There is no instant fix

[Bobhaze]

I know we all want this defense to get fixed. After 5 games, it looks historically bad. But I have a bucket of cold water and cup of black coffee for all our fans calling for a miracle tonight. There will be no blockbuster trade or firing of Mike Nolan followed by the hiring of _____ as the new DC, who somehow creates a mid-season miracle to save us.

This team- this defense is going to have to find itself on its own. The cavalry is not coming to the rescue.
In other words, these “miracle cures” and instant fixes aren’t going to happen:

• No blockbuster trade where we give up a backup spare, an injured starter and a 7th round pick for a stud defender off another team. That’s a fan dream, not reality.
• The firing of Mike Nolan followed by a miracle mid-season turnaround from a currently unemployed Defensive coordinator. No DC comes in here in late Oct and rescues a defense through scheme.
• ET getting signed and he personally rides in on a white horse to save the defense. Please- no locker room cancer.

Now even though those things aren’t going to happen, there are a few things that can help that are realistic and perhaps hopeful.

• We get some people back healthy- Sean Lee, LVE, and Awuzie if they can STAY healthy they can help. D-Law has been playing hurt. Maybe his knee gets better and can start playing up to his pay.
  
• Maybe the return of Randy Gregory injects some more pass rush into an anemic rush so far.
• Maybe Mike Nolan realizes his future is on the line and starts dialing up some exotic blitzes that have worked on occasion lately. And maybe he stops rolling out these ridiculously complex coverages and packages for a group of young secondary guys struggling to keep it straight.
• Maybe these guys play with some passion instead of looking like they forgot the call in the huddle.

Bottom line: There will be no cavalry riding in to the rescue. No big trades or signings or firings. In fact remember this: This defense didn’t get this bad overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight.

The real fix starts in the draft and free agency next spring. In the meantime, there are no miracles coming my friends.

 

[Captain-Crash]

don't be surprised if they show a little bit of improvement each week. Going to a new system and no preseason, it will take time. I say in the next couple of weeks we see some improvement.

 

[MoistMayonnaise]

Good post.

 

[DanA]

They are currently at historic bad levels, good is out of the question. The hope is that Lee, LVE, Gregory, and Awuzie can bring them back to average.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I hate to make excuses, but during the telecast last Sunday Tony Romo noted how the defensive players were playing with bad vision. They bite too hard on play action, don't trust what they see, run themselves out of plays, etc..

Ironically, this could be ex- DC Rod Marinelli's strength. His scheme was simpler; so the players spent more time reacting instead of thinking. Mike Nolan had no offseason, no OTA's, no minicamp, and no preseason to install his defense and to learn his personnel. Everything is being done on the fly.

This could be wishful thinking on my part, but the defense should steadily improve as the year wears on. If the Cowboys start playing solid on that side of the ball late in the year, it'll go a long ways towards locking up the NFC (L)East.

 

[ondaedg]

I know we all want this defense to get fixed. After 5 games, it looks historically bad. But I have a bucket of cold water and cup of black coffee for all our fans calling for a miracle tonight. There will be no blockbuster trade or firing of Mike Nolan followed by the hiring of _____ as the new DC, who somehow creates a mid-season miracle to save us.

This team- this defense is going to have to find itself on its own. The cavalry is not coming to the rescue.
In other words, these “miracle cures” and instant fixes aren’t going to happen:

• No blockbuster trade where we give up a backup spare, an injured starter and a 7th round pick for a stud defender off another team. That’s a fan dream, not reality.
• The firing of Mike Nolan followed by a miracle mid-season turnaround from a currently unemployed Defensive coordinator. No DC comes in here in late Oct and rescues a defense through scheme.
• ET getting signed and he personally rides in on a white horse to save the defense. Please- no locker room cancer.

Now even though those things aren’t going to happen, there are a few things that can help that are realistic and perhaps hopeful.

• We get some people back healthy- Sean Lee, LVE, and Awuzie if they can STAY healthy they can help. D-Law has been playing hurt. Maybe his knee gets better and can start playing up to his pay.
  
