The offense can now carry the defense

[Galian Beast]

With the signing of Brian Waters, I can't help but consider the idea that the offense can now carry the defense for the first six games without Ratliff, and with a limited Spencer.

That guard spot was really the last major hole on this offense (still assuming that Leary is who we think he is, and Free has returned to form as he showed in the offseason).

New York
Kansas City
St. Louis
San Diego
Denver
Washington

The funny part is that I genuinely think the defense is going to be ready to go, even without Ratliff and Spencer. I think it'll be a good defense, but I think post week 6, assuming we can stay healthy, we're going to be a great defense.

Combined with what I'm not convinced will be a great offense... I can't help but sense that every facet of our team has been vastly improved.

This is the most excited I've been since 2009.

 

[iceman117]

With the signing of Brian Waters, I can't help but consider the idea that the offense can now carry the defense for the first six games without Ratliff, and with a limited Spencer.

That guard spot was really the last major hole on this offense (still assuming that Leary is who we think he is, and Free has returned to form as he showed in the offseason).

New York
Kansas City
St. Louis
San Diego
Denver
Washington

The funny part is that I genuinely think the defense is going to be ready to go, even without Ratliff and Spencer. I think it'll be a good defense, but I think post week 6, assuming we can stay healthy, we're going to be a great defense.

Combined with what I'm not convinced will be a great offense... I can't help but sense that every facet of our team has been vastly improved.

This is the most excited I've been since 2009.

I agree, but I'm not confident Rat comes back and produces anything because he realy hasn't in 3 years and has't stayed healthy in 2... i think we are going to have to be a great defense without him, but if he did come back to his 2009 form, it would be a nice mid season addition

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think it'll be a good defense, but I think post week 6, assuming we can stay healthy, we're going to be a great defense.

Nail meet hammer. Hang on, it's going to be exciting.

 

[Bay10]

I'm so excited for Cowboys football this year.

 

[CF74]

To me Denver will be our first major challenge, not that I'm not concerned about the gnats but they never scare me...

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I agree, but I'm not confident Rat comes back and produces anything because he realy hasn't in 3 years and has't stayed healthy in 2... i think we are going to have to be a great defense without him, but if he did come back to his 2009 form, it would be a nice mid season addition

I thought Ratliff looked great last season until he went down and he was playing with plantar faciitis.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Does the team have a running game yet?

That would be important.

 

[DuceizBak]

Does the team have a running game yet?

That would be important.

This. I love Murray, but he seems to suffer from Matt Johnson Syndrome.

 

[TheCount]

I think it's already well established that this isn't the case.

Heck, the offense usually starts so darn slow that by the time they pick up steam, the defense is exhausted.

All three groups need to work together, there are no superheroes. We aren't good enough for one unit to carry the other two.

 

[Galian Beast]

I think it's already well established that this isn't the case.

Heck, the offense usually starts so darn slow that by the time they pick up steam, the defense is exhausted.

All three groups need to work together, there are no superheroes. We aren't good enough for one unit to carry the other two.

You're basing this on the past. Where the 4th target available is Kevin Ogletree, Lawrence Vickers, or Martellus Bennett...

You're basing it off of much poorer offensive lines, with no running back depth.

 

[InmanRoshi]

The offense was 11th in the NFL in ANY/A last year.

The defense was 29th in ANY/A allowed.

The best chance for this team to make a drastic improvement from last year is for the defense to go from dogcrap to mediocre, not for the offense to go from good to elite.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think defense will be just fine and will not need to be carried. I think the starting unit is very talented and I think there are some good players as rotation guys.

 

[Doomsday101]

What makes you think they weren't already?

They were 11th in the NFL in ANY/A last year.

The defense was 29th.

The best chance for this team to make a drastic improvement is for the defense to go from dogcrap to mediocre, not for the offense to go from good to elite.

Defense was beat to hell. Church, Lee, Carter and Ware playing with 1 arm? Yeah you take that many key players out of the defense you will have major problems.

 

[Hook'em#11]

Yep, must be the beginning of the season...

I am happy it is back too. Wish the best for the Cowboys. But, signing a 36 yr old O-lineman, who hasn't played since 2011, doesn't get me thinking this offense is going to take off. The Defense will be fine without Rat and Spence. As long as no one else gets injured long term. I am perfectly fine with Hayden in there and Selvie as well.

Without Murray staying healthy and a solid running game, it's going to be another tough year. Hoping for the best.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Defense was beat to hell. Church, Lee, Carter and Ware playing with 1 arm? Yeah you take that many key players out of the defense you will have major problems.

Which really has nothing to do with people lacking a basic understand of what things truly correlate to winning percentage.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I think it's already well established that this isn't the case.

Heck, the offense usually starts so darn slow that by the time they pick up steam, the defense is exhausted.

All three groups need to work together, there are no superheroes. We aren't good enough for one unit to carry the other two.

I'm not sure what you watched but the offense dragged the defense, kicking and screaming, to 8-8 just last year.

 

[Doomsday101]

Which really has nothing to do with people lacking a basic understand of what things truly correlate to winning percentage.

When defense can't stop other teams from scoring almost at will I would say that effects winning percentage.

 

[iceman117]

I thought Ratliff looked great last season until he went down and he was playing with plantar faciitis.

He was hurt and missed a lot of time, right?

 

[nicomachus]

The offense was 11th in the NFL in ANY/A last year.

The defense was 29th in ANY/A allowed.

The best chance for this team to make a drastic improvement from last year is for the defense to go from dogcrap to mediocre, not for the offense to go from good to elite.

Yep. The pass defense has been really bad the last three seasons. It's the biggest reason why Dallas hasn't made the playoffs since 2009. And the improvement this year largely hinges on being healthier and a new coordinator. That's not especially comforting because: (1) the defense wasn't good when relatively healthy last year (go check the NY/A, ANY/A and other numbers if anyone disagrees), and (2) we've already been down the road of new coordinator will dramatically improve the defense without significant personnel changes (i.e. Ryan in 2011).

 

[superpunk]

holy crap people.

The offense HAS been carrying the defense. Since Romo took over. Every year. There have only been two years where the defense came remotely close to pulling it's weight.

The more I see people cry and rejoice about Brian Waters the more I realize noone is paying any attention to what is actually happening out there. OMG Bernadeaux! Good lord.