It's the Defense

[Number1]

So often, as fans and the media ... it's the HC ... it's the QB ...

Umm, only twice this century have the Boys held the Opposition to under 300 points in a season. That's right at 19 points a game, basically what you have to do to be a top 5 D. JG as HC has 3 top 5 Os, scoring over 420 points a season, (not bad in 7 years, and he didn't have Tony or Dak for 2.5 of the 7 years). But only 1 top 5 D (2016) which had a lot of help from the O.

why the 2018 D?
well, youth, intensity, speed, and a hell of a set of LBs. My single biggest expectation is utterly dominant LB play for most or all of the season. Sean, Jaylon, and Leighton - get their own nick name

any suggestions?

Those 3 (+ Thompson), let you man up and blitz all day from a 4-2 base. in one off season Lee falls from our best to our 3rd or 4th best cover LB - that's major. And we have the quality DB and DL depth to make plays

-How long since 3 serious cover CBs were on the field at the same time?
-How long since we had too many good DEs?
-How long since there's we had better than average talent started at 9 of 11 spots (D1 and FS)?
-When's the last time we had a SLB who could actually cover a TE/RB?
-For that matter when was the last time we had 2 good cover LBs on the field at the same time?

Think how whack things have been - it ain't the FS's job to chase TEs all day, but that's what they had to do with a R1 CB named Jones for 2.5 years ... see what I mean. That's just a touch quazy

Why did they do it? stupidity ... not enough cover LBs ... spending back to back R4 picks on Hitch and Wilson (both with 4.7 speed was utter stupidity, so was Wilbur's 4.8 for 5 years).

Note, Woods will play real FS - far easier (for the scheme and player) than man covering TEs from FS.

We forget how "adapted" this system has been. Or that it's an experimental 4-2 to begin with. But, it's finally stocked and this is likely to be a much better D than O, but that's OK.

The press will call it a more aggressive D, press cover, new philosophy ... umm it's called talent.

It will be interesting to see JG call a game when he doesn't have to slow things down to keep his D off the field. This O may look way different, same concepts, different formations, and maybe a faster pace.

 

[Idgit]

People don’t want to hear it, but it’s been the defense for a while now.

 

[T-RO]

So often, as fans and the media ... it's the HC ... it's the QB ...

Umm, only twice this century have the Boys held the Opposition to under 300 points in a season. That's right at 19 points a game, basically what you have to do to be a top 5 D. JG as HC has 3 top 5 Os, scoring over 420 points a season, (not bad in 7 years, and he didn't have Tony or Dak for 2.5 of the 7 years). But only 1 top 5 D (2016) which had a lot of help from the O.

why the 2018 D?
well, youth, intensity, speed, and a hell of a set of LBs. My single biggest expectation is utterly dominant LB play for most or all of the season. Sean, Jaylon, and Leighton - get their own nick name

any suggestions?

Those 3 (+ Thompson), let you man up and blitz all day from a 4-2 base. in one off season Lee falls from our best to our 3rd or 4th best cover LB - that's major. And we have the quality DB and DL depth to make plays

-How long since 3 serious cover CBs were on the field at the same time?
-How long since we had too many good DEs?
-How long since there's we had better than average talent started at 9 of 11 spots (D1 and FS)?
-When's the last time we had a SLB who could actually cover a TE/RB?
-For that matter when was the last time we had 2 good cover LBs on the field at the same time?

Think how whack things have been - it ain't the FS's job to chase TEs all day, but that's what they had to do with a R1 CB named Jones for 2.5 years ... see what I mean. That's just a touch quazy

Why did they do it? stupidity ... not enough cover LBs ... spending back to back R4 picks on Hitch and Wilson (both with 4.7 speed was utter stupidity, so was Wilbur's 4.8 for 5 years).

Note, Woods will play real FS - far easier (for the scheme and player) than man covering TEs from FS.

We forget how "adapted" this system has been. Or that it's an experimental 4-2 to begin with. But, it's finally stocked and this is likely to be a much better D than O, but that's OK.

The press will call it a more aggressive D, press cover, new philosophy ... umm it's called talent.

It will be interesting to see JG call a game when he doesn't have to slow things down to keep his D off the field. This O may look way different, same concepts, different formations, and maybe a faster pace.

Super post! I don’t know if all the pieces will fall into place quickly (big jump with Jaylon, LVE’s development, Byron’s switch etc), but I agree that in principle this thing could not only be better...we could truly see a top defense emerge. Young too, which means we could sustain success.

 

[T-RO]

People don’t want to hear it, but it’s been the defense for a while now.

It’s easier—and so much more fun—to blame the coaching than to scrutinize the talent.

 

[Cowpolk]

The defense will be better this season

 

[Pompey-Cowboy]

If riding Zeke works (and it probably will), a top 10 D will likely be good enough. Every reason to believe we have that this year. That's assuming the safety position doesn't completely cripple us.

 

[gmoney112]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to the defense a lot. You can go a long way with edge pressure, a good LB core, and physical corners.

It's been a while since I I've actually looked forward to the defense.

I'll disagree with only one thing, Lee is still the best cover LB. Not a slight, Jaylon and especially LVE have potential, but Lee is just really good.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

What defense? All the Cap is invested in the the offense can't have the best when your dealing and buying on the CHEAP........

 

[Aviano90]

Fans are smart enough to know it’s the defense, but the coaches aren’t smart enough to manage the clock better to prevent opponents from getting avoidable drives at the end of the half and continue to put the defense in a position to fail, but it’s all on the defense. Maybe in year 8 Garrett has been reprogrammed for the better.

