My completely irrelevant thoughts on the Defense

[kevwun]

Our defense is too aggressive in my opinion. Guys over pursue all the time instead of staying where they're supposed to and working together. There was a play last night in the 4th quarter I believe that was a perfect example. A Philly receiver caught the ball along the right sideline for a short gain. Two Cowboys were in position to stop him there. Instead of working together and using the sideline as another defender, they dove at him separately and both missed the tackle. The receiver got an extra 6 or 7 yards. Stuff like that happens all the time. I think it's part of the reason for the facemask problems also. Instead of playing under control, guys get spastic and grab anything they can get their hands on.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think the defense isn't aggressive enough. They play 12-15 yards off the receiver on most plays. Including when blitzing 5-6 players which allows easy first downs with quick pass plays because nobody is near the receiver.

:laugh2:

 

[kevwun]

That is a good point, but that deals with scheme. I think the bigger problem is how we go about tackling ball carriers.

 

[Disturbed]

Soo much hype in the offseason about how good our defense was going to be this year.....looks like the same old weaknesses.

I still believe that part of the problem is attitude and leadership. If you go back and look at the really good defenses of the past you see an intensity and accountability among the players that I just don't see in the present D. If any player was beat the whole defense would get on him to pick up his game and they all feed on each others intensity. But at Dallas it seems like group hugs and everything will be okay...we will overcome. We don't need the new age hugging and just getting along attitude -- get mad, be accountable, and take it out on your opponent.

 

[Westcoasthabsfan]

I think the defense isn't aggressive enough. They play 12-15 yards off the receiver on most plays. Including when blitzing 5-6 players which allows easy first downs with quick pass plays because nobody is near the receiver.

:laugh2:

I couldnt agree more....

 

[utrunner07]

I think the defense isn't aggressive enough. They play 12-15 yards off the receiver on most plays. Including when blitzing 5-6 players which allows easy first downs with quick pass plays because nobody is near the receiver.

:laugh2:

Got to agree....there is no way we are too aggressive...

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

I haven't seen any direct quotes, but I have read in other threads that Thomas has made some critical comments about the play of the defense. That can only be a good thing, and he is the logical person to eventually emerge as that defensive leader we've looking for.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Our defense is too aggressive in my opinion. Guys over pursue all the time instead of staying where they're supposed to and working together. There was a play last night in the 4th quarter I believe that was a perfect example. A Philly receiver caught the ball along the right sideline for a short gain. Two Cowboys were in position to stop him there. Instead of working together and using the sideline as another defender, they dove at him separately and both missed the tackle. The receiver got an extra 6 or 7 yards. Stuff like that happens all the time. I think it's part of the reason for the facemask problems also. Instead of playing under control, guys get spastic and grab anything they can get their hands on.

you are EXACTLY right...and I know the play you are thinking of....again, we don't play like a calm veteran team....you would NEVER see the Pats do that...granted they are older and longer in the tooth....but they would have just gotten the guy on the ground...at times we play like a bunch of crazed animals....like Ware in the 1st half...he was just flailing away wildly....then look at Ellis...a technician who used all of his tools of the trade....as opposed to Ware just going 100 mph

 

[kevwun]

I'm not talking about being too aggressive in our scheme. We're talking about 2 different things. Our guys play out of control after the snap a lot of the time. Ware is a good example. He is probably my favorite cowboy, but he was playing like a maniac for a good chunk of the game. There are times when that's called for, like when he ran to hell and back and sacked McNabb. You have to know when to turn it off because there are times when it makes you run by a ball carrier or jump off sides.

 

[NickZepp]

If anything we aren't aggressive enough. We really don't send any real blitz packages. And we give QBs all day to throw.