We overrated this DL

[jwitten82]

Hayden has nearly twice as many tackles as Crawford (20 vs 12).

Not saying Hayden is even average, however, I do think his one redeeming quality is a decent run stuffer.

You can't say that about Crawford at this stage.

Cant believe how awful Crawford has been.

 

[RunDMC]

Feel bad for Greg. Playing with a bunch of JAG's just like D-Ware did for years. Crawford can't man up on the interior. Lawrence has been stout against the run, but given us nothing as a rusher. Hayden is a scrub. Constantly gets taken out of plays. Just no beef up front. PATHETIC.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Got it right here from AmberBeer, folks.

Nick Hayden is an integral part of a top 10 defense. Halfway through a season, but, hey. It has to count sometime.

You can't stop him you can only hope to contain him.

 

[Alexander]

Cant believe how awful Crawford has been.

I don't think he has been awful, but it would be nice if he made an impactful play every once in a while, since this defense is supposed to set that up for him.

 

[AshyLarry06]

This 0-5 thing we are in the middle of makes people cranky. Romo comes back, we start scoring more points, the DL gets more and better opportunities to get sacks, we get more sacks, Marinelli walks on water again.

dude be careful, peopple who choose to post with this foreign concept known as logic and base arguments on this thing known as factual matter are often chastised and called "homers"

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

This 0-5 thing we are in the middle of makes people cranky. Romo comes back, we start scoring more points, the DL gets more and better opportunities to get sacks, we get more sacks, Marinelli walks on water again.

Yes. The offense DOES help/affect the defense.

 

[Sydla]

I think the more accurate statement is we overrated the DTs. Hardy has been great. Lawrence, if you believe the analysts, has been pretty good. Mincey has played fairly well. Gregory looked great before getting hurt. Even Jack Crawford has made an impact in the limited snaps he's gotten.

But the interior of the DL is terrible. Crawford has been a massive disappointment and it only took 7 games to wonder why the heck we signed him to that massive deal. Hayden is mediocre at best. Behind those two? Not much.

IMO, part of this falls on Marinelli and his bizarre belief that basically any warm body can play 1 tech in his scheme. They need to go out this offseason and find a real dominant 1 tech guy IMO.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

So what do you think Seattle is saying yesterday? ARe they beating themselves up for not doing more against a terrible offense or are they happy with their performance?

I get what you're saying. I believe since Hardy has gotten off his suspension this defense has been solid. Solid enough that if they had a legit offense they wouldn't be losing any games. They lack the turnovers. But aside from that....no receivers have went off on them, no running backs really have went off on them, they've been putting pressure on the quarterback. Its not dominant by no means but its been good enough to win. A little better than middle of the pack IMO. It doesn't really have a identity yet but once Gregory gets back healthy I would like to believe its pass rushing will be its identity.

I would agree fro the most part. But as a Unit, they dont step up, when its mandatory to step up, to win a game. They know the O is struggling.

They need to step up and stop Seattle on that last drive.....the O isnt going to do them any favors. Well boo-hoo. Step up and make a crucial stop.

But, as an organization, after Romo and Dez went down, we turned to the D. And, they havent stepped up, when it counts the most. Last weelk.... OT vs the Saints, ST vs the Giants.......

 

[Seven]

We who? I said it was stupid to rush to extend Crawford. Also who was sold on Lawrence? Finally, Hayden us the guy everybody wanted to replace.

The arm chair QB's.

Where every defensive play results in a sack or turnover.

Every pass is for 50 yards and runs of 80 are the norm.

 

[jobberone]

I don't think he has been awful, but it would be nice if he made an impactful play every once in a while, since this defense is supposed to set that up for him.

Think you'll see more of all of them once they all are healed....assuming that happens...and esp if Gregory is an impact. Enough impact by one or esp two creates opportunities for all. Big believer in enough holes in the dam creating problems.

 

[Rockport]

Hayden is what he is. A player who carries out his assignments and is durable. And he is dirt cheap.

