San Antonio Express News: Defense Doomed for another bad season

The San Antonio Express News has an article up here that basically says Terence Newman's injury may hobble the Dallas defense enough to ruin its season.

Hey, I'd be the first one to say that Dallas fans should have some concern about the secondary this year. But I'd be the last to say the defense won't do well this year. Of course, the writers ties in the Greg Ellis saga, Isaiah Stanback's injury (this guy doesn't play defense and I wouldn't say he is an intricate part of the team) and the depth problems at cornerback.

Here's a snippet:

But what happens if Glenn goes down? Phillips painted a bleak picture when asked Thursday about the state of the team's corners not named Newman, Glenn or Henry, who opposing offensive coordinators like to pick on so much.
"I like some of the things they are doing certainly, but I don't have a great feeling that we've got four corners or five corners that can really play," Phillips said, making it clear he sees nothing special in Nate Jones, Jacques Reeves, Joey Thomas, Quincy Butler and rookies Alan Ball and Courtney Brown.

The writer, Tom Orsborn, then goes from journalist to columnist with this comment:

But if Ellis doesn't return, Spencer is just so-so and Newman is hobbled, the defense could be in for another disappointing season.

And right there he lost my attention. Thank god the article ended there. Point is, I DO think the defense will be improved this year. By blitzing more and changing the way we use our safeties, I think it will rush quarterbacks and allow for more interceptions and sacks.

Dallas plays Houston tonight in their third preseason game. Tonight we should get a good two-quarter look at starting defense. I'm not about to say Spencer is so-so. I will make that judgment after watching him play in a few season games. But even if he is, I just disagree that will be in for another disappointing season for the defense. We may be in for some disappointment with our secondary.

Nick Eatman read my mind....

Nick Eatman of dallascowboys.com writes a great article on the Cowboys' secondary and how it all hinges on the free safety once again. Read it here.

I have written several posts about this very subject. For years, the secondary has baffled me. Last year, and especially the last five games, was down right pitiful. Here is a snippet of what Eatman says:

"The Cowboys not only were giving up points (30.4 per game in that stretch), but yards as well. Five of their six highest opponent yard totals last season occurred in the final five games. And most of the blame went to the Cowboys' secondary, which had trouble defending the big plays down the stretch."

Yeah, Eatman hits the nail on the coffin. But the Cowboys really didn't address this problem. Instead, they went and grabbed Ken Hamlin from the Seahawks, another hard-hitting safety who can't cover the deep ball. If my Seattle buddy was online right now, I'd ask him about Hamlin. But I know the answer: He's not exactly what we needed back there.

Eatman said the Cowboys coaching staff is hoping that a change of philosophy helps the secondary. Some of this new philosophy includes bringing Roy Williams closer to the line of scrimmage. I don't have a real problem with this, but I am concerned this hurts us even more when trying to cover the deep pass. The idea is Williams will use his power to slow down receivers. Henry and Newman are our corners and Glenn would be in for the nickel defense. Hamlin is the free safety, and would be the most responsible for the deep ball protection under this scheme.

I would love everyone to comment on this because I am not sure this scheme and philosophy are really what is needed. I was hoping we'd snag a great cover safety who is fast and agile. Ken Hamlin is neither in my opinion. He wasn't even a star in Seattle.

I don't want to watch a repeat of last season, or the past five years, either. I am going to throw support behind what Coach Phillips is doing, but if it doesn't work, I may be the first one to start blogging about Cowher.

Shit, I said his name.