Which is the better unit?

[charron]

In regards to the defense which unit will be the biggest standout?


The DL? With DLaw leading the way, if take co and gregoGr can step up we might have an elite group.

The LB? Lee is a top 5 LB when healthy and is Smith and or van can step up, we may have the best group in the league by years end.

The DB's? Chido and Byron might be thr best duo we have had in many years. Lewis played well and if brown can bounce back we will have a really good group with depth. If they keep Heath at FS and woods at strong we should see more plays made there as well. Could we finally see double digits interceptions?

 

[Aviano90]

I am thinking the LBs should be the best unit. Lee is the best defender, Smith is supposed to be “Notre Dame Jaylon”, and LVE is the first round pick. We will see if that comes true in a few months though.

 

[charron]

I am thinking the LBs should be the best unit. Lee is the best defender, Smith is supposed to be “Notre Dame Jaylon”, and LVE is the first round pick. We will see if that comes true in a few months though.

Really depends on how Smith does but we certainly have more depth than in the last 10+ years easy.

 

[Cowpolk]

I want the entire defense to play as a team and dominate but honestly thing the linebackers will be the standouts

 

[plasticman]

Really great question, only speculative at this point but we shall see. I like the potential of each unit. Truthfully and unfortunately, it will come down to their health as the season progresses. Knock on wood but the Cowboys of recent seasons have been devastated by multiple injuries to the same units.

Lose two guys in the same unit for an extended period of time and any of these units go from potentially great to a recognized weakness subject to being exploited by opponents.

 

[Bullflop]

To me, none of our defensive units stand head and shoulders above the others. It's far more important how they work together as a team that matters the most. In truth, they'll do best functioning in sync to afford this team the best possible results at game time. Hopefully, they'll also be able to remain sufficiently healthy throughout the upcoming year to maximize their winning ways. The best unit of all is the team as a whole.

 

[Diehardblues]

In order for our defense to be dominating the front four and rotation will need to be best group and IMO they are the most likely to be the best because are more experienced and proven.

Our LB have great potential but again except for Lee totally unproven.

And our secondary looks promising but if the DL doesn’t cause havoc and disruption they’ll be left vulnerable.

It starts up front like with all great defenses.

 

[CowboyRoy]

In regards to the defense which unit will be the biggest standout?


The DL? With DLaw leading the way, if take co and gregoGr can step up we might have an elite group.

The LB? Lee is a top 5 LB when healthy and is Smith and or van can step up, we may have the best group in the league by years end.

The DB's? Chido and Byron might be thr best duo we have had in many years. Lewis played well and if brown can bounce back we will have a really good group with depth. If they keep Heath at FS and woods at strong we should see more plays made there as well. Could we finally see double digits interceptions?

LOL.......since when is Smith a top 5 LBER when healthy? Did you make that up? VE wont even start. Lee is never really healthy. Heath is a backup and Woods is a 5th rounder with potential only.

Try again?

 

[kskboys]

I am thinking the LBs should be the best unit. Lee is the best defender, Smith is supposed to be “Notre Dame Jaylon”, and LVE is the first round pick. We will see if that comes true in a few months though.

Should be close, but I'm going w/ the DB's due to the many questions at LB.

 

[charron]

LOL.......since when is Smith a top 5 LBER when healthy? Did you make that up? VE wont even start. Lee is never really healthy. Heath is a backup and Woods is a 5th rounder with potential only.

Try again?

i was't saying he was. i did mis type it should read "if smith steps up"

 

[Bobhaze]

The best unit on this defense? Too early to tell, but I will say DBs....just off the top of my head. All these units are going to have to learn to play off each other’s strengths.

One thing I love about team sports is the absolute importance of the TEAM’s unity above the talent of the individual. It’s why the most talented group of individuals don’t always come together to win a championship.

There is certainly enough talent on this defense to win in the playoffs. The question remains to be seen whether this group of talented players can become a TEAM greater than the sum of its parts.

I see this defense needing a little time to learn how to lean on each other’s talents within the team concept. That doesn’t happen overnight. It takes being battle tested and learning to overcome adversity as a unit. Again, this defense has the most talent we’ve seen in a decade. Now they just have to learn how to work together effectively.