I guess that has its charm, but it is not exactly what is a core player on a dominant defense.

Who said he was a core player on a dominant defense?

 

[cml750]

The defense gave up 13 points yesterday and 13 last week.

Sacks league wide seem to be down this year.

There's room for improvement but I don't see a lack of sacks being a huge problem.

Agreed! While sacks are great it is the consistent pressure that makes the biggest difference which they have been delivering.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Crawford needs to step up for sure, but people criticizing a defense that has averaged thirteen points allowed and about 300 yards of offense to the opposition these past two games is kind of crazy time. This isn't the 2000 Ravens, but the defense has been doing their job since they came out of the bi-week and will keep getting better when Gregory starts getting his full helping of reps.

The offense needs to just score two touchdowns a game, not turn the football over and not allow special teams touchdowns to win. That is about as good as you could ask.

 

[ShiningStar]

Yes, overall the DL is overrated. But lets wait for Romo to come back, a game or 3 and than really see whats wrong with the team. Hard to keep a D fresh when the O doesnt want to score and your coach trying his best to play to lose and not win.

 

[cowboys2233]

Crawford needs to step up for sure, but people criticizing a defense that has averaged thirteen points allowed and about 300 yards of offense to the opposition these past two games is kind of crazy time. This isn't the 2000 Ravens, but the defense has been doing their job since they came out of the bi-week and will keep getting better when Gregory starts getting his full helping of reps.

The offense needs to just score two touchdowns a game, not turn the football over and not allow special teams touchdowns to win. That is about as good as you could ask.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we just total ZERO sacks against the most sacked QB in the NFL? I think I can ask for more.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we just total ZERO sacks against the most sacked QB in the NFL? I think I can ask for more.

You can ask for a defensive shut-out every week and an all you can eat churro bar set up in your living room every game day. Such is the awe inspiring power of asking.

13 points given up would be tops in the NFL this season. No points awarded for sacks. Need more from the offense.

 

[RunDMC]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we just total ZERO sacks against the most sacked QB in the NFL? I think I can ask for more.

Didn't we get ZERO touchdowns from the offense?

There was plenty of pressure, with an interception, they held Lynch under 4 ypc, and one TD overall.

Blaming the defense is asinine, asiten, asieleven.

 

[cowboys2233]

You can ask for a defensive shut-out every week and an all you can eat churro bar set up in your living room every game day. Such is the awe inspiring power of asking.

13 points given up would be tops in the NFL this season. No points awarded for sacks. Need more from the offense.

I didn't ask for a defensive shut out. You know you've lost a debate when you're forced to start putting words in people's mouths. Good job. Yes, we need more from the offense. Brilliant. Guess what? We need more from the defense too and I'm pointing out a glaring deficiency.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Hardy is dominant. DLaw and Mincey make a lot of plays too. 58 has made some plays in limited snaps. Gregory got hurt and has been back one game.

I agree that our DT play has been disappointing. I get tired of watching Hayden get routinely dominated by single teams. We get our typical LOL watch him go for a ride from a double team.

Teams slide protection towards the weakside and 98 is having a lot of problems operating. He has scratched and clawed his way to some plays if not many.

 

[kiheikiwi]

I somewhat agree, blaming the defense - as a whole, is wrong. This unit IS playing well. However, DT is not. It's not asinine to point that out. 2 of the biggest mistakes of this off season have come back to bite us. The RB decision has now with the release of Randle, come down to free agents in all 3 spots. No one left on the roster from last year, they gambled on this position - and lost.
DT, same theme as we have been spouting all off season and for 7 games now. 2, count them, 2 DT's on the roster. One 1-tech and one 3-tech. And DE's filling in. That will not get it done. Now I see Brodous (spl), finally saying they need a legit 1-tech (before the trade deadline).
I think the defense is playing as well as they possibly can right now. And I do see a hell of a lot of potential for this to be a very good defense - next year. But they are hamstrung by the decisions of the front office, and will need a change if philosophy moving forward.