No mystery why our defense is bad

[Bobhaze]

The stats about our defense are stark. They are ranked 31st overall. Only the hapless bengals defense is statistically worse. We average giving up 31.3 points per game, which is the worst average in team history at midseason.

As to why this defense is so bad, there are many reasons. But there is no real mystery. There are two main reasons this defense sucks:

• A simple lack of talent.
• “Coordinator Whiplash” - meaning this defense has had 4 defensive coordinators in 5 seasons. Many players have said the terminology is very different with each DC.

Regarding a lack of talent and continuity with the constant changing of coordinators:

• Under the 4 DCs we’ve had since 2020, believe it or not, we’ve drafted 30 defensive players in the last 6 drafts.
• 14 of those defensive players were taken in the first 3 rounds. 12 remain on the active roster.
• Of those 12 players, only 6 have averaged over 20 snaps per game this season: DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, Osa Odighizuwa, Shemar James, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Sam Williams.
• Here’s how having multiple DCs in a short period effects players having to adjust to new concepts: Bland, had 14 interceptions in his first 2 seasons. Since Quinn left, Bland has had 1 int in the 13 games he’s played since.

We can’t say this team doesn’t draft defensive players. As noted we have drafted 30 defenders in last 6 drafts. There were some decent players who left in FA. Other than Parsons (traded), Osa, Bland…maybe constantly injured Diggs and Overshown…this organization doesn’t have a great track record of drafting defense.

And this organization apparently doesn’t know what kind of defense it wants to be. When you change coordinators like trash bags, you get a bunch of players who look lost. Maybe they can’t remember which defense they’re running.

There’s no mystery about why this defense sucks.

 

[jazzcat22]

They have not had a decent defense in 25 years or so.
When they did seem to be better, they were somewhat protected by a better ball controlling offense.

When was the last time the defense really took over and won a game.
I can't recall too many times where the defense made a stop to win the game.
I do remember many times the defense could not make a stop, and lost the game.

 

[CCBoy]

How does a whole side of football go 30 years with no one knowing how to play defense?

Or is the suggestion really is they were all cowards? I always lined up and stuck my head into someone's body.

You? I played on two different bowl teams and with six future Pro Bowlers in their respective careers. Don't now call me naive and not owning English. That is being allowed to float around with no response to any reference on points for football.

 

[ghst187]

It may not be overly talented but this is largely the fault of a clueless DC. Possibly the worst joke of a defense I’ve ever seen here and that’s saying something. Campo would’ve fielded a better defense with the same players.

 

[thunderpimp91]

They have not had a decent defense in 25 years or so.
When they did seem to be better, they were somewhat protected by a better ball controlling offense.

When was the last time the defense really took over and won a game.
I can't recall too many times where the defense made a stop to win the game.
I do remember many times the defense could not make a stop, and lost the game.

I get they got blown out a few times, but a couple of those DQ defenses were legitimate top 10 units. In the modern version of the game even top defense are going to have those games giving up 30+. Just go back to 2022 when the defense basically carried us to a 4-1 record when Dak went down with injury. Even in the two early season losses that year they held the opponents to 19 (tampa) and 26 (philly). Were they perfect? Nope, but its an absolute shame how far this unit as fallen off.

 

[zrinkill]

It just all comes down to Jerry not understanding how to build a balanced unit on either side of the ball

 

[Ironicalicon]

A few decent defensive players they've drafted they've let walk in FA. Chauncey Gholston, Maliek Collins, Dorance Armstrong to name some.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

It just all comes down to Jerry not understanding how to build a balanced unit on either side of the ball

Don't forget the history of the front office building teams that have talent but lack depth. Lose one player, you don't even have a patch to cover the hole.

 

[nhcowboysfan]

They have not had a decent defense in 25 years or so.
When they did seem to be better, they were somewhat protected by a better ball controlling offense.

When was the last time the defense really took over and won a game.
I can't recall too many times where the defense made a stop to win the game.
I do remember many times the defense could not make a stop, and lost the game.

