The defense has been playing well

[Sinister]

We all were worried about the DL and justifiably so but I think the LBs are worse as a group than our Dline. They either can't shed a block or ones who can keep hitting the wrong gap against the run or over pursuit. And none of them has done well against the pass.

The entire front seven is a problem.

 

[CCBoy]

The entire front seven is a problem.

Yep, none of them are NFL eligible to retire at some time for professional minimum time served on teams...

 

[Irvin88_4life]

They also aren't being schemed against.

And the defense also isnt scheming, goes both ways

 

[jobberone]

I guess you are watching a different game. The Dolphins, who in their first 2 games were averaging under 2ypc, which is almost impossible to do, gashed us all night. That is the worst thing to have happen to a defense is get gashed in the running game. It wears you down quicker and is more demoralizing. Most teams in this league can move the ball in the air with all the rules. Especially between the 20s. But if you can't stop the run at all, you are in trouble. And with this front 7, I don't see any pass rushers or run stoppers.

Right now you're right on all counts. If we don't get Melton and McClain back then we're going to give up yards on the ground. That's not a death knell but it sure is problematic. The lack of consistent pressure is even more troubling. Until you get Selvie, Melton, McClain, Spencer and later Lawrence on grass we're in trouble.

LBers can't play the run with DL in their laps. They can't play coverage well because they have to play run first and its hard enough already for LBers to cover.

DBs can't play pass defense as well if QBs can sit back there and pick them apart. When they have to come up and tackle too frequently you risk losing them to injury.

It all starts up front.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I am seeing a litany of posts with a continued dismissal of the defense. A whole lot of quips, digs and snark.

Thing is you look at our opponents offensive output against the first team the last three weeks and it's been 3 points.

Against SD the starters forced a fumble on the first series and that is all they went. Rivers was throwing on Lindsey, Mitchell, Hitchens, and Dixon scoring TDs.

Against Baltimore, Flacco managed a FG and a 3 and out.

Against Miami we turned them over and forced them to punt.

The team as a whole is creating lots of turnovers and TFL if not sacks.

I have no illusions that a good QB won't carve them up or that they are not limited in multiple areas but this very young defense is improving and to this point has done rather well.

Good point. Just concerned that the DL can't hold up at the point of attack or get off their blocks. Our only hope is The Melton/McClain DT duo is significantly better than what we've used thus far. We probably won't know until week 1.

 

[CCBoy]

One other thing the people defending this defense line remind of the same people defending the the offensive line from a couple of years ago.

The defensive line even has its own Phil Costa in Nick Hayden.

smh

One probably over time will find that stereotypes often end up with little value...beyond a prejudice against someone.

 

[CCBoy]

Right now you're right on all counts. If we don't get Melton and McClain back then we're going to give up yards on the ground. That's not a death knell but it sure is problematic. The lack of consistent pressure is even more troubling. Until you get Selvie, Melton, McClain, Spencer and later Lawrence on grass we're in trouble.

LBers can't play the run with DL in their laps. They can't play coverage well because they have to play run first and its hard enough already for LBers to cover.

DBs can't play pass defense as well if QBs can sit back there and pick them apart. When they have to come up and tackle too frequently you risk losing them to injury.

It all starts up front.

lol, and that, with all returns, still looks center of pack for now.

 

[Sinister]

One probably over time will find that stereotypes often end up with little value...beyond a prejudice against someone.

Maybe, but often you find that at the center of every stereotype is a kernel of truth.

 

[CCBoy]

Maybe, but often you find that at the center of every stereotype is a kernel of truth.

Falsely applied.

Put up a list of pluses for stereotypes, and I'll put up one five times as long against it.

 

[Sinister]

Falsely applied.

Put up a list of pluses for stereotypes, and I'll put up one five times as long against it.

Your statement is a false equivalence. There is no such thing as plus for a stereotype.

A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

This is a message board we all post stereotypes (oversimplified ideas) otherwise we would be writing novels.

 

[casmith07]

In fairness, unless you are the Seattle Seahawks, a good quarterback is probably going to carve you up. And with the "rule emphasis" this season, it is highly possible Seattle won't be as dominant.

I would not be surprised to see the league outlaw press coverage in the future, or allow CFL style forward motion.

 

[Bullflop]

Personally, I'm not about to play favorites as to which unit sucks the most, the DL or the linebackers -- actually, I think they both allow yardage in an overly generous manner. The DL can't fight off blocks well enough to matter and their gap integrity is, for all intents and purposes, far too hard to come by. They both seem destined to to require major adjustments longer than anything that's very likely to be well received. There's hope for improvement, yes, but plenty of room for it to happen -- lol.

