What if 1 Super Star was added to this defense?

[TellerMorrow34]

No question they would but I think we can say that no matter what they do in the offseason this team will have to be carried by their offense in 2015. Which is why I'm fine if they are aggressively making moves on the offensive side rather than all defensive, which seems to be what most want. Romo doesn't have time for a complete defensive roster overhaul.

Agreed there.

I do want to see them really trying to help this defense for the most part but if a couple of aggressive moves are made to make the offense even better, to better suit it to carry the load again, I'm perfectly okay with that as well.

I've said all along that I have zero issue with going O-line once again, high in the draft, if they want to go out and get themselves a new RT to continue to build that great O-line.

They definitely need to put a couple of play making pieces on defense to at least help that defense get a few extra stops when they're needed.

 

[SDCowboy]

I seriously keep misreading the thread title as Super Star Wars and getting excited.

 

[xwalker]

One superstar isn't guaranteed to be healthy at the end of the season, spend on depth, prepare for injuries. Our big defensive FA acquisition Henry Melton wasn't there Sunday. Would have been nice to have him chasing Rodgers around instead of Nick Hayden whiffing.

Melton was coming off of ACL surgery.

Suh has started 78 of a possible 80 regular season games.

 

[Risen Star]

Agreed there.

I do want to see them really trying to help this defense for the most part but if a couple of aggressive moves are made to make the offense even better, to better suit it to carry the load again, I'm perfectly okay with that as well.

I've said all along that I have zero issue with going O-line once again, high in the draft, if they want to go out and get themselves a new RT to continue to build that great O-line.

They definitely need to put a couple of play making pieces on defense to at least help that defense get a few extra stops when they're needed.

I think if the defense stayed status quo, which nobody wants and we certainly shouldn't do that, it would improve in 2015 because Lawrence and Crawford will be better players.

I'd mention getting Lee back too but I don't want you to spew coffee into your keyboard.

 

[CowboyChris]

I'm going to have to double check my spreadsheets but I'm pretty sure this defense isn't one player away.

with Marinelli back, this defense is alot closer than you think.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I think if the defense stayed status quo, which nobody wants and we certainly shouldn't do that, it would improve in 2015 because Lawrence and Crawford will be better players.

I'd mention getting Lee back too but I don't want you to spew coffee into your keyboard.

No doubt.

I love Lee. But you just can't count on him. I wish we could. Great player.

I do agree with you that Lawrence and Crawford just being better players will make the defense a bit better.

I'm concerned about Mincey personally. Now I know some will think I'm crazy cause he was good for us (Not great but good) but what I'm concerned about is another Selvie situation where he looked good this year and will disappear next year.

 

[Nightman]

with Marinelli back, this defense is alot closer than you think.

Everyone wants to spend picks and money on Defense, but exactly where should we do it?

If Crawford, Mincey and DLaw are locked in that leaves 1T and SDE. Brent and Bishop are 2 possibles and a Draft pick seems likely for the 1T

Crawford looked good at the 3T, but could he play SDE if they brought in a guy like Suh or would one of them go to the 1T.

It looks like the best use of resources would be to spend FA money on a DE, draft a 1T, resign our LBers and either draft or sign a mid level CB to go with Scandrick, Claiborne and Moore.

A true FS would be nice as well. I don't think Wilcox is the long term answer.

 

[xwalker]

Everyone wants to spend picks and money on Defense, but exactly where should we do it?

If Crawford, Mincey and DLaw are locked in that leaves 1T and SDE. Brent and Bishop are 2 possibles and a Draft pick seems likely for the 1T

Crawford looked good at the 3T, but could he play SDE if they brought in a guy like Suh or would one of them go to the 1T.

It looks like the best use of resources would be to spend FA money on a DE, draft a 1T, resign our LBers and either draft or sign a mid level CB to go with Scandrick, Claiborne and Moore.

A true FS would be nice as well. I don't think Wilcox is the long term answer.

Suh played both 1-tech and 3-tech equally well in Detroit. He would play 1-tech here, but they really only play a true 1-tech position on base downs. In the Nickel, which is often more than 50% of the snaps in a game, both DT play more of a 3-tech position.