If you were to ask me to cite one game from memory, whereby we won a game because of our defense, I can only think of one, only because it was so unexpected. It was back in November 2018, when the red-hot Saints, coming off of ten straight wins, played us at AT&T stadium on a Thursday night. We won that game in a defensive battle 13-10. Ironically, we scored all of our points in the first half, while the Saints scored all 10 of their points in the 3rd quarter. This was the second year for both Dak and Zeke. Dak unfortunately turned the ball over with about 2 minutes left in the game, giving Brees and the Saints offense another shot, but Jourdan Lewis made a game sealing INT. I miss JLew. If I recall, it was also one of D Law's best games too. The Saints would return the favor the following year beating us at the Superdome 12-10.
That was the last time I can recall the defense taking over and winning a game; and the defense making a stop (Lewis INT) to win the game. As for your last point: the many times the defense could not make a stop and lost us the game - that was ubiquitous during the Romo era.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The players are very average -- and the injury situation at safety lately isn't talked about enough -- but I put this squarely on Jerry. If Zimmer were somehow still running this thing, they wouldn't be good, but they wouldn't be *this* bad, either. Jerry has no idea what he's doing and thinks hiring an old LB coach he was "comfortable" with was a great idea.

And back to Zimmer, he apparently was pissed that he didn't get a chance to interview for the HC job, almost like he expected that when he was hired in 2024. And I wouldn't be surprised if that were at least implied when he took the job. Which is yet another totally wheels-off way of doing things, but again, that's Jerry.

 

[FiveSuperBowls]

The Mazi pick was the beginning of the defensive downfall period

 

[Captain-Crash]

yep, you guys are still cheering and supporting this crap. lmao.. I'll give you 10 more years to figure it out, but I don't think you will have it figured out by then. Get some "gear," you don't want to be the only dork not wearing a 4 jersey.

 

[Aven8]

Bob you spewed some facts, but let’s be clear. DQ would still be here at he not gotten the HC job. He stayed here even after being offered HC jobs his 2nd year. I’m quite confident had he stayed and just been content with being a DC Micah would still be a Cowboy.

Once he left Jerry and Son decided to let the string play out on Mike and left him with a bare cub board. Zimm was just a placeholder for the next HC, and Flus was just a downright terrible hire.

I agree the defensive drafting has been terrible. McClay loves DE’s, DB’s, and oft injured LB’s.

 

[xwalker]

The stats about our defense are stark. They are ranked 31st overall. Only the hapless bengals defense is statistically worse. We average giving up 31.3 points per game, which is the worst average in team history at midseason.

As to why this defense is so bad, there are many reasons. But there is no real mystery. There are two main reasons this defense sucks:

• A simple lack of talent.
• “Coordinator Whiplash” - meaning this defense has had 4 defensive coordinators in 5 seasons. Many players have said the terminology is very different with each DC.

Regarding a lack of talent and continuity with the constant changing of coordinators:

• Under the 4 DCs we’ve had since 2020, believe it or not, we’ve drafted 30 defensive players in the last 6 drafts.
• 14 of those defensive players were taken in the first 3 rounds. 12 remain on the active roster.
• Of those 12 players, only 6 have averaged over 20 snaps per game this season: DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, Osa Odighizuwa, Shemar James, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Sam Williams.
• Here’s how having multiple DCs in a short period effects players having to adjust to new concepts: Bland, had 14 interceptions in his first 2 seasons. Since Quinn left, Bland has had 1 int in the 13 games he’s played since.

We can’t say this team doesn’t draft defensive players. As noted we have drafted 30 defenders in last 6 drafts. There were some decent players who left in FA. Other than Parsons (traded), Osa, Bland…maybe constantly injured Diggs and Overshown…this organization doesn’t have a great track record of drafting defense.

And this organization apparently doesn’t know what kind of defense it wants to be. When you change coordinators like trash bags, you get a bunch of players who look lost. Maybe they can’t remember which defense they’re running.

There’s no mystery about why this defense sucks.

I predict that they'll play like a top 5 defense in December.
Overshown
Revel

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

How does a whole side of football go 30 years with no one knowing how to play defense?

Or is the suggestion really is they were all cowards? I always lined up and stuck my head into someone's body.

You? I played on two different bowl teams and with six future Pro Bowlers in their respective careers. Don't now call me naive and not owning English. That is being allowed to float around with no response to any reference on points for football.

