Will we have a better D next year?

[Jake]

yeah i remember the 2015 offseason thinking all we have to dp iscfox the D.... 2 years later...

I'm not sure what "dp iscfox" means, but if it improves the defense I'm all for it.

 

[TheCoolFan]

It's really up to Irving and Collins to take their games to the next level...that's the best we can hope for. There's no Von Miller available at the 28th pick and they're not gonna sign JPP. Self-improvement is the only hope

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

I hope so. With a better D line especially, I believe we would have gotten past the Packers and maybe the Falcons too. the Pats .................. someone up there had a sick sense of humor, pulling strings for them.

We need a new Charles Haley.

The front 7 will be better, don't know about the secondary with their pending free agents.

 

[camaro69]

The defense will improve someday but I'm just hoping it improves while we still have this OL/offense together.

My feeling exactly. You have the fans that say don't spend in FA, Lets trade for a DE. Just how many team have guy's sitting on the bench that have 10 or more sack's. You know one's we can pick up for a 5th rd draft pick? Tell me I'll wait? If he can rush the passer it gonna cost you. Some team get lucky with drafting DE I've been a fan since 77 look at our history of drafting DE, CB, FS,SS

 

[Sydla]

Not if they bring back essentially the same secondary.

 

[camaro69]

It's really up to Irving and Collins to take their games to the next level...that's the best we can hope for. There's no Von Miller available at the 28th pick and they're not gonna sign JPP. Self-improvement is the only hope

I hope not

My feeling exactly. You have the fans that say don't spend in FA, Lets trade for a DE. Just how many team have guy's sitting on the bench that have 10 or more sack's. You know one's we can pick up for a 5th rd draft pick? Tell me I'll wait? If he can rush the passer it gonna cost you. Some team get lucky with drafting DE I've been a fan since 77 look at our history of drafting DE, CB, FS,SS

After Jimmy Johnson

 

[kiheikiwi]

Short answer is YES.

We better !

 

[Bluefin]

The team has plenty of work to do on the defensive side of the ball, we all know this.

They also don't want to dive into the deep end of free agency, but signing new talent means opening up the checkbook.

Dallas will keep some of its own free agents, yet must guard against remaining too complacent and simply going with guys they already know.

A key point for consideration is the Cowboys will not be counting on Randy Gregory to play at all next season. I do expect the NFLPA and NFL to eventually come to a new agreement of Marijuana under the CBA, but it will likely be a slow process and not effect the 2017 season.

Because of Gregory's suspension, Dallas played most of the '16 season with Ryan Davis on the roster, Jack Crawford playing a lot of RDE and Benson Mayowa acclimating to the scheme.

Davis and Crawford are free agents, Charles Tapper can take one of the open spots and an outside free agent should be signed for the other.

RDE: Benson Mayowa, vet FA
LDE: DeMarcus Lawrence, David Irving (will also play DT)
Rotation: Charles Tapper

Ideal? No, but it's what we've got.

The key is finding another RDE to platoon with Mayowa and hope the duo generates 10+ sacks and lots of pressures. Lawrence is a big worry and Irving is wildly inconsistent, but we have to hope they step forward.

Lawrence needs to focus on his rehab and playing on the left side, 2016 was largely a wash but he showed real potential in '15 with offenses keying on Greg Hardy. Irving actually logged the third most DL snaps last season, he was even ahead of Terrell McClain, he just needs to show up more regularly. Irv will play outside and inside.

Tapper is a mystery.

Look to add a rookie draft pick to the mix and see how things shake out at training camp/pre-season.

At DT, Tyrone Crawford and Maliek Collins will continue to play the most snaps, even if Cedric Thornton or someone else is considered the "starter" at NT.

These two played the most snaps last season, McClain was a distant third and Thornton brought up the rear.

NT: Cedric Thornton
UT: Maliek Collins, Tyrone Crawford
Rotation: David Irving

Re-signing Terrell McClain is a maybe, I'd rather use that money on a DE and look to add a young NT later in the draft. If McClain returns, the unit is suddenly getting long in the tooth.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Add Smith, Tapper, high draft pick and vet FA and the front 7 is instantly upgraded in talent. That should translate to improved performance. So the answer is yes.

