The importance of good defense

[gimmesix]

Thanks to floodwaters, I've spent the day inside the house watching two Cowboys Super Bowl games (1992 and 1977). Well, actually I'm in the middle of the 1977 games.

And what I've noticed is that you've just got to have good defense no matter who good your quarterback (Aikman, Staubach) are running back (Smith, Dorsett) are. In both games, the offenses got off to rough starts, but the defense was wreaking havoc on the Bills' and Broncos' offense. In the 1992 game, the defense ended up getting eight turnovers and scoring twice. So far in the 1977 game, Doomsday has harassed, sacked or hit Craig Morton and forced two interceptions. While the Orange Crush has also been able to get to Staubach, those turnovers have helped Dallas get out to a 10-0 lead.

We want as good of a quarterback as we can get. Same with the running back. But if we continue to neglect the defense, we won't be seeing any of these Super Bowls any time soon. It's so fun watching front sevens that just dominate.

 

[kskboys]

Absolutely. And a good D starts w/ great DTs. Every time. No exeptions. Can you get this memo to Jerry?

 

[Coogiguy03]

Absolutely. And a good D starts w/ great DTs. Every time. No exeptions. Can you get this memo to Jerry?

Yeah the memo was going to Michigan and investing a 1st round pick, which is something we haven't done in years! So there won't be much change "we spent a lot of resources" in Mazi and the recent signing of Osa, Jerry is about tapped out of what to do next!!! I guess he figures seeing his D get run all over makes him happy that all the fantasy football leaders are winning their leagues!!

 

[kskboys]

Yeah the memo was going to Michigan and investing a 1st round pick, which is something we haven't done in years! So there won't be much change "we spent a lot of resources" in Mazi and the recent signing of Osa, Jerry is about tapped out of what to do next!!! I guess he figures seeing his D get run all over makes him happy that all the fantasy football leaders are winning their leagues!!

Mazi was a bad pick because of his skillset.

Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are both top DTs in this draft and they have all the skills to be great DTs.

It just doesn't follow that because a failed player came from a school that other players at that position from that school are also bad. Unless you're saying the MICH only signs DTs that won't be good in the NFL, I guess.

 

[gimmesix]

Absolutely. And a good D starts w/ great DTs. Every time. No exeptions. Can you get this memo to Jerry?

It's been an absolute blast watching the Manster causing chaos once again. Outside of a few plays, Staubach didn't really do much in this one, but the defense just absolutely dominated.

I know that's harder to do now, but it's still teams with top defenses that succeed more often than not.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Mazi was a bad pick because of his skillset.

Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are both top DTs in this draft and they have all the skills to be great DTs.

It just doesn't follow that because a failed player came from a school that other players at that position from that school are also bad. Unless you're saying the MICH only signs DTs that won't be good in the NFL, I guess.

Yeah I don't believe the stigma placed on them is fair either, it's pretty closed minded to say they will all be like Mazi that's not fair to those guys, if it's anyone's fault it's ours for not evaluating him properly

 

[Hawkeye0202]

No question ......... if you can't stop or at least limit a top offense, you have little to no chance of winning. It's why Belichick says the two most important NFL stats are scoring and turnovers. The rest are secondary. It's no coincidence the Eagles D won the Super Bowl by limiting, exposing or shutting down the Chiefs' offense. It's also why with the best DC in the league, they will be SB contenders for the next few years.

 

[big dog cowboy]

We want as good of a quarterback as we can get. Same with the running back. But if we continue to neglect the defense, we won't be seeing any of these Super Bowls any time soon. It's so fun watching front sevens that just dominate.

Defense still wins championships. Just watch the super bowl from a few weeks ago.

 

[maryquality]

Trent Dilfer agrees!!

 

[nate dizzle]

No question ......... if you can't stop or at least limit a top offense, you have little to no chance of winning. It's why Belichick says the two most important NFL stats are scoring and turnovers. The rest are secondary. It's no coincidence the Eagles D won the Super Bowl by limiting, exposing or shutting down the Chiefs' offense. It's also why with the best DC in the league, they will be SB contenders for the next few years.

2021, 2022, 2023 all top 10 scoring defenses

2021, 2022 number 1 in turnovers.

 

[fivetwos]

Thanks to floodwaters, I've spent the day inside the house watching two Cowboys Super Bowl games (1992 and 1977). Well, actually I'm in the middle of the 1977 games.

And what I've noticed is that you've just got to have good defense no matter who good your quarterback (Aikman, Staubach) are running back (Smith, Dorsett) are. In both games, the offenses got off to rough starts, but the defense was wreaking havoc on the Bills' and Broncos' offense. In the 1992 game, the defense ended up getting eight turnovers and scoring twice. So far in the 1977 game, Doomsday has harassed, sacked or hit Craig Morton and forced two interceptions. While the Orange Crush has also been able to get to Staubach, those turnovers have helped Dallas get out to a 10-0 lead.

We want as good of a quarterback as we can get. Same with the running back. But if we continue to neglect the defense, we won't be seeing any of these Super Bowls any time soon. It's so fun watching front sevens that just dominate.

Interesting you mention 77. I saw that game again a couple of months ago, which I hadn’t seen since being an eight year old…highlights aside.

Couple things stood out….

