Let's give the Defense some credit

[Kevinicus]

Yep. We also need to get Lee back. Claiborne, not so much.

Claiborne has been a bigger loss to the defense overall than Lee IMO (not saying he is better than Lee, AT ALL). Claiborne's absence has been felt tremendously. Lee's, not as much.

 

[Bleu Star]

Really? How so? Claiborne has been a huge liability when given significant playing time. He gets lucky on occasion but, for the most part, plays consistently out of position. To this point, he hasn't exhibited that defensive awareness that made him a choice draft pick.

Claiborne has been a bigger loss to the defense overall than Lee IMO (not saying he is better than Lee, AT ALL). Claiborne's absence has been felt tremendously. Lee's, not as much.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I'll save my "attaboys" for next week when they face a solid offense. A few key takeaways is probably the only way they keep Philly under 30.

 

[Bleu Star]

I'll save my "attaboys" for next week when they face a solid offense. A few key takeaways is probably the only way they keep Philly under 30.

The first step is believing it can happen.

 

[Kevinicus]

Really? How so? Claiborne has been a huge liability when given significant playing time. He gets lucky on occasion but, for the most part, plays consistently out of position. To this point, he hasn't exhibited that defensive awareness that made him a choice draft pick.

You have not noticed the significant drop off when Claiborne is absent? It's been very evident to me. Look at the games since Denver. The defense was very solid vs. Washington and Philly and while not great was somewhat capable vs. Detroit. Then he got hurt and the D was incapable of making a stop vs. Detroit. Ponder looked very at ease throwing against us, and the Saints set a record. Then he came back for NY and they were held to 6 pts most of the game, and after he got hurt they came back to tie it. Since he's been gone, we've had the Bears, and Packers games, and many argue McGloin was having a field day. You see a few plays Claiborne isn't great (and really except on a drive in NY, you'd be hard pressed to find many since Denver), and think he's a liability, I notice the complete change in effectiveness of the defense when he's healthy compared to when he's hurt.

 

[Bleu Star]

I really hadn't noticed his absence affecting the defense in that way. I have noticed Ware's absence while still on the field affecting the defense in a major way. I'm not sold on Claiborne yet. Gotta see some heart, endurance, and real playmaking ability at the NFL level first.

You have not noticed the significant drop off when Claiborne is absent? It's been very evident to me. Look at the games since Denver. The defense was very solid vs. Washington and Philly and while not great was somewhat capable vs. Detroit. Then he got hurt and the D was incapable of making a stop vs. Detroit. Ponder looked very at ease throwing against us, and the Saints set a record. Then he came back for NY and they were held to 6 pts most of the game, and after he got hurt they came back to tie it. Since he's been gone, we've had the Bears, and Packers games, and many argue McGloin was having a field day. You see a few plays Claiborne isn't great (and really except on a drive in NY, you'd be hard pressed to find many since Denver), and think he's a liability, I notice the complete change in effectiveness of the defense when he's healthy compared to when he's hurt.

 

[Ultra Warrior]

Defense looked shaky at times today but when we needed them to step up the most, they did. Just hope we get the same out of them next week.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

The first step is believing it can happen.

I don't know how many of them believe it,,, fear of being embarrassed might serve them better!

 

[dallasdave]

They made two huge stops in the 4th quarter when we needed it. Very timely and uncharacteristic.. When the offense placed them in some tough situations, they didn't break. Small victories on that side of the ball IMO... For a day, they weren't the #32 ranked defense in the NFL. The guys on the defensive side of the ball earned their paychecks today.

Last series the defense showed something. Going to have to have a lot of that to beat philly.

 

[xwalker]

They made two huge stops in the 4th quarter when we needed it. Very timely and uncharacteristic.. When the offense placed them in some tough situations, they didn't break. Small victories on that side of the ball IMO... For a day, they weren't the #32 ranked defense in the NFL. The guys on the defensive side of the ball earned their paychecks today.

Yes, they held the other team to 23 points. With an offense that has all of it's players healthy, the Cowboys should win any game where the defense holds the other team to 23 points.