Standing Pat on Defense (for the most part)

by DavidH22 on Jan 3, 2012 11:21 PM CST

Forgive me if this notion has already been brought up or discussed. If it has, I missed it and I'd like to know your opinion.

We've all moaned and groaned about the apparent lack of talent on the defense. But in a league where the new rules enable teams with great offenses and mediocre-to-wretched defenses to win divisions and compile impressive W-L records (New England, Green Bay, New Orleans, etc), why not focus the off-season on building a tremendous offensive line? I'm talking first and second rounders on guards and centers, maybe even a tackle. Sure, pick up a defensive back and d-lineman or two on the second day of the draft and maybe a key defensive free agent signing, but why not try to get another T-Smith calibre O-lineman or two? We all know that the best way to enable an offense to maximize its potential is with a solid line.

Let's face it, the offense despite having above average skill position players over the last few seasons has sputtered due to inadequate blocking and protection – especially late in the season. Anyway, I would not be displeased if the Cowboys drafted a guard in the first round and then another O-lineman in the second or third round, and maybe a free agent acquisition as well. Not to mention some of the 2011 Yuglies getting a full off-season of strength training and conditioning under Coach Wojick (sic). I believe such an approach might be the most realistic recipe for success in the years to come.

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Interesting

I agree to a certain degree. I would love to take David DeCastro from Stanford in the 1st round. He is better than any guard we have and will be one of the better guards in the league in a few years. By flipping Tron to LT and Free to RT, we are set at those positions for now. We then could hold a competition between Kosier (if kept), Nagy, Holland, and Arkin for the other guard spot and Costa and Kowalski at Center. I, personally, really like Kowalski.

I do not believe that Defense can be ignored though.
If we went DeCastro, then Corner and DLine in the 2nd and 3rd and grabbed a backup tackle in the 4th or 5th. I think that would be a great way to outline the draft

by dabomb1227 on Jan 3, 2012 11:27 PM CST reply actions

David & dabomb i like both ur ideas

DeCastro is an instant starter/all star type player

"Some people wear Superman pajamas, Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas. But Chuck Norris wears Sean Lee pajamas. That is all." --sirjason22

"I'm gonna punch you in the ovary, that's what I'm gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the babymaker." --Ron Burgundy

by DarkKnight88 on Jan 3, 2012 11:41 PM CST reply actions

We need more than one cover corner.

Jenkins is the only cover corner we have. The rest just follow the receivers around the field. i have always liked Terence Newman but Sunday night he looked really slow. No one has mentioned injury so he must just be past his prime. If we are going to keep him, move him to safety. Scandrick may be al little but he doesn’t seem to be able to do anything but tackle after the catch. And Ball is just lost. With cover corners, our pass rush will start to see results and QB’s like Manning will have to hold the ball longer. I think our D line is fine. We need another OLB but our greatest need is defensive backs. I wouldn’t be unhappy if we draft 3 or 4 quality DB’s, a guard, an OLB, and a developmental QB then fill out the rest with UFA’s and a couple of Veteran Free Agents on one to two year deals.

by 50yrcowboy on Jan 4, 2012 12:05 AM CST reply actions

Defense is vital to this teams success

Even if its not shutdown corners (of which there arent many out there in the universe) pass rush can mask a lot of problems. Are the Giants DBs really that much better than ours? Sure, they’re probably a bit better, but the true difference is pass rush. JPP, Tuck, and Osi constantly harass the QB they are playing, allowing the DBs not to cover much. Giants won a super bowl with this formula in 2007-08. Could work for the ’Boys in the future.

by thesharpestnick on Jan 4, 2012 12:59 AM CST reply actions

yes, this!

A great offense keeps a mediocre defense off the field. And how many pieces could we really be missing on offense aside from the O-line? Sure, you could argue that we need a better fullback, or a better no. 2 TE or no. 2 QB. But frankly, those positions aren’t that expensive. You can pick up veteran free agents, undrafted guys, or low round picks to fill those. I have no doubt we will be solid there no matter what we do with our high round picks and cap space. This offense is 3 stout interior linemen away from being scary.

If I were making the call – unless there was a defensive player who dropped and was too good to pass up – I would use the first 3 picks on interior linemen.

by speedmetal on Jan 4, 2012 2:37 AM CST reply actions

I can see the argument, but I wouldn't go that route.

I think our O-line will be better next year regardless of whether we get use a bunch of high round picks on it (Tyron should be better, Free will be better at RT, young interior players should improve), and I would love to really improve our passing differential by getting a defense that can stop Eli Manning every now and then. Our defense is so bad that there are three guys who have separated themselves from being the league average or worse.

