What element(s) are missing for us to have a dominating defense?

[Woods]

We definitely can generate pressure.

And we can play well defensively for series or even a game or two at a time.

I think it comes down to

1. Generating turnovers, and

2. We need to generally tackle better.

Now, we did drop quite a few interceptions last season. But still . . . . generating turnovers is critical.

To address points 1 and 2 above, I would say that we require more dominating play from the LBs (who aren't called Ware or B James) and we need more consistent play from the Safety position.

I also wonder how much Ratliff got worn down as the season progressed as we didn't have anyone capable to rotate with him? The guy must have been exhausted by the end of the season. (I suppose the same could be said of Ware.)

 

[SLATEmosphere]

A solid possesion eating offense..

 

[Woods]

A solid possesion eating offense..

Yes, that would definitely help.

How about evaluating the play of the defense though?

What's the weakest spot? I'd have to say Safety, at least it was Safety.

And while I think Z Thomas did a solid job, it would be nice to get a bit more from his position.

 

[DasTex]

Playmaking FS or SS
Legit MLB opposite B. James

 

[Hoofbite]

i'd say earth and wind.

 

[Woods]

Playmaking FS or SS
Legit MLB opposite B. James

OK, we're on the same page.

I just mentioned those exact positions on the post above.

That said, I'm not sure if Brooking (at his age and after all the years) is going to give us much more than Z Thomas. I think we definitely got to look to the Draft here.

 

[the kid 05]

agree with the play making FS/S and i disagree with the thought that Ware and Rat need to be rotated out. they are two of 5 players i see we need to have on the field at all time. I'm sure Adam can provide their % of played downs from last year and im sure Ware and Rat are around 90/95%

 

[RoadRunner]

The answer is easy.... no interceptions.

The fact that the team had like what, 60 sacks, and yet only 8 interceptions is mind boggling. The secondary had to really suck *** to only come up with 8 picks with the fierce pass rush Dallas had in 2008. We are always told that great QB pressure leads to interceptions, well, not in the 2008 Cowboys case.

Tackling better would be number 2 on the list.

 

[Clove]

Playmaking FS or SS
Legit MLB opposite B. James

I'm in this boat sort of. I think we need more pressure without blitzing too many, a huge NT, and serious play-maker in the secondary.

 

[FCBarca]

Only thing missing are defenders that can tackle

 

[the kid 05]

I'm in this boat sort of. I think we need more pressure without blitzing too many, a huge NT, and serious play-maker in the secondary.

a huge NT doesn't fit wade's scheme its why we trade Ferg

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Yes, that would definitely help.

How about evaluating the play of the defense though?

What's the weakest spot? I'd have to say Safety, at least it was Safety.

And while I think Z Thomas did a solid job, it would be nice to get a bit more from his position.

Then I would have to go with a safety who can actually go up and make an INT..I would only need a MLB in this years draft to groom behind Brooking..the rest I wouldn't really touch. We led the league in sacks so pressure is not an issue..I just want a Safety who can cover.

 

[Woods]

agree with the play making FS/S and i disagree with the thought that Ware and Rat need to be rotated out. they are two of 5 players i see we need to have on the field at all time. I'm sure Adam can provide their % of played downs from last year and im sure Ware and Rat are around 90/95%

But for a guy like Rat, it's got to esp wear and tear on his body - the last quarter of the season for sure.

 

[the kid 05]

But for a guy like Rat, it's got to esp wear and tear on his body - the last quarter of the season for sure.

I wont disacknowledge the beating he took, but spears/canty/other DE's would have taken the same except when ware/spencer/ellis came in from the out side.

I think with the 10% off Rat got was sufficient hes an elite player (imo) and has the stamina and strength to not warrant being taken out of the game (minus a few situations)

 

[Bob Sacamano]

a faster middle of the field

ILBs and safeties are slooooow (doesn't help that we have our safeties play too far back, and the ILBs never get good enough depth in their drops)

it's exemplified whenever we play zone, there's so much open area

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think what we really need is one more very good defensive lineman. We have one in Ratliff, but Spears is just okay and Olshansky will just be solid, too. I think we need one more guy like Ratliff that can create havoc, whether that's a big, strong NT that can push the center into the backfield, or another disruptive end similar to Rat if he stays at NT.

We also need a good 3rd down rusher IMO. Ellis is about done and I hate his attitude. So we need to find a Shaun Phillips type to join Ware and Spencer on passing downs.

I also tend to think we need a really top, Pro Bowl type ILB next to Bradie. If Jay stays at NT, he needs to be a bigger, physical guy. If we got a big NT, maybe he could be a smaller, athletic guy that runs to the ball all over the field and makes a ton of tackles. This might not be as necessary as the other two, though. Or maybe it would be harder to find this than the 3rd down rusher -- I go back and forth on that.

The safety can be just a good player. Safeties don't make or break defenses IMO.

 

[Woods]

a faster middle of the field

ILBs and safeties are slooooow (doesn't help that we have our safeties play too far back, and the ILBs never get good enough depth in their drops)

it's exemplified whenever we play zone, there's so much open area

Let's see,

Either Freeman, Beckwith, Jason Williams, D Ellebre (sp?) . . . . or is it Carpenter?

Carpenter should be able to do the nickel job. He is athletic enough to it. I just don't know about him though . . . .

 

[Rampage]

a huge NT doesn't fit wade's scheme its why we trade Ferg

Jamal Williams disagrees. we traded Fergy cause he was 33, had a big contract, and was coming off of 2 torn biceps.

honestly we need a bigger NT. all the top 3-4 defenses have a massive nose tackle.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Let's see,

Either Freeman, Beckwith, Jason Williams, D Ellebre (sp?) . . . . or is it Carpenter?

Carpenter should be able to do the nickel job. He is athletic enough to it. I just don't know about him though . . . .

me'n either, but yeah, there are alot of nickel type ILBs in this draft

also a guy like Gerald McRath around that higher round area, or guys like Stephen Hodge, Ashlee Palmer later

 

[Woods]

I think what we really need is one more very good defensive lineman. We have one in Ratliff, but Spears is just okay and Olshansky will just be solid, too. I think we need one more guy like Ratliff that can create havoc, whether that's a big, strong NT that can push the center into the backfield, or another disruptive end similar to Rat if he stays at NT.

We also need a good 3rd down rusher IMO. Ellis is about done and I hate his attitude. So we need to find a Shaun Phillips type to join Ware and Spencer on passing downs.

I also tend to think we need a really top, Pro Bowl type ILB next to Bradie. If Jay stays at NT, he needs to be a bigger, physical guy. If we got a big NT, maybe he could be a smaller, athletic guy that runs to the ball all over the field and makes a ton of tackles. This might not be as necessary as the other two, though. Or maybe it would be harder to find this than the 3rd down rusher -- I go back and forth on that.

The safety can be just a good player. Safeties don't make or break defenses IMO.

CL, not sure we can do all that in one off-season.

But I also would like to see one more DL and play-making ILB. And Ellis' days are nearly done, so we need to get a replacement pretty soon.