Serious question regarding the defense.

[Shotgun Dave]

OK, so just prior to the New Orleans game Dallas was cruising right along and looking like a lock for the NFC East title.

In the last 4 games Dallas has allowed as many points as they had in their previous 8 games. Opponents in that span have included such future Hall of Fame QB's as John Kitna and Michael Vick (eyes rolling).

My question is...what SPECIFICALLY changed that turned our defense into a steaming pile of horse crap? Regardless of those who want to pin this on Romo (who, despite his turnovers, completed about 75% of his passes for over 300 yards and two TD's), our offense scored 24 points. That ought to be good enough to win if your defense doesn't suck.

But our defense SUCKS. WHY? WHAT HAPPENED?

 

[Cajuncowboy]

WHY? WHAT HAPPENED?

Zimmer!

 

[dargonking999]

I guess everyone Missed the Lions game against The Bears.

3 TD's 1 INt i think it was

the lions have been coming on late, and well they were due

 

[Bleu Star]

This happened.

 

[gbrittain]

I guess everyone Missed the Lions game against The Bears.

3 TD's 1 INt i think it was

the lions have been coming on late, and well they were due

Oh stop it. Dallas was due for a critical win too don't you think? Dallas has won one out of its last four.

Do not make excuses for this team. They do not need to be propped up they just need to play better.

 

[Kangaroo]

This is my opinion a the loss of Ellis was pretty big factor in part of the issue.

Second you noticed the players have been griping at the coaches not being more aggressive about the play calling hon defense. The coaches do not trust them is what we get from Bill. I think the defense has just laid down and quit on Zimmer and his scheme. call it a lack of faith in his system scheme what ever you want.

Remember the Texans offense last year under Palmer (he was cut after about 3 games). The defensive players have talked and played like they no longer have faith in the coaching staff much like the Texans players last year.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Oh stop it. Dallas was due for a critical win too don't you think? Dallas has won one out of its last four.

Do not make excuses for this team. They do not need to be propped up they just need to play better.

It doesn't get any more plain than that. From top to bottom.

 

[dargonking999]

Oh stop it. Dallas was due for a critical win too don't you think? Dallas has won one out of its last four.

Do not make excuses for this team. They do not need to be propped up they just need to play better.

Im not making excuses, the lions have been playing better, and they came in there nad played hard, and we made to many mistakes, and it cost us down the strech. We had 4 TO. You cant win like that.

 

[hank2k]

Great question. How bout some real hard analysis instead of "Zimmer sucks " ,etc. I didnt tape the game but does Marcus Spears still play on this team?

 

[hank2k]

This is my opinion a the loss of Ellis was pretty big factor in part of the issue.

Second you noticed the players have been griping at the coaches not being more aggressive about the play calling hon defense. The coaches do not trust them is what we get from Bill. I think the defense has just laid down and quit on Zimmer and his scheme. call it a lack of faith in his system scheme what ever you want.

Remember the Texans offense last year under Palmer (he was cut after about 3 games). The defensive players have talked and played like they no longer have faith in the coaching staff much like the Texans players last year.

This isnt Zimmers scheme its Parcells'. Thats part of the problem I think.

 

[Shotgun Dave]

This is my opinion a the loss of Ellis was pretty big factor in part of the issue.

Second you noticed the players have been griping at the coaches not being more aggressive about the play calling hon defense. The coaches do not trust them is what we get from Bill. I think the defense has just laid down and quit on Zimmer and his scheme. call it a lack of faith in his system scheme what ever you want.

Remember the Texans offense last year under Palmer (he was cut after about 3 games). The defensive players have talked and played like they no longer have faith in the coaching staff much like the Texans players last year.

Thank you, Kangaroo. I realize there are a lot of Zimmer haters (like me) but I want to know what has CHANGED that has caused this colossal collapse. When did we lose Ellis again?

Ware had THREE sacks today and STILL we gave up nearly SIX touchdowns today!

 

[dargonking999]

Great question. How bout some real hard analysis instead of "Zimmer sucks " ,etc. I didnt tape the game but does Marcus Spears still play on this team?

nah he was cut for ghost

 

[Alexander]

My question is...what SPECIFICALLY changed that turned our defense into a steaming pile of horse crap?

Payton exposed our main weakness.

Namely the fact Bradie James and Roy Williams cannot hold the middle in coverage. James in particular is awful and Williams isn't fast enough to close the hole.

Today was even more distressing that Terence Newman got beaten like a rented mule.

 

[theogt]

A few things hurt this defense during the second half of the season:

1. Losing Greg Ellis.
2. Bad play by Bradie James.
3. Bad play by Aaron Glenn.
4. Bad play by Anthony Henry.

Strangely, our biggest ailment during the first half of the season (safeties) wasn't really a big problem during the second half of the season.

 

[Haley94]

In the NO game, our defense got psychologically raped. They don't trust the scheme or the coaches, but most of all, they don't trust themselves. They are in a corner, curled up in the fetal position, mumbling to themselves. It's a sad sight when you don't trust yourself anymore.

 

[Alexander]

In the NO game our defense got psychologically raped. They don't trust the scheme or the coaches, but most of all, they don't trust themselves. They are in a corner, curled up in the fetal position, mumbling to themselves. It's a sad sight when you don't trust yourself anymore.

I agree.

They have done anything and everything.

We have tried the "player's only" meeting.

We have tried the "quiet player calls out everyone for talking too much" angle.

They really don't know either, and that is what is so very frightening.

From what I see, we really did think we are that great based off of preseason and it went through its progressions up and down through the year. It met its height after Indianapolis. Since then it has plummetted.

Very much like the bully that doubts themselves after getting punched in the mouth, we are stunned and very dumb right now.

 

[Shotgun Dave]

It boggles my mind that Dallas has spent SO MANY draft picks on defense and THIS is what we've got. I just don't know what to make of it. I really don't. Either our draft department truly sucks or our defensive strategy( and coordinator) really are that bad.

I tell you what...mark my words on this...as soon as our season is over (next Saturday night?) there are going to be some major changes around here. NO WAY does Dallas perform like this without Jerry exploding.

NO WAY.

 

[Alexander]

It boggles my mind that Dallas has spent SO MANY draft picks on defense and THIS is what we've got. I just don't know what to make of it. I really don't. Either our draft department truly sucks or our defensive strategy( and coordinator) really are that bad.

I tell you what...mark my words on this...as soon as our season is over (next Saturday night?) there are going to be some major changes around here. NO WAY does Dallas perform like this without Jerry exploding.

NO WAY.

If last week was not enough, this game solidified it.

Zimmer's contract is not renewed and somehow people will believe justice has been served.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I agree.

They have done anything and everything.

We have tried the "player's only" meeting.

We have tried the "quiet player calls out everyone for talking too much" angle.

They really don't know either, and that is what is so very frightening.

From what I see, we really did think we are that great based off of preseason and it went through its progressions up and down through the year. It met its height after Indianapolis. Since then it has plummetted.

Very much like the bully that doubts themselves after getting punched in the mouth, we are stunned and very dumb right now.

I think that sums it up. No one knows where to turn.

 

[Alexander]

I think that sums it up. No one knows where to turn.

And what does that tell you?

We have no leadership.

Not from the defensive coordinator.

And not from the players either.