Run Defense has definitely improved, but there still is a need there!

[Cowboyny]

Early in the season against the likes of the Saints/Ravens when they were getting totally gashed on the ground, we saw many problems:

-Inability to consistently set the edge
-Defensive Tackles were getting pushed 5 yards down the field
-Saw a group that freelanced over gap responsibility
-Defense was never allowed to rush the passer as they were getting killed on the early downs

Improvements:

-Defensive Ends have done a far better job setting the edge, Golston to me sticks out the most. Many of the runs are more inside then we have seen in the past.
-It is noticeable that Mazi Smith has improved
-Defense is playing more as a unit then hero ball, they are playing more gap integrity football.

Areas of Weakness

-Defense is dead last in the red zone, that is due to their inability to stop the run.
-Defensive Tackles struggle holding the point of attack, rarely do we see any tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
-Linebackers struggle with getting off of blocks, this is mainly due to the front not doing their jobs.

Osa has had a tremendous final year, but might have priced himself off this roster. Team either needs to resign him or another comparable starter replacement. As for the draft, I would target another run NT to rotate with Mazi and look to develop the next Osa type. Still would be targeting a linebacker due to the Overshown injury, a big linebacker would be ideal.

 

[gtb1943]

Smoke and mirrors. against the better offenses we fold
Look what the Bungles did so very recently
we are WEAK on the DL and at LB
There is a decent chance Overshown is never what he was before and quite likely not available until mid season next year. Liafu has come on but Kendricks and vigil while they have shined are not spring chickens; who knows how much they have left in the tank? So we need TWO LBS
Osa probably gone due to Big and Little Enos not wanting to pay; Kneeland flashed but cannot be certain about him. Lawrence is fading and probably gone anyway. Mazi is mediocre. We need TWO DTs and a DE

 

[Cowboyny]

Smoke and mirrors. against the better offenses we fold
Look what the Bungles did so very recently
we are WEAK on the DL and at LB
There is a decent chance Overshown is never what he was before and quite likely not available until mid season next year. Liafu has come on but Kendricks and vigil while they have shined are not spring chickens; who knows how much they have left in the tank? So we need TWO LBS
Osa probably gone due to Big and Little Enos not wanting to pay; Kneeland flashed but cannot be certain about him. Lawrence is fading and probably gone anyway. Mazi is mediocre. We need TWO DTs and a DE

-I think we are fine on the Edge against the run. Kneeland/Golston (if resigned) are both good run defenders.
-Marist looks the part of a legitimate three down backer with size. Will he eventually become the Mike Linebacker? Overshown is an ideal weakside backer. Think we just need more of a bridge starter for next season, perhaps resigning Kendricks as a possibility.
-Defensive Tackles lies the biggest hole to fill. All we have is Mazi under contract, who has played better but not an above average starter up to this point. We may need to rebuild positional group if Osa departs. High draft pick and fa.

 

[stilltheguru]

Osa isn't going anywhere. Yall do realize we can use the franchise tag right? When has dallas let a player as good as osa leave before resigning atleast once?

 

[Cowboyny]

Osa isn't going anywhere. Yall do realize we can use the franchise tag right? When has dallas let a player as good as osa leave before resigning atleast once?

You aren’t going to pay him that type of money, last yr it was at 22 million no chance

 

[stilltheguru]

You aren’t going to pay him that type of money, last yr it was at 22 million no chance

Then they'll resign him. Either way I haven't seen a situation where they let his type just go. Regardless of what fans say the NFL think he's good

 

[Cowboyny]

Then they'll resign him. Either way I haven't seen a situation where they let his type just go. Regardless of what fans say the NFL think he's good

I think he has priced himself out. Good player but not a star, but might be paid like one

 

[cnuball21]

Marist showing promise is very encouraging.

If we resign OSA and a LBr like Kendricks Ill feel better but shouldn’t stop us from drafting LBr / DT regardless.

 

[gtb1943]

Realistically we need to add six players on D:
A CB as Diggs is not coming back until later in next season
2 LBs as we do not know how much Kendricks has left and Overshown also will not be back until mid-season at best
A DE as Lawrence is pretty much gone and we simply need more people there
2 DTs as Mazi at best is a rotational guy and might not get any better

 

[beware_d-ware]

Mazi still looks pretty bad. He has improved from "exile to Siberia" bad in the first 2 months, but he's still a worse player at this juncture than a fringe vet like Linval Joseph.

