Do The Cowboys Offer Reason To Believe?
October 11th, 2014
Derrick Brooks weighs in
The worst defense in the NFL last season belonged to Monte Kiffin, Rod Marinelli and the Dallas Cowboys, a nearly identical defense to the Bucs’.
But this season, the Cowboys are making big plays defensively, forcing turnovers and are sitting with a 4-1 record.
Bucs icon Derrick Brooks passionately made the point this week that the Cowboys are showing all this defensive improvement, without many big names on that defense. And it’s evidence, Brooks suggested, that it simply takes time to get all the parts — “this system” — working together effectively.
Speaking on WDAE-AM 620 this week, Brooks even talked about how Lavonte David has significant learning to do.
“He has to understand in the growth process, the discipline in this defense,” Brooks said of David. “No better teacher of discipline defense than Hardy Nickerson, who made his heyday in this defense my mentor. So it’s going to take some patience on Lavonte’s part. Again, understanding those simple concepts, where you don’t have to gamble. You don’t have to make the big play every play. The big plays will come. Just make the simple play. They’ll turn into great plays by just doing your job.”
Brooks went on to further explain Dallas’ growth and defended the 4-3 defense and Lovie Smith’s system.
The Dallas comparison is interesting and worth monitoring. Brooks acknowledged Dallas is giving up a lot of yards but has been “lights out” at crucial times.
(Brooks full chat with Ron and Ian is below.)
October 11th, 2014 at 8:38 am
“…Dallas is giving up a lot of yards but has been “lights out” at crucial times…”
That was exactly the Tampa 2 back in the day. Used to drive me nuts watching a team march down the field so easily, but then we would stop them when it counted.
I never needed to see the Bucs go to the playoffs this year. I just wanted improvement. The YEARS we have all participated in this nightmare of “hope & horror” are enough to drive Bucs fans away. Just show us we can be competitive in most games. Show me promise for the future.
October 11th, 2014 at 8:40 am
Totally agree with Brooks’ assessment that it’ll take time for all the pieces to start working together effectively for the Bucs defense, but … there are still several pieces away from the strong lineup we had starting in the mid-to-late 90’s.
We’re still missing at least 4 parts (1-2 DE, 1 LB, 1 CB, 1 SS) plus quality depth. I’m convinced Lovie and company can pull it all together, but my guess is that it’ll take 2-3 years for the defense to return to greatness.
October 11th, 2014 at 8:48 am
Marinelli displays true “enthusiasm” towards his players.
same system
different coaches
October 11th, 2014 at 9:45 am
I remember numerous times over the years ronde barber would come up to the line of scrimmage acting like he was covering a wide receiver. he would then blitz the QB at the line of scrimmage. this was back when monte kiffin ran the cover2. I haven’t seen that move done this season. zero cornerback blitzes.
October 11th, 2014 at 10:03 am
@portrichey
I completely agree I say that all of the time, let’s blitz our big free agent signing. He’s fast, solid tackler just to keep other teams from being honest.
I would also add the Cowboys defense is much better this year because they are running the ball incredibly well and not turning it over as much as they have in the past. Until we can run the ball much better and control the clock it will take much longer then anticipated for this to be a top 10 defense IMO.
October 11th, 2014 at 10:06 am
If he doesnt name MG8 as the starter soon, I have zero trust in him and ANY system and decisions!
October 11th, 2014 at 10:08 am
David made some stand out defensive plays last week despite the loss. Overall he has’nt been the huge impact fans are familiar with in the past and in games played so far this year. I’m not saying he has’nt been a solid player, but the new coaching schemes are different and that has an effect on his positioning as other comments have suggested.
October 11th, 2014 at 10:15 am
“I never needed to see the Bucs go to the playoffs this year. I just wanted improvement.”
____________________________________________________________
We have been competitive in 4 out of 5 games this year. Even though we lost 3 out of those 4, and considering the teams we played against, you can’t say there hasn’t been improvement, especially, when so far, all but one, was decided at the very end.
There is reason for optimism. Maybe not this year with all the growing pains, and considering our remaining tough schedule, with repetition, and constant learning, this team will eventually turn it around. We, as fans, and media, can’t be so impatient and want to start all over again. Anyone expecting a first year regime to outplay their own division in their first year has lost their perspective and is being unreasonable, and unrealistic.
We still need the 12th man!
October 11th, 2014 at 10:16 am
This defense will come around.
Brooks’ opinion is like gold.
The Cowboys are a great present example that it just takes a little time.
I can’t wait to see it all come together! ..and it will!!
GOOOO BUCS!!!!!!
October 11th, 2014 at 10:47 am
I can only dream and HOPE…Derrick Brooks becomes the Bucs head coach !
October 11th, 2014 at 10:54 am
Brooks said before training camp…. not so fast on this defense scheme, it takes time to master… as we’re seeing each week he’s right and yes Dallas really sucked last year this year worth watching and now you see why Dallas would not let Rod go!