If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.

by Creasy729 on Jan 4, 2012 2:54 AM CST reply actions

Creasy we need an interior rush guy. Like a big nt. Ware coming from the outside just allows Manning to slide and sidestep.

At some point this team needs to get serious about the middle of the d. We need a pocket collapsing nt.

Jerry is the end all in Dallas.

by football mensa on Jan 5, 2012 6:57 AM CST up reply actions

This defense was a problem

All we have to do is look at the Redskins-Dolphins-Cardinals-Giants 4 game stretch in the 4th quarter of these games to see what the real problem is. This defense could not stop the pass to save its life when the game mattered most. The offense was far from perfect, but certainly was the strength of this team.

We need probably 7 new starters on defense. Only DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, Sean Lee and Gerald Sensabaugh are worth counting on next season. I will list in order from best to worst from the other 7 starters.

1. Mike Jenkins CB. He still didn’t come close to his 2009 performance, but injuries were the main culprit. If he can stay healthy then he might be worth keeping as a starter.

2. Anthony Spencer OLB. I only place him up this high because he is such a physical talent. Something is wrong however. He plays the run ok it seems, and I do emphasize “ok” as in average. His pass rush was practically non-existent. We can’t afford this. All LB’s in this scheme have to provide pass rush at some point in the game.

3. Abram Elam S. Although a definite upgrade over last year’s starter Alan Ball, Elam was really no better than average. The Cowboys defense, the great ones, always had a really good safety back there. We need better. Elam is “ok” but we still need better. How many big plays did he provide? None that I can remember. He can still play though.

4. Terrence Newman CB. It’s a shame he’s been stuck on so many average to bad defenses. His better days have passed however and it’s incumbent on Cowboys’ mgmt to get a younger upgrade at this position. The interception drop vs the Giants a few weeks ago kind of sums up his career.

5. Bradie James ILB. I know he’s popular overall. I just don’t see anything from this guy. I think he is better suited for a 4-3 defense. He should not be starting in this defense however.

6. Jason Hatcher DE. The Cowboys run defense was well below average. There was practically no pass rush either from the DE position. It was bad. I only place him above Kenyon Coleman because he can actually provide a pass rush sometimes.

7. Kenyon Coleman DE. Why did they even bother bringing this guy back.

Honorable Mention: Marcus Spears DE. He might actually be an upgrade over Coleman. Not sure why he wasn’t the starter in one of these positions. He actually stopped the run well when he did start. We need that more than pass rush from our DE.

Special Teams: I think Dan Bailey did a great job as place kicker. Missed one kick against Arizona. The punter, maybe Chris Jones can take over for Mat McBriar. McBriar looks like he may be done. Not because he had drop foot. but because of age. DeCamillas needs to be looked at though as coach. A blocked punt vs Jets and a blocked FG vs Giants is a red flag.

Offense: We need a LG for Holland. He can’t pass protect. Free and T Smith need to swap at tackle. Kosier may need to be replaced at RG. He is well over 30. When Murray was healthy and starting, they ran the ball fine. He needs to come back for sure. At TE I would let Bennett go. He is completely inconsistent. Kitna needs replacing at 2nd QB. McGee will never be a decent 2nd QB. Romo has taken too much of a beating the past 2 years. Get some guys who can pass protect. Austin needs to step up at WR. If he is able to play, then get more consistent.

by paul9933 on Jan 4, 2012 3:28 AM CST reply actions

player / weight / short shuttle / vertical jump
Spencer / 261 / 4.43 / 32.5
Spears / 307 / 4.44 / 31

For God and country - Geronimo

by Fan in Thick and Thin on Jan 4, 2012 7:27 AM CST up reply actions

OUCH

I would never consider Spencer that great of an athlete, though his blocked fg was nice

"I got the 9 on me so I think I'm Romo"
Fabolous

by Archie Barberio on Jan 4, 2012 10:32 AM CST up reply actions

the sad thing is though Fan:

Aldon Smith:
6-4, 263
Vertical Jump: 34
Broad Jump: 09’10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.50
3-Cone Drill: 7.19

Anthony Spencer:
6-3, 261
Vertical Jump: 32 1/2
Broad Jump: 09’04"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.43
3-Cone Drill: 7.14

Sack Totals:

Smith: 14

Spencer: 6

explain that one……

Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT

Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST

by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 4, 2012 11:06 AM CST up reply actions

Until they come up with a intangible rating(ie: desire,heart,passion,work ethic,effort)

things like that will always happen. While measurables are important in scouting a player, they don’t tell the whole story.