 

[cern]

They have to play well as a unit or opposing oc's will exploit the weakness. Safety and d-line still questionable.

 

[Bobhaze]

They have to play well as a unit or opposing oc's will exploit the weakness. Safety and d-line still questionable.

It’s interesting discussion. For every unit on defense there are strengths but there are also holes.

D-Line- Strengths:
-D-Law, maybe Crawford, maybe Gregory. (A lot of maybes)
D-Line Weaknesses:
-Question marks at 1 and 3 tech- Irving suspended and probably done for. Collins habitually hurt.Some new faces with talent but who knows?

LBs Strengths-
-Sean Lee is great but that’s always followed by IF HEALTHY. He has played 1 injury free season in the last 8. Jaylon Smith is supposed to be fully recovered and #1 pick LVE has obvious talent and upside.
LBs Weaknesses-
-Too many unknown and ifs. If Lee can stay healthy, if Smith is fully recovered, if LVE can learn fast. If, if, if.

DBs Strengths
-Byron Jones and Chidobe Awuzie are very talented. Jones is probably in his more natural position. Jourdan Lewis is fire ball. Lots of talent at the corners.
DBs Weaknesses
-Safety. Anyone confident with Jeff Heath and Xavier Woods as starting safeties are probably wearing fan glasses. This position needs an upgrade. ET? May be too expensive but we’ll see.

This defense is talented no doubt. Like all NFL units, it needs health and maybe some time and patience to become what we all hope it can be.

 

[kskboys]

It’s interesting discussion. For every unit on defense there are strengths but there are also holes.

D-Line- Strengths:
-D-Law, maybe Crawford, maybe Gregory. (A lot of maybes)
D-Line Weaknesses:
-Question marks at 1 and 3 tech- Irving suspended and probably done for. Collins habitually hurt.Some new faces with talent but who knows?

LBs Strengths-
-Sean Lee is great but that’s always followed by IF HEALTHY. He has played 1 injury free season in the last 8. Jaylon Smith is supposed to be fully recovered and #1 pick LVE has obvious talent and upside.
LBs Weaknesses-
-Too many unknown and ifs. If Lee can stay healthy, if Smith is fully recovered, if LVE can learn fast. If, if, if.

DBs Strengths
-Byron Jones and Chidobe Awuzie are very talented. Jones is probably in his more natural position. Jourdan Lewis is fire ball. Lots of talent at the corners.
DBs Weaknesses
-Safety. Anyone confident with Jeff Heath and Xavier Woods as starting safeties are probably wearing fan glasses. This position needs an upgrade. ET? May be too expensive but we’ll see.

This defense is talented no doubt. Like all NFL units, it needs health and maybe some time and patience to become what we all hope it can be.

I have hope for Woods as he played very well in the slot last year, which means he has at least a modicum of cover skills.

 

[Bobhaze]

I have hope for Woods as he played very well in the slot last year, which means he has at least a modicum of cover skills.

I like Woods too. Glad he’s here and he certainly has value. I just don’t like him for more than being a role player. I don’t see him as a long time starter at a high level.

 

[JustChip]

LOL.......since when is Smith a top 5 LBER when healthy? Did you make that up? VE wont even start. Lee is never really healthy. Heath is a backup and Woods is a 5th rounder with potential only.

Try again?

He didn’t say Smith was top 5, he said Lee was when healthy. He said if Smith and or Van can step up the LB may be the best group (actually he said “is”, not “if”, but it’s obvious from the context that was a typo and if is what he meant).

 

[kskboys]

I like Woods too. Glad he’s here and he certainly has value. I just don’t like him for more than being a role player. I don’t see him as a long time starter at a high level.

I'm still reserving judgment, but he appears to have what we've been lacking since Church left at S, instincts.

 

[ItzKelz]

I think the most noticeable change will be seen in the secondary with Kris's influence. Not sure if that will be a good or bad thing. Obviously hoping for it to be good. But I can see fans blaming the players rather than Kris if it doesn't go well. I hope he is not so married to his scheme that he doesn't call the game to the strength of his players.

 

[cowboyec]

based on the buzz from camp thus far...DBs.

 

[G2]

We need Safety talent unless you folks are willing to see Showers out there if the starters get injured.