Let's Fix this Defense, Here's How

[GimmeTheBall!]

DantheMan i appreciates the work on the post. Even more I appreciate the optimism.

Putting a pretty face on this sow's ear off a defense can't be easy, though you did bring up pertenent points.

On the other hand (the one with 6 digits) I cannot get away from the thought that our holdover veterans/starters from last year are substandard at best and our new defensive guys are journeymen, coach potatoes, has-beens, never-beens and some just left the game after being bored and didn't like to practice.

I belief in truth in advertising. And this defense will be as bad and probably worse than last year's.
The thing to do is to not celebrate this bunch of underachievers but to cast ourn eyes to FA and the next year's draft. It will be slow going rebuilding this terrible, terrible defense. And if not terrible enugh, injuries continue to rock the unit's world.

Optimist is gud! Patience in the years ahead is what we need. The only place this horrific defense will take us is to the bottom of the NFL stats, belief me.

 

[Denim Chicken]

RDE: Bruce Carter

RDE: Bruce Carter ??

 

[CrownCowboy]

I pretty much agree with the OP's plan.

We need all the talent we can get on the field. With that being said, I think that Rolando needs to be out there if he continues get after it in practice like he has. As mentioned, Durant can play all three positions so why not put them both on the field at the same time.

We can do a wait and see approach with Spencer. Hopefully he can be back soon and be back at his old self.

 

[dfense]

Hey guys! Haven't posted in a long time. I know the common thing to do is rip the defense. (Trust me I have my worries too)

But there are reasons for optimism. ESPECIALLY if they listen to me I am going to focus this post on the beginning of the season when they won't have Spencer or Scandrick.

Here is step by step what they need to do:

Defensive Line in Base Defense

• The starter at RDE should be the better performer between Selvie and Mincey
• The starter at LDE should be Crawford
• The starter at 3 tech should be Melton
• The starter at 1 tech should be the better of Brent and McClain in the last 2 preseason games. (They should serve at the audition)

Obviously these things are dependent on some circumstances. Brent needs to come back. McClain needs to get healthy.

I am going a little bigger in the base D to prevent teams from running all over us. People are really underestimating Josh Brent. If he is healthy, and doesn't get suspended, he is an absolute monster. Was playing outstanding before the accident in 2012. I would argue he was best player on defensive line in multiple games that year.

If Nick Hayden has to start this season, we are in BIG trouble. We NEED either McClain or Brent to start.

The Nickel Defensive Line

• RDE should be ..... NOT ON TEAM. No it isn't Wilber. We need to trade, or sign an after cuts young guy who is explosive and can generate some pass rush. Someone in the Victor Butler mode. We don't have an answer on this team. All this guy has to do is rush the passer. That is it! Strictly a nickel pass rusher.
• LDE should be Selvie
• Interior DTs should be Mincey and Melton. With McClain rotating in at times as well.

Linebackers

• Bruce Carter at weak
• Justin Durant in the middle
• Better of Wilber, McClain and Holloman at strong
• Hitchens as backup weak
• Loser of strong competition can be primary backups for middle and strong

Safeties

• Church as one starter
• The winner of Hamilton, Dixon and Wilcox
• Don't think Wilcox should just be given job. I think the winner should be the one who makes the most plays in the final preseason games.
• Dixon is raw in coverage, but has the physical tools to do it. Be nice to have 2 physical presences at safety.

Corner

• Claiborne and Carr start
• Moore as slot corner and 3rd corner on field
• Mitchell has proven enough to be 4th corner
• Keep Patmon until Scandrick comes back
• Webb should be cut

I know a lot of you are ready to jump off the cliff, but I do believe we can be OK. Very excited to see the competition on defense, and I think some guys are going to really show up in these final preseason games.

Just need an edge rusher, and I believe we will find one after final cuts to strictly rush on 3rd downs.

So what you're saying is Demarcus Lawrence has no place on this team.

You can bank on Rolando at MLB, Durant at WSB, Wilbur at SSB, and Carter to the bench come week 1.

No way on earth Dixon starts at safety just because he hits hard when he tackles. There's alot more to learn at the position than that.

 

[dfense]

Interesting thread. IMO Marinelli should go away from his familiar 4-3 Under and play more 4-3 Over, like Seattle, and focus on stopping the run FIRST and foremost. And continue to stress creating tunovers. The pressure would have to come from the edges instead of inside and our DEs are nothing special so I am actually advocating something a bit out of the box, play a variant of the nickel D as your base.

