Will the Cowboys defense be better or worse than last year?

[Gryphon]

NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, a former NFL player and scout, chatted live on Thursday, July 2.

Todd, London, Ont., Canada 12:15 PM ET
do you think the Cowboys defense is better or worse than last year?

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com Todd, It's hard to predict how good the Cowboys' defense will be this season given the losses of key players along the front seven. Greg Ellis, Chris Canty and Kevin Burnett were key contributors to their defense and they all will be missed. However, Wade Phillips taking full control of the unit bodes well because he has a great feel for getting his best players in right position to make plays. I believe that they should finish as a top-10 defense, but the pieces will need to fall into place in a hurry for it to happen.

 

[reddyuta]

i think top 5 this time.i am expecting big things from our secondary and hopefully nore INTs too.

 

[Rampage]

hopefully a lot better than last year. we gave up too many points and long 3rd down coversions.

 

[Doomsday101]

NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, a former NFL player and scout, chatted live on Thursday, July 2.

Todd, London, Ont., Canada 12:15 PM ET
do you think the Cowboys defense is better or worse than last year?

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com Todd, It's hard to predict how good the Cowboys' defense will be this season given the losses of key players along the front seven. Greg Ellis, Chris Canty and Kevin Burnett were key contributors to their defense and they all will be missed. However, Wade Phillips taking full control of the unit bodes well because he has a great feel for getting his best players in right position to make plays. I believe that they should finish as a top-10 defense, but the pieces will need to fall into place in a hurry for it to happen.

I think it has the potential to be an extremely good defense and I think it hinges on the play of the secondary. With the Jenkins and Scandrick with a year under their belt and the acquisition of Sensabaugh at safety who can provide better coverage skills I like our chances I think the front 7 with Ware leading the way this unit has the chance of being a top 5 defense.

 

[BlueStar II]

I feel better about our secondary, and it's been a long time since I was able to say that. With Jenkins, Scandrick, and now Sensabaugh, a guy who can cover at the safety spot, I feel better as far as our secondary goes. As far as the rest of the defense goes, I will wait until I've seen some of our pre-season games before saying anything about the other spots on defense.

 

[sonnyboy]

Call me a homer but I have a hard time seeing any reason to be concerned about our defense outside of injury. And that's every team's concern.

We have two legit superstars on our front seven. Perhaps the best inside and outside pressure players in the NFL.

No holes to speak of a couple of potential difference makers in James and Spencer.

We have an elite CB and significantly upgrade the supporting cast.


I fully expect this defense to rank in the top 5 of every significant category.
Pass, run, points allowed, sacks and turnovers.

 

[PullMyFinger]

They always seem to mention our losses along the front seven in the off season, but fail to mention that we replaced each one.

 

[The Ominous]

Leading the league in sacks again might be a challenge, but I can see it repeating.

I think our secondary will be leaps and bounds better than last year. Solid young starters with something to prove, a sprinkle of veteran leadership, and some potentially good to great rookies sounds like a winner to me.

To me the major difference this year will be having Wade run the defense from start to finish.

Yes, we will be better.

 

[PullMyFinger]

Ya we will be much better in the secondary. The only loss on defense I worry about a little is Burnett.