• Maybe the return of Randy Gregory injects some more pass rush into an anemic rush so far.
• Maybe Mike Nolan realizes his future is on the line and starts dialing up some exotic blitzes that have worked on occasion lately. And maybe he stops rolling out these ridiculously complex coverages and packages for a group of young secondary guys struggling to keep it straight.
• Maybe these guys play with some passion instead of looking like they forgot the call in the huddle.

Bottom line: There will be no cavalry riding in to the rescue. No big trades or signings or firings. In fact remember this: This defense didn’t get this bad overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight.

The real fix starts in the draft and free agency next spring. In the meantime, there are no miracles coming my friends.

Glad you brought this up because a lot of zoners are forgetting that the majority of these guys were drafted to play in Marinelli’s scheme which is very different from what Nolan uses. Marinelli liked guys who could fire through gaps to cause disruption which means an emphasis was placed on initial burst and not stoutness. It is going to take a few drafts before we start to see the dividends of a new defense.

 

[Kingofholland]

I know we all want this defense to get fixed. After 5 games, it looks historically bad. But I have a bucket of cold water and cup of black coffee for all our fans calling for a miracle tonight. There will be no blockbuster trade or firing of Mike Nolan followed by the hiring of _____ as the new DC, who somehow creates a mid-season miracle to save us.

This team- this defense is going to have to find itself on its own. The cavalry is not coming to the rescue.
In other words, these “miracle cures” and instant fixes aren’t going to happen:

• No blockbuster trade where we give up a backup spare, an injured starter and a 7th round pick for a stud defender off another team. That’s a fan dream, not reality.
• The firing of Mike Nolan followed by a miracle mid-season turnaround from a currently unemployed Defensive coordinator. No DC comes in here in late Oct and rescues a defense through scheme.
• ET getting signed and he personally rides in on a white horse to save the defense. Please- no locker room cancer.

Now even though those things aren’t going to happen, there are a few things that can help that are realistic and perhaps hopeful.

• We get some people back healthy- Sean Lee, LVE, and Awuzie if they can STAY healthy they can help. D-Law has been playing hurt. Maybe his knee gets better and can start playing up to his pay.
  
• Maybe the return of Randy Gregory injects some more pass rush into an anemic rush so far.
• Maybe Mike Nolan realizes his future is on the line and starts dialing up some exotic blitzes that have worked on occasion lately. And maybe he stops rolling out these ridiculously complex coverages and packages for a group of young secondary guys struggling to keep it straight.
• Maybe these guys play with some passion instead of looking like they forgot the call in the huddle.

Bottom line: There will be no cavalry riding in to the rescue. No big trades or signings or firings. In fact remember this: This defense didn’t get this bad overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight.

The real fix starts in the draft and free agency next spring. In the meantime, there are no miracles coming my friends.

You're right there's no instant fix to turn this into a good defense this season. However, I would suspect they can improve with more time in the system, some returning players, and fixing some communication issues. Hopefully they can improve into a serviceable defense by the 2nd half.

 

[Jake]

I know we all want this defense to get fixed. After 5 games, it looks historically bad. But I have a bucket of cold water and cup of black coffee for all our fans calling for a miracle tonight. There will be no blockbuster trade or firing of Mike Nolan followed by the hiring of _____ as the new DC, who somehow creates a mid-season miracle to save us.

This team- this defense is going to have to find itself on its own. The cavalry is not coming to the rescue.
In other words, these “miracle cures” and instant fixes aren’t going to happen:

• No blockbuster trade where we give up a backup spare, an injured starter and a 7th round pick for a stud defender off another team. That’s a fan dream, not reality.
• The firing of Mike Nolan followed by a miracle mid-season turnaround from a currently unemployed Defensive coordinator. No DC comes in here in late Oct and rescues a defense through scheme.
• ET getting signed and he personally rides in on a white horse to save the defense. Please- no locker room cancer.

Now even though those things aren’t going to happen, there are a few things that can help that are realistic and perhaps hopeful.

• We get some people back healthy- Sean Lee, LVE, and Awuzie if they can STAY healthy they can help. D-Law has been playing hurt. Maybe his knee gets better and can start playing up to his pay.
  
