This is a problem I harped on all season long, and to no surprise it was one of the many reasons they got bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
The Cowboys run defense couldn't stop a nosebleed.
The Packers ran for 143 yards on the ground, and scored on all but one possession.
The entire year I said it wasn't the road that beat up on the Dallas Cowboys defense. It was the run game. Aaron Jones is balling, & Jordan Love is by far the best QB on the field today.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 14, 2024
Yes Dak and the offense was bad for nearly the entire first half, but this defense was poor all season against teams with winning records.
This had been happening well before the playoffs though. Arizona all the way back in week 3 ran for 222 yards on the ground, while the 49ers had 170 in week 5. Buffalo had a field day with 266.
That is pathetic, this should be one of the first things this team address in the offseason.
Mazi Smith has been a bust already, so go sign someone who has proven themselves.
Johnathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore, the two starting defensive tackles are set to be free agents, as well as defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler.
Doesn't Matter Who Calls The Plays
Dan Quinn has been interviewing for head coaching positions since the regular season ended. I have a strong feeling that if he doesn't land one he will be back with Dallas calling the defense.
Last season when they kept him I was happy as can be, but after what we saw this season against the good teams, he can go.
This was a problem last year, but it was not this bad.
Green Bay was running all over his defense and he kept two safety's deep. Quinn played a full season of man coverage, then he went nothing but zone?????
Like Quinn what are you doing dude.
Regardless of who calls plays, it might be a player issues. This defense has a few studs and maybe the rest are average at best.
Dallas is likely the extend Prescott this offseason. That means they may have room to sign Lamb and Parsons, but what about the rest of the defense?
Leighton Vander Esch looks to be gone for his career with that neck injury. If I am Dallas, I would look at a player like Devin White at that spot.
Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson are two names that #Cowboys fans should keep an eye on during the @seniorbowl https://t.co/2YOedGxaSg
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 24, 2024
Here is the problem when we look at this type of stuff.
Dallas is already projected to be $11 million over the salary cap.
Even if they are able to backload a contract for White, they'll still need to clear $15-20 million in cap space to make it work.
I am not a coach, so I don't have an answer. Getting Trevon Diggs back next year may help if they can keep Stephon Gilmore.
It will give them great coverage and more trust for the secondary to go one on one, and maybe stack the box a bit more.
The #Seahawks are setting up second interviews with head coaching candidates, including #Panthers DC Ejiro Evero, #Raiders DC Patrick Graham, #Giants OC Mike Kafka, #Rams DC Raheem Morris and #Cowboys DC Dan Quinn, per sources. There likely will be others too. A thorough process.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 21, 2024
This offseason will be filled with uncertainty.
I won't be shocked if Jerry Jones sits back and makes no moves to improve this team and keeps his motto about how much he loves his guys.
That is why you haven't been to an NFC title game in nearly 30 years.