 

[Nightman]

Suh played both 1-tech and 3-tech equally well in Detroit. He would play 1-tech here, but they really only play a true 1-tech position on base downs. In the Nickel, which is often more than 50% of the snaps in a game, both DT play more of a 3-tech position.

Great, so there would be plenty of snaps for Crawford and Suh together. In that case, I would make Suh a priority and draft another DE early.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Everyone wants to spend picks and money on Defense, but exactly where should we do it?

The defense can find a use for an infusion of talent on every level and at every position. If a defensive player is young, talented and not overpriced, we should be looking at him.

 

[Crown Royal]

The defense doesn't need to be a major strength, it needs to never be a liability. They actually played really good football to finish the year. But next year we have a little better QB talent to contend with and they need to shore it up. We don't have time for a complete defensive overhaul (as said here) and I don't believe any single player can fundamentally improve the defense as a whole. Continue to improve depth along the defensive line so that the wave approach is better, find some depth in the LB corps, and for God's sakes improve the safety posiiton.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Suh doesn't make this defense dominant by any stretch but he makes it a legitimate top 15 defense without needing the aid of Dallas' offense controlling the clock. The opponents' rush ypc would decrease, sack numbers would increase and 3rd down % would decrease. Suh would also make things easier for guys like Crawford and Lawrence on the edge. Also factor in Lee(hopefully) returning, Hitchens improving and likely another DL addition in the 1st or 2nd round.

I still dont think Jerry ultimately will sign Suh but it's fun to ponder the possibilities.

 

[Doomsday101]

Much like the 90's Cowboys needed that final part in Haley this defense needs that one big pass rusher who can force QB into throwing it before they are ready, not to mention getting the sacks. Outside of that always looking to upgrade but pass rusher is a must for this team

 

[Plankton]

I think if the defense stayed status quo, which nobody wants and we certainly shouldn't do that, it would improve in 2015 because Lawrence and Crawford will be better players.

I'd mention getting Lee back too but I don't want you to spew coffee into your keyboard.

Lee would suffer third degree burns as a result of the spittage, and would miss half the season.

 

[xwalker]

Great, so there would be plenty of snaps for Crawford and Suh together. In that case, I would make Suh a priority and draft another DE early.

Yes, Suh plays a high percentage of the defensive snaps with Detroit. He played about 2x the snaps per game that Melton played this year.

 

[Nightman]

The defense can find a use for an infusion of talent on every level and at every position. If a defensive player is young, talented and not overpriced, we should be looking at him.

I'm not saying these guys can't be upgraded. I was literally asking who should we keep and what type of players should we target.

If we let Melton go and cut Carr, we will have almost no big contracts on defense. Lee and Scandrick are both bargains for the next couple years. We can afford at least one big contract on the DL

 

[Fritsch_the_cat]

I'm going to have to double check my spreadsheets but I'm pretty sure this defense isn't one player away.

Neither do I, but all things considered, they played well as a unit and seemed to have bonded while developing a positive attitude. I say that because I was all for wholesale changes not long ago, but now I'm more inclined to think a few good players added in key spots would be a better approach, not disrupting the chemistry that has developed.

 

[Chuck 54]

Suh is interesting and would certainly add a lot to our team, but I don't see the Cowboys even having enough interest to talk to him. He would immediately become the highest paid player on the defense, yet he is one stupid outburst or play with his anger issues from a long suspension. I don't see how he fits into what we are building here with guys who buy into the TEAM and rotate in and out to stay fresh.

All the top DLmen, including those we are talking about, can be franchised or resigned. For my money, JPP is still my absolute top free agent target...correct position of DE, can play either side because he also plays the run strongly, hasn't reached his full potential, is a youngster, had 12.5 sacks this year when teams were not playing catchup vs NY. And his cost is probably quite reasonable. We saw him make some plays vs run and pass this year vs Tyron Smith. That's my guy, and I think he fits in perfectly without breaking the bank and without muddying the chemistry.