I refuse to allow the Zeke suspension to change the way I
view my Dallas Cowboys. I will not accept them going 3-3 over that six game
span, nor will I lower my expectation to allow them to miss the playoffs. The
Cowboys are one of the most talented teams in the NFL. They’re well coached,
well ran (Hall of Fame owner), and now it’s time for them to prosper through
the adversity. Losing Zeke is a huge blow, but you don’t go 13-3 because of one
player (unless it’s Tom Brady). This team was successful because they are
loaded with talented players. These professional athletes better dig deep and
find me some guts. Strap up your chin straps, make sure those shoulders pad are
on right, and kick ass out the gate! I hear all the talk about the backup running
backs stepping up in Zeke’s absence, what about this defense?
The last time the Cowboys had a #1 ranked defense was
2003 (yards). They finished second in points allowed that year. They also had
some pretty good defenses when Wade Phillips was head coach. It has been a
while since the Cowboys have put a dominate defensive unit on the field. That has
to change in 2017 if this team expects to reach the super bowl.
Pump your brakes! I’m not saying that the Cowboys will
have the number one ranked defense in 2017. I’m not even saying that they have
the potential to have a number one ranked defense. They do have the potential
to be a good defense. When I say good, I mean ranked 10-12, which would be an improvement
from last years ranking.
We’ve seen two preseason games from this team and it
appears they have improved the pass rush. The sack numbers are great in these
first two games but the front four seem to be getting good penetration into the
backfield. Rod Marinelli has a scheme that is great against the run. In these
first two games, I have seen some consistencies with some of the aspects to
this defense that I really like from this front line. Also consider we haven’t
seen Demarcus Lawrence or Maliek Collins yet.
The defensive linemen with good speed are getting off the
ball quick and up field. Charles Tapper and Damontre Moore are setting the edge
with their speed. Both of these guys fly of up field. What this does is forces
the quarterback to have to step up in the pocket or roll out to the other side
where the other end is waiting. Changing the quarterback’s launch pad is
essential to an effective pass rush. Demarcus Lawrence and David Irving also
have good speed off the edge and pairing either one of them with Tapper or
Moore could be dangerous for opposing quarterbacks. Now image that quarterback stepping
up into the arms of Maliek Collins. The Cowboy don’t have that individual rusher
that will give them 15 sacks this season. Lawrence has the ability to get 10,
but that is the one player that has proven to be able to get to the
quarterback at that rate. The Cowboys will have a collective effort from many players on
that front line. They have the ability to dictate the tempo with these fast
ends. Moore and Tapper give the Cowboys speed up front that they have been
missing for about 3 seasons now.
Rushing the ends up field also serves notice to offensive linemen. Getting beat off the edge by a defender is embarrassing for an offensive lineman.
They take notice to edge rushers that have the speed to blow past them and they
account for that possibility. This will then create room for the twist and
stunts that Marinelli loves to use for his interior defensive linemen. The
twist and stunts will allow the interior linemen to contain the shovel passes
and draws plays that the offense will use to counter the speed of the rushing
ends. Having Moore and Tapper in the rotation should help improve this defenses
pass rush. I know Moore and Irving will be starting the year off serving
suspensions, but Tapper will have to be the guy coming in using his speed to
create for the other pass rushers. Taco Charlton is one of those players that will
be very successful with the help of these speed rushers. Charlton is having
problem adjusting to the NFL game. He isn’t winning one on one matchups as much
as we would like but he is getting better. An improved pass rush should help
everyone else on this defense especially the secondary.
Defending the wide receivers in the passing game, and
getting to the quarterback go hand in hand. When the pass rush is nonexistent
then the corner backs have to defend longer than they should. When the
secondary isn’t able to stay in front the receivers than the pass rush doesn’t
have the time to get to the quarterback. The Cowboys have been struggling to
solve this equation since Demarcus Ware left. The secondary was the strongest
unit on this defense last season, but that might not be the case this season.
The Cowboys will get a few new players in that secondary.
Jeff Heath will probably get the start at strong safety. Heath has been
excellent in a reserved role. He is great on special teams, comes in, and a
makes his way to the ball. As a starter, he will be required to make plays on a
consistent basis. I don’t think Heath is as good as Church, but he brings more
athleticism. Pairing Heath with Bryon Jones could create a special safety tandem.
Bryon Jones is a better safety than Heath and Church and
he has to be that player this season. Jones has all the athletic ability that
anybody would want for his position. It’s time to start producing. Jones has
been great at staying with receivers and tight ends. He is also good at getting
his hands on ball when it’s in the air. I NEED HIM TO START CATCHING INTERCEPTIONS
AND STOP BATTING DOWN BALLS. Jones is great at being the center fielder; he can
get cover sideline to sideline, now he has to start making plays and creating
turnovers for this defense. If he can be the special player, we all hope he can
these cornerbacks will have the time they need to grow.
The safety combination of Heath and Jones give the
Cowboys two play makers on the back end of the defense. An improved pass rush
will give those two players opportunities to make plays. Both of these areas will
help the young group of cornerbacks.
Anthony Brown played very well last season. He showed the
ability to play tough against any wide receiver. Like Heath, Brown was used in
spot duty. He started some games last season in place of Morris Claiborne, and
Orlando Scandrick. When he was on the field, he was always in good positions,
and played the ball well when it was in the air. Brown has the ability to be a
special corner back, but he still needs time to grow. The organization and the
media surrounding the Cowboys love Chidobe Awuzie. He gives the Cowboys a
player that can play on the outside, inside, or safety position. We haven’t
seen Jourdan Lewis yet in preseason so the jury is still out on him. Marquez
White looks like he can fill that JJ Wilcox role for this defense. Orlando
Scandrick is a veteran player that has played good on the outside and inside.
His placement will probably be determined by the play of these young players. If
Awuzie and Brown earn the outside positions then Scandrick will play the slot.
If they can’t earn both of the outside cornerback spots then Scandrick will
play one of the outside spots. These corners are inexperience but that doesn’t
mean they’re bad players. The youth and inexperience will make them hungry and
want to work that much harder. Let’s be honest they aren’t replacing hall of
fame players. These young players can be as good if not better than the group
the Cowboys had last season.
While more pressure falls on Dak and the passing game,
keeping the ship afloat should also fall on the defense. The Cowboys will use a
committee of running backs to keep that rushing attack going. The offensive line
is bringing back those three all pro players. The left guard spot is up in the
air, I just hope Bryon Bell can be better than he has been if he gets the starting
job. This defense has to play much better 2017 if this team want to win the super
bowl. Zeke or no Zeke this team has high expectations and everyone on it should
feel the pressure. I don’t want to hear “we didn’t have Zeke to start the year,”
if this team doesn’t make the playoffs.
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