Optimistic about our D

[buybuydandavis]

If they're allocating snaps based on salary, they're already doomed.

Crawford and his contract are already sunk costs. One initial mistake, compounded by an immediate restructure which locked them into the deal for years. But to further compound that mistake by forcing him onto the field ahead of better options would be criminal.

He's a good player and great team guy, but he's got absolutely zero business lining up at the right defensive end position. He was put out there last year because Mayowa couldn't maintain his responsibilities to stop the run, Tapper got hurt yet again, and because Taco simply wasn't ready. In 2018, there's no reason why he should be forced out there again.

My understanding is that Crawford *wants* to be at RDE. Which, I agree, makes no sense. Last year, the whole dline seemed perversely lined up, and Crawford the most. I wanted to see what he could do at 3tech when finally healthy. You know, the position we paid him all that money for. But instead, we put our most lumbering dlineman with the least bend at RDE.

They shouldn't allocate snaps based on salary, they should allocate salary based on snaps. Crawford's *salary* this year is not a sunk cost. I think he's a good player, but given what we have at RDE, I don't want to play him a lot of snaps, to the point where what he brings on those limited snaps just isn't worth his salary. I want Taco, Gregory, and Armstrong to play.

 

[T-RO]

Anyone who believes the Cowboys had anywhere near the 8th best defense in the league last year probably also believes the Steelers had the 5th best defense.

Neither are even remotely close to that.

Nonsense.

Dallas was 8th in opponent yards per play.

We were #1 in forced fumbles. #1 out of 32 teams. The problem is that we had the poor luck of only recovering 11 of those.

The defense was outstanding towards the end of the season...and that bodes very well for the future. We are young!

 

[kskboys]

My understanding is that Crawford *wants* to be at RDE. Which, I agree, makes no sense. Last year, the whole dline seemed perversely lined up, and Crawford the most. I wanted to see what he could do at 3tech when finally healthy. You know, the position we paid him all that money for. But instead, we put our most lumbering dlineman with the least bend at RDE.

They shouldn't allocate snaps based on salary, they should allocate salary based on snaps. Crawford's *salary* this year is not a sunk cost. I think he's a good player, but given what we have at RDE, I don't want to play him a lot of snaps, to the point where what he brings on those limited snaps just isn't worth his salary. I want Taco, Gregory, and Armstrong to play.

Sad part is that for all the draft picks we've spent on the DL, it's a major clusterfudge.

 

[SlammedZero]

The Cowboys Achilles heel last season was 3rd down defense - 29th in the NFL allowing conversions last year. That makes the offense have to drive 80 yards all day.

Need to get the ball back in better field position and stop relying on 12 play drives to score.

Yes this needs SO much improvement. I swear all season long I literally was just sitting there waiting and expecting the other team to convert on their 3rd down. That is how bad it was.

 

[kskboys]

Nonsense.

Dallas was 8th in opponent yards per play.

We were #1 in forced fumbles. #1 out of 32 teams. The problem is that we had the poor luck of only recovering 11 of those.

The defense was outstanding towards the end of the season...and that bodes very well for the future. We are young!

Playing Philly's reserves and OAK w/ no QB? Outstanding? No.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Sad part is that for all the draft picks we've spent on the DL, it's a major clusterfudge.

I'm enthusiastic about the dline this year. And the defense as a whole.

Dlaw on one side, Taco/Stoner/Armstrong/Crawford(?) on the other. Crawford should be the floor of the RDE. Could be higher, and with depth, between Taco and the Stoner, at least for pass rush.

I guess we can take a look at what we have, but I expect them to sign a decent quality 1tech before training camp is over. They were looking at McClain. They're thinking about it.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Playing Philly's reserves and OAK w/ no QB? Outstanding? No.

But it gave The Red Menace a winning season, and that's what counts!