• Maybe the return of Randy Gregory injects some more pass rush into an anemic rush so far.
• Maybe Mike Nolan realizes his future is on the line and starts dialing up some exotic blitzes that have worked on occasion lately. And maybe he stops rolling out these ridiculously complex coverages and packages for a group of young secondary guys struggling to keep it straight.
• Maybe these guys play with some passion instead of looking like they forgot the call in the huddle.

Bottom line: There will be no cavalry riding in to the rescue. No big trades or signings or firings. In fact remember this: This defense didn’t get this bad overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight.

The real fix starts in the draft and free agency next spring. In the meantime, there are no miracles coming my friends.

Kind of an instant fix:

JONES SELLS COWBOYS TO CUBAN FOR RECORD PRICE!

 

[Bobhaze]

Kind of an instant fix:

JONES SELLS COWBOYS TO CUBAN FOR RECORD PRICE!

Now THAT is an instant fix I’m down with!

 

[Praxit]

..but, but, I want my 6th ring.

 

[Bobhaze]

..but, but, I want my 6th ring.

Prax, you know what Jerry’s message is always going to be to us fans: “Patience”.

 

[Whyjerry]

Kind of an instant fix:

JONES SELLS COWBOYS TO CUBAN FOR RECORD PRICE!

To Mark Cuban? No. Frigging. Way.

 

[bewp7]

still should fire mike nolan. after hearing romo call out so many simple mis cokmunication against the giants + how terrible the d have been idk how he can stay when u have a experience guy like george edwards around. u do not need pro bowlers at every positon on d to be good...u need good cowching and nolan is the oppsite. cowboys have nothing to lose by replacing nolan with edwards nothing st all the upside they save their season. no brainer if u ask me!

 

[buybuydandavis]

I know we all want this defense to get fixed. After 5 games, it looks historically bad. But I have a bucket of cold water and cup of black coffee for all our fans calling for a miracle tonight. There will be no blockbuster trade or firing of Mike Nolan followed by the hiring of _____ as the new DC, who somehow creates a mid-season miracle to save us.

This team- this defense is going to have to find itself on its own. The cavalry is not coming to the rescue.
In other words, these “miracle cures” and instant fixes aren’t going to happen:

• No blockbuster trade where we give up a backup spare, an injured starter and a 7th round pick for a stud defender off another team. That’s a fan dream, not reality.
• The firing of Mike Nolan followed by a miracle mid-season turnaround from a currently unemployed Defensive coordinator. No DC comes in here in late Oct and rescues a defense through scheme.
• ET getting signed and he personally rides in on a white horse to save the defense. Please- no locker room cancer.

Now even though those things aren’t going to happen, there are a few things that can help that are realistic and perhaps hopeful.

• We get some people back healthy- Sean Lee, LVE, and Awuzie if they can STAY healthy they can help. D-Law has been playing hurt. Maybe his knee gets better and can start playing up to his pay.
  
• Maybe the return of Randy Gregory injects some more pass rush into an anemic rush so far.
• Maybe Mike Nolan realizes his future is on the line and starts dialing up some exotic blitzes that have worked on occasion lately. And maybe he stops rolling out these ridiculously complex coverages and packages for a group of young secondary guys struggling to keep it straight.
• Maybe these guys play with some passion instead of looking like they forgot the call in the huddle.

Bottom line: There will be no cavalry riding in to the rescue. No big trades or signings or firings. In fact remember this: This defense didn’t get this bad overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight.

The real fix starts in the draft and free agency next spring. In the meantime, there are no miracles coming my friends.

Nothing at DT, particularly for pass rush. Only one starting quality S.

And unlike LB, DE, or CB, there's no cavalry coming. Nada. We're at the peak for DT and S, and likely get worse through an injury or two from here on out.

 

[Bobhaze]

Nothing at DT, particularly for pass rush. Only one starting quality S.

And unlike LB, DE, or CB, there's no cavalry coming. Nada. We're at the peak for DT and S, and likely get worse through an injury or two from here on out.

The best talent help for us is probably on a college campus right now.

 

[ESisback]

I know we all want this defense to get fixed. After 5 games, it looks historically bad. But I have a bucket of cold water and cup of black coffee for all our fans calling for a miracle tonight. There will be no blockbuster trade or firing of Mike Nolan followed by the hiring of _____ as the new DC, who somehow creates a mid-season miracle to save us.

