Let's talk about defense 2014 vs. now

[bark]

Alright cowboy nation what is your opinion on then vs now.
IMO, while we are certainly no juggernaut, we have up graded our personal on all three levels.

2014 we rolled with the likes of
George Selvie
Rolando McClain
Nick Hayden
Bruce Carter
Sterling Moore
Jeremy Mincy
CJ Spillman
Cameron Lawrence
Tyler Patmon
Ken Bishop
Devon Coleman
Lavar Edwards
Josh Brent
The one thing this group did was intercept the football.
We had 18 nits in '14 vs 8 so far this yr.
Most of that was due to Bruce carter and the fact that we have dropped so many picks this yr.
We have more sacks this yr and have some hope for Irving, mayowa has come on and who knows about Gregory.
And of course we have Sean Lee.
As frustrating as the bend but don't break approach is, we don't give up many big plays and the defense has kept us in all games so far.
Are we better and are we good enough for a playoff run ?

 

[robjay04]

If we keep improving the way we have the last 3 weeks, we will absolutely have a playoff caliber defense. We are finally getting a pass rush!

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Definitely a better defense this year.

Still not a "Top 10" kind of defense, but a few ticks better than the '14 version.

The '16 version is equally meh at DE, but is far superior at DT. LB is probably a wash. This years' secondary is better overall.

 

[tyke1doe]

I think our secondary is better. And we have a healthy Sean Lee. The pass rush is coming along, but we're going to need it to step up another level if we plan on making it to the Super Bowl.
I think our defense is coming on at the right time. However, that may be somewhat deceptive. We've really played one-dimensional teams down the stretch. Tampa, Baltimore and NY really have no run games. The two best teams we played offensively were the Steelers and the Commanders, and we were able to keep up with them offensively. But we're going to need a better output from our defense because although Green Bay has no running game, Aaron Rodgers compensates for that, and Atlanta is likely the most balanced team we will face, if we face them.

 

[waving monkey]

If you just compare the equivalent players for each position between the two years ya we certainly have better talent now.
Next year will be even better.

 

[ShiningStar]

idk, Selvie was getting to the qb. I liked Patmon. The legend of Carter is like Dunbars, im still shaking my head. McClain played well for some games. This defense, is a head scratcher, its playing well, but at the end of the game you are like "HOW"? Just goes to show that Rod is very good but i still say "hes better with lesser talent" i dont know why, but he just is.

 

[Proximo]

The only aspect of 2014 that was superior to 2016 was their ability to take the ball away. In 2014 we were very opportunistic.

If you were to take this year's defense "as is" but just enhance the ability to produce takeaways to match 2014, I'd be significantly more confident in out SB chances.

Those takeaways do so much for a team. Cannot be overstated. Especially with an offense like ours. We start stealing possessions from the other team and it'll just break their will.

Also consider, (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong here) we have not had a single non-offensive TD this year. In 2014 we had several. I think this speaks volumes to how fantastic our offense has been this year, but on the other hand, think of how much more dangerous we'd be as a team if our non-offensive units had a better ability to score.

 

[StarBoyz83]

2014 they got a lot of turnovers and that was a key to success that season. This defense is better than expected though but hasn't played many good offenses.

 

[jday]

Alright cowboy nation what is your opinion on then vs now.
IMO, while we are certainly no juggernaut, we have up graded our personal on all three levels.

2014 we rolled with the likes of
George Selvie
Rolando McClain
Nick Hayden
Bruce Carter
Sterling Moore
Jeremy Mincy
CJ Spillman
Cameron Lawrence
Tyler Patmon
Ken Bishop
Devon Coleman
Lavar Edwards
Josh Brent
The one thing this group did was intercept the football.
We had 18 nits in '14 vs 8 so far this yr.
Most of that was due to Bruce carter and the fact that we have dropped so many picks this yr.
We have more sacks this yr and have some hope for Irving, mayowa has come on and who knows about Gregory.
And of course we have Sean Lee.
As frustrating as the bend but don't break approach is, we don't give up many big plays and the defense has kept us in all games so far.
Are we better and are we good enough for a playoff run ?

This defense is by far better equipped for a Super Bowl run. Consider:

The mighty orphans are #1 against the run. That's pretty impressive considering the style of defense they play (bend don't break) and the lack of Super Stars and first round attention given that group.

Better overall offense. The 2014 Romo might have a slight edge, but Daks intangibles and mobility makes up alot of ground in that advantage.

Zeke > Murray.

WR core adds Brice Butler who has been reliable when called upon to make a play.

Team chemistry - slightly better.

Byron Jones is a big reason the Cowboys have been able to operate the bend don't break successfully.

Claiborne was one of the best corners in the league prior to injury. He is likely back for the playoffs and could be a difference maker, particularly against the Giants, Falcon's and Packers.

The dline this year is significantly better than 2014.

With help on the way, I like the Cowboys chances. But any team can beat the Cowboys on a bad day so, focus, attention to detail, and sacrifice of outside fun from 53 will also be a requirement down the stretch. The teams that work the hardest in the week leading up to the game will likely be the ones to advance, regardless of who is perceived today to be the better team

 

[DogFace]

Running the ball and stopping the run is a tried and true recipe for winning.

 

[conner01]

The only aspect of 2014 that was superior to 2016 was their ability to take the ball away. In 2014 we were very opportunistic.

If you were to take this year's defense "as is" but just enhance the ability to produce takeaways to match 2014, I'd be significantly more confident in out SB chances.

