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Damn the backup Running Backs..... Defense please!

            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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