 

[Silverstar]

Really need to focus on drafting players with more speed on defense.

One reason why the Pats are successful is because they rely a lot on Beasley type receivers (Edelman, Amendola, Hogan) who can quickly get open and move the chains. Add a decent OL and a guy like Gronk and you have a recipe for Brady to pick defenses apart. They also use a 3 back system of Blount (cowbell), Lewis (perimeter) and White (receiver) to keep defenses guessing who gets the ball. Another reason is their coaching, and how they adjust and manage a game depending on the score without panicking. Their defense is not outstanding right now in any particular area IMO, but they are disciplined and because their offense is so effective, other teams tend to get away from what they do best, and then they begin to panic when falling behind etc. When they do fall behind, then the Pats defense begins to tee off on their QB, and all of sudden they become great at keeping teams out of the endzone, and they wind up with a top defense in points allowed.

 

[LocimusPrime]

It's really up to Irving and Collins to take their games to the next level...that's the best we can hope for. There's no Von Miller available at the 28th pick and they're not gonna sign JPP. Self-improvement is the only hope

Man that's depressing to hear.

 

[Clove]

The Jones family still have this propensity to get cute. They don't want to spend money anymore, they draft injured players, won't really move up in the draft, they've become just good enough to keep the fans attention, but it will never translate to Super Bowl titles unless Dak is God.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

Some of you guys sound like we're a mile away. We were a legit top 4 team this year. That doesn't guarantee success next season, but it should guarantee a hungry team that will put in the work to improve in the offseason - particularly with the way this season ended.

The coaches have the right mindset. The FO has done more good than bad in the draft the past few seasons. The good thing is there isn't a complete team out there. They all have holes, even the Falcons and Patriots.

We don't need to blow anything up and start over, even the defense. Just keep working and getting incrementally better and watch what happens.

 

[WillieBeamen]

It'll be better, just not good enough


Better hope we avoid Rodgers in the playoffs again

 

[StarBoyz83]

No way to tell. A lot of FAs and don't know who Dallas will draft. Don't know if tapper or smith will play next year either.

 

[percyhoward]

Are they terrible? No they are right in line with the rest of the league. Cowboys fans start whinnying after one completion.

Atlanta gave up, what, 3(4) straight TD drives? It's the league.

The team with the #1 defense has won 3 of the last 4 Super Bowls.

 

[Gameover]

The team with the #1 defense has won 3 of the last 4 Super Bowls.

Point?

Defense was not in the top 3 reasons why they won last night. They stepped up down the stretch. Our defense stepped up after the first drive of the second half. Similar ball game. Both teams tightened up after opening second half drives that gave the opponent 28 points.

They were lucky and good. The applied pressure, Matt should've thrown the ball away. Then the penalty takes them from high percentage FG try to out of position for any attempt

We were snake bit, Packers kicker somehow got a wobbler to go thru the up right.. 56 yarder

 

[Gameover]

It's really up to Irving and Collins to take their games to the next level...that's the best we can hope for. There's no Von Miller available at the 28th pick and they're not gonna sign JPP. Self-improvement is the only hope

Not exactly a terrible predicament to be in

Both guys were All Pro level(dare I say) the last month of the season. Certainly vs Tampa and Detroit.

 

[Verdict]

Will we have a better defense this next year? That depends. If BPA lines up with defensive needs and we draft as well as we did last year, that would be possible.

We are probably going to have to resign at least one corner and DT McClain or it is going to be very difficult to fill all of the holes from this draft unless the team views Heath and Frazier as players who can take the next step.

 

[Idgit]

Point?

Defense was not in the top 3 reasons why they won last night. They stepped up down the stretch. Our defense stepped up after the first drive of the second half. Similar ball game. Both teams tightened up after opening second half drives that gave the opponent 28 points.

They were lucky and good. The applied pressure, Matt should've thrown the ball away. Then the penalty takes them from high percentage FG try to out of position for any attempt

We were snake bit, Packers kicker somehow got a wobbler to go thru the up right.. 56 yarder

Other than the sack and the forced holding penalty that saved the game. And the strip sack. Sheesh.