It's early but Cowboys run defense looks shaky

[RS12]

OXNARD, Calif. -- If you’re not going to get carried away by preseason results, then you can’t get carried away by preseason statistics.

Through two preseason games, the Dallas Cowboys are allowing 202 yards pergame, which is best in the NFL. Their pass defense is also No. 1, giving up only 57 yards per game.

In today’s NFL, even facing second- and third-team quarterbacks in two preseason games, that is just a ridiculous statistic. Meaningless, obviously, but still ridiculous.

If you don’t want to get carried away with positive defensive statistics, then it makes only sense to not get carried away with negative defensive statistics.

But -- and you knew there would be a but -- the Cowboys are allowing 145 yards per game on the ground. The San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers have rushed 76 times for 290 yards. The good: The Cowboys are giving up just 3.8 yards per carry. The bad: The first drive Sunday against the 49ers.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/175906/its-early-but-cowboys-run-defense-looks-shaky

 

[dwreck27]

Don't worry nick Hayden is the cure

 

[danielofthesaints]

It's early, but Romo looks horrible.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

OXNARD, Calif. -- If you’re not going to get carried away by preseason results, then you can’t get carried away by preseason statistics.

Through two preseason games, the Dallas Cowboys are allowing 202 yards pergame, which is best in the NFL. Their pass defense is also No. 1, giving up only 57 yards per game.

In today’s NFL, even facing second- and third-team quarterbacks in two preseason games, that is just a ridiculous statistic. Meaningless, obviously, but still ridiculous.

If you don’t want to get carried away with positive defensive statistics, then it makes only sense to not get carried away with negative defensive statistics.

But -- and you knew there would be a but -- the Cowboys are allowing 145 yards per game on the ground. The San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers have rushed 76 times for 290 yards. The good: The Cowboys are giving up just 3.8 yards per carry. The bad: The first drive Sunday against the 49ers.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/175906/its-early-but-cowboys-run-defense-looks-shaky

The preseason is never an indication of what actually is..... NOT when it comes to "starters"

End of line/

 

[erod]

It's early, but Romo looks horrible.

What do you mean? He's completed 100 percent of his passes. That leads the NFL.

 

[danielofthesaints]

What do you mean? He's completed 100 percent of his passes. That leads the NFL.

Touche. I guess he just doesn't know the right endzone to head toward, hence -1 yds.

 

[NeonNinja]

I only worry about injuries during preseason.

 

[CATCH17]

If you're expecting a dominating defense then don't get your hopes up.

Dallas plays a bend don't break style and hopes to produce sacks and turnovers.

I don't think schematically we will ever see a defense that will just completely shut teams down and with all of the NFL rules I don't even know how possible that is anymore.

We'll probably be one of the higher ranked defenses but also be somewhere in the middle in points allowed.

We gave up 18 Rushing TD's last year which was top 3 or 5 in the league. I imagine that number comes down some.

 

[Zekeats]

Agreed, its early

 

[Bungarian]

Does anyone understand the preseason?

 

[VACowboy]

Kind of a dumb headline. The stats mean nothing but the stats are what the article is based on, and 3.8 YPA is pretty great run defense. That was good for 6th best in the league last season.

 

[Blackspider214]

I only worry about injuries during preseason.

Yep. The name of the game is to get out of their in one piece. Build some continuity and rhythm during training camp. Although we have little of that so far on the OL with the injuries.

Most teams have rust in week 1. We definitely did.

 

[casmith07]

We have a lot of guys that can get after the Quarterback.

Hopefully Nick Hayden is what the staff thinks he is at the 1T spot when he returns to action.

 

[Doomsday101]

1st 2 pre season game run defense has played poorly with a lot of poor tackling. Granted it is pre season but this is an area that needs to start showing up. It has not been just backups who have looked poor vs the run

 

[Idgit]

Church talked about the trouble they had getting the run fits right with the 2's at LB playing with the rotation along the DL. I think that's something that improves in the regular season once the lineup is set.

 

[Doomsday101]

Church talked about the trouble they had getting the run fits right with the 2's at LB playing with the rotation along the DL. I think that's something that improves in the regular season once the lineup is set.

True but there is also gap control, guys still have to hold up in the middle of the line to stop the running game.

 

[Bungarian]

1st 2 pre season game run defense has played poorly with a lot of poor tackling. Granted it is pre season but this is an area that needs to start showing up. It has not been just backups who have looked poor vs the run

Which starters? Dd you look at the stats when the starers were in? Was it all the starters or just a few playing with backups?

No Sean Lee - No McClain - No Hitchens

 

[Doomsday101]

Which starters? Dd you look at the stats when the starers were in? Was it all the starters or just a few playing with backups?

No Sean Lee - No McClain - No Hitchens

I understand Lee is not in or Hitchens or McClain I also know guys are playing the run like crap and not going to sit here and make excuses. I sure as hell hope the coaches do not make excuses as some here do. This is professional football not the pee wee league and tackling is something any pro should know how to do.

 

[Bungarian]

I understand Lee is not in or Hitchens or McClain I also know guys are playing the run like crap and not going to sit here and make excuses. I sure as hell hope the coaches do not make excuses as some here do. This is professional football not the pee wee league and tackling is something any pro should know how to do.

The backups have not played the run very well and if they have to play in regular games the defense may be bad playing the run. But that is true for almost every team in the league. However the rooks would get better with playing time so maybe the defense against the run would get better over time if they did have to play. Lets see how the whole starting defense plays the run with some game planning. Also some of the people playing the run in preseason will not make the team. Perhaps because they suck.

 

[VACowboy]

What am I missing? Who here won't sign up right now for 3.8 yards per rush on defense this upcoming season?