Star: STAR: Cowboys Defense Still Has The Same Questions

[jobberone]

STAR: Cowboys Defense Still Has The Same Questions
Thursday, July 09, 2015 2:46 PM CDT

By Mickey Spagnola
DallasCowboys.com Columnist

(This story originally appeared in Dallas Cowboys Star Magazine. For subscription information, please click here.)

So here we are, the Cowboys finishing up the last of the allotted three weeks of Organized Team Activity (OTA) workouts.

They will conduct their lone mandatory minicamp for players under contract this coming week, June 16-18, and then that will be it for the majority of activity out at The Ranch until the wheels go up July 28 on their charter flight heading to Oxnard, Calif., for training camp.

But for a team coming off its first winning season in five years, going 12-4 and capturing the first NFC East Division title and first playoff game since the 2009 campaign, it’s almost as if time has stood still.

As if it’s same time next year.

Right?

Just as it was a year ago, so much is expected of the Cowboys offense. The same that one helped the team score 467 points last season, second most in franchise history, only bettered by the 479 of 1983. And while many seem to be fretting about the loss of NFL rushing champ DeMarco Murray, as long as Tony Romo is here and healthy, and Dez Bryant is here and healthy, and this offensive line remains intact, you likely will be able to count on the Cowboys averaging the 29 points a game they did in 2014 when posting at least 30 points in 10 of 16 contests.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/07/09/star-cowboys-defense-still-has-same-questions

 

[Bullflop]

The same questions about the defense may be there but there are also more potential answers in the offing. That wasn't the case to nearly the extent that it is now last year. Anyhow, it's odd to see the Mick playing the devil's advocate here, though. He surely doesn't wear that hat altogether too often. We'll soon see how those questions end up being answered (or not) in the coming months ahead. Say what you will, I'm still feeling considerably more optimistic about our defense this year as compared to last year. We had a rare offseason in terms of collecting talent and it's not over just yet. Sight unseen, I'll take this year's defense over 2014's any day.

 

[jobberone]

The same questions about the defense may be there but there are also more potential answers in the offing. That wasn't the case to nearly the extent that it is now last year. Anyhow, it's odd to see the Mick playing the devil's advocate here, though. He surely doesn't wear that hat altogether too often. We'll soon see how those questions end up being answered (or not) in the coming months ahead. Say what you will, I'm still feeling considerably more optimistic about our defense this year as compared to last year. We had a rare offseason in terms of collecting talent and it's not over just yet. Sight unseen, I'll take this year's defense over 2014's any day.

Pretty optimistic myself.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The difference between now and 12 months ago is light years. Mickey spins a pesimestic article IMO but I will admit that right now it looks better on paper but that will change in a couple of months.

 

[StarBoyz83]

There are more questions on defense this year than there was last year.

 

[conner01]

There are more questions on defense this year than there was last year.

Really?
I think the talent level is much greater this year than last
We now have the potential to actually have a pass rush

 

[StarBoyz83]

The potential is there but a ton of questions too.

 

[endersdragon]

They lost Carter on defense... that's it really... Spencer, Durant, and Melton basically did nothing all year (well Durant did.. but he was hurt most of the year). They gained Gregory (top 15 talent... and that is a very conservative estimate), Hardy (one of the best DEs in the league), and have a lot of players who are on the upswing (like DLaw and Crawford). One of the big questions I had last year was where are the sacks going to come from... I don't have that question anymore.

 

[Zekeats]

didn't even read it when it said it was published by Mickey

 

[AsthmaField]

Anyhow, it's odd to see the Mick playing the devil's advocate here, though. He surely doesn't wear that hat altogether too often. We'll soon see how those questions end up being answered (or not) in the coming months ahead.

Mickey is managing expectations.

Pretty much the whole fan base is expecting better than last season... but there are a lot of questions that are still to be answered. Heck, even just the schedule can make this year more difficult than last.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

No it doesn't. Crawford is cemented as the 3 and we had no idea who was going to play last year with Melton coming off an ACL. Mincey established himself as a contributor and DLAw by the end of the year bit as a puppy. we had no clue on any of those three last year. we do now.

 

[CCBoy]

Pretty optimistic myself.

Five years ago, the offensive line fell completely apart. Two seasons ago, a very old defensive line had have a beginning of change over. I think that defensive line has come a long ways, since. And the linebacker group is at the very least, strong and stable.

Right now, that offensive line is both young and dominant. Take two more seasons, this and 2016, and the defensive line will be a flip flop of the offensive line.

 

[Doomsay]

The potential is there but a ton of questions too.

Half of the defensive questions of last year have been answered by off-season player acquisitions.... most of which, have been unquestionably talented.

 

[ufcrules1]

They lost Carter on defense... that's it really... Spencer, Durant, and Melton basically did nothing all year (well Durant did.. but he was hurt most of the year). They gained Gregory (top 15 talent... and that is a very conservative estimate), Hardy (one of the best DEs in the league), and have a lot of players who are on the upswing (like DLaw and Crawford). One of the big questions I had last year was where are the sacks going to come from... I don't have that question anymore.

You forgot the return of Lee. I know we can't count on him but we could get lucky and he stays healthy.

 

[Sydla]

There are more questions on defense this year than there was last year.

How?

 

[Manster68]

The Cowboys defense will have the same questions until they prove otherwise.

The Cowboys had to prove they were better than 8-8 until proven otherwise.

 

[ShiningStar]

on paper, we always look pretty, but yes, the field answers all questions. Can Dallas soak in the fact they improved , sure do set backs happen, yes, but this is the first year in a long time, our good outweighs the bad. The potential pool looks bigger and brighter, and really a few names have gone under most poeples radar, I keep forgetting Chris Whaley for one. I wont scream SB bound as every team has the chance, but i am saying, this year will be harder than last because the NFL has been put on notice, the Cowboys are dangerous.

 

[Maxmadden]

There are more questions on defense this year than there was last year.

It just seems like it because there are more possible answers.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I don't get the "There are more questions on defense this year than last year".

 

[ShiningStar]

I don't get the "There are more questions on defense this year than last year".

some questions will remain, "will Sean Lee stay healthy" cant deny that one. "Will Rolondo make the season? Loss or Bruce Carter or Melton affect us?

When the defense was sucky, not many questions needed to be ask unless someone was just filling space. more questions arise as the defense was better because you dont know how this defense will react with the new changes and if it can relive that success from last year. We are hardly a staple of a good defense.