The Defense

[Sully]

So here we go again, will millions of Cowboys fans filled with sugar plums dancing in their heads. Another season of optimism, where the 21st Century franchise has been nothing but mediocre season after season.

Tom Landry/Jimmy Johnson has really been the only head coaches, that have been able to develop players on the defensive side of the ball. Seems like, the past 25 years, this franchise sets team record in bad defensive stats/records. And season after season, during this output, Dallas always, and I do mean always, is poor at creating turnovers. So when you have a defense franchise that can't create turnover then sprinkle in giving up franchise rushing yrd one season, or passing yrd the next season or even worse points given up.

The swinging door at another Defensive Coordinator gives another year of optimism and I hope with his hands on/intensity gives this defense a vast improvement, but history says, "don't hold your breathe". Can't be worse than last season, can it?
I say NO! But the defense will still be a bottom of the league defense.....once again. Top 10-15 bottom.

 

[Aven8]

While we drafted 9 defensive players last year, the Secondary is still concerning. Diggs, Brown, and Lewis are back and that was basically the same secondary as last year.

I do remember a defense that was just ok a few years ago, and by chance Lee got hurt in TC. But a player named Rolondo came in and totally transformed that D. I’m hoping Parsons does the same!

 

[chicago JK]

I think the best we can hope for is league average. That would be a substantial improvement, but probably not big enough to make a long playoff push.

Parsons will make some mistakes, but I think him and our new linebackers will not completely run themselves out of plays that leave gushing holes. I think we will have solid safety play which will also help. Our interior D-line is still below average....maybe by quit a bit. I really like Osa. He is a guy who will not get blown off the line. Dallas needs more of these type of guys....and one stud too. But it is a start.

So the key for league average defense is being able to pressure QB's from the edge. Gregory, Lawrence, etc all need to have monster years. The rest of the defense has to limit the mental mistakes (blown coverages, penalties, not holding their responsibilities, etc).

 

[DanA]

While we drafted 9 defensive players last year, the Secondary is still concerning. Diggs, Brown, and Lewis are back and that was basically the same secondary as last year.

I do remember a defense that was just ok a few years ago, and by chance Lee got hurt in TC. But a player named Rolondo came in and totally transformed that D. I’m hoping Parsons does the same!

2020 Defensive Snaps
Slot: Lewis (817 snaps), Worley (261 snaps)
CB1: Brown (534 snaps), Awuzie (452 snaps)
CB2: Diggs (758 snaps), R.Robinson (187 snaps)
FS: Woods (990 snaps), Parker (78 snaps)
SS: Wilson (674 snaps), Thompson (479 snaps)

2021 Depth Chart
Slot: Lewis, Canady
CB1: Diggs, Joseph
CB2: Brown, Wright
FS: Kazee, Hooker, Mukuamu
SS: Wilson, Kearse
(Players in green new)

While I agree the starters are largely the same as you've mentioned and understand the sentiment, I wouldn't go as far as saying it's the same secondary as last year. Safety is largely rebuilt with only Wilson remaining in the five safeties we are carrying. At CB, it's a pretty similar story. I'm expecting, to some extent, more of the same from Brown and Lewis but I do see Diggs improving, and the rest of the CB room are new this season. I think the CB room looks far more competitive with Canady, Joseph, and Wright wolves at the door of Brown and Lewis which couldn't really be said of last season's depth. Worley was atrocious, Awuzie didn't want to play, and that last spot was essentially taken by whoever the camp body of the day was.

I guess my point is that we shouldn't dismiss the progress we've seemingly made with depth in the secondary. Early days, so it's a projection but depth (to me) looks great, it's just that one CB1 that we are missing that would push everybody down the depth chart into a spot I'm comfortable with. Parsons could well be the catalytic player to change this defense, but I also feel much better about what I've seen from other likely new starters (Neale, Odigi, Watkins) lead by Dan Quinn as DC, compared to Jaylon, LVE, Crawford, and Poe/Woods lead by "Hot Sauce" Nolan.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think Brady will test the secondary early on, while Brady is known to sit and dink and dunk teams to death I think we will see him take some early shots down field to test this secondary. It will be very important for the DE to get to Brady quickly when he uses the 5 to 7 step drop back.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

While we drafted 9 defensive players last year, the Secondary is still concerning. Diggs, Brown, and Lewis are back and that was basically the same secondary as last year.

I do remember a defense that was just ok a few years ago, and by chance Lee got hurt in TC. But a player named Rolondo came in and totally transformed that D. I’m hoping Parsons does the same!

everyone is so high on Diggs. I am not down on him, but I am not ready to annoint him anything...he gave up way too many big plays against better WRs and had good games against worse teams, with bad recievers and bad QBs...he has to show he can go against some of the elite and hold his own.

