Dallas Cowboys CBs on need to improve

Marvin Jones (82) runs with the ball after making a catch while defended by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick (32) in the first half at AT

The Dallas Cowboys secondary continues to be a weakness for this team, and that’s despite solid play at one CB slot from Brandon Carr and the emergence of Barry Church as a quality safety. The Cowboys have allowed an average of 7.3 net yards per attempt, which is 25th in the league right now. While they were able to hold Alex Smith and Sam Bradford to under 200 yards passing in back-to-back games, they also allowed over 400 passing yards to Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, as well as nearly 400 yards to Philip Rivers. The Cowboys defense has done a nice job of forcing turnovers (thanks to Eli), but they are also giving up a lot of big plays.

According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas, the Dallas Cowboys secondary has been so burn prone that they have allowed 20 catches this season that went for at least 20 yards. That’s an awful total, and it’s been frustrating to see guys like Morris Claiborne and even Brandon Carr struggle. I know I praised Carr in the first paragraph and believe that he is a good CB in this league, but he hasn’t played well this year and hasn’t played like a No. 1 CB. That should change, but it’s still discouraging. Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox have provided a nice safety duo, but the corners need to do a better job. And they know it.

Here’s Carr, “We got to get better. Got to get better in a hurry.  a bit of a learning curve, trying to learn the ins and outs of this defense, but right now it’s no more excuses, man. We have enough ballgames under our belt that we should know our assignments on the field, our details.”

Orlando Scandrick has been the best of the corners this season, as he is a solid slot corner who has done an excellent job of quickly tackling receivers following the catch. He defended the scheme and bluntly said of the Dallas Cowboys execution on pass defense, “I mean, I sat here before you guys after we beat the Giants and I said I wasn’t satisfied because of the big plays. And I said big plays will get you beat. And now we’re here four weeks later, and we’re giving up a ton of big plays and we’re 2-3.”

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