I already had a few issues with PFF’s all-Cowboys offense list, and now the defense list has me feeling the same way.
There are some picks I have no problem with. DeMarcus Ware, Micah Parsons, and a few others make perfect sense, but once you get past the obvious choices, this Cowboys defense list starts to feel like it’s missing something.
When we are talking about the best Cowboys defenders over a 20-year stretch, I need more than a clean grade. I want to see the impact. I need players who actually felt like they helped define the Dallas Cowboys.
That’s why a few of these picks are tough for me to buy.
DeMarcus Ware is the easiest name to put on the board.
For years, the Cowboys defense started and ended with No. 94. He was the player offenses had an entire scouting report built around. There is no way to build a list without him on it.
Micah Parsons is the other player who is a no-brainer.
Parsons may not be a Cowboy anymore, but while he was there, his presence on that defense was felt, almost every game.
Sean Lee belongs. Injuries plagued his career, but when Lee was healthy he was one of the smartest people on the field. He normally played like he had the other team’s playbook in his back pocket.
Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher are good picks too. Ratliff was tough and disruptive. Hatcher had a good enough few seasons to stay in the conversation.
I just think PFF missed the mark on a few players.
Osa Odighizuwa over DeMarcus Lawrence doesn’t feel right to me.
I like Osa. This isn’t me knocking him because I think he was a good player for Dallas, and he developed into one of the more dependable linemen when he was a Cowboy.
But over DeMarcus Lawrence? I don’t like it.
Lawrence was one of the best complete defensive ends the Cowboys have had. People who are only looking at sack numbers are missing the whole picture. Lawrence played the run, set the edge, and brought an attitude that was contagious throughout the whole defense.
Every good defense needs players who do the dirty work and still make plays. DeMarcus Lawrence was that guy.
Maybe PFF’s grades pushed Osa into a spot, but if I’m building a Cowboys’ defense list, Lawrence is on it.
This may be the pick that bothers me the most or just shows how poor our linebacker play has been.
His comeback story was incredible. Coming back from that injury and being a productive NFL player is something nobody should take lightly.
But this isn’t a comeback-player list.
I will take Bradie James over Jaylon Smith. From 2006-2010, James had over 100 tackles each season while adding 23 QB...
