Wade's defense is CLOSE.......

[flashback]

The defense is a long way from dominant, IMO. They're a high-risk/high-reward defense, and as long as the offense puts up 30+ ppg, they'll be fine. They're very good at stopping the run, and pressuring the QB. I think when Henry and Newman are both at 100%, they'll be even better. But other than the Jets, they haven't actually flirted with a shutout this year, have they?

Now that I think of it, they gave up 1 score to the Bills, the Vikings and the Jets. Which is pretty good. But I don't think they're at that 92 Cowboys level.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The Cowboys defense of the early 90s was good, but not one of the league greats. People really exaggerate them looking back with rose-colored glasses.

A lot of our defensive success had to do with our offense going on long, time-consuming drives. The running game just pounded people into submission.

But, we never had two 10+ sack guys. Kevin Smith and Larry Brown would not start for our current team, esp after Smith's injury. And they were not huge turnover machines. Woody was good, above average, but again not a dominant player. We had two dominant players on D -- Haley and Deion, and we didn't have Deion for most of that run.

Our D was good, but it didn't scare people. And it shouldn't have. The D we have now is not quite as good, but it scares people more.

Well said.

The early 90's defenses were good, very good.

But they weren't close to being as talented or as effective as several of the 1970's defenses.

 

[Oh_Canada]

It's too bad the Jags look like a lock for the playoffs....wonder if they would have let Glenn go on waivers in the hopes he would be picked up by a contender for one last run?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Actually Kevin Burnett is Ayodele's backup and he spends a lot of time on the field in various packages. Gotta wonder if he soon replaces Ayodele as the starter or whether he's too vablue in our packages to start.

I think if both players are here next year Burnett starts.

I do think we need use a high draft pick on a CB who can make an impact in his rookie season when Henry or Newman got injuried. It will happen and I don't want to rely on Reeves & Jones again.

I think as Norsey would say, "Book it".


I wouldn't be shocked if we drafted a 1st day and 2nd day corner.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It's too bad the Jags look like a lock for the playoffs....wonder if they would have let Glenn go on waivers in the hopes he would be picked up by a contender for one last run?

We'd never bring him back.

 

[Hoofbite]

Doesn't mean anything?

So if we win it all this year, does Carpenter get a ring?

Are you just trying to play dumb or do you really not understand?

 

[khiladi]

Our third down defense needs to step-up...

 

[sbark]

quote: we were SPOILED ROTTEN by that defense in the 90's: Haley, Tolbert, Maryland, Norton, Edwards, Smith, WOODY.........God they were fun to watch. But I have to realize that defenses like that only come along once every 20-30 years, if that.

Dont forget Leon......big cat,

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I like the idea of picking up a quality CB in the middle rounds of the draft this year. Someone to give Reeves a run for his money.

No such thing in the middle rounds. A corner, like any player, is pretty much a crap shoot after round 3.

I think by the end of round 2 we'll have a CB.

 

[Pukindog]

Kevin Smith and Larry Brown would not start for our current team, esp after Smith's injury.

While I think Henry is a good corner what makes you think pre-injury Kevin Smith couldn't beat out Henry for the starting job?

 

[Biggems]

The defense is a long way from dominant, IMO. They're a high-risk/high-reward defense, and as long as the offense puts up 30+ ppg, they'll be fine. They're very good at stopping the run, and pressuring the QB. I think when Henry and Newman are both at 100%, they'll be even better. But other than the Jets, they haven't actually flirted with a shutout this year, have they?

Now that I think of it, they gave up 1 score to the Bills, the Vikings and the Jets. Which is pretty good. But I don't think they're at that 92 Cowboys level.

the defense shut out the Rams.....the lone Rams score came on a KR

they gave up only a FG to the Bills....all 3 Bills TDs came against Tony Romo and our STs

they gave up only 1 TD against the Vikings....the Vikings scored a TD on that Crayton fumble.


Also, our defense has scored at least 3 TDs this year.....2 ints and 1 Fumble return

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I hate it when people play all the "we shoulda taken so-and-so" games with past drafts, and I normally don't like taking people with checkered pasts, but I have to admit to wondering where we'd be if we'd sat tight and taken Eric Wright in the second. He's very talented and by the end of the year could have really helped us in the secondary.

 

[Kilyin]

Are you just trying to play dumb or do you really not understand?

I understand that football is a team sport and the draft is a crapshoot. This could still be a championship team, even with a first round special teams linebacker.

11 and 1.

 

[Hoofbite]

I understand that football is a team sport and the draft is a crapshoot. This could still be a championship team, even with a first round special teams linebacker.

11 and 1.

When I gave you the example of Carpenter, I was giving the example that Bobby doesn't do anything and you can't justify the need to upgrade a position based on them simply playing on the team. Your reasoning for not needing to spend a pick on a CB is that those other guys are on an 11-1 team. Sorry to inform you but dallas isn't 11-1 because of them. they are simply role players, not playmakers.

 

[AsthmaField]

The early / mid 90's defenses are overblown in people's memories, I think. They were very good, but not great, by any stretch. They weren't even very good until Charles Haley was added. He got to the QB, no matter what, and he put us over the top. That unit wasn't dominating like the 2000 Ravens, the steelers 70's defenses, the 85 Bears, or the 70's Doomsday defenses.

