Dallas Cowboys: Will the defense live up to expectations?
For years, the Dallas Cowboys’ Achilles heel has been their defense. This season may have a different outcome with new coaching and players.
It’s well documented that the Dallas Cowboys have a lot of questions on the offensive side of the ball. On the opposite side of the ball, on the other hand, the Cowboys seem to have very few questions. Is this the year the defense lives up to their expectations? I believe so.
Let’s take a look at each level of the defense to see why.
The Secondary
It has been a very long time since the Cowboys can say that their cornerback situation isn’t a problem. Moving Byron Jones back to the cornerback position and having Chidobe Awuzie playing opposite gives great cover corners on the outside. Then you add either Jourdan Lewis in at the slot cornerback position and you create a solid core at the position.
Now when it comes to the safety positions the Cowboys have just one question to answer. Can Xavier Woods handle the single high free safety position? Right now the Cowboys seem to think he can, otherwise, they would have made a play for Earl Thomas.
Woods has played in this role before at his time in Louisiana Tech. Woods has also been studying tape of Earl Thomas which helps his case along with the skills he has shown on the field.
At the strong safety position, Jeff Heath and Kavon Frasier are your two hard-hitters. They have the ability to set the tone on defense and keeps opposing receivers heads on a swivel. In all the secondary has the potential to be the strength of the defense.
The Linebackers
When you see this group of linebackers the first thing that stands out is their speed. This Cowboys defense hasn’t had this type of speed at the position in a very long time. When you add in the football IQ of Sean Lee and you have a very dangerous group.
Putting Sean Lee with either Jaylon Smith or Leighton Vander Esch you can rest assured they will be in a position to make plays. The other reason this is a dangerous group is that each one of them has the ability to get to the quarterback. If these guys can stay healthy this group will be able to shut down the opposing teams running back and short passing attack.
The Defensive Line
The loss of David Irving for the first four games of the season hurts but it doesn’t cripple this defensive line. The emergence of Jihad Ward in these minicamps has been a pleasant surprise for the Cowboys. Along with defensive tackles Brian Price, Maliek Collins, and Richard Ash the Cowboys have a good group who can cause problems for offenses.
At the defensive end position, the Cowboys have a strong stable of pass rushers. Lead by DeMarcus Lawrence these young group guys all have a consistent motor and ability to get to the quarterback. Now with the possibility of the Cowboys getting Randy Gregory back watch out. Lawrence, Kony Ealy, Taco Charlton, Dorance Armstrong, Charles Tapper, and Randy Gregory, sounds like a dominant group to me.
Last but not least Coaching
This team was in need of a spark on defense and the biggest may come from coach Kris Richard. This might be the biggest Cowboys signing of the off-season. Right away you can see that he has brought a new attitude and energy to this defense. Players respect him and flock to him.
The main reason he will help this defense is not just because he is coaching the secondary, but he is in charge of the entire passing game defense. Players will be more aggressive against receivers at the line of scrimmage than in the past. We have all seen what he was able to do with the Legion of Boom. Hopefully, this Cowboys defense can play just as well and come up with their own nickname.
Next: The all-time best defenders to wear the Star
This Dallas Cowboys defense has a lot of high expectations but right now they have a solid foundation to succeed.
What are your expectations for this defense?
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