 

[renny]

If riding Zeke works (and it probably will), a top 10 D will likely be good enough. Every reason to believe we have that this year. That's assuming the safety position doesn't completely cripple us.

I believe that Woods will play very well and not be a liability, he will surprise a lot of people. Woods comes from a small school that's the knock on him but not his production.

 

[JoeKing]

If riding Zeke works (and it probably will), a top 10 D will likely be good enough. Every reason to believe we have that this year. That's assuming the safety position doesn't completely cripple us.

If the safety position is crippling us then there is something much bigger breaking down than just the safety position.

 

[Sydla]

It’s easier—and so much more fun—to blame the coaching than to scrutinize the talent.

After 7 seasons, blaming the talent year after year loses its steam.

Is this going to be the excuse forever for Garrett?

 

[Captain-Crash]

My memory might be bad but it seems like Jerry told Jason to concentrate more on the defense. Seems like that was back when Bill Callahan was here? I know it's a "process"

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Fans are smart enough to know it’s the defense, but the coaches aren’t smart enough to manage the clock better to prevent opponents from getting avoidable drives at the end of the half and continue to put the defense in a position to fail, but it’s all on the defense. Maybe in year 8 Garrett has been reprogrammed for the better.

Bingo.

 

[J-man]

I agree that those 3 LB's could be very good. I hope they all can stay healthy. We have some vets for depth, but is it quality depth?

I like our secondary, well at least our corner depth. Safety is by far the biggest question mark on this team. Does Woods have it? Will big Earl force his trade here?

IMHO, DT is a major weak spot for us right now. Collins being out hurts a lot. Irving being suspended (again) and rumored to be in and out of rehab, may be the end for him in Dallas. Crawford might have to move back inside to DT, again. Can Price, Ward, Ash, Neal or Ross hold the middle?

If Randy and Tapper both come back strong, DE is suddenly super deep. If they both have set backs (again) they will probably be out of the league. But with D-Law, Crawford, Taco, Ealy, Jones and Armstrong we should be ok, with or without them contributing. BTW, this will be a very interesting position battle in camp. Especially if those 2 do come back strong. We certainly can't keep them all, 5? 6 at most if you plan on having TC flip inside and out (again).

I'll say this, the D has potential to be good, top 10 good? We'll see. If we got some real help at DT and S than we could be top 5.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Fans are smart enough to know it’s the defense, but the coaches aren’t smart enough to manage the clock better to prevent opponents from getting avoidable drives at the end of the half and continue to put the defense in a position to fail, but it’s all on the defense. Maybe in year 8 Garrett has been reprogrammed for the better.

Defense has it's share of the blame, rushing 3 against Rodgers comes to mind. Not blitzing the same guy when he can barely hobble due to a calf injury also.

There are others, but suffice it to say both the offense and the defense have their issues...

 

[Doomsday101]

What defense? All the Cap is invested in the the offense can't have the best when your dealing and buying on the CHEAP........

Out of the top 5 contract on this team 3 belong to defensive players.

 

[TexasHillbilly]

What defense? All the Cap is invested in the the offense can't have the best when your dealing and buying on the CHEAP........

Don't you just love FA? You gotta neglect one area to focus on another. It doesn't just plague our team. Many teams have the same issues. Once the star rookie contracts start expiring, you gotta pay them. Another piece of the pie is gonna suffer.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

Don't you just love FA? You gotta neglect one area to focus on another. It doesn't just plague our team. Many teams have the same issues. Once the star rookie contracts start expiring, you gotta pay them. Another piece of the pie is gonna suffer.

What i would like to see is signing someone like Campbell (Jags) when he became available but no cap no defense....but we found 90 million for a Martin G when we have Collins G and now Williams G and picked up Fleming T ......overkill anyone???? .....DOOMSDAY R.I.P.

P.S. Please don't complain when Rodgers is eating our lunch again and again when your paying Cheap you get Cheap!!!!

 

[LACowboysFan1]

I agree that those 3 LB's could be very good. I hope they all can stay healthy. We have some vets for depth, but is it quality depth?

I like our secondary, well at least our corner depth. Safety is by far the biggest question mark on this team. Does Woods have it? Will big Earl force his trade here?

IMHO, DT is a major weak spot for us right now. Collins being out hurts a lot. Irving being suspended (again) and rumored to be in and out of rehab, may be the end for him in Dallas. Crawford might have to move back inside to DT, again. Can Price, Ward, Ash, Neal or Ross hold the middle?

If Randy and Tapper both come back strong, DE is suddenly super deep. If they both have set backs (again) they will probably be out of the league. But with D-Law, Crawford, Taco, Ealy, Jones and Armstrong we should be ok, with or without them contributing. BTW, this will be a very interesting position battle in camp. Especially if those 2 do come back strong. We certainly can't keep them all, 5? 6 at most if you plan on having TC flip inside and out (again).

I'll say this, the D has potential to be good, top 10 good? We'll see. If we got some real help at DT and S than we could be top 5.

Looking back at the early 90's SB winning teams, was there any real top DT? Russell Maryland was a no. 1 pick, but only made 1 Pro Bowl. Casillas, Jones, Hennings and Lett were pretty good players, but none are HOF'ers, Lett made only 2 Pro Bowls, Hennings none, Casilas none.

Those teams had good d-lines due a lot of course to Haley, but their real strength was a big rotation, they had fresh guys in there all game long. Think that's what they are planning this year. And if so, hopefully it will work like it did then!