News: Need For Speed: How Does The Dallas Cowboys’ Defense Stack Up To NFL Averages?

[CCBoy]

Need For Speed: How Does The Dallas Cowboys’ Defense Stack Up To NFL Averages?
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2017...llas-cowboys-defense-stack-up-to-nfl-averages



...Now that the draft is over, the Cowboys have a room full of new toys to play with. We’ve established that the front office went looking for defense and kept hitting the problem, with seven of their nine picks devoted to the defense. They also managed to get five of their nine picks from their Top-68 prospects on their board.

In the never-ending world of building the roster, it’s pretty clear that the Cowboys are looking to add speed as well as youth to their defense. A few years into the system, we have become obsessed with fitting players to Rod Marinelli’s style. We know that the Hot-Rod likes to rush four, loves tackling machines at linebacker, prefers feisty cornerbacks with ball skills, and has a need for speed throughout. That speed he covets is not only from his rushmen but from his entire secondary too.

This year has the optimism running high after a defensive heavy draft because just maybe this team is on its way to balance. What could this team do with some substantial improvement on the defensive side of the ball? We all hope to soon find out. Just for curiosity, we went back and grabbed some of the testing results from the Combine and Pro Days for the most likely contenders on the Cowboys’ defense in 2017. It’s clear that the need for speed is present for this team. We decided to measure your Dallas Cowboys versus the averages of most NFL players according to this guide of Combine numbers from 2015...

 

[MichaelWinicki]

One of the disappointments of a post-Jimmy regime in Dallas was the gradual shift from a speed-oriented defense to a... well... not as much emphasis on speed. The pendulum seemed to fully swing the other direction during the Parcells' era– With Bill preferring bigger, stronger guys with less of an emphasis on speed, with an exception or two like Ware– And even Bill preferred a bigger player in Spears.

I'm pleased to see the swing back to faster players. To me the axiom is true, "You can't teach speed."

 

[unionjack8]

One of the disappointments of a post-Jimmy regime in Dallas was the gradual shift from a speed-oriented defense to a... well... not as much emphasis on speed. The pendulum seemed to fully swing the other direction during the Parcells' era– With Bill preferring bigger, stronger guys with less of an emphasis on speed, with an exception or two like Ware– And even Bill preferred a bigger player in Spears.

I'm pleased to see the swing back to faster players. To me the axiom is true, "You can't teach speed."

totally agree.
a no name defense but made up of guys that could flat out fly, your Darrin smiths and Godfrey Myles of the world.......

 

[JoeKing]

Of course we won't know what we have until they have time to gel and become a real team unit but I suspect we have a special defense this coming season.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

totally agree.
a no name defense but made up of guys that could flat out fly, your Darrin smiths and Godfrey Myles of the world.......

Exactly right.

Then we started ending up with slow-pokes like Brady James at linebacker and Roy Williams at safety (who started out with some speed but quickly became a "biscuit short of a linebacker").

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Of course we won't know what we have until they have time to gel and become a real team unit but I suspect we have a special defense this coming season.

Heck, I'd be thrilled with one that ended up in the top-10 in most of the important defensive metrics.

 

[Frozen700]

We can't get any worse.

We almost got by with an old, slow moving defense.

We should be alright with a much faster younger defense.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

We can't get any worse.

We almost got by with an old, slow moving defense.

We should be alright with a much faster younger defense.

I fully expect this defense to give up more big plays because of mistakes made by the young guys...

BUT I also expect more big plays (turnovers & sacks) than what we've experienced the last few years.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I fully expect this defense to give up more big plays because of mistakes made by the young guys...

BUT I also expect more big plays (turnovers & sacks) than what we've experienced the last few years.

Bill just had a different thought process since he was running the 3-4. He cared more about his guys than the numbers alot of times. I do believe in a 4-3 you do have to concentrate on speed alot more and it is good that we are at least addressing it.

These days, speed costs more. OScan running a 4.32 now probably would've pushed him up a round in the draft now. I see no reason to have a slow LB on the field with a 4-3 anymore, just doesn't make sense with the way teams play now, especially in our division.

It does also have to be said that some are just faster processing things mentally, Lee is a great example of that. Doesn't matter if your fast but running in the wrong direction, your just more out of position.

 

[big dog cowboy]

All of the many variables considered it’s pretty encouraging to see that not only are the Cowboys going to be young on defense but they’re looking to be a quick-strike defense. The need for speed is prevalent in many of the selections the Cowboys have made that have filled out this roster. One thing that the Cowboys’ defense has done over the past few years above all else is the hustle to the ball.

I love agressive football on both sides of the ball. The defense always seems to hustle for Marinelli and now we finally get to see some speed guys playing for him.

 

[CF74]

Exactly right.

Then we started ending up with slow-pokes like Brady James at linebacker and Roy Williams at safety (who started out with some speed but quickly became a "biscuit short of a linebacker").

You had me at Brady James, total liability in coverage...

 

[StarBoyz83]

No way to tell. The defense might be worse for a couple years until the rookies get settled in. Might be better already. Helps that this season has a schedule full of weak offenses.

 

[DogFace]

I think we'll be better in D. The staff finally made a concious effort to move away from safe and mediocre and I think it'll pay off.

 

[Frozen700]

I think we'll be better in D. The staff finally made a concious effort to move away from safe and mediocre and I think it'll pay off.

Agreed

 

[aria]

The defense was tops against the rush last year and middle of the pack overall. With the larceny we committed during this years draft and with the veterans in the secondary gone, I fully expect a top 5 defense. Anything short of that will be a disappointment.

 

[Risen Star]

Sucks that the mini camp isn't this weekend. I want to see Joey Ivie in uniform. I will flip crap.

 

[Risen Star]

One of the disappointments of a post-Jimmy regime in Dallas was the gradual shift from a speed-oriented defense to a... well... not as much emphasis on speed. The pendulum seemed to fully swing the other direction during the Parcells' era– With Bill preferring bigger, stronger guys with less of an emphasis on speed, with an exception or two like Ware– And even Bill preferred a bigger player in Spears.

I'm pleased to see the swing back to faster players. To me the axiom is true, "You can't teach speed."

I don't remember anyone teaching me this freakish strength either, Mike.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I don't remember anyone teaching me this freakish strength either, Mike.

Obviously the creator thought you deserved special skills.