News: Spagnola: Inability To Close This Cowboys Defense’s Worst Nightmare

[CCBoy]

Spagnola: Inability To Close This Cowboys Defense’s Worst
Nightmare


Friday, February 19, 2016 10:43 AM CST

By Mickey Spagnola
DallasCowboys.com Columnist

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...ility-close-cowboys-defense’s-worst-nightmare

IRVING, Texas - This is nuts.

The Cowboys defense is taking a beating from most everyone, me included, being presented as reasons 1 and 1A, along with the lack of backup quarterback play, for the horrendous 4-12 season that the Cowboys produced in 2015, the third-worst 16-game season record in the club’s 56-year history.

Why, that defense produced a league-low and franchise-low 11 takeaways, also setting the franchise record-low with only three fumble recoveries and the fewest opponent forced fumbles in a season (11). The 11 takeaways were 20 less than their second-ranked league total in 2014.

That same defense sacked opposing quarterbacks 31 times. Sure, three more than the previous season, but this after spending the past two second-round draft choices on pass-rushing defensive ends. They also took a character chance on free-agent defensive end Greg Hardy, hardly worth their while, at least for his suspended-shortened 2015 season.


These are the main reasons why most, me included, are promoting the drafting of a defensive player come April 28 with the fourth overall pick. Either selecting someone, as we like to say, who can get to the quarterback (defensive end) or who can take the ball away from the quarterback (cornerback).

Also, why are so many opposed to re-signing cornerback Morris Claiborne or paying Brandon Carr’s $9.1 million base salary, me not included on either, since someone has to play cornerback in 2016, especially when considering Orlando Scandrick is returning from reconstructive knee surgery. There is not much else on the roster if Byron Jones is considered your starting free safety.

But upon deeper analyzation of this defense while considering these aforementioned shortcomings, check some of this out:...

 

[CCBoy]

This is a very finely constructed article by Spagnola.

It also points to a diminishing point in fourth quarters, when the fatigue to the starting unit forced failure...time and time again.

When almost a fourth of season totals are occuring in and around final drives in the end of games...that is indicative of complete structural failure of players up front.

Upgrades in talent levels of those up front in rotation, are a must.

 

[NEODOG]

No No NO
We need a back up QB with that 4th pick. You know, so he can watch, learn & sit the bench.. Then when Romo is hurt, he can come in & be the savior.
All the while, our same D can't stop Scooby Doo & Shaggy, from running up and down the field.

Solid thinking I tell ya

Scooby-Doobie DOOOOOO

 

[CCBoy]

No No NO
We need a back up QB with that 4th pick. You know, so he can watch, learn & sit the bench.. Then when Romo is hurt, he can come in & be the savior.
All the while, our same D can't stop Scobby Doo & Shaggy, from running up and down the field.

Solid thinking I tell ya

Scooby-Doobie DOOOOOO

The Scooby Doooo, huh?

 

[NEODOG]

The Scooby Doooo, huh?

Even with a healthy Romo, our D wasn't stopping any of those Divisional playoff teams last year. We couldn't stop a one legged Rodgers before that with Romo playing his BEST EVER.
I'm throwing all my resources at D and not even looking back.

 

[CCBoy]

Even with a healthy Romo, our D wasn't stopping any of those Divisional playoff teams last year. We couldn't stop a one legged Rodgers before that with Romo playing his BEST EVER.
I'm throwing all my resources at D and not even looking back.

I wouldn't be ashamed of a completely defensive draft this time.

 

[4lifecowboy]

All i read was blah , blah, blah " hardly worth the while, at least for the 2015 suspension shortened season." They are already posterioring to resign Hardy IMO.

 

[Floatyworm]

This is a very finely constructed article by Spagnola.

It also points to a diminishing point in fourth quarters, when the fatigue to the starting unit forced failure...time and time again.

When almost a fourth of season totals are occuring in and around final drives in the end of games...that is indicative of complete structural failure of players up front.

Upgrades in talent levels of those up front in rotation, are a must.

I blame Marinelli going into a prevent defense in the 4th quarter. He's the problem. And you can't tell me any different. I've watched too much tape...and see the breakdowns. It's all coaching not to lose....

 

[Jarv]

I blame Marinelli going into a prevent defense in the 4th quarter. He's the problem. And you can't tell me any different. I've watched too much tape...and see the breakdowns. It's all coaching not to lose....

Marinelli works for JG...who works for JJ...so you better watch what you're saying.

