News: Spagnola: History And Recent Past Should Keep Defensive Priorities Real

[Stash]

That part is true...but a lot of other things need to happen, to project where the Cowboys were prior to all of last season's injuries.

From what I've seen, the consensus of opinion is that the lack of quarterback was the biggest contributor to 4-12. And, while I would agree that there were other issues, I certainly agree that was the biggest factor.

 

[CCBoy]

In the quarterback review, I suggested that Dallas brings Colt McCoy back home to Texas to compete for the backup spot with Kellen Moore. I addressed the Cowboys need for another bell cow at the running back spot by going after another native Texan in Chris Ivory. Finally, I posed the idea of an upgrade at wide receiver by signing Dolphins free agent speedster Rishard Matthews to replace incumbent Terrance Williams.




Dollars and Sense: Time for the Cowboys to get defensive
http://thelandryhat.com/2016/02/14/dollars-sense-time-cowboys-get-defensive/





With the offensive side of the ball completely taken care of, it’s time to look towards the defense for potential upgrades.

Frankly, it’s beyond past time that the Dallas Cowboys get serious about making the defense a priority. No matter how you want to spin it, the proof is in the pudding. If you want to win a championship, you better have a dominant defense.

We can look at the latest Super Bowl as a great example.

The Carolina Panthers, owners of the league’s number one scoring offense, coming off of scoring a combined 80 points in their two playoff games, just got humiliated by a team that finished fourth in total points allowed, first in total yards allowed, first against the pass as well as total sacks and third against the run.

We can look at the eleven Super Bowl contests including this defensive drubbing.

Five teams (2015 Broncos, 2013 Seahawks, 2010 Packers, 2008 Steelers and 2005 Steelers) finished in the top five in both points and total yards allowed.

Or we can just look at the history of the Dallas Cowboys.

Here is how the eight previous teams that went to the Super Bowl finished defensively in that respective season:

1970: 4th in points allowed, 4th in total yards allowed, 3rd versus the pass, 10th versus the run, 5th in total sacks.
1971: 7th in points allowed, 3rd in total yards allowed, 19th versus the pass, 2nd versus the run, 2nd in total sacks.
1975: 9th in points allowed, 5th in total yards allowed, 8th versus the pass, 4th versus the run, 7th in total sacks.
1977: 8th in points allowed, 1st in total yards allowed, 2nd versus the pass, 3rd versus the run, 2nd in total sacks.
1978: 3rd in points allowed, 2nd in total yards allowed, 5th versus the pass, 1st versus the run, 1st in total sacks.
1992: 5th in points allowed, 1st in total yards allowed, 5th versus the pass, 1st versus the run, 12th in total sacks.
1993: 2nd in points allowed, 10th in total yards allowed, 10th versus the pass, 11th versus the run, 19th in total sacks.
1995: 3rd in points allowed, 9th in total yards allowed, 8th versus the pass, 16th versus the run, 14th in total sacks.

Every season the Dallas Cowboys have played for a championship, they have had a top ten defense when it comes to both points and total yards allowed. Would you like to guess how many times since the 2000 season the Cowboys have finished in the top five for a season in either of these two categories?

Twice...

 

[Stash]

In the quarterback review, I suggested that Dallas brings Colt McCoy back home to Texas to compete for the backup spot with Kellen Moore. I addressed the Cowboys need for another bell cow at the running back spot by going after another native Texan in Chris Ivory. Finally, I posed the idea of an upgrade at wide receiver by signing Dolphins free agent speedster Rishard Matthews to replace incumbent Terrance Williams.




Dollars and Sense: Time for the Cowboys to get defensive
http://thelandryhat.com/2016/02/14/dollars-sense-time-cowboys-get-defensive/





With the offensive side of the ball completely taken care of, it’s time to look towards the defense for potential upgrades.

Frankly, it’s beyond past time that the Dallas Cowboys get serious about making the defense a priority. No matter how you want to spin it, the proof is in the pudding. If you want to win a championship, you better have a dominant defense.

We can look at the latest Super Bowl as a great example.

The Carolina Panthers, owners of the league’s number one scoring offense, coming off of scoring a combined 80 points in their two playoff games, just got humiliated by a team that finished fourth in total points allowed, first in total yards allowed, first against the pass as well as total sacks and third against the run.

We can look at the eleven Super Bowl contests including this defensive drubbing.

Five teams (2015 Broncos, 2013 Seahawks, 2010 Packers, 2008 Steelers and 2005 Steelers) finished in the top five in both points and total yards allowed.

Or we can just look at the history of the Dallas Cowboys.

