The defense has been playing well

[Manwiththeplan]

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.

that's how last season started as well, but eventually the well dried up. JMO, this defense will be historically bad and nothing short of an elite top 5 scoring offense will get us any where near 10 wins. If we have a top 10 or so offense, expect 8-8 or worse. If the offense struggles.......watch out

 

[CCBoy]

that's how last season started as well, but eventually the well dried up. JMO, this defense will be historically bad and nothing short of an elite top 5 scoring offense will get us any where near 10 wins. If we have a top 10 or so offense, expect 8-8 or worse. If the offense struggles.......watch out

When one deals in the world with real adults, and yes, Jerry Jones qualifies...one doesn't expect results that children duplicate without at least solid reasons attempted.

 

[casmith07]

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.

I think the reason the linebackers look that bad is because the DT positions are exhibiting precisely zero gap control. All of our backers are looking subpar because of this. Nick Hayden, for example, is not an NFL defensive tackle. I would rather bring back Igor Olshansky.

I really wish we were able to see the defense with Henry Melton and Terrell McClain manning the 1T and 3T spots. I think we'd have a better idea of where our linebacking corps stands.

 

[Sinister]

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...

You never defined the premise. You stated that:

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

Which is true of course, but you never defined the stereotype that was being stated. So I replied in general terms that all stereotypes have a general kernel of truth.

Which is true.

Then you stated that the stereotype was or could be falsely applied, but never did say which stereotype you were questioning.

However, my point was/is an idea is neither a positive or negative it just is. A is A.

Stereotypes can be detrimental to all people, but when on a message board, stereotypes are a necessary evil, because we as posters do no have the full information. We post what we believe to be the truth and hope that our own 'truths' are correct.

Me personally, I don't care if I'm correct as much as I care that the Cowboys are doing the things that will allow them to win the most games.

You on the other hand appear to be espousing your philosophical gobbledygook in the hopes of increasing your post count. Ha, I wonder if that is a stereotype. Either way I think you're hilarious.

 

[CCBoy]

You never defined the premise. You stated that:



Which is true of course, but you never defined the stereotype that was being stated. So I replied in general terms that all stereotypes have a general kernel of truth.

Which is true.

Then you stated that the stereotype was or could be falsely applied, but never did say which stereotype you were questioning.

However, my point was/is an idea is neither a positive or negative it just is. A is A.

Stereotypes can be detrimental to all people, but when on a message board, stereotypes are a necessary evil, because we as posters do no have the full information. We post what we believe to be the truth and hope that our own 'truths' are correct.

Me personally, I don't care if I'm correct as much as I care that the Cowboys are doing the things that will allow them to win the most games.

You on the other hand appear to be espousing your philosophical gobbledygook in the hopes of increasing your post count. Ha, I wonder if that is a stereotype. Either way I think you're hilarious.

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

(initial statement, and improve readings skills with the baffle with bullcrap routine)

 

[Floatyworm]

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?

I had to look this up.....in 3 pre-season games we are giving up an average of 6.2 yards a play . Let that sink in for a minute. That is worse than last years average.

-Have given up 503 rushing yards in 3 games...that's 167yrds per game. Do the math.....x16 = 2672yrds for the year.

Last year they gave up 2,056 yrds. The Chicago Bears had the worst run D last year @ 2,583yrds. We are on pace to have a worse defense than last years Bears.

 

[Sinister]

I had to look this up.....in 3 pre-season games we are giving up an averaging of 6.2 yards a play . Let that sink in for a minute. That is worse than last years average.

-Have given up 503 rushing yards in 3 games...that's 167yrds per game. Do the math.....x16 = 2672yrds for the year.

Last year they gave up 2,056 yrds. The Chicago Bears had the worst run D last year @ 2,583yrds. We are on pace to have a worse defense than last years Bears.

The funny thing is that the Bears run Marinelli's defense. Yeeesh!

 

[Floatyworm]

The funny thing is that the Bears run Marinelli's defense. Yeeesh!

Here is a great stat I just looked up......Rod Marinelli's 2008 winless 0-16 Lions

Gave up...2754 yrds rushing.....We are almost on pace to beat that. Need just 82 yards.

Lions 2008 average per game 5.1
Cowboys 2014 average per game 4.7

 

[Sinister]

Here is a great stat I just looked up......Rod Marinelli's 2008 winless 0-16 Lions

Gave up...2754 yrds rushing.....We are almost on pace to beat that. Need just 82 yards.

