News: Sturm: How Bad Is The Cowboys Defense?

[CCBoy]

How Bad Is The Cowboys Defense?
http://sturminator.blogspot.com/



The elephant in the room for the new Dallas Cowboys season remains this defense and the scary showing from 2013 combined with the subtractions from that crew. It has to have most bracing for the worst.

But, are we being too harsh? Are the issues being overstated?

Let's examine how we got here and if this is a fair projection or a pessimistic view this morning.

You may recall that last summer, I examined the 2012 team by statistical ranking in the wake of their scheme change. You may review it by clicking here. From June of 2013:

They spent the offseason changing the coaching staff and the scheme of the defense and asking much of their 3-4 personnel to now simply switch to the 4-3. Most NFL experts would argue that this is a very unwise endeavor as players are often identified as one or the other on draft day and yet now the Cowboys are asking their entire Front 7 on the defense - who were all drafted because they were tailor-made for the 3-4 scheme to not only learn but perform at a high level on the 4-3. Much of this is also mitigated by the fact that the Cowboys did run a very multiple and versatile front with Rob Ryan in the last few years and that they have very talented players who should work in any scheme, but still, it is not a sure thing this will work when they have 6 of their projected 7 starters as hold overs from the old scheme. Only newcomer Justin Durant, the projected SAM linebacker in Monte Kiffin's scheme has ever played a snap in a 4-3. That is a shocking reality of what the Cowboys are about to try to do.

On the other hand, what you are about to see are the statistics that the Cowboys defense has amassed in 2012 with their old scheme. Now remember, health had a ton to do with another disappointing effort from the defense - so much so that the firing of Rob Ryan doesn't really seem fair based on 2012 performance - but, make no mistake; we should not be too bothered with the Cowboys trying a new defensive strategy moving forward. Trouble is, we know from experience that scheme doesn't make the team. Players do.

Special ones. And, honestly, I have significant doubts that the Cowboys can be a special defense based on a scheme that requires a team to get pressure with only the front 4 (The Tampa 2 seldom blitzes) and is based on the cognitive skills of safeties to orchestrate the entire secondary. But, I will let the coaches sort through those issues in a long camp and see where it goes...​

 

[Idgit]

Wait...why were we not a playoff team again?

I'd advise everybody to read this if you haven't already. It's a gut punch. But at least it hits its target.

 

[Frosty]

How Bad Is The Cowboys Defense?
http://sturminator.blogspot.com/



The elephant in the room for the new Dallas Cowboys season remains this defense and the scary showing from 2013 combined with the subtractions from that crew. It has to have most bracing for the worst.

But, are we being too harsh? Are the issues being overstated?

Let's examine how we got here and if this is a fair projection or a pessimistic view this morning.

You may recall that last summer, I examined the 2012 team by statistical ranking in the wake of their scheme change. You may review it by clicking here. From June of 2013:

They spent the offseason changing the coaching staff and the scheme of the defense and asking much of their 3-4 personnel to now simply switch to the 4-3. Most NFL experts would argue that this is a very unwise endeavor as players are often identified as one or the other on draft day and yet now the Cowboys are asking their entire Front 7 on the defense - who were all drafted because they were tailor-made for the 3-4 scheme to not only learn but perform at a high level on the 4-3. Much of this is also mitigated by the fact that the Cowboys did run a very multiple and versatile front with Rob Ryan in the last few years and that they have very talented players who should work in any scheme, but still, it is not a sure thing this will work when they have 6 of their projected 7 starters as hold overs from the old scheme. Only newcomer Justin Durant, the projected SAM linebacker in Monte Kiffin's scheme has ever played a snap in a 4-3. That is a shocking reality of what the Cowboys are about to try to do.

On the other hand, what you are about to see are the statistics that the Cowboys defense has amassed in 2012 with their old scheme. Now remember, health had a ton to do with another disappointing effort from the defense - so much so that the firing of Rob Ryan doesn't really seem fair based on 2012 performance - but, make no mistake; we should not be too bothered with the Cowboys trying a new defensive strategy moving forward. Trouble is, we know from experience that scheme doesn't make the team. Players do.

Special ones. And, honestly, I have significant doubts that the Cowboys can be a special defense based on a scheme that requires a team to get pressure with only the front 4 (The Tampa 2 seldom blitzes) and is based on the cognitive skills of safeties to orchestrate the entire secondary. But, I will let the coaches sort through those issues in a long camp and see where it goes...​

Good article....and isn't saying anything that is already known....the defense is a mess...but at least the bar is set low....way low. Any sign of life at this point is a good sign. I still trust Marinelli. It might take a year or so to get this defense straightened out but Rod will get it fixed.

The future is bright with Marinelli behind the wheel.

 

[john van brocklin]

The ceiling of this team would be 9 and 7, and that's IF we get a vintage Tony Romo year.
If he's more hurt than we know, it could get real ugly.

 

[texbumthelife]

We were told when switching from 43 to 34 that it would take 3 years to get the right players in place. There is no reason to think the opposite wouldn't be true. It's more shocking to me how up and arms people are about this defense not being able to magically make such a significant change in one season.

