Pretty sure cowboy fans will be pleasantly surprised by this defense

[StarBoyz83]

Going into 2014 everyone agreed that the Cowboys would field a historically bad defense. There was talk of breaking records for points given up etc... Our D was middle of the pack and good enough for 12 - 4. Unproven doesn't mean bad, this D line is holding its own against our O line in practice.

Main thing that matters is turnovers.

 

[StarBoyz83]

I don't agree with this argument. If you're right then how is anyone ever evaluated before their first game.

Plenty of evaluation takes place when these guys are in college playing against many that won't even make it to backup in a preseason game. These players are still part of the best of the best. It is a good time to evaluate imo.

Practice is where it's pretty much all sorted out I'd say.

 

[DogFace]

Practice is where it's pretty much all sorted out I'd say.

With guys fighting for jobs and playing time preseason is the way to display what many have tried to prove in practice.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

If this defense can be mediocre I'll be presently surprised.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I would feel a million times better if Gregory and Lawrence weren't being suspended, but I agree they will be better than expected.

 

[Sydla]

I think this year's version of our defense will be improved over 2015, if for no other reason than it more than it likely won't be worse. The interior pressure and run stoppage of our DL should prove closer to adequate than what we put forth last year. I also think the outside pressure from our DEs should at least surpass what we saw in 2015 by anything from a slim to a substantial margin. Let's just hope the run stoppage is better as well. Perhaps a combination of Ryan Russell(?) or Irving and Lawrence (once he's available) will also constitute an improvement. We'll see.

Thornton might be the most important offseason addition. Teams had no problem running and throwing on us last year. If we can at least contain the run, that gives us a fighting chance.

I think people are underestimating how inept the pass rush is could be again this year. When was the last time a team of no names and rookies went from an anemic pass rush to a very good one? Rarely, if ever. I hope to be pleasantly surprised and Mayowa is that diamond in the rough and Tapper is that rare rookie that is an immediate pass rush specialist, etc.

 

[Sydla]

I don't agree with this argument. If you're right then how is anyone ever evaluated before their first game.

Plenty of evaluation takes place when these guys are in college playing against many that won't even make it to backup in a preseason game. These players are still part of the best of the best. It is a good time to evaluate imo.

The first preseason game is part of the evaluation. No one has ever suggested it isn't at least part of the valuation. But the OP said we will learn a lot after Saturday night.

No you won't. You won't learn a ton, at least when it comes to key personnel who may only play a quarter or so. And as pointed out, it's not rare, frankly it happens a lot, that a guy looks great in preseason and doesn't amount to much come the regular season.

For me, the only thing I really worry about in preseason is............. don't get any key players hurt.

 

[Bleu Star]

I believe this defense will be much better than advertised, our secondary is underated. Our defensive line is young and unproven, but better than most people believe in. But I may be in the few that believe, but I believe the infusion of the young talent will surprise even the most pessimistic fans. We will know a lot after Saturday night, but I think the arrow is pointing upward.

So we will be pleasantly surprised by scrubs attempting to make the team against LA's scrubs? Ok. Puff puff pass please. If it's that good, I want a sample.

 

[CCBoy]

I believe this defense will be much better than advertised, our secondary is underated. Our defensive line is young and unproven, but better than most people believe in. But I may be in the few that believe, but I believe the infusion of the young talent will surprise even the most pessimistic fans. We will know a lot after Saturday night, but I think the arrow is pointing upward.

Just as long as the roster fills out and the team is up for it's first game against the Giants...I'm going to just enjoy watching it come together. As you, I'm not doubting that they will be a positive force come the regular season.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I read this morning on MSN that Dallas has the worst Defense in the League going into the season. They mention that the defensive line is the reason.

The rest of the world does not agree with you.

Well, if MSN says so...

 

[Bullflop]

Thornton might be the most important offseason addition. Teams had no problem running and throwing on us last year. If we can at least contain the run, that gives us a fighting chance.