Lions 2008 average per game 5.1
Cowboys 2014 average per game 4.7

I don't know if I should laugh or cry, I think I'll just lay down and stare at the ceiling for awhile.

Thanks Floaty...

 

[starfrombirth]

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.

I admit that I'm guilty of one of those comments... I went,"Whaaat??? ". It just seems so easy, after seeing our defense mauled up and down the field, to transfer that feeling to the starting defense as well. What you say makes a certain amount of sense.

 

[jobberone]

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

This is so confusing

Where does he say first team? I think the first team has been decent against the run using all three games. Needs improvement for sure. Any rotation though is pretty porous. If you say the first team defense has done well regarding being scored upon then I'd say they are playing well. Once you start putting the rotational guys in gap control is poor.

My reasonable interpretation is the overall defense is not good considering all players. The starters haven't "not been playing well". Excuse the apparent double negative due to the quote.

 

[CCBoy]

I think the reason the linebackers look that bad is because the DT positions are exhibiting precisely zero gap control. All of our backers are looking subpar because of this. Nick Hayden, for example, is not an NFL defensive tackle. I would rather bring back Igor Olshansky.

I really wish we were able to see the defense with Henry Melton and Terrell McClain manning the 1T and 3T spots. I think we'd have a better idea of where our linebacking corps stands.

A man who understands a linebacker due to the observation deck provided in the secondary...hooooah!

 

[CCBoy]

Where does he say first team? I think the first team has been decent against the run using all three games. Needs improvement for sure. Any rotation though is pretty porous. If you say the first team defense has done well regarding being scored upon then I'd say they are playing well. Once you start putting the rotational guys in gap control is poor.

My reasonable interpretation is the overall defense is not good considering all players. The starters haven't "not been playing well". Excuse the apparent double negative due to the quote.

One would think that at this professional levels, the players would have been coached up into observing and applying in game adjustments to specifics of techniques. That part of the view is still coming across garbled from the team.

 

[CyberB0b]

The funny thing is that the Bears run Marinelli's defense. Yeeesh!

No, they don't.

 

[Sinister]

No, they don't.

Dang!! I was sure they still ran his defense. Well I guess I feel a little better.

 

[jterrell]

It does seem the defensive results have been manageable.
We've certainly been gashed at times but as you mention we've also seen some very solid scoring results with what remains of the first team defense.

I don't have any warm and fuzzies for this defense but it also hasn't been as bad as it gets portrayed.

 

[CCBoy]

Just give me four drive stops, some Red Zone stubbornness, and two turnovers a game...

 

[jterrell]

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

and the people crying about this DL are the same people crying about the OL 2 years ago.
the ones who are too slow to look one step ahead and see the players and resources have been committed to it and positive results are forthcoming.

this dl is terrible. if by "this" we mean the back up laden group playing in games right now.
how this defense looks with mcclain, melton, dlaw and spencer back is anyone's guess.

 

[Doomsday101]

Main thing I'm hoping to see out of the defense is not giving up a lot of points. All the other stats like yards given up do not mean that much, games are determined by points score and points allowed. Over the course of the season I hope to see improvement in all areas with the defense but none more important than preventing scores

 

[Sinister]

and the people crying about this DL are the same people crying about the OL 2 years ago.
the ones who are too slow to look one step ahead and see the players and resources have been committed to it and positive results are forthcoming.

this dl is terrible. if by "this" we mean the back up laden group playing in games right now.
how this defense looks with mcclain, melton, dlaw and spencer back is anyone's guess.

People were complaining about the offensive line 4 years ago, and there were other people saying that the line was fine, we didn't need to draft offensive lineman, offensive lineman can be found anywhere. I remember several threads with those sentiments. People who disagreed were 'shouted down'. Told they were 'crying'.

The Cowboys only started drafting offensive lineman when the situation was so severe they were going to get Tony killed (metaphorically speaking of course).

You said it, the dl is terrible. Why haven't the Cowboys addressed the front 7 before this year? There has been a depth issue for several years on this team. This year there is no depth. Mcclain, melton, dlaw and spencer between them have not played a single preseason game and these are the players that are supposed to be relied on?

What are the Cowboys doing? I just don't know and I don't think the Cowboys know either.