Cowboys' much-maligned defense inconsistent but not responsible for loss to 49ers

[NoDak]

I think there was a discussion not to long ago where I posed the question how anyone could automatically pronounce this defense who had not played a down was absolutely going to be worse than last year. I was all but pronounced insane for not thinking the same thing. In fact someone even said that everyone except L.T. knows the defense will be worse. I haven't heard anyone say yet that they are worse than last year. There is a long way to go but I see some improvement with the run defense in the second half.

If I remember correctly, I wasn't involved in that thread. But yesterday's defensive showing isn't really a good barometer of what we'll see over the course of the year. What little time there was when the game was still somewhat in doubt, they were giving up chunks of yards, and quickly. When the game was decided, it is my opinion that the Niners were more concerned with running clock, than trying to score. Way too early to say either way.

 

[L.T. Fan]

OK, well it's in the eye of the beholder I guess. I still see a unit that isn't nearly good enough to consistently stop a halfway decent offense.

Do you think that if this were a close game and SF had needed to score more TDs that the Dallas D would have stopped them? I know that's a hypothetical, but speculate a little bit.

I don't think anyone is pronouncing the defense as having arrived but there are some indications ( at least to me) that some areas appear to have an improving trend.

 

[L.T. Fan]

If I remember correctly, I wasn't involved in that thread. But yesterday's defensive showing isn't really a good barometer of what we'll see over the course of the year. What little time there was when the game was still somewhat in doubt, they were giving up chunks of yards, and quickly. When the game was decided, it is my opinion that the Niners were more concerned with running clock, than trying to score. Way too early to say either way.

See response above.

 

[Carp]

OK, well it's in the eye of the beholder I guess. I still see a unit that isn't nearly good enough to consistently stop a halfway decent offense.

Do you think that if this were a close game and SF had needed to score more TDs that the Dallas D would have stopped them? I know that's a hypothetical, but speculate a little bit.

I can't give a definitive answer, but it would have been real easy to roll over and allow them to chew clock and run the ball...but they hung in there.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

I can't give a definitive answer, but it would have been real easy to roll over and allow them to chew clock and run the ball...but they hung in there.

They did, and I'll give them credit for playing hard. They didn't let it get embarrassing from a scoring standpoint. It's just my opinion that if SF would have really needed to start marching down the field again in the second half there would have been little the Cowboys D could have done about it. Just speculation of course, but not baseless speculation.

 

[Carp]

They did, and I'll give them credit for playing hard. They didn't let it get embarrassing from a scoring standpoint. It's just my opinion that if SF would have really needed to start marching down the field again in the second half there would have been little the Cowboys D could have done about it. Just speculation of course, but not baseless speculation.

The drive that impressed me was the opening drive after halftime...that is one historically where we just bend over and let them ram it in...but the D held and got the 3 and out, which the O could not capitalize on. Not saying this is a great D, but I was encouraged.

 

[L.T. Fan]

The drive that impressed me was the opening drive after halftime...that is one historically where we just bend over and let them ram it in...but the D held and got the 3 and out, which the O could not capitalize on. Not saying this is a great D, but I was encouraged.

For me also. I just hope they don't tank and can build on what I think is a positive.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

They did, and I'll give them credit for playing hard. They didn't let it get embarrassing from a scoring standpoint. It's just my opinion that if SF would have really needed to start marching down the field again in the second half there would have been little the Cowboys D could have done about it. Just speculation of course, but not baseless speculation.

Our run defense certainly looked much better then anticipated. You can say that was because we were playing the run but guys on the front 7 actually appeared to step up in this game. Hopefully we can at least keep that up the rest of the season. I have no doubt that Romo will have games that he looks much better then this. It's why coaches like Garrett need to take the preseason seriously instead of letting everyone on the team coast through it and not play.

 

[hstour]

Our run defense certainly looked much better then anticipated. You can say that was because we were playing the run but guys on the front 7 actually appeared to step up in this game. Hopefully we can at least keep that up the rest of the season. I have no doubt that Romo will have games that he looks much better then this. It's why coaches like Garrett need to take the preseason seriously instead of letting everyone on the team coast through it and not play.

Agreed. You really don't want your first 4 regular season games to be your "pre-season" games.

 

[Cotton]

I can't be mad at this defense at all. Two guys who stood out to me on the line were Mincey and Coleman. They were both active and impressive. Crawford started to get some pressure as well. The gaps in the zones are alarming for sure. If I see a bunch formation I know we are fucked.

It was the pressure that surprised me the most. It was shocking, TBH. I'm with you, the defense played well enough to win. This one is solely on Romo and the play calling.