Dallas Cowboys: The Defense Must Take Another Step

With all the talk about the offense this offseason, the defense must also take another step for the success of the Dallas Cowboys.

So far this offseason there has been a lot of talk surrounding the Dallas Cowboys’ offense. The topics have been about Kellen Moore, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, the tight end position, so on and so on. The only real talk this offseason about the defense was whether the Cowboys would get Earl Thomas and would they extend Demarcus Lawrence.

Once the Cowboys missed on Thomas and resigned Lawrence, the thought was the Cowboys would draft a safety. Once that passed, only a short amount of coverage on the defensive tackle drafted was talked about, then it was back to the offense. A small blip of Sean Lee playing weakside linebacker, and then the conversation went to offense again.

What the Cowboys need to do is make sure the defense takes another step. After the Rams game where the Cowboys were gashed up the middle, many would think the Cowboys would do more to sure up their defensive weaknesses. Right now, there was minimal effort from the outside looking in. This doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t take the next step, but they need to.

It is no secret Rod Marinelli doesn’t like traditional 1-technique defensive tackles. The Cowboys don’t really have that type of player on the defense, but they do have some guys who have some agility and speed. It isn’t the typical run clogging guy, but it is a group that can get around blockers. The issue is they need to do it more consistently.