Go small on the outside (but lightning fast) and monstrous (and pain inducing) in the middle, and play physical on the boundaries:

RDE: Bruce Carter
RDT: Terrell McClain
LDT: Ken Bishop
LDE: George Selvie

SAM: Justin Durant
MIKE: Rolando McClain
WILL: Barry Church

RCB: Terrance Mitchell/Jeff Heath (whoever is less penalty prone)
LCB: Brandon Carr
SLOT: Mo Claiborne
SS: Ahmad Dixon
FS: J.J. Wilcox

Passing downs DTs: rotation of Melton, Crawford, Rayford, Mincey
Goal Line DL: Hayden, Mincey, Spencer, Brent

3rd and long FS: Jakar Hamilton

Marinelli needs to think radically to make this bunch of castoffs and injured players (mentally and physically) not just average but playing at a high level.

I don't even know how to respond to RDE? a week side LB? Then putting your best safety at LB? Jeff Heath at CB? He couldn't find a ball in coverage if he tripped over it. My goodness, what about putting Dez at FS? wow.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I pretty much agree with the OP's plan.

We need all the talent we can get on the field. With that being said, I think that Rolando needs to be out there if he continues get after it in practice like he has. As mentioned, Durant can play all three positions so why not put them both on the field at the same time.

We can do a wait and see approach with Spencer. Hopefully he can be back soon and be back at his old self.

You half to belief that our defense will hit rock bottom when we put faith in names like Durant and expectatorily wait for half-beens like Spencer. When we put stock in these guys you gotta know we is bad. badder than 5-day-old mashed potatoes left near the sink.

 

[CCBoy]

DantheMan i appreciates the work on the post. Even more I appreciate the optimism.

Putting a pretty face on this sow's ear off a defense can't be easy, though you did bring up pertenent points.

On the other hand (the one with 6 digits) I cannot get away from the thought that our holdover veterans/starters from last year are substandard at best and our new defensive guys are journeymen, coach potatoes, has-beens, never-beens and some just left the game after being bored and didn't like to practice.

I belief in truth in advertising. And this defense will be as bad and probably worse than last year's.
The thing to do is to not celebrate this bunch of underachievers but to cast ourn eyes to FA and the next year's draft. It will be slow going rebuilding this terrible, terrible defense. And if not terrible enugh, injuries continue to rock the unit's world.

Optimist is gud! Patience in the years ahead is what we need. The only place this horrific defense will take us is to the bottom of the NFL stats, belief me.

I don't think we are yet at three days without water...

 

[CCBoy]

So what you're saying is Demarcus Lawrence has no place on this team.

You can bank on Rolando at MLB, Durant at WSB, Wilbur at SSB, and Carter to the bench come week 1.

No way on earth Dixon starts at safety just because he hits hard when he tackles. There's alot more to learn at the position than that.

For sure, , Lawrence was only 6'3" tall and that doesn't hit the theoretical realm of a good weakside defensive end. There you have it...Unless one has faith in the player and his heart.

I'm sorry for the chosen 'other side of the story.' I gave up tar buckets and mops for Lint.

 

[sbark]

True but then McClain has played the MLB position before so it is not new to him even though this defensive system maybe new to him. I think the best case scenario is to get a big thumper like McClain in the middle.

He's the best of both.........a big thumper against the run in the middle where we are showing weakness without Melton and T.McClain (hope), and also give a lot of what Sean Lee brought to the table in reading the offensive sets and getting people into position

 

[CrownCowboy]

You half to belief that our defense will hit rock bottom when we put faith in names like Durant and expectatorily wait for half-beens like Spencer. When we put stock in these guys you gotta know we is bad. badder than 5-day-old mashed potatoes left near the sink.

Never said it was going to be good, chief.

In fact, I think it is going to be pretty bad on that side of the ball.

I agreed with the OP's plan with what we have currently on the roster. At this point, what else do we have to go with?

 

[dfense]

For sure, , Lawrence was only 6'3" tall and that doesn't hit the theoretical realm of a good weakside defensive end. There you have it...Unless one has faith in the player and his heart.

I'm sorry for the chosen 'other side of the story.' I gave up tar buckets and mops for Lint.

Robert Mathis led the league in sacks in 2013. Guess what? 6'2" next......

 

[CCBoy]

Robert Mathis led the league in sacks in 2013. Guess what? 6'2" next......

If you are through pounding a miniature chest now, that was the point to begin...speed and not size, for a Dallas player in all situations along the defensive front. But if you had been following topical sides of discussion, the focus initially was on defensive tackles. And how the group in Dallas projected.

