Worried about this defense

[MichaelWinicki]

I thought that talent in the trenches looked pretty good when the Giants had first and goal at the 2 and failed to score a TD.

Once Spencer gets healthy, I really like our front to be honest. Hatcher looks outstanding, Hayden looked strong and Selvie seems like a good rotational guy..

Yep.

Spencer will be a nice addition but the Cowboys giving up 450 passing yards had little to do with "trench talent" or the lack there of.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

We may be running an outdated scheme with a coach who can no longer handle salt and sugar but I don't think we'll have a quality defense until we get some talent along the DL no matter what scheme or coach.

Our DL depth chart is an embarrassment.

I wouldn't go so far as to call them an embarrassment but if they don't bring in a blue-chip prospect for the d-line this spring the Cowboys will have to invest in some Rascals for their decrepit starters.

As for the success of the defense, when you break it down it all comes down to winning your one-on-one match-ups. The question is: Does Dallas has enough talent to win most of their one-on-one match-ups on defense? I think they do but they are going to have to work on their zone drops and pass defense.

 

[Stash]

if only we had an exotic, multi front, new age defense like Green Bay

Can you elaborate here?

Don't see your point?

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Keep in mind the nature of how those yards were gained. On two pass plays, the Giants gained about 130 yards from busted coverage. And in the 4th quarter, Manning picked up free yards off of prevent defense while we were ahead by 3 scores.

This from a defense playing their first regular season game in the 4-3.

And when the game was on the line, they got it done.

That's kind of the point?

..and prevent defense is designed to prevent big plays. We couldn't even do that.

I share the OP's concern with this pass defense.

 

[Stash]

the fact this style of defernse was carved up at the college level means nothing, it's not only about a scheme but also about the talent you have.
lots of defenses, many coached by guys who people seem to think are very good were carved up last weekend. the 49ers are considered one of the best defenses in the league and they were carved up too, as vintage pointed out the packers were carved up too
we will have some breakdowns till we get more guys healthy and more time in the system. but one game really tells you nothing.

So you're saying that USC doesn't have 'talent'?

And didn't for multiple years?

 

[Stash]

lol exactly.

I guess the Seahawks are outdated as well.

Other than both teams running the 4-3 defense, I see very little resemblance.

 

[Rockport]

6 or 7 plays over 20 yrds for the Giants is concerning to say the least.

 

[Doomsday101]

So you're saying that USC doesn't have 'talent'?

And didn't for multiple years?

USC at that time there talent was not as good since they were under NCAA probation after what took place with Pete Carroll. There is nothing outdated about this defense it is still used by more than just the Cowboys.

 

[Future]

So you're saying that USC doesn't have 'talent'?

And didn't for multiple years?

A cover 2 is largely dependent on players being able to cover ground. In college, even the top programs don't have the speed or talent to cover enough ground consistently. You could have 8 great players on a defense, but if only a couple can't consistently get to the right spot, the defense will struggle. Tampa 2 is almost exclusively an NFL defense.

 

[Stash]

I would be worried if they gave up that many yards against a team like the Jags or the Raiders.

In this case, we are talking about a team that has a veteran qb that can make plays and a starting wr tandem that is one of the best in the league imo. They would of probably had close to the same stats against most defenses in this league.

But do we not face several more teams as good if not better in those areas?

 

[Frozen700]

Other than both teams running the 4-3 defense, I see very little resemblance.

The Seahawks are bigger and more nasty....

What huge difference do you see? I see both teams that attack, and play pretty basic coverage...with times mixed in exotic coverage's

 

[jobberone]

So you're saying that USC doesn't have 'talent'?

And didn't for multiple years?

Apparently not since Kiffin is on the really HOT seat.

 

[Stash]

The Seahawks are bigger and more nasty....

What huge difference do you see? I see both teams that attack, and play pretty basic coverage...with times mixed in exotic coverage's

Talent for one.

Their secondary specifically I feel is way more talented.

And I think their depth and attention to the defensive line far exceeds our own.

Despite all that they already had, they made it a huge priority and still do.

They're great already and yet they still kick the tires on free agents while we sit on our hands, content.

 

[Stash]

Apparently not since Kiffin is on the really HOT seat.

No question there as I feel the Kiffins ran the program into the ground, although Carroll left a mess too.

 

[Frozen700]

Talent for one.

Their secondary specifically I feel is way more talented.

And I think their depth and attention to the defensive line far exceeds our own.

Despite all that they already had, they made it a huge priority and still do.

They're great already and yet they still kick the tires on free agents while we sit on our hands, content.

Oh ok...I Agree with this.

I was talking about Scheme. The points you made though I can't argue

 

[bigdnlaca]

But do we not face several more teams as good if not better in those areas?

Oh yes we do and I totally agree with what you are saying. I believe the pass defense needs to be fixed before Peyton comes to Dallas.

But, when it comes to the Giants. I think it was somewhat unfair about being worried. IMO, Cowboys did pretty good against the run and it was a given that the Giants were going to air it out all game once they benched Brown.

I would be more worried if the running game and passing game were both bad.

 

[Risen Star]

As for the success of the defense, when you break it down it all comes down to winning your one-on-one match-ups. The question is: Does Dallas has enough talent to win most of their one-on-one match-ups on defense?

Not up front, no. This has been the story with the Cowboys the last several years. They lose the line of scrimmage and try to overcome it the entire game. You can't be a real contender when both of your lines are the weakness of your team.

This team was built the wrong way and that's why we don't win while watching the Giants hoist 2 Lombardis built the right way.

 

[bayeslife]

That's kind of the point?

..and prevent defense is designed to prevent big plays. We couldn't even do that.

I share the OP's concern with this pass defense.

I'm concerned as well, but I think it's a communication thing and something that is definitely going to be stronger down the line.

 

[Stash]

Oh yes we do and I totally agree with what you are saying. I believe the pass defense needs to be fixed before Peyton comes to Dallas.

But, when it comes to the Giants. I think it was somewhat unfair about being worried. IMO, Cowboys did pretty good against the run and it was a given that the Giants were going to air it out all game once they benched Brown.

I would be more worried if the running game and passing game were both bad.

But I think that speaks to my point.

Defensively, we absolutely knew what was coming.

We had their offense completely one-dimensional.

And despite knowing exactly what they had to do, we couldn't stop them.

Or even slow them down.

 

[Stash]

I'm concerned as well, but I think it's a communication thing and something that is definitely going to be stronger down the line.

I sincerely hope so too.