by Coakey on Jan 4, 2012 11:26 AM CST up reply actions

actually I know the reason Coakley

Justin Smith+ Ray McDonald> Jason Hatcher+ Jay Ratliff

by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 4, 2012 4:03 PM CST up reply actions

also need a FB

forgot to add. We need a stud blocking FB aka Daryl Johnston. Fiametta is ok I guess but saw nothing really good from him. He can catch a pass or 2. So what.

by paul9933 on Jan 4, 2012 3:30 AM CST reply actions

DeCastro

is likely the only offensive guy I would draft. He could replace Kosier or Costa right away. Let Holland , Nagy, Arkin and Kowalski fight it out for the guard spots.( I did like Kowalski at Centre though.) The line would be instantly better. Must address defense in this draft. We need at least one DB, Safety, DE and pass rushing OLB. That is assuming they are not addressed in FA.

by oldboysfan on Jan 4, 2012 5:45 AM CST reply actions

This is the approach I favor.

If DeCastro is available, take him. And then go all in on Defense.

"That's Jason's decision, but he doesn't need to be making that one by himself." --Jerry Jones, 12-26-11

by dave33 on Jan 4, 2012 10:10 AM CST up reply actions

me too

or if there’s a stud rusher at #14 – then G/C in round 2, then defense the rest of the way.

by WA_Cowboy on Jan 4, 2012 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

No more soft coverage.

T New played off the line almost every down this year and lacked the acceleration to close on receivers so he constantly gave up receptions in front of him or deep when he bit on the out and up. Could either be injury or age. Scandrick is a little better at press coverage but can’t stay with the receiver after initial contact. Ball and others are not as smart as T New even if they have the speed.

DB’s only need to cover for 3-4 sec. to give the pass rush time to get in QB’s face. Watched KC completely shut down Denver’s receivers with press coverage Sunday; pass rush contained Tebow – Game over. All that is needed is coverage long enough to make the QB nervous. We’ve beaten Eli and Vick before like this and we can do it again. But not without some new DB’s (I like Jenkins better than the rest, he hardly saw a ball on Sunday). I think Jenkins fills the bill — his rookie year was phenomenal and then ref’s started targeting him for interference (could be called on every DB every down like holding on the OL).

If Jerry has to keep T New, move him to Safety — worked for Cornell Green, Mel Renfro, and Charley Waters.

by 50yrcowboy on Jan 4, 2012 7:22 AM CST reply actions

You really want Newman to have to tackle people at safety

by Coakey on Jan 4, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

I don't

by BuckyWaters on Jan 4, 2012 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

actually

Renfro went to corner from safety and Green went to safety….Green was good sized (around 6’4 i think) one of them udfa’s that teams serious about super bowls should never consider let alone risk a pay check….careful 50yr you dont want jerry thinking he can find talent that way…next he will be drafting qbs that cant play a down for4 years….he would help our pass defense back there ..but could you keep him healthy…and what about his contract i foresee a meeting with jerry and same offer gurode got

by RKO on Jan 4, 2012 10:48 PM CST up reply actions

stand corrected

Waters was a smart corner who lacked speed. At safety he and Cliff Harris became one of the best tandems in history (I had the pleasure of watching Harris play in college). Newman is a smart corner who has lost a step (or several). His recognition skills could translate to safety (the free variety) assuming his dropoff during the year was injury related. Newman has historically been a good tackler (the hurdlers in the last game aside). He is the RKG as well. Bottom line I don’t think anything on the defensive side of the ball should be off the table and Rob doesn’t appear to be the type who is afraid to shake things up. Even Tom Landry played Renfro at WR, Corner, and Returner for a season — he was the best player on the team (maybe Ware and Lee should try offense – LOL).

by 50yrcowboy on Jan 5, 2012 7:28 AM CST up reply actions

yes

he never reminded you of ronnie lott…but tnew usually does get his man down…..i only remembered that switch cuz throwing Green and Walls names into some of the ring of honor talks at begininning of year…wanted some acutual stat/accomplishment numbers…my visual memories of those years are limited to Staubach finally gettin nod over Morton,Thomas running good and Landry being carried off field. My memories start to kick(not as many games to see back then) more with Staubachs comeback against the niners.
watched whole game except last few mins….dad said game over lets go home Staubach aint playing wont be no comeback

by RKO on Jan 5, 2012 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

this defense by itself gave up 21 points in the first half of this game..

When this team faught and claw itself out that hole the defense put them in… It gave up one of the biggest plays i have seen in my life that will be burned into my eye ball sockets until i die

That 3 and 7 to victor Cruz… Yea you can draft a guard but those DBs we got will give the game away just like that over and over again….each and every single play.

by lostar2009 on Jan 4, 2012 7:35 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I think some of you are missing the point

Today’s NFL is geared toward offense, offense, offense, especially passing offense. There were several games the Cowboys lost this year where the offensive output was relatively paltry, for reasons which we could mostly point to the line – Arizona, New England, the second Giants game, even the second Eagles game. If the offense was able to run the ball better or give Romo more times to find his supposedly awesome receivers, the results could have – nay, SHOULD HAVE been different.