Here is how the eight previous teams that went to the Super Bowl finished defensively in that respective season:

1970: 4th in points allowed, 4th in total yards allowed, 3rd versus the pass, 10th versus the run, 5th in total sacks.
1971: 7th in points allowed, 3rd in total yards allowed, 19th versus the pass, 2nd versus the run, 2nd in total sacks.
1975: 9th in points allowed, 5th in total yards allowed, 8th versus the pass, 4th versus the run, 7th in total sacks.
1977: 8th in points allowed, 1st in total yards allowed, 2nd versus the pass, 3rd versus the run, 2nd in total sacks.
1978: 3rd in points allowed, 2nd in total yards allowed, 5th versus the pass, 1st versus the run, 1st in total sacks.
1992: 5th in points allowed, 1st in total yards allowed, 5th versus the pass, 1st versus the run, 12th in total sacks.
1993: 2nd in points allowed, 10th in total yards allowed, 10th versus the pass, 11th versus the run, 19th in total sacks.
1995: 3rd in points allowed, 9th in total yards allowed, 8th versus the pass, 16th versus the run, 14th in total sacks.

Every season the Dallas Cowboys have played for a championship, they have had a top ten defense when it comes to both points and total yards allowed. Would you like to guess how many times since the 2000 season the Cowboys have finished in the top five for a season in either of these two categories?

Twice...

This guy is stealing my ideas!



Other than preferring Chris Ivory over Lamar Miller (a mistake in my opinion), he's got two of the key players I listed in my Free Agent thread in the Roster Zone.

 

[Rockport]

It certainly is. But, after this 4-12 season, it's a cost I would be willing to pay to ensure I didn't find myself in this same position again. Like this season, if it happens again, there's very little a team can do during the season.

I can get all the money I need to take care of my quarterback position by reworking Brandon Carr's contract, which is long overdue, whether Carr likes it or not.

They can sign a FA QB to be the backup at a much cheaper price. They're going to have to do that anyway because a rookie QB probably isn't going to be the backup.

 

[Rockport]

From what I've seen, the consensus of opinion is that the lack of quarterback was the biggest contributor to 4-12. And, while I would agree that there were other issues, I certainly agree that was the biggest factor.

I don't agree. The defense lost many of those games. Did you watch? Doesn't sound like it.

 

[Stash]

They can sign a FA QB to be the backup at a much cheaper price. They're going to have to do that anyway because a rookie QB probably isn't going to be the backup.

And what of the future? In a year or two when Tony Romo is completely done? Do you expect to have a Top 5 draft pick yet again?

 

[Stash]

I don't agree. The defense lost many of those games. Did you watch? Doesn't sound like it.

So you're saying that you were happy with the play they were getting at quarterback? OK...

 

[Stash]

I don't agree. The defense lost many of those games. Did you watch? Doesn't sound like it.

Defense ranked 17th in points allowed while the offense ranked 31st in points scored.

Did you watch? Doesn't sound like it.

But at least you're consistant...

 

[DandyDon52]

That's a fair look, but where does the money, even when combined with a 'rookie' contract and a veteran QB, run?

Tony Romo hits the cap this season, at 13.31% of the cap. Still on his rookie contract, Zach Martin accounts for 1.56% of the cap...and Cole Beasley for 2.14% of the cap.

Just a generalized expectations, for a veteran QB and a top of first round QB also, would bump the QB percentage up to approximately a 10% level.

A QB taken at the 4th pick this year, would expect to make $20,000,000 for a four year contract, with an option for a 5th season. That would be at $5,000,000 a season. That figure would be a projected salary for a starter quality QB being brought in with Tony ahead of him. Just for ball park, that is adding to salary demands about $7 - $10 million to the cap drain.

This QB salary bunch would eat up about 23% of the salary.

When one figures that the average per team amount throughout the NFL sits at about 9% of a team's cap cost.

The only feasible solution, would be drafting at the first round and bargain shop for an immediate backup similar to last season...

Even if one directs his draft towards a top of first round QB pick, he has to be very careful in that selection.

Having multiple positional weaknesses, could make that selection a hollow pick as well.

Well with wentz I dont think they need a veteran, all they would need is wentz and tony with kellan as # 3 or on PS.

If tony gets hurt wentz steps in and earns his 5 mil.

 

[Texas_Pete]

Wentz is a huge difference maker on the bench. Smart.

Do you expect Romo to play 16 games? I don't. Due to his age and injury history, we need to draft his replacement and begin grooming him immediately.

 

[CCBoy]

Do you expect Romo to play 16 games? I don't. Due to his age and injury history, we need to draft his replacement and begin grooming him immediately.

He should fare well this season. With a running back that runs well in a zone blocking scheme, well, if he gets hurt badly again, the referees should be called to task.

