How the Cowboys Defense will Improve in 2014
To be honest, I actually enjoy reading all the negative press about the Cowboys defense because I think it’s exactly what they need to keep them level-headed. Usually around this time of year is when analysts and journalists are hyping up DeMarcus Ware’s ageless athleticism, Sean Lee’s genetic knack for getting to the ball, or how Dez Bryant and Morris Claiborne are battling it out in camp with Claiborne getting better and better due to the challenge.
Ware is in Denver right now, Lee is likely to miss the season, and the media isn’t paying much attention to Claiborne these days after a poor 2013 season. To top it all off, Jason Hatcher is in Washington, Ernie Sims (a high contributor in 2013) is in Arizona, and Monte Kiffin – who orchestrated the 2013 defense – still strolls the sidelines continuing his mentorship of new Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli.
When you look at the pre-training camp rankings posted all over the web, you’ll typically see the Cowboys in the latter half of the league and the commentary is the same: “Sure they’ve got some offense, but there’s zero chance their defense will improve with all the players they’ve lost.”
On paper, it’s hard to argue against that logic. DeMarcus Ware will likely be a first-ballot hall-of-famer, and he’s the third-most productive player the team lost (Lee being the first, and Hatcher being second). Considering the defense was historically awful in 2013, it’s scary to think what the team is in store for without those guys.
I think that’s static analysis, though. When you consider the defense as a whole, it’s not hard to make the case that they might be significantly better – potentially even a top ten defense. Here are the five players I believe will shine in 2014:
Henry Melton : This has the potential to be a blockbuster signing. Not only was Melton among the best three-technique defensive tackles in the league before he got injured, but early reports out of minicamps and training camps have Melton being the belle of the ball. Above all else, Melton worked with Marinelli in Chicago under the exact same style of defense.
Bruce Carter : I already wrote recently about how excited I am about Carter this season. I think he’s going to have a breakout season in Lee’s absence, and he’ll lead the team with more than 120 tackles along with some key plays in clutch situations.
Morris Claiborne : Like Carter, I think the second year in the new defensive scheme has him primed for a breakout. Early reports suggest he has brought his A-Game this off-season.
JJ Wilcox : Keep in mind, Wilcox has only been playing the safety position for a few years. Considering that, he actually looked pretty good in 2013 and the team seems to believe in him enough that they didn’t take a safety high in the 2014 draft.
DeMarcus Lawrence : Call it cliche, but I think this kid is going to fill Ware’s shoes nicely. I’m not going to say he’s first-ballot hall-of-fame material just yet, but I can see double-digit sacks coming from the guy. I hear he’s relentless and plays with a lot of intensity and a high motor. Those traits are going to help him shine, and I think he’s going to shine right out of the gates.
Not to be forgotten are guys like Terrell McClain, Amobi Okoye, and Rolando McClain – all guys who have had disappointing careers thus far but have a lot of potential to bounce back with a fresh scheme and scenery.
The main thing that most analysts aren’t considering is that the Cowboys went through a scheme change in 2013 and many players were simply out of position. They also had a very seasoned but very stubborn Defensive Coordinator who wanted to run his style of defense, and didn’t do enough to take advantage of the players’ strengths. With a change at the coordinator position and another off-season of work, there are many young and talented players on the squad who are primed to have a great season.
I know, I sound like the typical Cowboys fan with the “there’s always next year” mentality, but I am legitimately excited about the defense going into 2014.
