Dallas Cowboys upgrades & downgrades
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Kyle Wilber (51) returns an interception against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat Detroit 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
DOWNGRADE – INTERCEPTIONS
While the Cowboys defense has improved tremendously across the board the have failed to produce takeaways which for so long have been the bread and butter of a Rod Marinelli defense.
Take a look at the stat below – a quote from a USA Today article in January.
"“No defense in the NFL compiled more turnovers in the second half this season than the Cowboys (22), which coincides with the team’s NFL-best +12 turnover ratio in the second half of games.”"
In the first five games of 2014 the Cowboys had turned the ball over 6 times – at least once in every game bar the season opener.
In the six games of 2015 they’ve managed it twice – both in the Week 2 win against the Eagles.
The team have been painfully close at making these defensive plays and yet failing to execute them has made the difference in winning or losing already this season.
"“As soon as you don’t emphasize it, you don’t do it. Sometimes, you have a game where you don’t have any, but the strip attempts are there. If you have enough attempts, eventually you’re going to get some.” – Rod Marinelli"
How many more attempts will be required for the takeaways and results to swing in the Cowboys favor?