Defense doesn't sell jerseys and puts butts in seats...

 

[Reality]

The stats about our defense are stark. They are ranked 31st overall. Only the hapless bengals defense is statistically worse. We average giving up 31.3 points per game, which is the worst average in team history at midseason.

As to why this defense is so bad, there are many reasons. But there is no real mystery. There are two main reasons this defense sucks:

• A simple lack of talent.
• “Coordinator Whiplash” - meaning this defense has had 4 defensive coordinators in 5 seasons. Many players have said the terminology is very different with each DC.

Regarding a lack of talent and continuity with the constant changing of coordinators:

• Under the 4 DCs we’ve had since 2020, believe it or not, we’ve drafted 30 defensive players in the last 6 drafts.
• 14 of those defensive players were taken in the first 3 rounds. 12 remain on the active roster.
• Of those 12 players, only 6 have averaged over 20 snaps per game this season: DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, Osa Odighizuwa, Shemar James, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Sam Williams.
• Here’s how having multiple DCs in a short period effects players having to adjust to new concepts: Bland, had 14 interceptions in his first 2 seasons. Since Quinn left, Bland has had 1 int in the 13 games he’s played since.

We can’t say this team doesn’t draft defensive players. As noted we have drafted 30 defenders in last 6 drafts. There were some decent players who left in FA. Other than Parsons (traded), Osa, Bland…maybe constantly injured Diggs and Overshown…this organization doesn’t have a great track record of drafting defense.

And this organization apparently doesn’t know what kind of defense it wants to be. When you change coordinators like trash bags, you get a bunch of players who look lost. Maybe they can’t remember which defense they’re running.

There’s no mystery about why this defense sucks.

The problem isn't the terminology as much as it is "go here, no go here now, no go over here instead" making it difficult for the defense to become instinctual for the players.

In addition, one year they draft for this one style of defense. The next year they draft for the new defense. Then a year later do the same thing.

This is why you let the head coach hire their own defensive coordinator rather than the team owner/wannabe-GM bringing in the guy he fancied.

As I have said before, Jerry has always loved Eberflus going back years when he previously coached positions for the Cowboys.

He's like a mini-Jason Garrett with regards to the affection they have for him only its for the defensive side this time. That's why they stick by him despite the horrible defense and why they are quick to point out they hope he returns next season.

I think Schottenheimer has started well in creating a culture for the offense. It remains to be seen if it will grow and continue in year two, but so far he seems to be making progress on that side.

The problem is there is no culture on the defensive side. It looks and feels like the defense is made up of random players who show up at the park Sunday afternoon to play pick-up football.

That's not an attack on their skill, but the disorganized structure and nature of their performances.

That's where a strong, solid defensive coordinator comes into play. He drafts players that fit his system and goals. He adapts to players who don't fit those until he can ultimately replace them in future drafts or free agency.

In other words, this team seems to have a plan (still remains to be seen if good) for the offense. For the defense, their plan was hope and wishful thinking, and we all know how that usually works out.

 

[nhcowboysfan]

The stats about our defense are stark. They are ranked 31st overall. Only the hapless bengals defense is statistically worse. We average giving up 31.3 points per game, which is the worst average in team history at midseason.

As to why this defense is so bad, there are many reasons. But there is no real mystery. There are two main reasons this defense sucks:

• A simple lack of talent.
• “Coordinator Whiplash” - meaning this defense has had 4 defensive coordinators in 5 seasons. Many players have said the terminology is very different with each DC.

Regarding a lack of talent and continuity with the constant changing of coordinators:

• Under the 4 DCs we’ve had since 2020, believe it or not, we’ve drafted 30 defensive players in the last 6 drafts.
• 14 of those defensive players were taken in the first 3 rounds. 12 remain on the active roster.
• Of those 12 players, only 6 have averaged over 20 snaps per game this season: DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, Osa Odighizuwa, Shemar James, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Sam Williams.
• Here’s how having multiple DCs in a short period effects players having to adjust to new concepts: Bland, had 14 interceptions in his first 2 seasons. Since Quinn left, Bland has had 1 int in the 13 games he’s played since.