-I dont know how you don’t give Randy Hughes the MVP with the int and fumble recovery. Not that it was great performance, and was off the bench, but the heroics were spread around so much in that game, he seemed like the top performer IMO. Not taking anything away from White/Martin but how exactly was that decision arrived at? The whole DL was outstanding.

-Dallas didn’t dominate that game the way the scoreboard would show, or how I remembered it. Dallas was perceived as a heavy favorite going in, but it didn’t seem as if it was fully out of reach for some time.

-The Craig Morton thing, which I didn’t know or care about as a kid, was interesting….especially with White getting the MVP.

-Those days are SO over it’s a really bad joke.

 

[gtb1943]

Interesting you mention 77. I saw that game again a couple of months ago, which I hadn’t seen since being an eight year old…highlights aside.

Couple things stood out….

-I dont know how you don’t give Randy Hughes the MVP with the int and fumble recovery. Not that it was great performance, and was off the bench, but the heroics were spread around so much in that game, he seemed like the top performer IMO. Not taking anything away from White/Martin but how exactly was that decision arrived at? The whole DL was outstanding.

-Dallas didn’t dominate that game the way the scoreboard would show, or how I remembered it. Dallas was perceived as a heavy favorite going in, but it didn’t seem as if it was fully out of reach for some time.

-The Craig Morton thing, which I didn’t know or care about as a kid, was interesting….especially with White getting the MVP.

-Those days are SO over it’s a really bad joke.

They shared the MVP Martin and White

that game was a little strange: Roger got sacked more than Morton

The O really had a few big plays and that was it

The D was great but not overwhelming. I remember watching that game and felt very confident; but was annoyed the Boys were not just wiping the floor with the Broncos

 

[JayFord]

It's the reason the chiefs have gone to the last 2 super bowls

Their offense low-key has been suspect

The cowboys however idk what gets us to a SB, we've had good offense and good defense and can't get past the divisional round

 

[fivetwos]

They shared the MVP Martin and White

that game was a little strange: Roger got sacked more than Morton

The O really had a few big plays and that was it

The D was great but not overwhelming. I remember watching that game and felt very confident; but was annoyed the Boys were not just wiping the floor with the Broncos

Yep. I’m sure we will gain some perspective from those who saw the game as a kids and those as an adult.

Point of my post was that the game felt like a blowout watching it as a kid, has been generally perceived that way since, but really didn’t feel like it when I saw it a few months ago.

Edit….let me add this….that feeling is probably about the NFL being so different now and I’ve grown used to it. A ten point lead in the third quarter is worth a lot less these days than it was in 1977.

 

[BoyzBlaster]

Mazi was a bad pick because of his skillset.

Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are both top DTs in this draft and they have all the skills to be great DTs.

It just doesn't follow that because a failed player came from a school that other players at that position from that school are also bad. Unless you're saying the MICH only signs DTs that won't be good in the NFL, I guess.

This is so true. Mazi wasn't very good in college. Graham is a totally different animal. Grant also but I am slightly less sold on him.

 

[Flamma]

Absolutely. And a good D starts w/ great DTs. Every time. No exeptions. Can you get this memo to Jerry?

The problem is acquiring great DTs. Dallas hardly ever picks in the top 10. They refuse to move up into the top 10, and really good DTs are too rich for them to pick up in FA. How do we get great DTs?

 

[fivetwos]

They should be a little more liberal with the MVP voting with regard to defensive players.

Carter and friends were why Philly won last year, but offensive stats prevail.

The Giants beat the undefeated Pats with their DL, Manning gets the MVP.

Tampa DL is all over Mahomes all day. MVP=Brady.

Yeah Von Miller won it, but you know they would have loved to give it to Peyton, but that would have looked even worse.

 

[Flamma]

It's been an absolute blast watching the Manster causing chaos once again. Outside of a few plays, Staubach didn't really do much in this one, but the defense just absolutely dominated.

I know that's harder to do now, but it's still teams with top defenses that succeed more often than not.

Remember how the Bucs interior DLine gave Mahomes fits in that super bowl? That's the main reason the Bucs dominated.

That 1977 SB. At some point it gets comical. The Broncos start turning the ball over every time they touch the ball. On one play, Morton gets drilled by someone and the commentator says something to the effect.....Morton just got married, that isn't even fair.

 

[fivetwos]

The problem is acquiring great DTs. Dallas hardly ever picks in the top 10. They refuse to move up into the top 10, and really good DTs are too rich for them to pick up in FA. How do we get great DTs?

I think you’d have a tough time convincing either of the Jones pair to take a DT top 10 anyway. They don’t respect the position. It’s played on rotation so they don’t want to spend on it.

They’ve tried everything….(low picks, high picks, mid picks, cheap free agents, UDFA, older dudes)….except spend for a proven mid to higher end free agent.

I PROMISE they consider the position well invested in and not an issue due to Osa contract and the first round investment in Mazi. Nevermind facts and what’s in front of your eyes, they expect an ROI. That’s not at all how it works but that’s what they are used to getting in life, and they run the team that way.

 

[stilltheguru]

2021, 2022, 2023 all top 10 scoring defenses

2021, 2022 number 1 in turnovers.

And in December and January against good offenses the turnovers dissapeared. Why do you think that is?