At the beginning of the season, the Dallas Cowboys were not considered a threat in the NFC East, let alone the NFL. In fact, early reports had the team finishing near the bottom of the league. But the Cowboys “Star-less” Defense (a label borrowed from “Undisputed” debate show host Skip Bayless) is improving as the playoffs approach.
Dallas Cowboys Star-less Defense Is Improving
It has not mattered that the team was unable to lure a big-named pass rusher in free agency or in the draft. The defense has produced 21 sacks this season and are currently ranked fifth in points allowed at 18.3 per game. The unit excels in the red zone, forcing teams to settle for field goals inside the Cowboys 20 yard line.
All three levels of the Cowboys defense were believed to be pretty bad by NFL experts, as well as many of the team’s unnamed opposition as the season got underway. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has stuck to his guns, making adjustments to his Cover 2 scheme and teaching new players their roles during the off-season.
Despite being considered hapless just a few weeks ago after allowing over 400 yards passing against the Washington Redskins, the Cowboys star-less defense has managed to put together a surprisingly successful performance, thus far. Here is a breakdown of each level of the Cowboys defense and key contributors.
Defensive Line
The top performer across the team’s defensive front has to be defensive end Tyrone Crawford. Crawford has moved to the edge this year in an effort to shore up one of the unit’s weaknesses and he has panned out, well. Crawford leads the team with four and a half sacks and has recorded a total of 26 tackles. Crawford is undersized but he makes up for it with his gritty demeanor, winning attitude and outstanding effort between the whistles.
21-year-old defensive tackle Maliek Collins has come on strong of-late. He has three sacks and has provided several quarterback pressures over the past couple of weeks. Collins is a burly guy with excellent agility and speed. At 6’2” and 311 pounds, he’s superb against the run. He has probably been the anchor of the Cowboys second ranked run defense, only allowing 83.1 yards per game through the first thirteen weeks of the season.
Reserve defensive end Benson Mayowa found himself in the coaching staff’s doghouse earlier in the year but the last few weeks he has seen extensive playing time, producing four sacks to trail only Crawford for the team lead. Mayowa’s strength has been his speed and his arm extension. He can beat offensive tackles at the snap and extend his arms to give himself space to break free from slower offensive linemen. He then tracks down opposing quarterbacks with his legs.
Another standout along the defensive front has been defensive end Demarcus Lawrence. Lawrence has been an integral part of the increased production of the unit. He has only recorded one sack since returning from his suspension a few weeks ago. However, his long arms and quick feet have allowed him to impact the entire pass rush. The veteran flashes by most of the offensive lineman he faces and has forced several quarterbacks to run for their lives as they feel him breathing down their necks.
The defensive line has been sturdy against the run. The team has not allowed a 100-yard rusher the entire year. They are also beginning to pick it up against the pass. If their performance against Eli Manning and the New York Giants receiving corps this past Sunday are any indication of what is to come, the defensive line will begin to make significant impact over the remaining weeks of the season.
Linebackers
Veteran linebacker Sean Lee is arguably having the best season of his career. He leads the team in tackles with 130 and 83 of them solo. His leadership has coach Marinell’s gang in the right spots at the right times. The unit operates with a bend but don’t break mentality and Lee is the catalyst. Lee’s ability to remain healthy will surely help the defense as stiffer competition arrives in the playoffs.
Working alongside Lee are Anthony Hitchens and Justin Durant. Like Lee, Hitchens is having his most productive season as a member of the team. He has 36 tackles and 1.5 sacks, thus far. His knowledge of the scheme combined with his speed has put him in position to make a number of outstanding plays.
When healthy, Durant has been steady. He has contributed 34 tackles to go along with one sack. His backup Damien Wilson has pushed the veteran for playing time of late. Wilson is big, fast and powerful. He could eventually usurp Durant as an every-down linebacker. Wilson excels on special teams and has 23 tackles, including a half sack, in limited playing time. It would not be a surprise if he becomes the starter at the strong-side linebacker spot before too long.
The Cowboys linebacking corps is poised and ready to take advantage of their opportunities. They do need to improve in their pass drops, covering the passing lanes more effectively, but they are all healthy and on the field which is a beautiful sight compared to seasons past.
Secondary
Morris Claiborne started this season on fire. He had finally become the cover corner the team expected to get when they drafted him. But alas, he suffered a sports hernia and has been regulated to rehab. His performance on the field was impressive, nonetheless. He has 26 tackles and an interception for a team that has struggled to force turnovers. His return could be what takes the unit into another stratosphere.
Rookie cornerback Anthony Brown earned his way onto the team during the preseason. He has been baptized by fire ever since the regular season began. All the rookie has done is cover many of the league’s top receivers on deep balls, allowing one big play to the Redskins DeSean Jackson on Thanksgiving. Brown was able to show just how much he has improved with his play against the Giants. The youngster stepped in front of a pass from Manning as the Giants were sniffing the end-zone deep in Cowboys territory.
Brandon Carr has been steady. He has not been a shutdown corner but has used his veteran savvy to get under the skin of a few star receivers. Carr uses his hands well. He has drawn a few pass interference penalties but he has not been the weak link that many believed he would be. Orlando Scandrick has returned from his streak of injuries. He has settled in very nicely as the team’s nickel corner and the designated blitz backer from the slot.
The safeties have all been doing good things. Incumbent backup J.J. Wilcox has become known as a heavy-hitter, causing fear in the hearts of receivers who attempt to go over the middle of the defense. He still has issues intercepting passes that are thrown right to him but he makes up for it with his ability to strike ball-carriers, jarring the ball loose from many of them.
Veteran Barry Church is the brains on the back-end of the Cowboys defense. He always seems to find himself in an ideal position on the field. He was away for a while with a broken forearm but he has returned to anchor the secondary. Church could not handle a couple of balls that fell in his lap in his second game back. Expect him to figure out how to make those catches as the season goes along.
Lastly, second year safety/cornerback Byron Jones has stepped up big time. His athleticism allows him to lend support against the run and his speed allows him to run with tight ends. If Jones has a weakness, it’s his open field tackling. Jones gets caught attempting to strip the ball sometimes, instead of wrapping the ball-carrier up and bringing him to the ground. It has to be frustrating to him and coach Marinelli, but he is far too important to the defense’s overall success to take him off the field.
Yes, the Cowboys star-less defense is coming on strong as the regular season comes to an end. The team is hopeful that the unit will begin to produce more turnovers. They could also stand to improve in pass coverage as a whole. Head coach Jason Garrett continues to keep the group focused on the task at hand as they begin preparation for this Sunday’s meeting with a hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers team.
