This Defense

[Roadtrip635]

Lee is what he is, he's great when healthy, but health is always an issue. I just don't want this defense to fall apart when, not if, he misses time.

 

[exciter]

And only a few weeks ago I've been hearing about how LVE was a wasted pick and/or he can't contribute right away

No %$#/, you noticed that too...don't think you could go through another season with the defense completely falling apart when Lee goes out!

 

[reddyuta]

Lee had a tweaked hammy but after he went out you notice LVE was the one who didnt go with Ingram for 7..lets not kick dirt on Lee when he went out the giants started scoring..hmm

That was Heaths guy, no way can a LB keep up with Engram.

 

[J12B]

That was Heaths guy, no way can a LB keep up with Engram.

That was a really bad mis coverage on Engrams td. Heath was thinking Eli was going underneath and lost track of Engram

 

[Zman5]

That was Heaths guy, no way can a LB keep up with Engram.

Jaylon was on OBJ on one play and was covering him well.

 

[Zman5]

Lee wasn't injured. He had cramps and his hamstring was tightening up. He was out there on the second on side kick.

 

[T-RO]

Feels odd saying it's a strength at all.

Still really early, but it's an impressive start for the defense.

In a thread about a month ago I talked how the defense had played well in the last third of the 2017 season. Most everyone here was quite skeptical about that, despite the numbers.

Clearly they’ve gone another step in the right direction.

 

[CowboysDrew]

I've been a Cowboys fan my whole life. Born and raised in Dallas/Ennis.


My wife not so much, she's an Alabamian.

Tonight I said, "This is the Dallas Defense I remembered when I was a kid:"

She agreed. The Boys have a D now.

 

[beware_d-ware]

I wouldn't go out replacing Lee yet. The play we've seen from him from two weeks is concerning, but he's not washed yet and he does a lot pre-snap to quarterback this defense and get them on the right page. It's like what happened with Dak when he didn't have Mark Sanchez and Tony Romo around to help him figure out schemes - you don't know what you've got until it's gone.

But LVE played well - really well for a rookie who just missed the whole offseason.

What I think happens, assuming LVE is the real deal, is we'll start shuttling him in on drives where either Jaylon or Lee need a breather. I don't think he will replace either outright, but after he put up about 7 tackles in a quarter of action and routinely stoned the ultra-elusive Barkley, he's not going to be riding the bench either.

 

[DanA]

I wouldn't go out replacing Lee yet. The play we've seen from him from two weeks is concerning, but he's not washed yet and he does a lot pre-snap to quarterback this defense and get them on the right page. It's like what happened with Dak when he didn't have Mark Sanchez and Tony Romo around to help him figure out schemes - you don't know what you've got until it's gone.

But LVE played well - really well for a rookie who just missed the whole offseason.

What I think happens, assuming LVE is the real deal, is we'll start shuttling him in on drives where either Jaylon or Lee need a breather. I don't think he will replace either outright, but after he put up about 7 tackles in a quarter of action and routinely stoned the ultra-elusive Barkley, he's not going to be riding the bench either.

Lee is on elite money and needs to be elite. We’ve got the season to see how he goes and maybe it’s just a slow start due to lack of reps in offseason. But he’s got to earn his pay check as he has done every other year.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Which team do we play on our schedule is the "real" test for our D?

It keeps changing.. Just looking for a possible consensus. Someone should make a poll (That knows how to). I don't

• I think the Bucs,Falcons, and saints have pretty decent offenses that should test us. The Bucs are legit with Fitzpatrick so far this year.
• Not to sure about the hawks yet, if they beat the bears Monday night, then they might be tough
• Texans. Giants, and jaguars are pretty rank offensively. The jags have been scoring ok as of late, but I’m still not a believer in bottles

 

[lukin2006]

I wish we had kept Hitchens and released Lee.

And now he is supposed to have a groin injury.

This very well could be his last season as a Dallas Cowboy.

Who is suppose to have groin surgery....

 

[Chrispierce]

I know one thing...that’s the first time in a long time Dallas stuffed the run AND harassed Eli.

 

[buybuydandavis]

No. It was supposed to be either Jaylon Smith or Heath. Not LVE.

Looked to me like Jaylon made more sense to take that, but you never know what the assignments were.

And zone coverage was probably Jaylon's biggest weakness last year. I love him in man coverage, but his zone has been spotty.

 

[Chrispierce]

Surprised the Giants seem to be this bad. They have two of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the NFL.

It’s their line. It leaves gaps open,plus our front was rushing hard in waves,and stretching out the edges on runs. We had guys flying all over. Good stuff.

 

[beware_d-ware]

Lee is on elite money and needs to be elite. We’ve got the season to see how he goes and maybe it’s just a slow start due to lack of reps in offseason. But he’s got to earn his pay check as he has done every other year.

Yeah, I was thinking of that more in terms of 2018 than as a long-term strategy. Our outlook on this team will look very different by Christmas than it is now - it always does - and then we'll see where our LBs stand. But as of now, I think LVE's Q4 last night just forced him into some playing time.

 

[plasticman]

Defense still very young and inexperienced. They will get better as the season progresses. Now throw in Irvin and Gregory,who was injured. There is also Zavier Woods, an additional safety. It was coming considerring their investment on defense through the draft, 3 of the last 4 1st rounders,3 of the last 4 2nd rounders.

 

[32BellyOption]

Surprised the Giants seem to be this bad. They have two of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the NFL.

They also have one of the worst offensive lines.

 

[Seth5545]

I think Sean Lee is getting replaced by sure tackler Leighton Vander Esch.

Lee for Earl Thomas? Who says no!

 

[Bullflop]

Lee is what he is, he's great when healthy, but health is always an issue. I just don't want this defense to fall apart when, not if, he misses time.

At least we've got a player in Von Esch to fill in capably for Lee when he's hurt or dinged.

They can be open to using Leighton liberally whenever Lee shows signs of being limited.