Dallas Cowboys: Defensive versatility and intensity at the heart of resurgence

Dallas Cowboys: Defensive Versatility And Intensity At The Heart Of Resurgence

On how far the defense has come since last season, though only through four weeks and meaning they’ll need to keep playing at this level, there seem to be two things at the core of the resurgence. Dan Quinn seems to be the cause of it all, the only logical thought, but what are those two things that are actually seeming to show up?

First, it’s the intensity. They are playing like a classic Dan Quinn defense. They are running around, firing off, and hitting anything that they can legally hit. And they are hitting whatever it is… hard. That’s a given though. That also needs no explanation.

However and because, well, why not, Damontae Kazee is one bright example of the hitting aspect. He had a legal-looking shoulder to shoulder collision on Sunday that drew a flag. Though it wasn’t a foul hit, the flag was, almost, understandable. It was a downright nasty tackle that reflects what Quinn defenses typically do.

The next part of the equation is the part that’s a bit more nuanced, intricate, and exciting all at the same time though. The second part of what has the Cowboys defense almost nuclear, at the moment, is their versatility.