Quantify Possible Improvement?

[Verdict]

I believe that we objectively improved on defense this offseason. It would be almost impossible to have not improved.

The simple addition of Downs should be a significant impact on this defense. I don’t know how anyone would suggest otherwise.

We have added Quinnen, Clark, Gary, and the linebacker from SFA plus Downs. They should all be difference makers.

The biggest difference may by in the Coaching department. That is an unknown quality but they should have a lot more commitment, innovation and energy.

Having said all of the foregoing, from 1-32, with 32 being the cellar, what would you expect the FLOOR of this defense in terms of total defense with these changes? What do you see the MOST LIKELY scenario for this defense? What would be your MOST OPTIMISTIC outcome with these changes.

 

[HungryLion]

I think this defense as is right now will be somewhere in the late teens. With room to grow over the next few seasons as the young guys develop.

If they trade for Brooks. It would increase some more.

 

[nobody]

Most optimistic as of now before even TC starts? I envision the defense struggling at first with the new scheme, but improving through the year. Probably end up middle of the pack defensively.

Edited to add: We're going to see a far more scrappy defense either way.

 

[ZekeTrain]

They won't be top 10 and with this offense they don't need to be. They were 30th last year. Anything between 10 and 20 would be a huge leap, and probably gets this team 10-12 wins and in the playoffs.

 

[visionary]

Still need Brooks

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

They won't be top 10 and with this offense they don't need to be. They were 30th last year. Anything between 10 and 20 would be a huge leap, and probably gets this team 10-12 wins and in the playoffs.

I mean truthfully it seems like you want to be top 10 in both offense and defense or close to it.

 

[rambo2]

Still need Brooks

Shawshank

 

[CWR]

I mean truthfully it seems like you want to be top 10 in both offense and defense or close to it.

I think they can push towards top 10 with CP and turning over 6 or 7 starters. Bigger swings have happened before. I've always maintained its a two year project because of how we operate not because it has to be.

 

[Ironicalicon]

I believe that we objectively improved on defense this offseason. It would be almost impossible to have not improved.

The simple addition of Downs should be a significant impact on this defense. I don’t know how anyone would suggest otherwise.

We have added Quinnen, Clark, Gary, and the linebacker from SFA plus Downs. They should all be difference makers.

The biggest difference may by in the Coaching department. That is an unknown quality but they should have a lot more commitment, innovation and energy.

Having said all of the foregoing, from 1-32, with 32 being the cellar, what would you expect the FLOOR of this defense in terms of total defense with these changes? What do you see the MOST LIKELY scenario for this defense? What would be your MOST OPTIMISTIC outcome with these changes.

16-24.

24th by mid-season. 16th by the end.

I actually feel like that's pessimistic but it's a lot of new faces.

 

[RS12]

Might win 9 games which is a two game improvement. Teams in the division got better and the schedule will be harder.

 

[Kingofholland]

I believe that we objectively improved on defense this offseason. It would be almost impossible to have not improved.

The simple addition of Downs should be a significant impact on this defense. I don’t know how anyone would suggest otherwise.

We have added Quinnen, Clark, Gary, and the linebacker from SFA plus Downs. They should all be difference makers.

The biggest difference may by in the Coaching department. That is an unknown quality but they should have a lot more commitment, innovation and energy.

Having said all of the foregoing, from 1-32, with 32 being the cellar, what would you expect the FLOOR of this defense in terms of total defense with these changes? What do you see the MOST LIKELY scenario for this defense? What would be your MOST OPTIMISTIC outcome with these changes.

Probably in the 15 to 20 range. If the Panthers can go from 32 to 15 in 1 season why can't the Cowboys?

As you said the coaching difference will be critical. But I think a lot will boil down to communication in the secondary and finding ways of generating more turnovers. 6 ints last year was awful.

 

[FaSho]

I really hope we trade for Brooks...Miami did draft 3 LBs lol

 

[DallasBlockersClub]

I believe that we objectively improved on defense this offseason. It would be almost impossible to have not improved.

The simple addition of Downs should be a significant impact on this defense. I don’t know how anyone would suggest otherwise.

We have added Quinnen, Clark, Gary, and the linebacker from SFA plus Downs. They should all be difference makers.

The biggest difference may by in the Coaching department. That is an unknown quality but they should have a lot more commitment, innovation and energy.

Having said all of the foregoing, from 1-32, with 32 being the cellar, what would you expect the FLOOR of this defense in terms of total defense with these changes? What do you see the MOST LIKELY scenario for this defense? What would be your MOST OPTIMISTIC outcome with these changes.

Bad is floor
Below average most likely
Average is most optimistic

 

[Whiskey Cowboy]

Floor? Around 25ish. Not bottom-of-the-barrel, but it's not inconceivable to see them struggling to find their footing early. Lots of new faces, brand new DC, coming off the worst defensive season as a franchise. I think you're right about Downs, though. Everything I've read suggests that he's a guy that can help mitigate the busted assignments and be the leader that they really didn't have last season.

The defensive front last season, especially early was small and unathletic. Having Q and Clark on board throughout the offseason helps with continuity and culture. No hangover from the Micah trade, they've added some juice at edge and linebacker, and the secondary has been completely overhauled. It wouldn't surprise me a bit to see them finish middle-of-the-pack or better, and primed for big improvements in 2027.

 

[Verdict]

Couple of things to factor in:

1. Downs is replacing a weak link. At worst he should be solid. We also brought in and paid another safety. Shouldn’t that make us middle of the pack at safety, as opposed to almost last?

2. Murray is no longer our linebacker. He was pretty bad last year. Shouldn’t his replacement be at least somewhat COMPETENT?

Even if nothing else changed (and there were other positive changes) shouldn’t those two changes alone get us up to around 20? Several teams will be in complete rebuilding mode?

I think our FLOOR should be around 20-23.

 

[75boyz]

Parker needs to somehow marry up 2nd level linebacker performance with the strength of the defense's 1st line middle defense.(tackles)

Simultaneous to this is doing the same with odd or even man fronts with the edge pressure guys helping to compliment the middle strength front.

So IF he can generate consistent edge pressure and not be a total black hole at linebacker I like them at middle of the pack.
*Gary and EZ ain't the answer at Edge. Legit edge still needed.
*Winters and Overshown need Brooks desperately.

Fingers crossed for another 7 wins.

 

[JBS]

What do you guys think is the biggest weakness on the defense right now? Is it still LB? Pass rush? Corner?

 

[Rayman70]

To be determined week 1. We shall see

 

[Tangle_Foot]

CP has shopped for his groceries, it's time for coach to cook up something exciting and palatable. It will be nice to have defense on the menu again.

 

[AbeBeta]

I believe that we objectively improved on defense this offseason. It would be almost impossible to have not improved.

The simple addition of Downs should be a significant impact on this defense. I don’t know how anyone would suggest otherwise.

We have added Quinnen, Clark, Gary, and the linebacker from SFA plus Downs. They should all be difference makers.

The biggest difference may by in the Coaching department. That is an unknown quality but they should have a lot more commitment, innovation and energy.

Having said all of the foregoing, from 1-32, with 32 being the cellar, what would you expect the FLOOR of this defense in terms of total defense with these changes? What do you see the MOST LIKELY scenario for this defense? What would be your MOST OPTIMISTIC outcome with these changes.

What are you asking?

Quantify possible improvement -- that would mean putting a statistical estimate with a margin of error around the improvement.

That's a pretty impossible ask.

Note that the responses you received are qualitative, not quantitative.

My verdict on this post is thumbs down -- learn what words mean before posting again.