Way to go!

One comment asked what I expect Mike and Brian to do that Linehan, Garrett, and Moore didn’t do? Duh, hate to be insulting, but for over a decade I’ve listened to fans complain about our outdated offense and heard defenses (including SF) say they knew what we were running before the snap and often ran the routes better than our receivers, so yes, I’m expecting more of the west coast offense, more screens, more FB, more short passes and YAC, and lots more picks and bunch plays. No more 3 receivers all running 5-7 yard curls at the same time.

Another comment acted like I started another Dak thread….ummm, the title had Dak’s name in it, but it was clearly notifying anyone reading the title that I was hoping to avoid that topic, and the thread was more about how I think the defense has something to prove too. It’s one thing to be a good defense with lots of pass rushers and takeaways. It’s another thing to be an elite defense that actually dominates the opposition and forces lots of punting and a lopsided time of possession. I keep hoping our defense is approaching being more than opportunistic, better than playing complimentary football. Maybe that’s asking a lot, but I’m hoping.

dominance is going to come down to DL. and more specifically their ability to stop the run effectively. if we can't. then not sure if we could be dominant.

 

[Pass2Run]

Probably rated somewhere between 12-16th in total defense and 4th worst run defense last season; based on those metrics I would say not dominant. Is the defense markedly improved from last year’s squad…we shall soon see.

Somewhere between 12th and 16th?

More like somewhere between 1st and 5th...

 

[The Quest for Six]

If this defensive line can stuff the run and get constant pressure up the middle, they will be a special defense

 

[Nova]

DQ is the X-factor

The defense was lights out in the playoffs-- legit just flipped a switch.

The nice thing is, barring a rash of injuries, I trust this defense in the playoffs

 

[CCBoy]

I lot hinges on Clarks play, more than most are talking about.

Good shot, Typhus...the linebacker group is very important. That group connects both the front and rear during both passing and running plays. They control the transition area for large success in both run and pass. They close the gates before cattle are lost.

 

[CCBoy]

Not sure how we could be dominant. Compare our DL to our division rivals and where do we stand - 3rd or 4th maybe.

And it also seems as if many are concerned about our LB's inexperience and depth at the position.

I like where we are on the perimeter but the best defenses seem to have a front that takes pressure off the back end. Micah's the man but he needs lots of help.

We should be good, but I don't think dominant is in the cards.

Look again...

 

[CCBoy]

may not be able to tell from game 1.

I see no UFO's circling...

 

[CCBoy]

Mazi is definitely gonna have to be impactful against the run if we're gonna be successful defensively. I saw nothing in preseason from him. Philly's Oline is probably the best in the league. If he can't dominate 2nd and 3rd team guys, I don't know what he's gonna do against them. The rest of the defense looks very solid.

On Smith, just protect the rest of the defense for now. Pride and skill will steadily grow with that player.

 

[blueblood70]

I’ll be watching to see if the defense is truly a dominant unit anywhere near top defenses from the 70’s and 90’s in Dallas or like other dominant defenses. Or will they again be a bunch of great pass rushers making some big plays, but still allowing long drives and struggling against the run. I started a thread this morning which some of you got shut down before I could come home from work and golf to respond….lol. Way to go!

One comment asked what I expect Mike and Brian to do that Linehan, Garrett, and Moore didn’t do? Duh, hate to be insulting, but for over a decade I’ve listened to fans complain about our outdated offense and heard defenses (including SF) say they knew what we were running before the snap and often ran the routes better than our receivers, so yes, I’m expecting more of the west coast offense, more screens, more FB, more short passes and YAC, and lots more picks and bunch plays. No more 3 receivers all running 5-7 yard curls at the same time.

Another comment acted like I started another Dak thread….ummm, the title had Dak’s name in it, but it was clearly notifying anyone reading the title that I was hoping to avoid that topic, and the thread was more about how I think the defense has something to prove too. It’s one thing to be a good defense with lots of pass rushers and takeaways. It’s another thing to be an elite defense that actually dominates the opposition and forces lots of punting and a lopsided time of possession. I keep hoping our defense is approaching being more than opportunistic, better than playing complimentary football. Maybe that’s asking a lot, but I’m hoping.

Well the top ten defenses of all time in the NFL held teams under 13 points the top five held teams under 12 the top three I believe if not the 85 bears hell teams to like 10.8 points a game bro.. That will be tough to do.. But if you do want a big name you got to make those plays Trayvon diggs.. We can sit and blame the quarterback or the offense all we want but when you want to be a top defense you want to be stingy you want to be named, you make kittles pay for that catch or break it up and you make that quarterback pay for that bad throw it hit you right in the hands.. You see that play that rookie made on that ball that bounced almost right by him and he reacted and caught that football on the run for a pick six against Patrick mahomes.. That's what we needed from Trayvon diggs last year you have to make that play..

 

[jazzcat22]

I see no UFO's circling...

Just because you can't see them, does not mean they are not there.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Probably rated somewhere between 12-16th in total defense and 4th worst run defense last season; based on those metrics I would say not dominant. Is the defense markedly improved from last year’s squad…we shall soon see.

Pretty off. 6th in points, 1st in turnovers, 2nd in DVOA.

 

[CCBoy]

Just because you can't see them, does not mean they are not there.

I'll then charge visitation fees for Jerry...

 

[blueblood70]

DQ is the X-factor

The defense was lights out in the playoffs-- legit just flipped a switch.

The nice thing is, barring a rash of injuries, I trust this defense in the playoffs

Nah they weren't lights out they may have flipped some switch but it was a dimmer switch you don't leave plays on the field like Trayvon diggs did in San Francisco you can't drop that interception you can't allow kittles to get free catch on that big play.. So there were plays left on the field by the defense even though they played better than the offense..