But as to your interruption, I'm trying to figure out if you were looking for a medal or just a chest to pin it on.

 

[Aven8]

I watched Durant play a bunch in Detroit (I live in Michigan and the Lions game is always on) and I'll have to be honest I barely noticed him.

I keep hearing great things about him in camp this year, however, I worry he is going to be the guy I saw in Detroit and to a less extent last year in Dallas -- averaged 80 tackles or so per season, really no big plays to speak of (0 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 4 passes defensed) his two years in Detroit. Add to the fact he is going to be 29 this season and was injured last season and I'm left with HOPING that player I am hearing about in camp is the new Justin Durant -- who is for the first time in his 8 year NFL career going to be an impactful player who makes a difference.

The Cowboys desperately need players who can make a difference so I am crossing my
fingers.

That's the same player I saw last year as well. Serviceable, but nothing special. This D needs special, at least 2-3 guys on this D need to be. In fact I remember a couple of games where he was blown out on the 2nd level and late to the ball, etc. I'm not buying the hype about his camp as well. If he were 25 it would be one thing, but at 29? Nope.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I'd rather see us work from scratch. Stockpile draft picks. Focus on the safeties first because you need dynamic safeties for a good defense in today's NFL. Get corners that can play zone and more important, tackle well.

I would look to try and figure out how to cut Lee (injury prone, can't be relied upon) and hope that McClain can be the replacement. If Carter doesn't step up, look to replace him as well (may provide a spark) and put him on Special Teams.

I would get a new S&C coach. Probably from college as Woicik has struggled to adapt to the new CBA rules.



YR

 

[CCBoy]

Never said it was going to be good, chief.

In fact, I think it is going to be pretty bad on that side of the ball.

I agreed with the OP's plan with what we have currently on the roster. At this point, what else do we have to go with?

Don't even worry there. This is still way early in the observation season. The team hasn't even approached the weekly game planning for an opponent phase of the season. That will come next...after they have the talent, and new additions coached up some and evaluated.

The fans throwing in opinions, or doing just that. Many of them not realistic even to observations or applications of principals...unless of course, failure was both the start and end points of a developing season.

 

[CCBoy]

I'd rather see us work from scratch. Stockpile draft picks. Focus on the safeties first because you need dynamic safeties for a good defense in today's NFL. Get corners that can play zone and more important, tackle well.

I would look to try and figure out how to cut Lee (injury prone, can't be relied upon) and hope that McClain can be the replacement. If Carter doesn't step up, look to replace him as well (may provide a spark) and put him on Special Teams.

I would get a new S&C coach. Probably from college as Woicik has struggled to adapt to the new CBA rules.



YR

I disagree some on the corners. I think that when the real **** hits the fan, you need isolated/individual coverage to win a tight game.

 

[dfense]

If you are through pounding a miniature chest now, that was the point to begin...speed and not size, for a Dallas player in all situations along the defensive front. But if you had been following topical sides of discussion, the focus initially was on defensive tackles. And how the group in Dallas projected.

But as to your interruption, I'm trying to figure out if you were looking for a medal or just a chest to pin it on.

topical sides of discussion ? What does that even mean? The thread was about the defensive starters and Lawrence wasn't even listed. Why the need for personal attacks when someone calls you out on a fact?

-When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do.

 

[CCBoy]

topical sides of discussion ? What does that even mean? The thread was about the defensive starters and Lawrence wasn't even listed. Why the need for personal attacks when someone calls you out on a fact?

-When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do.

Go back with your own ***** in hand, and figure it out. The posting concerning Lawrence, was to highlight a positional criteria approach that doesn't pan out when applied. Lawrence wouldn't be projected positive in that view, as some of the current defensive tackles are being incorrectly labeled.

As to your supposed being called out: “In the words of Humphrey Bogart, ‘Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.‘ "

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I disagree some on the corners. I think that when the real **** hits the fan, you need isolated/individual coverage to win a tight game.

That's nice if you have the corner that can do it. But, you need a physical corner anyway. And that guy will be able to tackle.

There are only three corners I can think of that can truly shut down the opposing WR:

Aqib Talib
Patrick Peterson
Darelle Revis (and he may be washed up)

Slim pickings.

The fact is that the design of pass plays is short patterns that frequently use 1, 2 or 3 step drops. The WR's are going to get their catches, it's more of a question if the corner can bring the WR down before they gain too much yardage.





YR

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I don't think we are yet at three days without water...

But the patient's pulse is precipitously irregular and the blood pressure be falling, doctor.