October 11th, 2014 at 10:57 am
Been saying this all along. It takes time.
Things will get there.
billy buckaroo Says:
October 11th, 2014 at 8:48 am
Marinelli displays true “enthusiasm” towards his players.
same system
different coaches
I just don’t get that attitude. If I’m reading right, you are saying that Lovie is not a good coach?
That would contradict history. He has proven he is a winning coach in the past. He just needs more than one off season to prove it.
The last time we needed a turn around like this was not under Jon Gruden. It was Tony Dungy. Dungy was under less pressure. There were new owners and the team had 21 losing seasons straight before he arrived. At a time like that, fans don’t expect to win, so when the team went 7-9 in his first year, it was no big deal. It took him a year or so to get things up and running and to change the culture.
Tony had the benefit of the good drafts of his predecessor.
In many ways, Lovie’s tenure is shaping up the same way. Lovie had the benefit of the drafts of Greg Schiano (who was excellent at talent evaluation in the draft). While GMC came before Schiano, we DID land David, Baron, Martin, Foster, Spence, Banks, etc. All of these have strong potential.
The problem is the culture. All of the guys who had experienced that winning culture developed by Dungy are gone. That’s big. It means Lovie has to reestablish it. To date, the fellows on this team have felt alone as individuals. The good players have felt like they had to do something…save games…by themselves. There was no trust in their teammates to do it.
THAT’s what Lovie is trying to change.
Notice, when the defense does well, it is because guys stay on their assignments and trust the other teammates to do their jobs. When bad things happen, it is usually a result of a player jumping off his assignment.
The exception to this is when a backup is in and just can’t do a good job. Fletcher, for example, is doing a terrible job. He’s getting to guys quick, but he almost never tackles them.
Foster coming back will change that.
So, your hate on Lovie, if that’s what it is, is misplaced.
October 11th, 2014 at 11:04 am
Martin 3.2 yards per carry in the last game.
Rainey 3.5 yards per carry in the last game.
There is not a big difference there. The issue isn’t a RB, its the offensive line. When it gets better, so will the running game.
And really, without the oline being addressed in the off season, what did we expect? We’re lucky they are doing as well as they are. That wouldn’t even be the case if not for our trade.
And our Center straight out sucks. I knew that would be a problem. People seemed to have forgotten the issues we’ve had over the years with Centers. We had a good one (Zuttah) but let him go. That was a mistake, but we’ll get it together.
October 11th, 2014 at 11:38 am
Brooks didn’t mention that there are a dozen offensive minds who know exactly how shred this defense. It’s not the year 2005.
He clings to it because it is the only one he’s ever played in.
The bend and don’t break notion is foolish. Look at the TOP differential.
You can bank on a T2 team collapsing in the 4th quarter simply by it’s inability to stop the run. (rewind last week)
October 11th, 2014 at 12:29 pm
Ask Cowboy fans or analysts: The Cowboys are not running the same defense as last year. Miranelli has made many changes and thet are playing substantially more man to man this year. So kudos to Rod for adapting to the times and modifying his approach. Lovie would be wise to do the same.
October 11th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Dallas also has one hell of a run game and above average QB play. That kind of stuff can give your defense the confidence to go out and play within themselves, without having to be perfect.
October 11th, 2014 at 3:29 pm
Harry Says:
October 11th, 2014 at 8:38 am
“…Dallas is giving up a lot of yards but has been “lights out” at crucial times…”
That was exactly the Tampa 2 back in the day. Used to drive me nuts watching a team march down the field so easily, but then we would stop them when it counted.
I never needed to see the Bucs go to the playoffs this year. I just wanted improvement. The YEARS we have all participated in this nightmare of “hope & horror” are enough to drive Bucs fans away. Just show us we can be competitive in most games. Show me promise for the future.
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That’s funny, I don’t see how they could have possibly given up a lot of yards in the past when they were finishing top 10 in total defense almost every year. I think the dominant Bucs D of the past has seriously spoiled Tampa fans.
October 11th, 2014 at 3:30 pm
BTW, you want the team to be competitive? Four of five games have been decided in the last minute. That’s a far cry from not being within a couple of TDs until halfway through the season against Seattle last year.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:18 am
Guys, this is Leslie Frazier’s defense with Lovie probably offering a few advices as any Head Coach would. In Chicago Lovie had great defenses with Riviera as his DC, then the defense went into total suckage after Riviera was fired and before Marinelli became the DC. I don’t think it was a coincidence that Bears defense good right when Marinelli was promoted from D-line coach to DC in Chicago. Unlike Schiano I believe Lovie really leaves a lot of power to his assistants like most of the traditional head coaches did.
We just need a better DC and it sucks for us that we are stuck with Leslie Frazier, a guy who could never field a complete defensive unit with an All-Star D-line and a decent DB talent in Minny.