Osa is and always will be a poor run defender, but he's a very reliable pass rusher, so it's tough to take him off the field.

At the minimum, I would want one new DT to at least rotate in with Osa and Mazi. Truthfully, I want two new DTs, because I don't trust Mazi at all.

LB needs more talent as well. I am excited to see the light come on for Liufau, but Kendricks is old and it's a high injury position.

We probably need one more DE as well. I am assuming we have seen the last of DLaw as a Cowboy and am writing off Sam Williams. Golston and Kneeland are both plus run defenders, but neither give you the juice you want as a starting pass rusher. I like both as rotational players, but we need a starter.

 

[cnuball21]

Mazi still looks pretty bad. He has improved from "exile to Siberia" bad in the first 2 months, but he's still a worse player at this juncture than a fringe vet like Linval Joseph.

Osa is and always will be a poor run defender, but he's a very reliable pass rusher, so it's tough to take him off the field.

At the minimum, I would want one new DT to at least rotate in with Osa and Mazi. Truthfully, I want two new DTs, because I don't trust Mazi at all.

LB needs more talent as well. I am excited to see the light come on for Liufau, but Kendricks is old and it's a high injury position.

We probably need one more DE as well. I am assuming we have seen the last of DLaw as a Cowboy and am writing off Sam Williams. Golston and Kneeland are both plus run defenders, but neither give you the juice you want as a starting pass rusher. I like both as rotational players, but we need a starter.

Year 3 is the golden year for DTs. I think Mazi has shown improvement each year and I’ll remain optimistic. I think we have to resign Osa bc he’s arguably the best FA 3T available. Bring back Joseph or someone similar and draft a DT fairly early and the DT room hopefully is league average or slightly above.

Similar for LBr. Marist looks like hell stick it need a vet like Kendricks (Greenlaw would be nice) and another dart at LBr in the mid rounds or 2nd if the kid from Bama is there.

DE is big for me. We need someone opposite Micah that can beat 1:1s the same we need someone opposite of Lamb. 1st or 2nd round should 100% be in play bc I don’t think Kneeland is more than a stud run defender.

 

[baltcowboy]

Early in the season against the likes of the Saints/Ravens when they were getting totally gashed on the ground, we saw many problems:

-Inability to consistently set the edge
-Defensive Tackles were getting pushed 5 yards down the field
-Saw a group that freelanced over gap responsibility
-Defense was never allowed to rush the passer as they were getting killed on the early downs

Improvements:

-Defensive Ends have done a far better job setting the edge, Golston to me sticks out the most. Many of the runs are more inside then we have seen in the past.
-It is noticeable that Mazi Smith has improved
-Defense is playing more as a unit then hero ball, they are playing more gap integrity football.

Areas of Weakness

-Defense is dead last in the red zone, that is due to their inability to stop the run.
-Defensive Tackles struggle holding the point of attack, rarely do we see any tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
-Linebackers struggle with getting off of blocks, this is mainly due to the front not doing their jobs.

Osa has had a tremendous final year, but might have priced himself off this roster. Team either needs to resign him or another comparable starter replacement. As for the draft, I would target another run NT to rotate with Mazi and look to develop the next Osa type. Still would be targeting a linebacker due to the Overshown injury, a big linebacker would be ideal.

It would be smart if we decided to sure up our run defense especially with this draft but I don’t think the Cowboys view the run defense as the problem that some of us fans believe. The Cowboys probably would take the playmaking cornerback, pass rusher, and offensive playmaker over a run stuffing defensive lineman.

 

[Cowboyny]

It would be smart if we decided to sure up our run defense especially with this draft but I don’t think the Cowboys view the run defense as the problem that some of us fans believe. The Cowboys probably would take the playmaking cornerback, pass rusher, and offensive playmaker over a run stuffing defensive lineman.

All the team has under contract at the DT position is Mazi, fa will decide how big of a need that is. With the major injuries to LB/CB you would think those are areas of need. You don't go out and spend a 4th rd pick at receiver if they weren't concerned about the position. Add in the likes of DLaw/Martin probably have played their last snaps with the team.

