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Reason for optimism? Cowboys' defense has been better than expected
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
OXNARD, Calif. -- This might come as a surprise to many of you: The Dallas Cowboys' defense has not been bad.
Perhaps that has something to do with lower-than-usual expectations entering training camp, but there have been positive signs after 10 practices.
Two years ago, the Cowboys' offense dominated the defense almost daily, with one practice particularly standing out when it seemed no running back was touched until he was 5 yards downfield.
This summer? The first-team offense has not broken off the long runs on a consistent basis. The pass defense has also been markedly improved. The first-team defense has not given up a long run of note unless you want to count a jet sweep by wide receiver Lucky Whitehead.
Cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr have not allowed much separation in covering receivers. Dez Bryant has had some highlight plays but not much has come easy for him. The pass-rush remains unsettled, but there have been times the defense has gotten home with blitzes.
Of course, in Jason Garrett's world the measurements are not made through a small portion of training camp. Or evidently at all. Although daily interceptions, fumbles, sacks and strip attempts are noted on charts for all to see.
"Any idea that there's an expectation for what this defense can be, what this offense can be, what this team can be, we really don't live in that world," Garrett said. "We live in the world of preparing to take full advantage of this opportunity, and I would argue that the guys really throughout our team have done that. And I think they have done that on the defensive side of the ball. We have a long way to go. We go back and watch that tape at night, every day, and cannot be real pleased with it. But there are some things that you like."
The suspensions of Rolando McClain (10 games), Randy Gregory (four) and DeMarcus Lawrence (four) contributed to the dismal defensive talk entering camp. McClain and Gregory aren't even at camp.
Add that to those remembering just 11 takeaways last season and lost fourth-quarter leads or first-drive losses in overtime (Philadelphia, New Orleans).
But the defense is using that doubt as motivation.
"No question we play with a chip on our shoulder," linebacker Sean Lee said. "We know we can play defense at a high level. People might not believe in us, but we've done it before. We've put it on tape. We just have to find a way to beat the system. We need to stay healthy. But I think we can be a great defense."
None of what has happened in Oxnard means the Cowboys will have the third coming of Doomsday. It just means maybe there is a hope that the possibility of success will not rely solely on Tony Romo, Ezekiel Elliott, Bryant, Jason Witten and the offensive line.
"It's our fourth year in the system this year and a lot of the players in this system know it like the back of their hand now," safety Barry Church said. "So I feel like the communication level is outstanding right now, people playing as one, and I feel like that'll allow us to play a lot faster on the field this year and hopefully cause havoc and create turnovers like we did in '14."
Two years ago the expectations for the Cowboys' defense were extraordinarily low. Some wondered if it would be the worst defense in NFL history. It wasn't, finishing 19th overall. Most importantly, that defense was second in the league in takeaways.
That defense didn't have Lee or Byron Jones, two reasons why executive vice president Stephen Jones expressed optimism for the defense in the spring.
"We have some guys that were some pretty impactful players that are not going to be able to help us out from four to 10 games, so that's a disappointment," Carr said. "But at the same time, it's the ultimate team sport. This is why we have 100 guys out here at camp, because you have to find the next person to fill in to those shoes. And also, it's up to us veteran guys as leaders out there on the defense to kind of set the tone, to hold everybody accountable. But for those that need the expedited playbook, I guess, we need to bring those guys along and get everybody on the same page. Because once Sept. 11 hits, there's no excuses, there's no reasons as to why you can't go out there and compete. It doesn't matter who's out. It just matters who's on the field right now."
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
OXNARD, Calif. -- This might come as a surprise to many of you: The Dallas Cowboys' defense has not been bad.
Perhaps that has something to do with lower-than-usual expectations entering training camp, but there have been positive signs after 10 practices.
Two years ago, the Cowboys' offense dominated the defense almost daily, with one practice particularly standing out when it seemed no running back was touched until he was 5 yards downfield.
This summer? The first-team offense has not broken off the long runs on a consistent basis. The pass defense has also been markedly improved. The first-team defense has not given up a long run of note unless you want to count a jet sweep by wide receiver Lucky Whitehead.
Cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr have not allowed much separation in covering receivers. Dez Bryant has had some highlight plays but not much has come easy for him. The pass-rush remains unsettled, but there have been times the defense has gotten home with blitzes.
Of course, in Jason Garrett's world the measurements are not made through a small portion of training camp. Or evidently at all. Although daily interceptions, fumbles, sacks and strip attempts are noted on charts for all to see.
"Any idea that there's an expectation for what this defense can be, what this offense can be, what this team can be, we really don't live in that world," Garrett said. "We live in the world of preparing to take full advantage of this opportunity, and I would argue that the guys really throughout our team have done that. And I think they have done that on the defensive side of the ball. We have a long way to go. We go back and watch that tape at night, every day, and cannot be real pleased with it. But there are some things that you like."
The suspensions of Rolando McClain (10 games), Randy Gregory (four) and DeMarcus Lawrence (four) contributed to the dismal defensive talk entering camp. McClain and Gregory aren't even at camp.
Add that to those remembering just 11 takeaways last season and lost fourth-quarter leads or first-drive losses in overtime (Philadelphia, New Orleans).
But the defense is using that doubt as motivation.
"No question we play with a chip on our shoulder," linebacker Sean Lee said. "We know we can play defense at a high level. People might not believe in us, but we've done it before. We've put it on tape. We just have to find a way to beat the system. We need to stay healthy. But I think we can be a great defense."
None of what has happened in Oxnard means the Cowboys will have the third coming of Doomsday. It just means maybe there is a hope that the possibility of success will not rely solely on Tony Romo, Ezekiel Elliott, Bryant, Jason Witten and the offensive line.
"It's our fourth year in the system this year and a lot of the players in this system know it like the back of their hand now," safety Barry Church said. "So I feel like the communication level is outstanding right now, people playing as one, and I feel like that'll allow us to play a lot faster on the field this year and hopefully cause havoc and create turnovers like we did in '14."
Two years ago the expectations for the Cowboys' defense were extraordinarily low. Some wondered if it would be the worst defense in NFL history. It wasn't, finishing 19th overall. Most importantly, that defense was second in the league in takeaways.
That defense didn't have Lee or Byron Jones, two reasons why executive vice president Stephen Jones expressed optimism for the defense in the spring.
"We have some guys that were some pretty impactful players that are not going to be able to help us out from four to 10 games, so that's a disappointment," Carr said. "But at the same time, it's the ultimate team sport. This is why we have 100 guys out here at camp, because you have to find the next person to fill in to those shoes. And also, it's up to us veteran guys as leaders out there on the defense to kind of set the tone, to hold everybody accountable. But for those that need the expedited playbook, I guess, we need to bring those guys along and get everybody on the same page. Because once Sept. 11 hits, there's no excuses, there's no reasons as to why you can't go out there and compete. It doesn't matter who's out. It just matters who's on the field right now."
