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Five ways to fix the Dallas Cowboys' defense
9:45 AM ET
Jean-Jacques Taylor
ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas -- In a lot of games this season, the Dallas Cowboys' defense played well enough to win with just a little more help from their struggling offense.
But Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli vehemently disagrees. That’s because his version of the Tampa 2 defense is designed to generate two things: sacks and turnovers.
The Cowboys' defense produced neither this season, finishing last in the NFL in turnovers (11) and tied for 25th in sacks (31). And unlike the offense, the defense was relatively healthy all season.
Here are five ways to fix the Cowboys’ defense next year:
Problem No. 1: The Cowboys tied the 1982 Colts for the fewest turnovers in NFL history with 11, a year after forcing 32. There aren't many tangible explanations for the precipitous drop, although Marinelli did bemoan the number of strip attempts the Cowboys had in several games. In essence, he said the players weren’t consistent enough trying to get the ball out. And when they did try, there weren’t enough players running to the ball increasing their odds of pouncing on it. The Cowboys played hard, but Marinelli wanted them to play even harder.
How to fix it: The Cowboys need their offense to play better so they can play with a lead. Dallas didn’t have a lead of more than 10 points in the final 10 games of the season. Teams typically get turnovers when their opponent becomes one-dimensional and it’s obvious they have to throw. The pass rush gets better, leading to turnovers because quarterbacks under duress make mistakes. The Cowboys also need more play-makers.
Problem No. 2: For the second consecutive season, the Cowboys failed to have a player reach double digits in sacks. That’s awful when you consider they signed Greg Hardy to a one-year deal worth as much as $13 million to significantly improve their pass rush. He played hard and provided moments of Pro Bowl-caliber play, but he was not the guy who had 27 sacks in his past 32 games entering the season. Although Hardy was often double-teamed, the other members of the defensive line failed to take advantage of their one-on-one battles.
How to fix it: Marinelli can’t stand blitzing because he believes it compromises his defense. The Cowboys blitzed on just 34 of 160 third-down plays. They recorded five sacks with their third-down blitzes, and each occurred on third-and-seven or longer. Still, if the pass rush isn’t affecting the quarterback, then Marinelli has to blitz more because quarterbacks with time will hurt any defense.
Problem No. 3: Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, the Cowboys’ two starting cornerbacks, did not have an interception. Wow. Carr hasn’t had one since 2013, and Claiborne has just three in his four-year career. They’re simply not play-makers, which means the Cowboys must upgrade at the position to get the turnovers Marinelli craves. The return of Orlando Scandrick from a knee injury that forced him to miss the entire season will help, but it’s not enough.
How to fix it: The Cowboys must address the cornerback position with a premium draft choice -- a pick in the first three rounds -- to get a player capable of either starting or being a significant contributor. Perhaps Terrance Mitchell or Deji Olatoye will help, but each seems more equipped for the nickel or dime packages rather than as a starter.
Problem No. 4: The Cowboys stunk on third-and-long. They were tied with the Eagles for last in the NFL on third-and-10 or more yards, allowing a conversion rate of 28.6 percent (16-for-56). The Jets led the NFL with a 14.5 conversion rate (10-for-69). Few things demoralize a defense more than yielding a conversion on third-and-long.
How to fix it: Second-round draft pick Randy Gregory must become the impact player the Cowboys thought they were getting when he fell to the second round because of off-the-field issues. He finished the season without a sack. More pressure from Gregory and the continued emergence of DeMarcus Lawrence means the Cowboys should have a better pass rush, and quarterbacks should have less time to find a receiver on third-and-long. An upgrade at cornerback would also help.
Problem No. 5: Marinelli is one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, but one of his weaknesses is that he doesn’t believe in change. When the Cowboys have an issue on defense, Marinelli is much more inclined to ask his players to work a little bit harder, or he’ll tweak the scheme a tad to make it even more simple so players can play without thinking too much. Sometimes a more dramatic change in approach is needed.
How to fix it: Whether it’s head coach Jason Garrett or linebackers coach Matt Eberflus or some new addition to the staff, someone has to persuade Marinelli to change his scheme a little bit. Maybe it’s blitzing more. Or using more zone blitzes. Or playing more combination coverages. The Cowboys’ defense is predicated on simplicity, but when that’s not working because the players aren’t good enough Marinelli has to change and put his players in better position to make plays.
