Sunday’s game against the Giants is still fresh in many fans heads and much of the talk remains around the Cowboys’ defense, or lack thereof. Yes, we needed to convert the field goals into TDs, and Dez Bryant along with Cole Beasley are well aware of their shortcomings against the Giants.
The one constant that hurt the Cowboys was still the defense. Amazingly, the Giants only ran for 113 yards, but it felt like a lot more than that. The Giants popped-off large chunks when they needed it and averaged 4.7 yards a carry. That is not going to cut it for the Cowboys defense. If we continue to give up averages like that, we’ll be in for a long season.
When it came to run defense, Tyrone Crawford was lowest-graded player for week 1. Wow, but are you surprised?
One year ago on this exact day, Crawford signed a pretty substantial contract for 6 years for $45.675 million with a signing bonus of $17.425. That seemed pretty bloated at the time, and now we’re having buyer’s remorse a year later. Crawford was set to be the star 3-tech and get pressure on the QB and all this business — it has not happened.
Pro Football Focus gave Crawford the lowest grade on defense:
Defensive interior Tyrone Crawford, Cowboys, 34.5; and Jaye Howard, Chiefs, 38.3
Crawford was consistently handled by the Giants’ offensive line, especially in the run game. He made just one tackle on the day, and it was of the clean-up variety. He also didn’t record a single pressure when rushing the passer. (PFF)
That is terrible, just straight awful for a guy getting paid that much. He should be putting up Aaron Donald numbers with the amount we’re paying him, instead we’re getting Nick Hayden type numbers.
The Cowboys will need to invest some serious draft capital and free agent resources into the defense next year, that defense is in trouble, its a carry over of last season.
Time of Possession Helps the Defense Theory
We can now say the whole time of possession theory thing does not in fact help our defense. We owned the Giants in time of possession, so the defense has no excuse for being tired or gashed like they appeared. Right now, today, we simply don’t have the personnel to put up a decent flight squad.
Offensive Line Players Scored Low Too
Tyrone Crawford wasn’t the only player to land of PFF lowest-graded players for week 1.
Doug Free and La’el Collins made the list.
Here’s what PFF says:
Tackles: Mike Remmers, Panthers, 34.8; and Doug Free, Cowboys, 37.1
…Free didn’t allow a sack, but did allow three quarterback hits and three hurries, as well as three tackles in the run game, and one where he was beaten but his man missed a tackle for a loss.
Guards: Austin Pasztor, Browns, 39.6; and La’el Collins, Cowboys, 40.1
… Collins wasn’t as bad in the pass-blocking phase, allowing a hit and two hurries. In the run game, however, he allowed six tackles, including a big one for a loss. Not an ideal day for a Cowboys’ offense that needed to rely on their run game.
This also lays credence to the idea that the Cowboys run blocking is not up to snuff; where as, their pass blocking was phenomenal. If we see more performances like this, then the conversation of Frank Pollack not being as good as Bill Callahan will rear its ugly head again.
What do you think? Was the Tyrone Crawford extension a wrong move? Is he overpaid and not producing?
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