 

[Aven8]

2020 Defensive Snaps
Slot: Lewis (817 snaps), Worley (261 snaps)
CB1: Brown (534 snaps), Awuzie (452 snaps)
CB2: Diggs (758 snaps), R.Robinson (187 snaps)
FS: Woods (990 snaps), Parker (78 snaps)
SS: Wilson (674 snaps), Thompson (479 snaps)

2021 Depth Chart
Slot: Lewis, Canady
CB1: Diggs, Joseph
CB2: Brown, Wright
FS: Kazee, Hooker, Mukuamu
SS: Wilson, Kearse
(Players in green new)

While I agree the starters are largely the same as you've mentioned and understand the sentiment, I wouldn't go as far as saying it's the same secondary as last year. Safety is largely rebuilt with only Wilson remaining in the five safeties we are carrying. At CB, it's a pretty similar story. I'm expecting, to some extent, more of the same from Brown and Lewis but I do see Diggs improving, and the rest of the CB room are new this season. I think the CB room looks far more competitive with Canady, Joseph, and Wright wolves at the door of Brown and Lewis which couldn't really be said of last season's depth. Worley was atrocious, Awuzie didn't want to play, and that last spot was essentially taken by whoever the camp body of the day was.

I guess my point is that we shouldn't dismiss the progress we've seemingly made with depth in the secondary. Early days, so it's a projection but depth (to me) looks great, it's just that one CB1 that we are missing that would push everybody down the depth chart into a spot I'm comfortable with. Parsons could well be the catalytic player to change this defense, but I also feel much better about what I've seen from other likely new starters (Neale, Odigi, Watkins) lead by Dan Quinn as DC, compared to Jaylon, LVE, Crawford, and Poe/Woods lead by "Hot Sauce" Nolan.

Having the ability to just line up and be in the right defense should help this year a lot. Hopefully the two rooks help as well as Lewis, Diggs, and Brown all missed time last year and I don’t expect an injury free year back there this season.

 

[Aven8]

everyone is so high on Diggs. I am not down on him, but I am not ready to annoint him anything...he gave up way too many big plays against better WRs and had good games against worse teams, with bad recievers and bad QBs...he has to show he can go against some of the elite and hold his own.

Diggs is a #2 corner and we are marking him as a #1. That’s like having your third starting Pitcher as your Ace.

 

[DanA]

I agree with the above three posts.

While Diggs flashed promise last season, he definitely did put up no.1 corner tape so I think we'd all feel more comfortable with a guy like Surtain or Horn added to the DB room. But, that wasn't how the chips fell and we might (fingers cross) have an even more impactful player in Parsons to offset that.

 

[Aven8]

I agree with the above three posts.

While Diggs flashed promise last season, he definitely did put up no.1 corner tape so I think we'd all feel more comfortable with a guy like Surtain or Horn added to the DB room. But, that wasn't how the chips fell and we might (fingers cross) have an even more impactful player in Parsons to offset that.

Having Surtain would have been nice, but than your starters are Jaylon and LVE again. We lucked out with the two corners going early. Parsons is a transforming type player as he can do it all. Hopefully Quinn can maximize that now.

 

[CouchCoach]

While we seem to play a lot of bend don't break defense, the defense last year was broken. That doesn't usually get fixed in one off season, especially on a team where the owner loves him some offensive stars.

8 draft picks and a couple of FA acquisitions is a start.

 

[jazzcat22]

Jaylon will pick off Brady and then what will be said.

 

[Jarntt]

I'm not a huge fan of PFF stats but came across this today. Unfortunately can't argue with it. Hoping for Hooker and Kazee to be our nickel safeties at some point and see if that helps. I knew Brown was bad but 9th percentile coverage grade? yuck.



https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-32-nfl-secondaries-entering-2021-season

31. DALLAS COWBOYS
The Cowboys spent second- and third-round picks on the cornerback position in the 2021 NFL Draft — a clear area of need heading into the season. It’s just hard to say how much value Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright will be able to bring as rookies alongside Trevon Diggs — that is, if they can beat out Anthony Brown (ninth percentile coverage grade in 2020) for the starting job. Diggs did improve as last season progressed, but his 651 receiving yards allowed ranked 21st-most among all cornerbacks despite him playing just 12 games.

Donovan Wilson and Damontae Kazee are the expected safety starters. Dallas will hope Kazee can get back to the form he showed in 2018 as a playmaker in Dan Quinn’s defense (nine combined pass breakups and interceptions).

 

[USArmyVet]

2020 Defensive Snaps
Slot: Lewis (817 snaps), Worley (261 snaps)
CB1: Brown (534 snaps), Awuzie (452 snaps)
CB2: Diggs (758 snaps), R.Robinson (187 snaps)
FS: Woods (990 snaps), Parker (78 snaps)
SS: Wilson (674 snaps), Thompson (479 snaps)

2021 Depth Chart
Slot: Lewis, Canady
CB1: Diggs, Joseph
CB2: Brown, Wright
FS: Kazee, Hooker, Mukuamu
SS: Wilson, Kearse
(Players in green new)

While I agree the starters are largely the same as you've mentioned and understand the sentiment, I wouldn't go as far as saying it's the same secondary as last year. Safety is largely rebuilt with only Wilson remaining in the five safeties we are carrying. At CB, it's a pretty similar story. I'm expecting, to some extent, more of the same from Brown and Lewis but I do see Diggs improving, and the rest of the CB room are new this season. I think the CB room looks far more competitive with Canady, Joseph, and Wright wolves at the door of Brown and Lewis which couldn't really be said of last season's depth. Worley was atrocious, Awuzie didn't want to play, and that last spot was essentially taken by whoever the camp body of the day was.

