Ranked dead last in total defense last season was none other than the Dallas Cowboys. You can say that the defense was the blame for several losses the Cowboys sustained. But can they bounce back this season? They can’t get any worse than last year.
Last season the Dallas Cowboys could have went way better than 8-8.Many times the defense let the opponent back into the games after having big leads. It was many games that the Cowboys led by double-digits, and lost in the 2nd half. But who really is the blame? Is it Tony Romo who tends to throw interceptions at the worst possible times? Or is it the defense that forgets how to tackle and defend?
Since 2009, the Cowboys have the most blown leads in the NFL. Blowing 15 leads since 2009, the Cowboys rank 1st in losing when having a double-digit lead. This contradicts the ‘Romo is Clutch” argument. Romo has the highest QB percentage in the 4th quarter with a 102.9 passer rating. Shockingly Romo numbers are better than Troy Aikman’s’. Aikman played 12 years with the Cowboys. He started 165 games, won 57% of them, threw for 165 touchdowns and led 21 fourth-quarter comebacks. Romo has started for eight seasons and 104 games. He’s won 58% of games, thrown for 200 touchdowns and led 21 fourth quarterback comebacks.
So with all these blown leads, Romo is having to work harder to lead his team to victory, which means if he fails it falls all back on him. The defense plays a huge factor in the losses the Cowboys sustained. In the two-minute drill, Romo has a 93.1 passer rating and leads all active quarterbacks, and is the fourth best QB to do so since 1991.
All those statistics get swept under the rug when the Cowboys lose or Romo throws a crucial interception.
Last season, the Cowboys lost 2 major games after leading by double-digits. The Cowboys were demolishing the Detroit Lions 27-3 after Romo hit Jason Witten for a touchdown 2 ½ minutes into the 3rd quarter. After that, the embarrassment came. Romo threw 2 consecutive interceptions, which both were returned for touchdowns. After having a 24-point lead the Cowboys lost 34-30. Another game the Cowboys blew a 26-3 halftime lead to only lose by one point. This game the defense forgot how to stop the run and safeties forgot how to cover their man.
Morris Claiborne has been a bust since entering the NFL some critics may say. After every sports analyst saying he would be the next Deion Sanders, he has yet to live up to that. Being injured and getting beat badly, Claiborne just does not have it. The Cowboys defense has taken 2 major hits already, and the season has not even started yet. Sean Lee is out for the entire season, after tearing his ACL in a non-contact drill during OTAs. Also they lost DeMarcus Ware to the Broncos after he did not want to take a pay cut. Not to mention that Jason Hatcher is gone also.
Other notable Defensive players that have to step up would be B.W. Webb, Orlando Scandrick and Tyrone Crawford, who is returning after missing all of last season due to an injury. You can say that Scandrick is the only consistent defensive player, but you really don’t know what type of game you would get out of him that day. Defensive tackle Henry Melton was signed to replace Hatcher, and so far is showing his tremendous football side during Training Camp
Monte Kiffin lost is spot as Defensive Coordinator, and the Cowboys named Rod Marinelli the new coordinator. This season for the Cowboys is a rebuilding or redemption year. Jason Garrett is entering his last season as Head Coach in his contract, and this season will determine if he returns.
