The Defense Without Smith is Just Average

[MonsterD]

I kept thinking. "Keith Smith? What??" Took me like 20 seconds before I went "oh Jaylon".

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I think you're generous in saying that this defense is 'just average.'






YR

 

[waving monkey]

well average would be 16th in the league
I dont think thats outa line

 

[Cowboy06]

We still did not draft a real pass rusher, so where do we stand? My analysis is that the defensive line is solid but not great. The defensive team seams to be run stop first, then where is the QB. The LBs are solid but not deep. This will be our Achilles heel this year unless Smith is ready. The secondary will get a break with a solid DL. However, it is still not good enough against elite talent. The defense will need the offense to help this year but in the end defense wins championships and we do not have that.

Smith is not the savior by any means. He has holes in his game like any other rookie. Is he better than most when healthy? Yes. However, I don't like his awareness on the field in the closing moments of a play. He seems like a guy that doesn't remember this is a football game, play THROUGH the whistle.

I also think he runs stiff and plants his feet to make a tackle when it's not always necessary. He needs time to heal up. Let him rehab. Let him have 100% faith that he's ready to go, but don't rush it...he's not the difference maker for this team. WAY too many holes for him to be that guy...

Just my opinion and it won't be the first time I'm wrong, but I seriously doubt I am this time.

 

[Cowboy06]

Wow these guys are young and will improve. Give them a chance first

Break em down to the stupid, young, wild, undisciplined players rookies can be and let a smart coach motivate them into what they can and should be...winners on the Cowboys. I just want to give them time to learn things the right way...minimize the risk of them picking up bad habits and thinking there are short cuts to success (drugs, not wanting to practice, not wanting to learn the play book, and off the field crap)

Yeah, I'm ready for football to start up and facts, not fiction to be the topic of conversation.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

I'm failing to see what makes this offense soooooo explosive? You added Zeke, nothing else. Witten and Romo are a year older, Escobar is hurt (don't use him anyhow) and Dez is coming off injury. Top ten maybe if everything falls right, hardly explosive.

I dont think they have the top end speed to score on every play, but theyll have a productive ball control offense that will rack up a lot of yards, 1st downs, and tds. This will be a top 5 offense if most things fall right, not just top 10. Certainly the season is dependent on Romos health, but thats nearly every team that has a good signal caller.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Smith is not the savior by any means. He has holes in his game like any other rookie. Is he better than most when healthy? Yes. However, I don't like his awareness on the field in the closing moments of a play. He seems like a guy that doesn't remember this is a football game, play THROUGH the whistle.

I also think he runs stiff and plants his feet to make a tackle when it's not always necessary. He needs time to heal up. Let him rehab. Let him have 100% faith that he's ready to go, but don't rush it...he's not the difference maker for this team. WAY too many holes for him to be that guy...

Just my opinion and it won't be the first time I'm wrong, but I seriously doubt I am this time.

Better to let him decide if he is the difference maker or not. More fun.

 

[Cowboy06]

Better to let him decide if he is the difference maker or not. More fun.

Let's just hope the coaching staff can utilize the players to the best of their abilities..

 

[TrailBlazer]

The defense isn't any better than last year personnel wise. Just a little more experienced and hopefully healthier. The key is keeping them off the field as much as possible and praying that Lawrence and Gregory make their presence felt when they get back.

 

[jnday]

Good that you know this before a single practice!

People never add in what effort and smart and playing hard can bring to a unit, especially a defensive unit.

As I look at it, we're the weakest in the back half of the defense, and that's probably the best place to be at your weakest(if you're going to have a weakness). My opinion.

We will not have the Broncos defense. We will not have the Seahawks defense.

Have you seen the defense the Packers have played during the Rodgers era?

We ran the ball for 171 yard on them without a QB.

Put some points on the board and the defense will be fine!

We took out the garbage, that there should make the defense better.

I disagree. The front seven is weak. There is not a quality DE starting in the first four games and there will only be one good DE on the roster after the first four games. There is too much depending on young players stepping up. The LBs are average at best. Lee can only do do much and the others are not playmakers at all. The DTs are not a real threat to rush the passer.lband they are not much better playing the run. The DBs would look much better if there was consistent pressure on the QB. As it stands , Patrick Peterson would look really bad playing behind the front seven. If they want to play s bunch of young , unproven players, it will require more hustle and better fundamentals. They need to be five defenders gang tackling on every play. Speaking of tackling, it seems like it is a lost art with all teams. That is certainly an area that needs improving on the defense too.