9:45 AM ET
Jean-Jacques Taylor
ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas -- In a lot of games this season, the Dallas Cowboys' defense played well enough to win with just a little more help from their struggling offense.
But Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli vehemently disagrees. That’s because his version of the Tampa 2 defense is designed to generate two things: sacks and turnovers.
The Cowboys' defense produced neither this season, finishing last in the NFL in turnovers (11) and tied for 25th in sacks (31). And unlike the offense, the defense was relatively healthy all season.
Here are five ways to fix the Cowboys’ defense next year:
Problem No. 1: The Cowboys tied the 1982 Colts for the fewest turnovers in NFL history with 11, a year after forcing 32. There aren't many tangible explanations for the precipitous drop, although Marinelli did bemoan the number of strip attempts the Cowboys had in several games. In essence, he said the players weren’t consistent enough trying to get the ball out. And when they did try, there weren’t enough players running to the ball increasing their odds of pouncing on it. The Cowboys played hard, but Marinelli wanted them to play even harder.
How to fix it: The Cowboys need their offense to play better so they can play with a lead. Dallas didn’t have a lead of more than 10 points in the final 10 games of the season. Teams typically get turnovers when their opponent becomes one-dimensional and it’s obvious they have to throw. The pass rush gets better, leading to turnovers because quarterbacks under duress make mistakes. The Cowboys also need more play-makers.
Problem No. 2: For the second consecutive season, the Cowboys failed to have a player reach double digits in sacks. That’s awful when you consider they signed Greg Hardy to a one-year deal worth as much as $13 million to significantly improve their pass rush. He played hard and provided moments of Pro Bowl-caliber play, but he was not the guy who had 27 sacks in his past 32 games entering the season. Although Hardy was often double-teamed, the other members of the defensive line failed to take advantage of their one-on-one battles.
How to fix it: Marinelli can’t stand blitzing because he believes it compromises his defense. The Cowboys blitzed on just 34 of 160 third-down plays. They recorded five sacks with their third-down blitzes, and each occurred on third-and-seven or longer. Still, if the pass rush isn’t affecting the quarterback, then Marinelli has to blitz more because quarterbacks with time will hurt any defense.
Problem No. 3: Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, the Cowboys’ two starting cornerbacks, did not have an interception. Wow. Carr hasn’t had one since 2013, and Claiborne has just three in his four-year career. They’re simply not play-makers, which means the Cowboys must upgrade at the position to get the turnovers Marinelli craves. The return of Orlando Scandrick from a knee injury that forced him to miss the entire season will help, but it’s not enough.
How to fix it: The Cowboys must address the cornerback position with a premium draft choice -- a pick in the first three rounds -- to get a player capable of either starting or being a significant contributor. Perhaps Terrance Mitchell or Deji Olatoye will help, but each seems more equipped for the nickel or dime packages rather than as a starter.
Problem No. 4: The Cowboys stunk on third-and-long. They were tied with the Eagles for last in the NFL on third-and-10 or more yards, allowing a conversion rate of 28.6 percent (16-for-56). The Jets led the NFL with a 14.5 conversion rate (10-for-69). Few things demoralize a defense more than yielding a conversion on third-and-long.
How to fix it: Second-round draft pick Randy Gregory must become the impact player the Cowboys thought they were getting when he fell to the second round because of off-the-field issues. He finished the season without a sack. More pressure from Gregory and the continued emergence of DeMarcus Lawrence means the Cowboys should have a better pass rush, and quarterbacks should have less time to find a receiver on third-and-long. An upgrade at cornerback would also help.
Problem No. 5: Marinelli is one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, but one of his weaknesses is that he doesn’t believe in change. When the Cowboys have an issue on defense, Marinelli is much more inclined to ask his players to work a little bit harder, or he’ll tweak the scheme a tad to make it even more simple so players can play without thinking too much. Sometimes a more dramatic change in approach is needed.
How to fix it: Whether it’s head coach Jason Garrett or linebackers coach Matt Eberflus or some new addition to the staff, someone has to persuade Marinelli to change his scheme a little bit. Maybe it’s blitzing more. Or using more zone blitzes. Or playing more combination coverages. The Cowboys’ defense is predicated on simplicity, but when that’s not working because the players aren’t good enough Marinelli has to change and put his players in better position to make plays.