I am willing to believe that if given a full off-season, Rob Ryan’s defense will improve a bit. The Cowboys will never have a Pittsburgh or Ravens type defense, or even (sadly) a disruptive Giants type D. But if they can cut their points allowed from 347 to 320 and increase their turnovers from 25 to 30 or so, then that will definitely give the offense with a new and improved line, fortified with blue chip prospects like Tyrone, guard DeCastro and center Peter Konz (for example), a rebounding Doug Free, improving youngsters like Kowalski and Arkin, and quality veterans like Kosier and Holland, well….I’d like our chances much, much better.

by DavidH22 on Jan 4, 2012 9:01 AM CST reply actions

Btw wasn't that pass to Cruz

the same exact pattern and result as Brandon Jacobs’ 74 yard TD reception in 2009?

Cruz – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tzl6DmpC8I

Jacobs – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqxNl0hBfmc

I mean, seriously? COME ON!

by DavidH22 on Jan 4, 2012 9:08 AM CST reply actions

Cruz's TD wasn't designed for big yardage

it was designed for 10 yards, thats sad

"I got the 9 on me so I think I'm Romo"
Fabolous

by Archie Barberio on Jan 4, 2012 10:32 AM CST up reply actions

Same as the 99 in the Jets game

Saw both of these live, obviously. The 74 was de ja vu minus 25 yards.

by MGlover54 on Jan 4, 2012 11:08 AM CST up reply actions

He is a major factor in the defense being bad.

Terrence Newman CB. It’s a shame he’s been stuck on so many average to bad defenses.

Jerry is the end all in Dallas.

by football mensa on Jan 4, 2012 6:12 PM CST reply actions

and the problem

is that Orlandro Scandrick didn’t provide much of anything when he had to step in. Jerry completely overpaid for this guy. Alan Ball was only a bit better moving back to CB than he was at safety. It was atrocious. Newman “used” to get those INT’s on occasion. He can’t do it anymore. What a shame. Bill Parcells’ first draft pick for the Cowboys has just fizzled out. Most CB’s can’t play after 30 and that fits Newman to a T unfortunately.

Really though, the lack of a consistent pass rush really exposed this secondary. Both areas need to get better for sure. If only we could take 3-5 years off Keith Brooking. He used to be really good. I don’t mind Spencer, Brooking or James in backup roles. They shouldn’t be starting though.

by paul9933 on Jan 5, 2012 2:40 AM CST up reply actions

Scandrick was a huge mistake. I am still shakingmy head over that signing.

He is nothing special. Lot’s of guys can give up huge pass plays. He isn’t nearly as instinctive as I was hoping for. Jerry should have let him walk. There wouldn’t have been a huge market for him. Now once again Dallas is stuck with another mediocre player.

Just when you hope things will go in a different direction the more they stay the same. As Jerry said he doesn’t want to hire a gm because it would confuse the decision making process. LOL

Jerry is the end all in Dallas.

by football mensa on Jan 5, 2012 7:04 AM CST up reply actions

Jerry really said that smh

wow just WOW i just don’t understand this guy i really don’t.. Invest high picks on both ur lines then worry about ur “shiny toy” positions damn it ain’t hard

"Some people wear Superman pajamas, Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas. But Chuck Norris wears Sean Lee pajamas. That is all." --sirjason22

"I'm gonna punch you in the ovary, that's what I'm gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the babymaker." --Ron Burgundy

by DarkKnight88 on Jan 5, 2012 7:49 AM CST up reply actions

I'm for DeCasro in the first...then all defense.

If DeCastro can make a seamless transition to the pros, he’ll automatically make the Cowboys offensive line way better. Guy hardly gets beat in any phase of the game, run or pass. He gets to the second level and sticks to LBs and DBs like velcro. If he’s there you take him.

by beautifultyrant on Jan 4, 2012 8:02 PM CST reply actions

another caveat

Jerry Jones thought he could fix the defense by adding a more aggressive Defensive Coordinator in Rob Ryan. Ryan isn’t perfect for sure, but it’s hard to tell how good or bad he is when they bring back mostly the same guys who were ranked so close to the bottom in 2010. The 2009 defense was pretty good, but a few of these players have gotten really old.

Chicken salad can be great with good chicken. When stuck with possum though, it’s going to still suck no matter how great the chef is.

by paul9933 on Jan 5, 2012 2:50 AM CST reply actions