Just imagine how good this defense could be

[Chuck 54]

I know it's unfashionable to be excited about the Cowboys, and I still think 8-8 would be a good season this year, but.......just imagine if:

1. Rolando McClain continues to improve and buy into his football life, and next year is our stud MLB.

2. Bruce Carter continues to get more and more comfortable on the strong side in this defense, and next year is our steady SLB with his blitz ability.

3. Sean Lee, our most athletic, cerebral, instinctive and big play guy becomes our big play WLB in this defense.

4. Whether it's Spencer, DLawrence, another draft pick, or a proven guy in free agency now that we finally expect to have enough cap flexibility next summer, we locate 1-2 DEs who can actually rush the passer.

In one year, this defense could go from anticipated disaster to better than expected to an actual top 10 unit.
It has required some good gambles, some desperation, and some good fortune, but we have inexpensively and without draft picks found some key components to a front 7 that can stuff the run and make plays. A team can go years and not find a decent pass rushing DE, but if we can get even one guy out there by next season who teams have to account for, this defense could be very good.

It's too early this season to say for sure, but one can definitely see the potential for being very good inside with an elite group of starting LBs.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

And geting Claiborne's and Carr's contracts off the books and finding another starting CB opposite O Scan

 

[cowboys1981]

Looking down the road there is some room for optimism. I would love to see an overload of talent on our Dline; similar to Seattle, Cincy and Carolina.

 

[DandyDon1722]

Next year's draft will make or break us defensively for years to come.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

No disrespect to Sean Lee, but i'm not counting on him for anything in the future...
I hope comes back a proves me wrong...

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Next year's draft will make or break us defensively for years to come.

next year is big... but I wouldn't go that far.

 

[cowboyschmps3]

And geting Claiborne's and Carr's contracts off the books and finding another starting CB opposite O Scan

Carrs I understand Claiborne's on a rookie contract that's ok

 

[brymatt94]

Looking down the road there is some room for optimism. I would love to see an overload of talent on our Dline; similar to Seattle, Cincy and Carolina.

Demarcus Lawrence and Melton are the cornerstones for the defensive line right now. That is if Lawrence can contribute like we all hope he can. When you think about it, the Dline doesn't need that much of an overload, maybe just a couple of early round picks.

 

[Idgit]

I really didn't like our LB corps at all going into the season. McClain's turned it on, for sure (you could always see his athleticism, but he looked winded and sometimes confused in preseason. I've seen little of that the last two weeks). I like Carter at SAM a lot better than I liked him at WIL, and our nickel LB package suddenly does not look bad. I liked the Toomer pickup a lot (which is good, since we lost Holloman). I have been less impressed with Durant (who I was relatively high on last season). But Hichens has been ok, and the thought of adding Lee to that same group (unlikely, I know), makes it look like it might actually be a defensive strength for us soon.

 

[waving monkey]

I know it's unfashionable to be excited about the Cowboys, and I still think 8-8 would be a good season this year, but.......just imagine if:

1. Rolando McClain continues to improve and buy into his football life, and next year is our stud MLB.

2. Bruce Carter continues to get more and more comfortable on the strong side in this defense, and next year is our steady SLB with his blitz ability.

3. Sean Lee, our most athletic, cerebral, instinctive and big play guy becomes our big play WLB in this defense.

4. Whether it's Spencer, DLawrence, another draft pick, or a proven guy in free agency now that we finally expect to have enough cap flexibility next summer, we locate 1-2 DEs who can actually rush the passer.

In one year, this defense could go from anticipated disaster to better than expected to an actual top 10 unit.
It has required some good gambles, some desperation, and some good fortune, but we have inexpensively and without draft picks found some key components to a front 7 that can stuff the run and make plays. A team can go years and not find a decent pass rushing DE, but if we can get even one guy out there by next season who teams have to account for, this defense could be very good.

It's too early this season to say for sure, but one can definitely see the potential for being very good inside with an elite group of starting LBs.

Thanks for the post.
I agree but we need one more defense draft and DB's might be at the head of the list along with that DE.

 

[sbark]

They will have some rough games in between now and Dec....and depending on health of key players, will catch some eyes by year end.

 

[Szczepanik]

Well let us assume we have:

Lee, Carter, and Ro as our LB.

Oscan, Carr, Claiborne , Moore.

Lawrence- Melton - **** - Spencer

Church- *****

We could turn the defense around with a DT, 1 pass rusher and a ballhawk.

Easily doable in 1 draft and a pickup in FA.

 

[BAT]

Cowboys should trade either Carr or Claiborne for a pass rusher right now instead waiting until next season. Not crazy about relying on either Spencer or Lawrence to provide any real pass rush threat THIS season.

 

[Doomsday]

That was the best the secondary has looked in a while. It was nice to see DBs contesting balls for a change.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

Sterline Moore is vastly underrated. Every time he gets an opportunity to play , he does very well. I like our corners. By seasons end if Spencer , Sam , and Lawrence are all full speed watch out.

 

[NorthTexan95]

Melton's contract takes a huge bump next year if he stays under his current contract. It's a lot of money for anything less than an All Pro DT.

 

[casmith07]

Well let us assume we have:

Lee, Carter, and Ro as our LB.

Oscan, Carr, Claiborne , Moore.

Lawrence- Melton - **** - Spencer

Church- *****

We could turn the defense around with a DT, 1 pass rusher and a ballhawk.

Easily doable in 1 draft and a pickup in FA.

Wilcox is your other safety. He's not going anywhere.

 

[casmith07]

Cowboys should trade either Carr or Claiborne for a pass rusher right now instead waiting until next season. Not crazy about relying on either Spencer or Lawrence to provide any real pass rush threat THIS season.

Claiborne has a great game and you're ready to dump the guy already?

Haven't we learned anything with Jerry Jones and trades over the years? Williams, Galloway...NO trades.

Brandon Carr might not be around after this year but after what we've seen from Mo you're kidding yourself if you don't think he's going to get a second contract.

 

[Doomsday101]

As mentioned yesterday this is a young group on defense like most they will learn and continue to develop. I expect they will have bumps along the way but I also think these guys will continue to improve.

 

[TimHortons]

I think we need to slow down a bit in McClain. He has looked good so far, but he has proven multiple times to be a bit of a headcase. If he gets injured, will he have the mental toughness to rehab and come back, or will be back to the couch after a payday this year? Two games is not nearly enough to be counting on him a a cog in this defense for next year. I agree it is a very tantalizing thought that he could finally be realizing his full potential, but IMO he's still a wild card