Lawrence looking quick, explosive; ’Boys expect him to be a ‘significant contributor'

[Plan9Misfit]

It's extremely frustrating. We are getting pressure, but just can't deliver any sacks. Granted, it disrupts the pocket and the rhythm of the QB, but that's not enough... especially when we face a good offense. We need that QB on his back.

Pretty much. We have an entire line of Anthony Spencer's. We're almost getting sacks from everyone. We assuredly lead the league in almost sacks.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

It's extremely frustrating. We are getting pressure, but just can't deliver any sacks. Granted, it disrupts the pocket and the rhythm of the QB, but that's not enough... especially when we face a good offense. We need that QB on his back.

If we start getting sacks this defense could go from good to elite very quickly.

 

[NoDak]

If we start getting sacks this defense could go from good to elite very quickly.

I don't know if I'd go that far. Go to a unit you could count on more, sure. But elite?

We still struggle covering TEs, and our safety play is still shaky in pass coverage. Also, our run defense can still be exposed.

 

[Cotton]

If we start getting sacks this defense could go from good to elite very quickly.

I wouldn't use the word elite, but damned solid for sure. And (brace for this)... reliable.

 

[Plan9Misfit]

If we start getting sacks this defense could go from good to elite very quickly.

Increasing our sack totals will also increase the number of turnovers we can force.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I wouldn't use the word elite, but damned solid for sure. And (brace for this)... reliable.

We are already in the top 10 for defense. I'd call a top 5 defense elite and I think if we start getting sacks we will be bumped up into that range.

 

[DontCryWolfe]

Call it hyperbole, but I think a reliable pass rush is the only thing standing between this team and a championship, provided we stay healthy of course.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Call it hyperbole, but I think a reliable pass rush is the only thing standing between this team and a championship, provided we stay healthy of course.

Pretty much concur. A sound offensive team will give Dallas problems especially if the use ball control tactics. The defense gives up too much in the middle of the field and will cave unless they have a way to disrupt drives on the north side of the 50 yard line.

 

[Rev]

Sadly it seems that a pass rush is the hardest thing to find for us.

 

[ravidubey]

Call it hyperbole, but I think a reliable pass rush is the only thing standing between this team and a championship, provided we stay healthy of course.

And a bit more stout vs the run. They're swarming to the football which is great but the offense hasn't had any bad games during this winning streak.

If Dallas gets behind a team with a balanced offense, it will be tough for this defense based on what we've seen so far.

 

[BipolarFuk]

ELITE sure does get thrown around easily these days.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

And a bit more stout vs the run. They're swarming to the football which is great but the offense hasn't had any bad games during this winning streak.

If Dallas gets behind a team with a balanced offense, it will be tough for this defense based on what we've seen so far.

Our run defense is very streaky. It seems like we will shut a RB down on 90% of his carries but there is always a big run or two that makes their overall numbers still look great. This is why our defense is getting third down stops but it's also why RBs still have a nice average per carry against our defense.

 

[ravidubey]

Our run defense is very streaky. It seems like we will shut a RB down on 90% of his carries but there is always a big run or two that makes their overall numbers still look great. This is why our defense is getting third down stops but it's also why RBs still have a nice average per carry against our defense.

Very true, and especially against New York. But even if they get those mistakes cleaned up, if Dallas fails to capture TOP it's hard to imagine the defense remaining stout.

I'm worried about the Packers and 49ers, frankly, and Lions if Megatron returns. Throw the Eagles in there too, for good measure. If Dallas gets behind those teams, can the defense keep stopping the run when they can't afford to load up the LOS because of big-armed QB's?

 

[Cotton]

Very true, and especially against New York. But even if they get those mistakes cleaned up, if Dallas fails to capture TOP it's hard to imagine the defense remaining stout.

I'm worried about the Packers and 49ers, frankly, and Lions if Megatron returns. Throw the Eagles in there too, for good measure. If Dallas gets behind those teams, can the defense keep stopping the run when they can't afford to load up the LOS because of big-armed QB's?

Except for the Packers, who has a big-armed QB bigger than Brees, who we pretty much mud-stomped?

God damn, the homer in me is rearing it's ugly head right now.

 

[ravidubey]

Except for the Packers, who has a big-armed QB bigger than Brees, who we pretty much mud-stomped?

God damn, the homer in me is rearing it's ugly head right now.

Dallas's offense destroyed the Saints from the start, they led 24-0, and never looked back.

I'm saying if we get behind, can the defense hold on its own?

I'm looking for the fatal flaw that keeps us out of the NFC title game-- the thing that keeps us from winning our first divisional-round game since the 1995 season.

Because unless they plain fail vs the Eagles, based on what I'm seeing Dallas wins this division and gets a bye.

Suppose Dallas and Detroit each win their divisions and a bye, and the field is 4Carolina, 6Philly, 5GB, and 3San Francisco.

Philly loses at SF again and GB beats Carolina. If Dallas is the 1 seed they host GB and if they are the 2 seed they host SF.

Either GB or San Francisco are dangerous opponents. If we get behind, can we come back against either of those teams?

I'm most concerned with the Packers, who I think are the most dangerous team in the conference.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Very true, and especially against New York. But even if they get those mistakes cleaned up, if Dallas fails to capture TOP it's hard to imagine the defense remaining stout.

I'm worried about the Packers and 49ers, frankly, and Lions if Megatron returns. Throw the Eagles in there too, for good measure. If Dallas gets behind those teams, can the defense keep stopping the run when they can't afford to load up the LOS because of big-armed QB's?

TOP is a two way street. It's not just your offense that causes you to win TOP. It's also your defense doing a great job of getting off the field. Everyone likes to point to TOP as the reason why our defense looks so much better this year. They forget however that we are dominating in TOP in part because of our defenses play this year.

 

[data]

i'm going to the Zone for a dose of pessimism

 

[Cotton]

i'm going to the Zone for a dose of pessimism

Don't judge me, asshole.

 

[jsmith6919]

i'm going to the Zone for a dose of pessimism

 

[Texas Ace]

I'm most concerned with the Packers, who I think are the most dangerous team in the conference.

That is the team that would scare me the most because I think it is a matchup nightmare.

I do think we can be exposed by an elite QB in charge of a great passing game, and that's exactly what GB has. We could try to slow the game down by running the ball and controlling the clock, but if we struggle to get stops, then we'd run into the dilemma that you mentioned.

The Eagles worry me as well in this regard, but they don't have an elite QB so I could see us doing enough to win those matchups. But Green Bay is definitely the matchup I would hope to avoid.