I guess my point is that we shouldn't dismiss the progress we've seemingly made with depth in the secondary. Early days, so it's a projection but depth (to me) looks great, it's just that one CB1 that we are missing that would push everybody down the depth chart into a spot I'm comfortable with. Parsons could well be the catalytic player to change this defense, but I also feel much better about what I've seen from other likely new starters (Neale, Odigi, Watkins) lead by Dan Quinn as DC, compared to Jaylon, LVE, Crawford, and Poe/Woods lead by "Hot Sauce" Nolan.

The inexperience at CB beyond the 3 starters is concerning for sure.

 

[dsturgeon]

They will most likely be a mid of the pack defense. If the offense is high powered, and scores early and controls the clock, it will make the defense move up. Special teams improved last year, and the field position was better.

 

[Sully]

This franchise just can't find talent in the later rounds. Not since Landry/Johnson/Parcells this team can't find talent, in the draft. Hence, then they over pay for their own players to keep them, then get salary cap tied.

 

[blueblood70]

While we drafted 9 defensive players last year, the Secondary is still concerning. Diggs, Brown, and Lewis are back and that was basically the same secondary as last year.

I do remember a defense that was just ok a few years ago, and by chance Lee got hurt in TC. But a player named Rolondo came in and totally transformed that D. I’m hoping Parsons does the same!

yet that left over secondary did NOT start together most of the year they were all hurt and Diggs didn't get in until late got hurt came back..its not even close to the same..@DanA points out its been rebuilt the defense as whole is 70% different with mostly new coaches and new scheme

so stop trying to hang onto narrative as if no changes were made. The secondary looks a lot better then last year..regardless if 3-4 names are the same..Lewis and brown are the only true old guard retreads and they aren't as bad as many claim..the coaches and scheme will show that with much better Safety support..

DTs are middle of the dl is the only concerning area to me on defense and backups qb on offense. Only if dak gets hurt will that matter

 

[maryquality]

While we drafted 9 defensive players last year, the Secondary is still concerning. Diggs, Brown, and Lewis are back and that was basically the same secondary as last year.

I do remember a defense that was just ok a few years ago, and by chance Lee got hurt in TC. But a player named Rolondo came in and totally transformed that D. I’m hoping Parsons does the same!

I'm more concerned with our DT's. Do you think they'll be ok? I'm hoping they can play decently.

 

[rambo2]

So here we go again, will millions of Cowboys fans filled with sugar plums dancing in their heads. Another season of optimism, where the 21st Century franchise has been nothing but mediocre season after season.

Tom Landry/Jimmy Johnson has really been the only head coaches, that have been able to develop players on the defensive side of the ball. Seems like, the past 25 years, this franchise sets team record in bad defensive stats/records. And season after season, during this output, Dallas always, and I do mean always, is poor at creating turnovers. So when you have a defense franchise that can't create turnover then sprinkle in giving up franchise rushing yrd one season, or passing yrd the next season or even worse points given up.

The swinging door at another Defensive Coordinator gives another year of optimism and I hope with his hands on/intensity gives this defense a vast improvement, but history says, "don't hold your breathe". Can't be worse than last season, can it?
I say NO! But the defense will still be a bottom of the league defense.....once again. Top 10-15 bottom.

The defense actually looks pretty good so far.

 

[blueblood70]

I'm not a huge fan of PFF stats but came across this today. Unfortunately can't argue with it. Hoping for Hooker and Kazee to be our nickel safeties at some point and see if that helps. I knew Brown was bad but 9th percentile coverage grade? yuck.



https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-32-nfl-secondaries-entering-2021-season

31. DALLAS COWBOYS
The Cowboys spent second- and third-round picks on the cornerback position in the 2021 NFL Draft — a clear area of need heading into the season. It’s just hard to say how much value Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright will be able to bring as rookies alongside Trevon Diggs — that is, if they can beat out Anthony Brown (ninth percentile coverage grade in 2020) for the starting job. Diggs did improve as last season progressed, but his 651 receiving yards allowed ranked 21st-most among all cornerbacks despite him playing just 12 games.

Donovan Wilson and Damontae Kazee are the expected safety starters. Dallas will hope Kazee can get back to the form he showed in 2018 as a playmaker in Dan Quinn’s defense (nine combined pass breakups and interceptions).

entering 2021 means nothing i wholeheartedly disagree...how does that ranking mean to 2021? 2020 stats ? lmao

that's a 2020 stat and means NOTHING this season not even at all stats stop at game 16 last year the post season doesn't even get merged with it..let it go..those shows jobs are to acquire dats and write opinions..

useless dats that wont have any effect on this years roster and only will show when we finish 15-16 how much we improved..