 

[morasp]

I just watched Andrew Luck carve up the Saints defense with it's first round draft pick and high priced FA safeties. They couldn't stop the run, made silly penalties, and didn't get a sack.

As far as relying on turnovers to stop drives goes it's insane to discount them. The defense is coached to get them. You can see them fighting for them on every play. And, it works the other way too, a defense can be great at shutting down an offense for 9 plays and then on the 10th give up a big play for a touchdown. It's easy to say it was a fluke but it's just the flipside of the defense making a big play.

The other thing is I'll be very surpirsed if by game five or six we are counting on Hayden, Coleman, Mincey, and Webb.

 

[visionary]

I think the DL has been bad against both the run and pass
...... the LBs have not had a chance against the run because of the above and have been okay against the pass
......the DBs have been good in coverage and mixed bag against the run

Hopefully the DL gets some starters back soon and they can fix the most glaring problems.

So the first team defense has not been "playing well"?

This is so confusing

 

[visionary]

One other thing the people defending this defense line remind of the same people defending the the offensive line from a couple of years ago.

The defensive line even has its own Phil Costa in Nick Hayden.

smh

Same people

 

[CCBoy]

Your statement is a false equivalence. There is no such thing as plus for a stereotype.

A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

This is a message board we all post stereotypes (oversimplified ideas) otherwise we would be writing novels.

Did anyone clever arrive in that family? No, not someone elses...

No, tilto matic, the premise was for every stereotype that was declared positive, many more declarations of negative could rapidly be added...you lost on the premise as well as redefining YOUR stance through it. Sorry, Charlie...if that is a novella, then one is a pure simpleton only when pounding one's own chest. Probably looking for a chest to pin a medal upon...

 

[CCBoy]

I would not be surprised to see the league outlaw press coverage in the future, or allow CFL style forward motion.

This fan would simply stop watching what was then called the NFL...maybe visiting retirement homes to take conversations to Veterans just wanting to talk with someone in finishing up their lives.

 

[Floatyworm]

I don't know what games you are watching but I continue to see.........

1. ALL of our DTs getting blown off the ball.

2. Lbers filling wrong gaps...running around blockers instead of taking them on.... creating even bigger running lanes.

3. DEs getting absolutely no pressure. DEs giving up containment to allow RBs/QBs to get to the edge.

4. Considering we are running a very basic vanilla 4-2-5 nickle D.....players are constantly making mistakes being out of position.

5. All of our safeties (except for Church) are slow to diagnos a pass play.

6. I get not wanting to show all of your cards for the regular season as a coaching staff....but if your not gonna take the opportunity to make yourself better as a team by practicing full speed against an opponent...then what is the point of playing?????

As far as I'm concerned.....considering all these problems...the biggest problem may not even be listed. And that is the "Enabling" of injured players to skip games and practice. This whole concept of "babying players to health" is out of control. And how the Cowboys think they can pull this off by not having players practice is beyond me. It's time for this team to make a stand w/ the players....if your not gonna practice...your not gonna make the team.

 

[CCBoy]

I don't know what games you are watching but I continue to see.........

1. ALL of our DTs getting blown off the ball.

2. Lbers filling wrong gaps...running around blockers instead of taking them on.... creating even bigger running lanes.

3. DEs getting absolutely no pressure. DEs giving up containment to allow RBs/QBs to get to the edge.

4. Considering we are running a very basic vanilla 4-2-5 nickle D.....players are constantly making mistakes being out of position.

5. All of our safeties (except for Church) are slow to diagnos a pass play.

6. I get not wanting to show all of your cards for the regular season as a coaching staff....but if your not gonna take the opportunity to make yourself better as a team by practicing full speed against an opponent...then what is the point of playing?????

As far as I'm concerned.....considering all these problems...the biggest problem may not even be listed. And that is the "Enabling" of injured players to skip games and practice. This whole concept of "babying players to health" is out of control. And how the Cowboys think they can pull this off by not having players practice is beyond me. It's time for this team to make a stand w/ the players....if your not gonna practice...your not gonna make the team.

Ever have any neighbor kids that you liked?

 

[Cumart21]

Anyone who thinks the defense has been playing well is clearly looking through rose colored glasses. You can spin it any way you want, but from the first preseason game through the third, the defense has been giving up huge running lanes, hence huge chunks of yardage on the ground. The interior DL will be ok with the full complement of starters, but the linebackers will be the issue all year. They aren't physical at the point of attack and don't get off blocks. Good thing most teams aren't set up to grind it out. Did I mention our pass rush?