I think people are underestimating how inept the pass rush is could be again this year. When was the last time a team of no names and rookies went from an anemic pass rush to a very good one? Rarely, if ever. I hope to be pleasantly surprised and Mayowa is that diamond in the rough and Tapper is that rare rookie that is an immediate pass rush specialist, etc.

Demarcus Lawrence, Ryan Russell, Thornton and Byron Jones may very well be the key components to facilitate an improvement if there is one. Lawrence isn't a new name on the DL and the other two at least have a year's worth of experience or more and Marinelli seems convinced they'll be worthy of a spot. Granted, that's not too much to go on, but I'm hoping (really hard) that it's better than nothing -- lol. Oh, yeah and Jones has got to be an improvement over that safety who always seems to say "which way did he go, George?" They should be better, even if not by much.

 

[Hawkeye19]

We need to have a playoff caliber defense-- and they were unable to slow Rodgers down 2 years ago. Even setting aside the issues with suspensions, discipline, and accountability-- there are still too many holes and question marks.

You can't argue from silence. The pieces we have now are all unproven and untested. Too many issues for me to feel good about this D. Do they have potential? Yes. Are they ready to compete with the best offenses in the NFL? No.

 

[AbeBeta]

I believe this defense will be much better than advertised, our secondary is underated. Our defensive line is young and unproven, but better than most people believe in. But I may be in the few that believe, but I believe the infusion of the young talent will surprise even the most pessimistic fans. We will know a lot after Saturday night, but I think the arrow is pointing upward.

Our secondary, like nearly all secondaries, is going to stink if we cant generate a pass rush that is, at worst, average. I think we've got some solid guys but none are the sort of all pro talent that can do well without pressure

 

[AbeBeta]

I read this morning on MSN that Dallas has the worst Defense in the League going into the season. They mention that the defensive line is the reason.

The rest of the world does not agree with you.

Really? I think out starting DTs are better than what many teams have

 

[Stash]

Really? I think out starting DTs are better than what many teams have

I'm excited to see what the line can do if Tyrone Crawford, Terrell McClain, Maliek Collins and Cedric Thornton can do when they're all available. I think it can be a huge improvement over last year, when they either weren't here, or were hurt.

If they can get and stay healthy, I think we should be in for significant improvement inside. It's the outside that still worries me.

 

[erod]

I believe this defense will be much better than advertised, our secondary is underated. Our defensive line is young and unproven, but better than most people believe in. But I may be in the few that believe, but I believe the infusion of the young talent will surprise even the most pessimistic fans. We will know a lot after Saturday night, but I think the arrow is pointing upward.

Actually, we'll know absolutely nothing after Saturday night.

Preseason games mean nothing outside of figuring out who the last five guys on the roster will be.

 

[Bullflop]

Really? I think out starting DTs are better than what many teams have

Very true -- also, the improved RB corps should make it possible for the defense to stay much fresher than they were last year.

 

[Seven]

I believe this defense will be much better than advertised, our secondary is underated. Our defensive line is young and unproven, but better than most people believe in. But I may be in the few that believe, but I believe the infusion of the young talent will surprise even the most pessimistic fans. We will know a lot after Saturday night, but I think the arrow is pointing upward.

I certainly hope so if for no other reason than to rid this team of self-centered individuals who either won't practice, stay in shape and/or refuse to get their poop in a group concerning illegal activities......according to the NFof L, of course. JMO.

 

[Sydla]

Really? I think out starting DTs are better than what many teams have

A lot hinges on McClain staying healthy, but I agree. If you get McClain to stay healthy, Thornton, McClain, Crawford are a pretty good trio. There are some really good duos out there though. Just in our division, Logan and Cox are a great DT combo.

 

[percyhoward]

We need to have a playoff caliber defense-- and they were unable to slow Rodgers down 2 years ago.

If we end the season ranked as high as 12th (playoff level) in both points per drive and defensive passer rating, it would be the first time since 2005.