The Dallas Cowboys Defense: In Rod we trust

Expectations are high heading into year four for Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. Will he bring the Doomsday back to Big D?

Are the Dallas Cowboys ready to breakout defensively? Considering the Boys’ went draft heavy on that side of the ball, using seven of there nine selections on defensive prospects, I would say so.

You also have defensive end Charles Tapper along with the highly anticipated debut of linebacker Jaylon Smith. Both coming back in the fold from what was essentially a redshirt year due to injuries last season.

All the buzz is about the potential of this young defense. Now enter in defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who by all accounts has kept this Dallas squad competitive since he took over in 2014.

Each year under Marinelli’s tutelage, this team has improved. The Cowboys finished 19th in 2014, 17th in 2015 and 14th overall in total yards allowed last season. This is taking into account that the roster has been devoid of superstars, injuries to top players in consecutive years with linebackers Sean Lee (2014) and cornerback Orlando Scandrick (2015).

Then there were the suspensions of defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory and linebacker Rolando McClain in 2016.

Think about this for a moment. The Cowboys had the number one ranked rush defense allowing only 83.5 yards a game. To top that off the defense ranked fifth in points allowed giving up only 19.1 per game, trailing only the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants and the New England Patriots. That’s pretty good company.

Now I know we will here that those numbers are inflated because of the dominance of the offense, particularly the way they controlled time of possession in keeping the defense fresh and off-the-field.

One thing Marinelli has shown is when he has had the talent, he produces. In his ten years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as a defensive line coordinator from (1996-2005), the Bucs amassed 328.5 sacks, tops in the league during that time.

His time with Chicago Bears was a memorable one as well. From 2010-2012, the Bears forced the most fumbles (59), intercepted the third-most passes (65), scored the most touchdowns via interceptions (13).

Those Bears teams had some talent. With the likes of defensive end Julius Peppers, cornerback Charles Tillman, linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher just to name a few.

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Now, the theme that resonates to me is this, get Rod Marinelli the players and results will happen. These new Dallas Cowboys players are young, fresh, and talented. That my fellow Cowboys fans, has Doomsday ringing in my ears. In Rod we trust.