If we still lack the playmakers and talent suited to this scheme at the end of camp next season, then I will begin to really worry. As it is, this team seems right on track to me.

 

[TheDude]

Wait...why were we not a playoff team again?

I'd advise everybody to read this if you haven't already. It's a gut punch. But at least it hits its target.

Not a great way to start a weekend. Seems to be some continuing or growing themes

• The team is reactionary and has no gut philosophy. As I have laid out before the 3-4 to 4-3 switch was little more than a knee-jerk reaction
• Safety play is finally being acknowledged as a bigger need in todays game
• Scapegoating is undeniable

 

[conner01]

i don't think anyone thinks this is a "special" defense. but to be competitive we don't have to have a special defense. just one that can get the other team off the field every once in awhile.

 

[Frosty]

The ceiling of this team would be 9 and 7, and that's IF we get a vintage Tony Romo year.
If he's more hurt than we know, it could get real ugly.

Your right, this team is one hit away from a real ugly season. If it gets real ugly....what happens to Garrett? Would Jerry fire him at the end of the season or will he be forced to extend Garrett. A new HC would want to bring in his own guys. A new OC, a new DC all this would set the defense back even further? One heck of a delima...I am not a Garrett fan at all....but Jerry has put himself in a box with no good way out.

 

[daveferr33]

If there is any silver lining its the possibility of a brand new regime with real football people at the helm , the amateurs relegated to showpieces, and a top five pick to kick start the new era.

But who am I kidding?

Jones and Garrett are building something. The worst defense in franchise history are just growing pains. Right?

 

[Craig]

Way too much talk about scheme considering how many unknowns were asked to play significant numbers of snaps last year.

 

[Blackspider214]

Your right, this team is one hit away from a real ugly season. If it gets real ugly....what happens to Garrett? Would Jerry fire him at the end of the season or will he be forced to extend Garrett. A new HC would want to bring in his own guys. A new OC, a new DC all this would set the defense back even further? One heck of a delima...I am not a Garrett fan at all....but Jerry has put himself in a box with no good way out.

Extend a coach who would have missed the playoffs 4 straight years? If that happens, then Jerry cares nothing about winning.

 

[texbumthelife]

We are getting off-topic now, but regardless of what Jerry says, I think Red is gone if this team shows anything other than improvement.

I would still back up a truck to Shaw's door if Garrett is fired.

 

[Idgit]

Not a great way to start a weekend. Seems to be some continuing or growing themes

• The team is reactionary and has no gut philosophy. As I have laid out before the 3-4 to 4-3 switch was little more than a knee-jerk reaction
• Safety play is finally being acknowledged as a bigger need in todays game
• Scapegoating is undeniable

I'm with you, except for the scapegoating. I really think Ryan was primarily a bad personality fit with Jerry. And I don't think NO hires him without input from Dallas, given Payton's connections here.

Kiffin was a weird diversion, but he's still here and it's still that same coalition of coaches from last season. Just with shuffled responsibilities.

I do prefer the 4-3 to the 3-4, but if I had my druthers, I'd prefer a 4-3 defense that doesn't suck.

 

[texbumthelife]

Kiffin was hired as a face for the brand. It had nothing to do with his recent abilities as a DC.

It was the wrong hire from day one and just about everyone knew it. Going from a 3-4 to a 4-3 is hard enough, but to then also go from an aggressive attacking 3-4 to the most passive and zone based 4-3 is borderline insurmountable, as we saw. If this team had gone with a coach who ran an aggressive 43 hybrid (like Seattle and Denver) I think we would see different results on the field.

 

[CCBoy]

If there is any silver lining its the possibility of a brand new regime with real football people at the helm , the amateurs relegated to showpieces, and a top five pick to kick start the new era.

But who am I kidding?

Jones and Garrett are building something. The worst defense in franchise history are just growing pains. Right?

It might be a good time to stop and take the rocks out of the boots...think?

 

[snapper]

Yes, the road will be difficult but this defense can be productive: identified talent must produce; the offense must do its part to sustain drives and limit opportunities for opposing offenses; and, coaching all around must be solid.

I think this defense is not half as bad as most of us believe, but not half as good as some of us hope.

 

[coogrfan]

i don't think anyone thinks this is a "special" defense. but to be competitive we don't have to have a special defense. just one that can get the other team off the field every once in awhile.

Did you read the article? If you did you would realize just how far away we are from mediocrity, never mind actually being good

 

[Hoofbite]

The defense is gonna be bad. They were very bad last year and you could make a case they were the absolute worst.

It's gonna be very ugly on that side of the ball. Just have to hope that the offense can control.

 

[Bungarian]

I should not have read that on Saturday. That is a Monday morning read. Excuse me while I go puke.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

3-4 or 4-3 it wouldn't have made much difference last season and this season because Spencer would still be hurt, Lee would miss significant time and Ware would be banged up last year and be gone for this season.

Instead of lamenting the lack of help at DE we would really be lamenting the lack of 3-4 OLB help.