Both his collar bone and back will be well healed prior to reaching Training Camp.

 

[Solution]

He'll put us 2 years ahead of schedule when Romo is done.


Bosa, Ramsey, and Jack are all just nice players and don't have huge upside.

Does Denver win this past superbowl if they had taken a backup QB instead of Von Miller? I don't think so.

Sure you can argue that there is no defensive player as good as Von Miller when we pick at 4, but that's a weak argument to say the least. My point is that an elite defensive player could be the difference between Romo winning a ring or not, and everyone who is beating the drum for a QB is essentially gambling the present for the possibility of having a smoother transition after Romo. Forgive me if I don't see the logic in weakening the chances of a known commodity in Tony Romo, by drafting an unknown commodity in hopes that we will at least be mediocre when Romo retires.

There is a reason the trade charts dictate a future pick is valued one round less than the present, and it's not because of a lack of foresight like Risen would have you believe. There are simply to many variable to accurately predict what the future needs of this team will be (I get that Romo is old, but I don't think it would be wise to bet against him either) so the best choice you can make come the 4th pick in april is the one that is grounded in today's reality, and that reality is we need a defensive super star.

 

[CATCH17]

Does Denver win this past superbowl if they had taken a backup QB instead of Von Miller? I don't think so.

Sure you can argue that there is no defensive player as good as Von Miller when we pick at 4, but that's a weak argument to say the least. My point is that an elite defensive player could be the difference between Romo winning a ring or not, and everyone who is beating the drum for a QB is essentially gambling the present for the possibility of having a smoother transition after Romo. Forgive me if I don't see the logic in weakening the chances of a known commodity in Tony Romo, by drafting an unknown commodity in hopes that we will at least be mediocre when Romo retires.

There is a reason the trade charts dictate a future pick is valued one round less than the present, and it's not because of a lack of foresight like Risen would have you believe. There are simply to many variable to accurately predict what the future needs of this team will be (I get that Romo is old, but I don't think it would be wise to bet against him either) so the best choice you can make come the 4th pick in april is the one that is grounded in today's reality, and that reality is we need a defensive super star.

I wish there was a defensive superstar to pick.

 

[Solution]

I wish there was a defensive superstar to pick.

Let me reiterate how weak that argument it is.

It's weak.

 

[Rockport]

Defense ranked 17th in points allowed while the offense ranked 31st in points scored.

Did you watch? Doesn't sound like it.

But at least you're consistant...

Yeah the tore the league up on defense with that 17th ranked defense. And you conviently left out tha they were 32nd among 32 teams in forced turnovers. Yeah, the defense was a juggernaut. Proves you weren't paying attention. Get your continous whining threads ready because signs are we're not taking a QB at #4.

 

[gmoney112]

Does Denver win this past superbowl if they had taken a backup QB instead of Von Miller? I don't think so.

Is the irony unintentional? Because they don't win a Super Bowl without Brock Osweiler, either.

 

[Solution]

Is the irony unintentional? Because they don't win a Super Bowl without Brock Osweiler, either.

I forgot Brock Osweiler was a top 5 pick, oh wait.

Seriously people, no one is suggesting we shouldn't hedge ourselves against another Tony Romo injury, but you don't do it with the 4th overall pick.

 

[CCBoy]

This is Tony Romo's team...period. This isn't a mormon community with expectations of multiple wives.

Why not hire a substitute Head Coach and employ him if the actual Head Coach catches cold or pulls his hammie? Or maybe has a three game losing streak...

 

[gmoney112]

I forgot Brock Osweiler was a top 5 pick, oh wait.

Seriously people, no one is suggesting we shouldn't hedge ourselves against another Tony Romo injury, but you don't do it with the 4th overall pick.

There is no Miller in this draft. There's no Suh, Dareus, Peterson, prospect in this draft either.

If there was, then maybe. And you aren't just hedging against injury, you're providing depth at a position on an offense that was literally the worst scoring offense in the league without its #1 QB. 32 out of 32. You're also putting talent in a position to succeed in the hardest position to fill in professional sports.

That's not even addressing the fact that you're actually adding real talent at a position where the future of the franchise hinges in just a few years.

You know the draft sucks when there's legitimate debate about a chase and cover LB who played about 2 seasons of college ball being BPA at the 4th pick.

 

[Stash]

Yeah the tore the league up on defense with that 17th ranked defense. And you conviently left out tha they were 32nd among 32 teams in forced turnovers. Yeah, the defense was a juggernaut. Proves you weren't paying attention. Get your continous whining threads ready because signs are we're not taking a QB at #4.

Where's the rebuttal over the fact slap you just received?

The fact that defense ranked 17th and the offense ranked 31st?