They were very solid and played good football... but that was about it. The offense just beat people up and ate up so much time of possession that it truly made it easy for those defenses.

This group is very solid too. I do think Ayodele is a weak link but with Burnett getting so much playing time... Ayodele's *lack* of impact is negated in most instances.

As far as Burnett starting for Ayodele... I don't think that will happen either. At least not this year. I see Ayodele as being just as good against the run as Burnett would be, and rotating them both keeps them fresh and the chances of Kevin getting hurt, lower.

Those 90's defenses didn't have 3 pass rushers like Ware, Ellis and Spencer and I think this DL is just as deep with Ratliff, Tank, Spears, Canty, Hatcher and Bowen (who is better than many think). That is one heck of a rotation and almost no dropoff from starter to backup. Add Fergy in there for next year and we're set.

Now that we're rotating Roy a little bit... I love the situation at safety, too. He's a monster against the run and is fresher because he's getting a little rest. In critical passing down, we have others in the game and it is just a good situation. Very nice move by the staff and just one of the reasons this defense is getting better and better as well as more diverse, each game.

I really like this defenses chances of peaking going into the playoffs and I think they'll be even better next year, even without any additions... which we know we'll have a few of.

 

[skinsscalper]

We need one young CB to bring in who can start in a year or so. Reeves and Jones are not starting material. At least not on a D of a championship team. Other then that we are set. Our LBs are as good as you can get without high picks or big FA money. Our line is fine.

The same was said of a guy named Larry Brown. Maybe you've heard of him? Started 3 Super Bowl games and (right or wrong) was named Super Bowl MVP. To quote Parcells, "You can't have steak on every plate". Brown was no shut down corner by ANY means, but he did his job well enough to hold his own on 3 SB teams and the #1 defense in the league at one point.

Reeves has been very serviceable during stretches when one of our starting two CB have been down. He hasn't given up a ton of TDs (with the exception of his first game of the year) and hasn't cost us a game yet. I, for one, hope he's re-signed pronto after the season ends.

SS

 

[Kilyin]

When I gave you the example of Carpenter, I was giving the example that Bobby doesn't do anything and you can't justify the need to upgrade a position based on them simply playing on the team. Your reasoning for not needing to spend a pick on a CB is that those other guys are on an 11-1 team. Sorry to inform you but dallas isn't 11-1 because of them. they are simply role players, not playmakers.

If Carpenter doesn't do anything why have two NFL coaches kept him on the roster? I never said anything about drafting a corner, or upgrading a position. It seems it's you that doesn't get it.

It is what it is. This team is where they are because of the players that make up the team. The Dallas Cowboys have and will succeed or fail with Bobby Carpenter. Right now, they've done something no other Cowboys team has done.

 

[sk0aL]

This defense is great against the run; we haven't allowed a 100 yard rusher all season. We're still a liability in pass coverage. I cringe every time an obvious passing down comes up because teams have converted 3rd and longs on us more times than I can count.

We need another defensive back who is strong in pass coverage. I don't mean a shutdown type of guy because those are very rare, but someone who is consistent and isn't constantly caught out of position. I don't think our linebackers are very good in coverage. A successful 3-4 relies on speedy, athletic linebackers who can get back quickly and cover the middle of the field. I'm not saying are LB corps is horrible, they just haven't played at that level of consistency yet. If we could add another solid LB and a consistent pass defender we would be a juggernaut.

The Pats steamrolled us, and Jason Campbell and Aaron Rodgers looked like pro-bowlers against us for a reason.

 

[Clove]

I hate to go down this road again, but it was a big mistake keeping Jones over Glenn. I have no problem with getting Reeves involved he has done pretty well, but its hard for me to believe Jones is better in coverage then Glenn. The way teams are spreading Dallas out and given the injuries that extra depth would of been nice. Especially since we are still $6 million under the CAP.

I wouldnt mind seeing us make a trade for another CB.

I agree with this. However, Reeves has done a pretty solid job, and this is the year to find out what we have in him. With Glenn here, we wouldn't have gotten to see what Reeves was all about, okay maybe a little since the injuries occured, but this is a good year to find out about Reeves.

 

[Hoofbite]

If Carpenter doesn't do anything why have two NFL coaches kept him on the roster? I never said anything about drafting a corner, or upgrading a position. It seems it's you that doesn't get it.

It is what it is. This team is where they are because of the players that make up the team. The Dallas Cowboys have and will succeed or fail with Bobby Carpenter. Right now, they've done something no other Cowboys team has done.

You didn't say anything about drafting a corner but you quoted someone who did and said something like....."we will see, right now they are on an 11-1 team" or something to that effect.

And I wasn't saying Carp was worthless. Just pointing out the fact that he doesn't see the field and doesn't do a lot yet he is still on a 11-1 team too. Maybe the Carp comparison was a little out of place but my point remains the same that you cannot justify not drafting a player in a position of need based on the overall success of a team. If a position needs an upgrade, upgrade it.