 

[baltcowboy]

All the team has under contract at the DT position is Mazi, fa will decide how big of a need that is. With the major injuries to LB/CB you would think those are areas of need. You don't go out and spend a 4th rd pick at receiver if they weren't concerned about the position. Add in the likes of DLaw/Martin probably have played their last snaps with the team.

Just so many needs but knowing the Joneses they will look for the playmaker.

 

[Cowboyny]

Just so many needs but knowing the Joneses they will look for the playmaker.

Wide Receiver is right behind DT for me.

 

[baltcowboy]

Wide Receiver is right behind DT for me.

We need much more than those two positions. We need juice all over the offense and I wouldn’t mind another offensive lineman.

 

[Cowboyny]

Mazi still looks pretty bad. He has improved from "exile to Siberia" bad in the first 2 months, but he's still a worse player at this juncture than a fringe vet like Linval Joseph.

Osa is and always will be a poor run defender, but he's a very reliable pass rusher, so it's tough to take him off the field.

At the minimum, I would want one new DT to at least rotate in with Osa and Mazi. Truthfully, I want two new DTs, because I don't trust Mazi at all.

LB needs more talent as well. I am excited to see the light come on for Liufau, but Kendricks is old and it's a high injury position.

We probably need one more DE as well. I am assuming we have seen the last of DLaw as a Cowboy and am writing off Sam Williams. Golston and Kneeland are both plus run defenders, but neither give you the juice you want as a starting pass rusher. I like both as rotational players, but we need a starter.

-I agree we are going to need 2 DT's at a minimum, maybe 3 if Osa departs. His price tag will decide his fate. Depth behind the starters is non-existent.
-Since we play the nickel the most of the time, I expect Marist with a veteran signing or less likely a high draft pick. Probably more of a 1yr bridge again. They will still draft one this year for depth.
-I disagree with Edge, they have had zero issues with generating pressure even without DLaw this year. Kneeland/Golston rotate as the run defensive Ends. We have Sam Williams as another pass rusher and they will probably sign another veteran like a Fowler/Lawson type.
-Really believe corner could be the wildcard, Diggs injury is major and he didn't take his rehab seriously last time. Awfully thin at the position if Diggs is unavailable.

 

[Cowboyny]

Realistically we need to add six players on D:
A CB as Diggs is not coming back until later in next season
2 LBs as we do not know how much Kendricks has left and Overshown also will not be back until mid-season at best
A DE as Lawrence is pretty much gone and we simply need more people there
2 DTs as Mazi at best is a rotational guy and might not get any better

-Corner/Linebacker due to major injuries
-Have zero depth at DT and Osa could leave via fa.
-Defensive End would be nice to add, but would be further down the list.

 

[Cowboyny]

Year 3 is the golden year for DTs. I think Mazi has shown improvement each year and I’ll remain optimistic. I think we have to resign Osa bc he’s arguably the best FA 3T available. Bring back Joseph or someone similar and draft a DT fairly early and the DT room hopefully is league average or slightly above.

Similar for LBr. Marist looks like hell stick it need a vet like Kendricks (Greenlaw would be nice) and another dart at LBr in the mid rounds or 2nd if the kid from Bama is there.

DE is big for me. We need someone opposite Micah that can beat 1:1s the same we need someone opposite of Lamb. 1st or 2nd round should 100% be in play bc I don’t think Kneeland is more than a stud run defender.

I agree with everything, except Edge this offseason. Even without DLaw they are top 5 on third down defense. Agree, it's a future need, but they have to fix their run defense first or it won't matter who is rushing the passer. Keep looking at that dead last red zone defense and given up the most rushing td's in the entire league. Think they can get by with a similar group with Sam Williams returning and adding another Fowler/Lawson type.

 

[cowboyec]

can never have enough dt's.
for too long the f/o ignored the position.
under mccarthy...at least he got them to acknowledge the position exists.
•neville gallimore
•osa odighizuwa
•john ridgeway
•quentin bohanna
•mazi smith
•justin rogers
hopefully they keep addressing it.
its one of the concerns i have if mccarthy isn't here.
will the f/o go back to ignoring it.
hopefully not.
we need more dt's.
big belly's to stop the run.
big guys who can get after the qb.