This team- this defense is going to have to find itself on its own. The cavalry is not coming to the rescue.
In other words, these “miracle cures” and instant fixes aren’t going to happen:

• No blockbuster trade where we give up a backup spare, an injured starter and a 7th round pick for a stud defender off another team. That’s a fan dream, not reality.
• The firing of Mike Nolan followed by a miracle mid-season turnaround from a currently unemployed Defensive coordinator. No DC comes in here in late Oct and rescues a defense through scheme.
• ET getting signed and he personally rides in on a white horse to save the defense. Please- no locker room cancer.

Now even though those things aren’t going to happen, there are a few things that can help that are realistic and perhaps hopeful.

• We get some people back healthy- Sean Lee, LVE, and Awuzie if they can STAY healthy they can help. D-Law has been playing hurt. Maybe his knee gets better and can start playing up to his pay.
  
• Maybe the return of Randy Gregory injects some more pass rush into an anemic rush so far.
• Maybe Mike Nolan realizes his future is on the line and starts dialing up some exotic blitzes that have worked on occasion lately. And maybe he stops rolling out these ridiculously complex coverages and packages for a group of young secondary guys struggling to keep it straight.
• Maybe these guys play with some passion instead of looking like they forgot the call in the huddle.

Bottom line: There will be no cavalry riding in to the rescue. No big trades or signings or firings. In fact remember this: This defense didn’t get this bad overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight.

The real fix starts in the draft and free agency next spring. In the meantime, there are no miracles coming my friends.

I certainly agree, BUT if we get everyone back, and Nolan takes some chances, we COULD go from 28-30 to below 25, which would certainly help!

 

[Risen Star]

I disagree with Robert. I think Andy Dalton fixes this team and we're about to find that out on Monday night.

 

[kskboys]

I disagree with Robert. I think Andy Dalton fixes this team and we're about to find that out on Monday night.

Man, I'm not sure, but I think it's possible. Ball control O is what we need.

 

[Pantone282C]

I know we all want this defense to get fixed. After 5 games, it looks historically bad. But I have a bucket of cold water and cup of black coffee for all our fans calling for a miracle tonight. There will be no blockbuster trade or firing of Mike Nolan followed by the hiring of _____ as the new DC, who somehow creates a mid-season miracle to save us.

This team- this defense is going to have to find itself on its own. The cavalry is not coming to the rescue.
In other words, these “miracle cures” and instant fixes aren’t going to happen:

• No blockbuster trade where we give up a backup spare, an injured starter and a 7th round pick for a stud defender off another team. That’s a fan dream, not reality.
• The firing of Mike Nolan followed by a miracle mid-season turnaround from a currently unemployed Defensive coordinator. No DC comes in here in late Oct and rescues a defense through scheme.
• ET getting signed and he personally rides in on a white horse to save the defense. Please- no locker room cancer.

Now even though those things aren’t going to happen, there are a few things that can help that are realistic and perhaps hopeful.

• We get some people back healthy- Sean Lee, LVE, and Awuzie if they can STAY healthy they can help. D-Law has been playing hurt. Maybe his knee gets better and can start playing up to his pay.
  
• Maybe the return of Randy Gregory injects some more pass rush into an anemic rush so far.
• Maybe Mike Nolan realizes his future is on the line and starts dialing up some exotic blitzes that have worked on occasion lately. And maybe he stops rolling out these ridiculously complex coverages and packages for a group of young secondary guys struggling to keep it straight.
• Maybe these guys play with some passion instead of looking like they forgot the call in the huddle.

Bottom line: There will be no cavalry riding in to the rescue. No big trades or signings or firings. In fact remember this: This defense didn’t get this bad overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight.

The real fix starts in the draft and free agency next spring. In the meantime, there are no miracles coming my friends.

Yup, this is the truth. Just gotta roll with it. Jerry taking a dirt nap next week won't do it either.

 

[Dreski]

If Randy comes and balls out, all our defense has to do is retire for a couple years and come back.It’s that’s easy

On a serious note, we don’t have a first round pick invested on our defense(with LVE on IR) that’s kinda sad