 

[BAT]

Finding "closers" on defense, whether thru draft or FA, preferably both. What a novel idea Spags. A bruising RB, a WR and a back up QB would be nice too.

 

[CATCH17]

I blame Marinelli going into a prevent defense in the 4th quarter. He's the problem. And you can't tell me any different. I've watched too much tape...and see the breakdowns. It's all coaching not to lose....

That Kellen Moore sig is hilarious.

 

[mahoneybill]

Even with a healthy Romo, our D wasn't stopping any of those Divisional playoff teams last year. We couldn't stop a one legged Rodgers before that with Romo playing his BEST EVER.
I'm throwing all my resources at D and not even looking back.

Agree, doesn't matter what the D does if the O can't score. I don't see us back in the end game hunt next year, so go QB ( Went) this year, and have the possibility of being ready in 1-2 years when Tony more than likely will be gone

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

No No NO
We need a back up QB with that 4th pick. You know, so he can watch, learn & sit the bench.. Then when Romo is hurt, he can come in & be the savior.
All the while, our same D can't stop Scooby Doo & Shaggy, from running up and down the field.

Solid thinking I tell ya

Scooby-Doobie DOOOOOO

So the choice is pick a QB (like Goff) with the 4th pick or picking a QB in the fourth round who will likely be no better than the Weedens of this world.
Ever heard the idea that a team is built around a QB, chap? A good QB puts points on the board and keeps the offense on the field. Yes, a QB cannot defend or help the defense but the idea is that even with a bad defensive unit, mate, he and the offense can help the team overcome that. Concurrently, an offense can buy time for the defense to reload, draft or develop players into a cohesive and effective defense.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I wouldn't be ashamed of a completely defensive draft this time.

Yes, and ignore the 800-pound gorilla: no credible backup QB or a QB for the future.

 

[CCBoy]

All i read was blah , blah, blah " hardly worth the while, at least for the 2015 suspension shortened season." They are already posterioring to resign Hardy IMO.

Skipped the 6th grade mentally huh?

 

[gimmesix]

I don't think we necessarily have to draft a defensive player with the No. 4 pick, but if we're not going to, we definitely need to stock the defense in free agency.

Right now, we need a starting DE, a rotational DE, a starting 1-tech, a starting MLB and at least a third CB. That's a lot of shopping.

 

[NEODOG]

So the choice is pick a QB (like Goff) with the 4th pick or picking a QB in the fourth round who will likely be no better than the Weedens of this world.
Ever heard the idea that a team is built around a QB, chap? A good QB puts points on the board and keeps the offense on the field. Yes, a QB cannot defend or help the defense but the idea is that even with a bad defensive unit, mate, he and the offense can help the team overcome that. Concurrently, an offense can buy time for the defense to reload, draft or develop players into a cohesive and effective defense.

Yeah..... Denver is damn prime example

Went all in on O with Peyton, scored **** loads of points but couldn't win the big one withouta dominant D & average Manning

Next example please

 

[NEODOG]

Yes, and ignore the 800-pound gorilla: no credible backup QB or a QB for the future.

That 800lb gorilla has a 6% chance of winning a SB in last 20yrs top 5 pick draft.... EXACTLY 2 top 5 picks QB have won.... Both have Manning as a last name.

6%

 

[darthseinfeld]

Im pretty sure we were 4-12 because our offense was god awful last year. Or defense kept us in a lot of games that we were a well oiled 3 and out machine on offense

 

[conner01]

No No NO
We need a back up QB with that 4th pick. You know, so he can watch, learn & sit the bench.. Then when Romo is hurt, he can come in & be the savior.
All the while, our same D can't stop Scooby Doo & Shaggy, from running up and down the field.

Solid thinking I tell ya

Scooby-Doobie DOOOOOO

While I see all the needs on defense I suspect in a couple years when romo is gone those opposed to taking a QB and grooming him for the future will be singing a different tune
The way I see it Bosa, Ramsey or name the guy at 4 is gonna make this defense better but not a SB caliber defense while having a franchise QB ready in a couple years can mean a decade of not having to watch the Chad Hutchins or Quincy Carters coming thru
If I thought one defensive player would make this a good defense I might think differently and what we do in FA could change things but I don't see a defensive player at the top of this draft who is gonna make this a good defense by himself but a QB in a couple years could make the offense much better than what we will have after Tony if we don't start looking down the road at some point