JJT: Dallas D just doesn't have the talent

[Clay_Allison]

This Tampa 2 wasn't going to install itself in one year. Hell, we ran the 3-4 for 8 years and we never got it to function smoothly.

I said all offseason that we didn't need the LB coach and the DB coach learning on the job and we had the chance to get guys with more experience in the scheme, including some guys with experience coordinating the scheme.

But no, people wanted to keep two 3-4 guys and now our #1 pick DB and our 2nd round LB are being benched and both units are struggling.

 

[skidadl]

The players aren't that good. Or motivated. That's the problem

 

[boozeman]

This Tampa 2 wasn't going to install itself in one year. Hell, we ran the 3-4 for 8 years and we never got it to function smoothly.

I said all offseason that we didn't need the LB coach and the DB coach learning on the job and we had the chance to get guys with more experience in the scheme, including some guys with experience coordinating the scheme.

But no, people wanted to keep two 3-4 guys and now our #1 pick DB and our 2nd round LB are being benched and both units are struggling.

The LB coach and DB coach aren't the problem.

The transition from the 3-4 to the 4-3 was a rash, impulsive knee jerk decision that even if it was justified, was not thought through with a corresponding plan. Even when Parcells was dying to implement the 3-4, we did it in gradual steps. We did not go full bore into his system without the right skill set pieces in place.

The approach we took in April, with Kiffin's express advice to Jones, was that we were good. We drafted no DL. We did not even sign one as an UDFA. We signed a below average vet in Allen, drafted Wilcox and expected Matt Johnson to be like another draft pick.

The kicker was thinking Ratliff was some Sapp-like centerpiece. I also think that we assumed that Ware would be fine getting blocked on every play. Lee and Carter...just perfect fits...we see that is not the case either.

We now know what I feared earlier in the offseason...that we made a lot of assumptions that they would function in the scheme.

Now very few of them panned out and we have what we have. Can't say I am all that surprised.

 

[Clay_Allison]

The LB coach and DB coach aren't the problem.

The transition from the 3-4 to the 4-3 was a rash, impulsive knee jerk decision that even if it was justified, was not thought through with a corresponding plan. Even when Parcells was dying to implement the 3-4, we did it in gradual steps. We did not go full bore into his system without the right skill set pieces in place.

The approach we took in April, with Kiffin's express advice to Jones, was that we were good. We drafted no DL. We did not even sign one as an UDFA. We signed a below average vet in Allen, drafted Wilcox and expected Matt Johnson to be like another draft pick.

The kicker was thinking Ratliff was some Sapp-like centerpiece. I also think that we assumed that Ware would be fine getting blocked on every play. Lee and Carter...just perfect fits...we see that is not the case either.

We now know what I feared earlier in the offseason...that we made a lot of assumptions that they would function in the scheme.

Now very few of them panned out and we have what we have. Can't say I am all that surprised.

I said also during the offseason that Jones put his checkbook back in the drawer because he doesn't spend money on coaches that are on the hot seat. He was going to stand pat on roster moves no matter what the defense was.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Yep. I hope everyone who was clamoring for the 4-3 as if it would magically fix everything learned something. As I've said before, the type of defense almost doesn't matter. It's about the players and how they are coached.

 

[VA Cowboy]

Going from the 3-4 to 4-3 shouldn't have been this big of a problem. I think the main issue is ignoring the DL, especially DT, and going to the Tampa 2 zone defense.

 

[Lotuseater]

The defense will get better this year. It will. Watch it happen and remember you heard it here.

 

[mcnuttz]

Going from the 3-4 to 4-3 shouldn't have been this big of a problem. I think the main issue is ignoring the DL, especially DT, and going to the Tampa 2 zone defense.

And forgetting about the run. We're moving the ball too damn quick and putting the defense back out on the field. They need a frikkin break.

 

[1bigfan13]

Going from the 3-4 to 4-3 shouldn't have been this big of a problem. I think the main issue is ignoring the DL, especially DT, and going to the Tampa 2 zone defense.

Agreed. I was one of the guys who was all for jumping to a 4-3.

The problem, as you stated, is that management sat on their asses and did absolutely nothing to address the DL.

It is flat out embarrassing that they completely ignored the DL particularly when you consider all the unknowns we had coming into this season and going into 2014. Ratliff's health; Brent's legal status, Hatcher and Spencer being UFA. That's pretty much the entire core group of contributers on the DL. All with question marks about their health and availability this year and in 2014. And you don't draft or sign a couple of UDFAs to counter that?

That's horrible personnel mismangement.

If I'd have known that they were going to sit on their ass and do nothing to address the on field talent I'd been against the scheme switch. Might as well have stuck with the 3-4.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Losing Crawford, Spencer and Bass is the real issue especially Crawford, I think he would have been a good in this scheme.

I don't think anybody drafted after Short would have been an upgrade over the injured guys.

 

[Rev]

The defense will get better this year. It will. Watch it happen and remember you heard it here.

Going out on a limb here...



I mean its kind of hard not to get better when you have given up 1000 yards on two games.

 

[boozeman]

Losing Crawford, Spencer and Bass is the real issue especially Crawford, I think he would have been a good in this scheme.

I don't think anybody drafted after Short would have been an upgrade over the injured guys.

Forgot about Bass, but I think you are really overrating the guy.

 

[Lotuseater]

Going out on a limb here...



I mean its kind of hard not to get better when you have given up 1000 yards on two games.

True, but I was referring to getting exponentially better only confidence brings. We are still the best team in our division. Success will breed confidence and success in division games is coming.

 

[ravidubey]

I can't imagine the Cowboys won't draft a top DL next year. It always seems to be next year.

 

[p1_]

The defensive line is where the offensive line has been for th elast few years. Old ,out-manned and in need of a talent infusion.

 

[Smitty]

The defensive line is where the offensive line has been for th elast few years. Old ,out-manned and in need of a talent infusion.

Our DL is like the 2008 version of our OL.

Going downhill fast, not really particularly great even if everyone was healthy, and if we don't watch out it will be a disaster.

 

[ravidubey]

Our DL is like the 2008 version of our OL.

Going downhill fast, not really particularly great even if everyone was healthy, and if we don't watch out it will be a disaster.

Next year we'll have Crawford, Wilber, Hayden, Ware, and technically Ratliff under contract. I'm guessing Selvie only signed a one-year deal, Ratliff will be cut, and Hatcher won't be re-signed. They need to re-sign Selvie to rotate with Crawford, and if they do that LDE and RDE would not need emergency repair.

But the DL interior is a disaster that needs at least one strong draft pick who can be a day one starter and also a free agent starter (this could be Hatcher, but I don't like paying age).

I don't understand why no one is looking at signing Richard Seymour immediately. Does 30 and 51 points and not being able to stop anyone the last six quarters not raise any alarm bells??

EDIT:

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports free agent DT Richard Seymour is open to playing for a "contending" team by Week 10.
La Canfora reports the 49ers, Lions, and Falcons have all reached out to Seymour in recent weeks. The 34-year-old has the ability to play in both a 3-4 and 4-3 defense. He's reportedly seeking $5 million to return. It's hard to envision a team giving Seymour that kind of dough at this stage of the season. Oct 6 - 10:51 AM
Source: CBS Sports

While it's true Dallas probably can't afford 5 million, I think they also can't afford to give up 30+ points every damned week.