One Big Defensive Positive

[Champsheart]

This Defense has been taking a beating from the fans and media lately.

Not all is bad though! They should at least get some props for taking the ball away, which in my mind is the second most important attribute to any Defense. First would be points given up.

Granted the season has a long way to go, and we are just 3 games in, but so far we have 7 Turnovers.

That is on pace for 37 Turnovers. Last season we had 22.

It also is not just we are getting them, but we have got them at some very important times. Game clinching times.

Keep it up Cowboys! Now just stop that deep ball, and all will be well.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

I definitely agree. They need to play a little better to be sure, but this defense is already showing that it's going to be better at forcing turnovers than the 2003 defense was. I won't even mention the 2004 version. It should only get better as the season progresses, and we can get a few of those QB sack/FF combos, and hopefully a couple freebie TDs on INTs or fumbles.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

This Defense has been taking a beating from the fans and media lately.

Not all is bad though! They should at least get some props for taking the ball away, which in my mind is the second most important attribute to any Defense. First would be points given up.

Granted the season has a long way to go, and we are just 3 games in, but so far we have 7 Turnovers.

That is on pace for 37 Turnovers. Last season we had 22.

It also is not just we are getting them, but we have got them at some very important times. Game clinching times.

Keep it up Cowboys! Now just stop that deep ball, and all will be well.

Yeah and we are top 5 in sacks and turnovers. Once we get more secure with our base especially against the run well do better.

I still dont like Glover and Ellis playing first down but well see how the season unfolds.

 

[Hostile]

This Defense has been taking a beating from the fans and media lately.

Not all is bad though! They should at least get some props for taking the ball away, which in my mind is the second most important attribute to any Defense. First would be points given up.

Granted the season has a long way to go, and we are just 3 games in, but so far we have 7 Turnovers.

That is on pace for 37 Turnovers. Last season we had 22.

It also is not just we are getting them, but we have got them at some very important times. Game clinching times.

Keep it up Cowboys! Now just stop that deep ball, and all will be well.

Good post. Think about how different things are from last year.

On the DL we've gone from 4 up front to 3. Ellis is on the other side from last year. Coleman is a new starter. Spears, Ratliff, Johnson, and Canty are rookies. Glover moves from DT to NT.

At LB we've gone from 3 starters to 4 with all new assignments. Ware is a rookie learning a new position. Burnett is a rookie. Fujita is a new addition. Singleton has moved to the opposite side. James, Shanle, and Fowler are all young and learning.

In the secondary Henry is new. Davis is new. Glenn is new.

By my count this is 5 new starters and potentially 2 more if Burnett and Spears mov einto starting roles, 3 if Canty does. 3 players are playing new positions form last year. 10 players who are contributing on defense regularly were not here last year.

The defense is very young overall. They are going to make mistakes.

Give this group time and I think they'll grow and develop some real chemistry. By year's end they will be much better. That's when we want them at their best, heading into the playoffs.

I'm often impatient, but I realize this requires patience.

 

[Champsheart]

Good post. Think about how different things are from last year.

On the DL we've gone from 4 up front to 3. Ellis is on the other side from last year. Coleman is a new starter. Spears, Ratliff, Johnson, and Canty are rookies. Glover moves from DT to NT.

At LB we've gone from 3 starters to 4 with all new assignments. Ware is a rookie learning a new position. Burnett is a rookie. Fujita is a new addition. Singleton has moved to the opposite side. James, Shanle, and Fowler are all young and learning.

In the secondary Henry is new. Davis is new. Glenn is new.

By my count this is 5 new starters and potentially 2 more if Burnett and Spears mov einto starting roles, 3 if Canty does. 3 players are playing new positions form last year. 10 players who are contributing on defense regularly were not here last year.

The defense is very young overall. They are going to make mistakes.

Give this group time and I think they'll grow and develop some real chemistry. By year's end they will be much better. That's when we want them at their best, heading into the playoffs.

I'm often impatient, but I realize this requires patience.

A lot of really good points here.

I know we will be alright, and I am very excited about the future of this defense and team.

I dont think the question about the defense is if we will be really good, the question is how long will it take.

My feeling is give it about 4 or 5 more weeks and we should start really seeing some of these guys paying off.

 

[Hostile]

A lot of really good points here.

I know we will be alright, and I am very excited about the future of this defense and team.

I dont think the question about the defense is if we will be really good, the question is how long will it take.

My feeling is give it about 4 or 5 more weeks and we should start really seeing some of these guys paying off.

I'd say that is right on the money. It should be a hell of a ride.

 

[BARRYRAY]

You know my concern honestly is not the defense but the o-line, the old guys will wear down/get injured and honestly don't throw things at me but the right side has a no vacancy sign as far as wholes go. I'm sure that will offend some of the folks on this side of the board but we aren't doing such a great job running the ball, it has to get better. When JJ gets a whole he can go with it. I will also say that ther is a slowness to our running plays don't know if Bledsoe is slow to hand off or JJ is slow to the hole or what. I don't claim to know the technical aspects but the numbers aren't there for the ground game, just my thoughts...

 

[Champsheart]

You know my concern honestly is not the defense but the o-line, the old guys will wear down/get injured and honestly don't throw things at me but the right side has a no vacancy sign as far as wholes go. I'm sure that will offend some of the folks on this side of the board but we aren't doing such a great job running the ball, it has to get better. When JJ gets a whole he can go with it. I will also say that ther is a slowness to our running plays don't know if Bledsoe is slow to hand off or JJ is slow to the hole or what. I don't claim to know the technical aspects but the numbers aren't there for the ground game, just my thoughts...

I do not share your concern of the O-Line, although the run blocking does need to improve some, that is not close to my main concern right now

I do however agree 100% about the slow developing running plays.

I think that takes away from his ability to hit the hole very fast, as well as gives the defense time to react and clog lanes.

I really would like to see us hitting the line much quicker, and stop that stuff that takes 2 or 3 seconds just to get to the line of scrimmage.

Except Draws, I want to see a lot more of those.

 

[Doomsday101]

This Defense has been taking a beating from the fans and media lately.

Not all is bad though! They should at least get some props for taking the ball away, which in my mind is the second most important attribute to any Defense. First would be points given up.

Granted the season has a long way to go, and we are just 3 games in, but so far we have 7 Turnovers.

That is on pace for 37 Turnovers. Last season we had 22.

It also is not just we are getting them, but we have got them at some very important times. Game clinching times.

Keep it up Cowboys! Now just stop that deep ball, and all will be well.

Before the season got underway I figured this defense would give up some big plays but would also make big plays. So what is taking place right now does not come as a complete suprise. As these guys get a better understanding of the system and the young guys get more comfortable in the NFL I think we will see some big improvements as the season goes on.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

The defense has had its struggles but in the 9'er game the offense gave up seven and two other turnovers put them in terrible situations. Big plays have destroyed us.

 

[Portland Fanatic]

Let me say this:

~ Two pix...one for TD

~ Failed fake punt

~ JJ fumble

The defense did not play steller...obviously, but we also game them a short field many many times during the games.

 

[Doomsday101]

Let me say this:

~ Two pix...one for TD

~ Failed fake punt

~ JJ fumble

The defense did not play steller...obviously, but we also game them a short field many many times during the games.

I think the same could be said about the SD game where special teams played poorly setting the chargers up with great field position for most of the day. No doubt the defense is still trying to find their way right now but I do think they will be a much improved unit as we move on