We can’t say this team doesn’t draft defensive players. As noted we have drafted 30 defenders in last 6 drafts. There were some decent players who left in FA. Other than Parsons (traded), Osa, Bland…maybe constantly injured Diggs and Overshown…this organization doesn’t have a great track record of drafting defense.

And this organization apparently doesn’t know what kind of defense it wants to be. When you change coordinators like trash bags, you get a bunch of players who look lost. Maybe they can’t remember which defense they’re running.

There’s no mystery about why this defense sucks.

This is a result of two goons who believe that any position on the defense is the same regardless of scheme. After all, a defensive tackle is a defensive tackle; a cornerback is a cornerback, right? I am reminded of Jeremiah Ratliff, an above average talented DT who was forced to play NT on our defense, a position that he was at least 25-30lbs to light to play. Despite that, he still was named to the Pro Bowl 4 straight years (2008-2011). But those years took its toll and he wasn't the same afterwards as his body began breaking down. I can only imagine if he played at his natural position as a DT in a 4-3 scheme or a DE in a 3-4 scheme. He would have been a monster if he played aside a true NT like Dexter Lawrence who weighs 340lbs.
Same with cornerbacks. Draft guys like Diggs and Bland who excel in man coverage schemes. Then expect them to go from playing two yards across from the WR to playing 8-10 yards back, unsure as to whether they are to stay with the WR when they run by, not knowing if they are getting Safety help behind them. What could go wrong?

 

[CarolinaFathead]

Defense doesn't sell jerseys and puts butts in seats...

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Not a priority. If it was there would be some continuity rooted in an identity. The only identity this team consistently has under Jerry is being an average team with a “breakout season” here or there where they qualify for the playoffs and are predictably dumped like yesterday’s garbage when they play a team that’s complete on both sides of the ball, which we NEVER are. It’s a combination of cowardly risk aversion, imbecility, and intentionality. Jerry gets an offense that can move the ball, score points, and create buzz and that’s what he calls “being around the rim” aka “good enough”. He NEVER goes “all-in”. Never.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

I predict that they'll play like a top 5 defense in December.
Overshown
Revel

Bless you.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

The stats about our defense are stark. They are ranked 31st overall. Only the hapless bengals defense is statistically worse. We average giving up 31.3 points per game, which is the worst average in team history at midseason.

As to why this defense is so bad, there are many reasons. But there is no real mystery. There are two main reasons this defense sucks:

• A simple lack of talent.
• “Coordinator Whiplash” - meaning this defense has had 4 defensive coordinators in 5 seasons. Many players have said the terminology is very different with each DC.

Regarding a lack of talent and continuity with the constant changing of coordinators:

• Under the 4 DCs we’ve had since 2020, believe it or not, we’ve drafted 30 defensive players in the last 6 drafts.
• 14 of those defensive players were taken in the first 3 rounds. 12 remain on the active roster.
• Of those 12 players, only 6 have averaged over 20 snaps per game this season: DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, Osa Odighizuwa, Shemar James, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Sam Williams.
• Here’s how having multiple DCs in a short period effects players having to adjust to new concepts: Bland, had 14 interceptions in his first 2 seasons. Since Quinn left, Bland has had 1 int in the 13 games he’s played since.

We can’t say this team doesn’t draft defensive players. As noted we have drafted 30 defenders in last 6 drafts. There were some decent players who left in FA. Other than Parsons (traded), Osa, Bland…maybe constantly injured Diggs and Overshown…this organization doesn’t have a great track record of drafting defense.

And this organization apparently doesn’t know what kind of defense it wants to be. When you change coordinators like trash bags, you get a bunch of players who look lost. Maybe they can’t remember which defense they’re running.

There’s no mystery about why this defense sucks.

Don't forget the soft, sissy mentality that permeates this organization, as THE main reason we have a soft defense.

The only coaches that will take jobs here are YES Men with no pride, thanks to Jerry. I mean... paintball? We literally have a coach who allowed his players to play paintball instead of practice... and we wonder why he have a soft team that does a lot of talking and tweeting, but very little actual tackling or hitting opponents?

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry.

He's the root cause of anything bad u can think of