Those takeaways do so much for a team. Cannot be overstated. Especially with an offense like ours. We start stealing possessions from the other team and it'll just break their will.

Also consider, (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong here) we have not had a single non-offensive TD this year. In 2014 we had several. I think this speaks volumes to how fantastic our offense has been this year, but on the other hand, think of how much more dangerous we'd be as a team if our non-offensive units had a better ability to score.

That's the biggest difference, this is a more talented bunch but that bunch maybe some just luck, but they got turnovers

 

[noshame]

The pass rush in the first 12 games may have been the worst I've seen in 53 seasons.

But if it continues to improve we will be good enough.

 

[robjay04]

The pass rush in the first 12 games may have been the worst I've seen in 53 seasons.

But if it continues to improve we will be good enough.

Can't argue with that. I'm happy it seems like we have been able to figure out how to take advantage of bad offensive lines. The last 3 weeks, our DL has really shown up. I can't ever remember hitting Eli like we did a couple weeks ago due to his quick release.

 

[xwalker]

Alright cowboy nation what is your opinion on then vs now.
IMO, while we are certainly no juggernaut, we have up graded our personal on all three levels.

2014 we rolled with the likes of
George Selvie
Rolando McClain
Nick Hayden
Bruce Carter
Sterling Moore
Jeremy Mincy
CJ Spillman
Cameron Lawrence
Tyler Patmon
Ken Bishop
Devon Coleman
Lavar Edwards
Josh Brent
The one thing this group did was intercept the football.
We had 18 nits in '14 vs 8 so far this yr.
Most of that was due to Bruce carter and the fact that we have dropped so many picks this yr.
We have more sacks this yr and have some hope for Irving, mayowa has come on and who knows about Gregory.
And of course we have Sean Lee.
As frustrating as the bend but don't break approach is, we don't give up many big plays and the defense has kept us in all games so far.
Are we better and are we good enough for a playoff run ?

2014 Cowboys Roster Defense (As of Week 16)

Defensive Linemen
66 Ken Bishop DT
79 Kenneth Boatright DE
95 Josh Brent DT
98 Tyrone Crawford DE/DT
96 Nick Hayden DT
90 DeMarcus Lawrence DE
97 Terrell McClain DT
92 Jeremy Mincey DE
99 George Selvie DE
93 Anthony Spencer DE

Linebackers
58 James Anderson OLB/MLB
54 Bruce Carter OLB
59 Anthony Hitchens MLB/OLB
53 Cameron Lawrence OLB/MLB
55 Rolando McClain MLB
57 Keith Smith OLB/SS
56 Dekoda Watson OLB
51 Kyle Wilber OLB/DE

Defensive Backs
39 Brandon Carr CB
42 Barry Church SS
38 Jeff Heath SS
26 Sterling Moore CB
20 Tyler Patmon CB
32 Orlando Scandrick CB
37 C. J. Spillman FS
27 J. J. Wilcox FS

Reserve Lists
24 Morris Claiborne CB (IR) Injury icon 2.svg
-- Jack Crawford DE (IR) Injury icon 2.svg
52 Justin Durant OLB (IR) Injury icon 2.svg
63 Ben Gardner DE (IR) Injury icon 2.svg
-- DeVonte Holloman MLB/OLB (IR) Injury icon 2.svg
50 Sean Lee MLB (IR) Injury icon 2.svg
69 Henry Melton DT (IR) Injury icon 2.svg
76 Amobi Okoye DT (NF-Inj.) Injury icon 2.svg
-- Chris Whaley DT (NF-Inj.) Injury icon 2.svg

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

Much more reliable this year. Sean Lee makes a huge difference as qb.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

I think at this point, it's obvious that while the offense is not quite as good as the 2014 team, the defense is better than the 2014 squad... which should make this a better playoff team. I hope...

 

[LandryFan]

Running the ball and stopping the run is a tried and true recipe for winning.

We have been quite good at both so far this year, so that bodes well for our future chances.

 

[WillieBeamen]

2016:
#1 ranked rushing defense

2014:
#8 ranked rushing defense


2016:
#5 ranked scoring defense (opponents ppg)

2014:
#15 ranked scoring defense (opponents ppg)

 

[bark]

The pass rush in the first 12 games may have been the worst I've seen in 53 seasons.

But if it continues to improve we will be good enough.

Yet like I mentioned above we already have more sacks than the 14 squad with 2 games to play

 

[Sportsbabe]

Alright cowboy nation what is your opinion on then vs now.
IMO, while we are certainly no juggernaut, we have up graded our personal on all three levels.

2014 we rolled with the likes of
George Selvie
Rolando McClain
Nick Hayden
Bruce Carter
Sterling Moore
Jeremy Mincy
CJ Spillman
Cameron Lawrence
Tyler Patmon
Ken Bishop
Devon Coleman
Lavar Edwards
Josh Brent
The one thing this group did was intercept the football.
We had 18 nits in '14 vs 8 so far this yr.
Most of that was due to Bruce carter and the fact that we have dropped so many picks this yr.
We have more sacks this yr and have some hope for Irving, mayowa has come on and who knows about Gregory.
And of course we have Sean Lee.
As frustrating as the bend but don't break approach is, we don't give up many big plays and the defense has kept us in all games so far.
Are we better and are we good enough for a playoff run ?

I prefer this defense because they're fundamentally sound and younger. I believe their ceiling within the season still has room.