Latest comments from Cowboys defender sends imperative message
Things have not been going smoothly for the Dallas Cowboys on the defensive side of the ball over the last two games. They have allowed 63 points, have teams converted over 55% of their third down conversions, and have only registered one sack (had 48 in the first 12 games). That certainly isn't the standard […]
Things have not been going smoothly for the Dallas Cowboys on the defensive side of the ball over the last two games. They have allowed 63 points, have teams converted over 55% of their third down conversions, and have only registered one sack (had 48 in the first 12 games).
That certainly isn't the standard for a Cowboys' defense that has been one of the league's best the last two seasons. Safety Jayron Kearse, who has been a big vocal leader since coming to the Cowboys in 2021, echoed those same sentiments.
"We talk about being one of the best defenses in the league. And the past 2 weeks, we haven’t shown it at all," Kearse said. "You are what you put on tape. At this point, we haven’t gotten the job done."
The Cowboys seemed to be cruising along after building a 27-10 lead on the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third quarter last Sunday. However, the ship, or the defense, sunk like the Titanic. Jacksonville scored 21 consecutive points and eventually won in overtime after a Dak Prescott interception was run back for a touchdown.
With a lead that size, especially for a Cowboys' defense that is notorious for teeing off on quarterbacks when offenses become one-dimensional, the expectation is for them to close the deal. Instead, the Cowboys all but blew their opportunity to win the NFC East or garner a top playoff seed.
“We haven’t (been playing) our brand of football on defense," said Kearse. "You are what you put on tape. … We scored 34 on Sunday. We should’ve come out with a victory, and it should’ve been a comfortable victory, if we claim to be the defense we think we are.”
It was an offensive explosion for the Jaguars versus the Cowboys. Running back Travis Etienne ran for over 100 yards and wide receiver Zay Jones scored three touchdowns. The big day from Jones was courtesy of quarterback Trevor Lawrence who threw for 318 yards and four scores.
Kearse feels that is unacceptable, and he also realizes that eyes are on the recent struggles of the Cowboys' defense.
“Giving up 500 yards, no disrespect, to that Jacksonville squad shouldn’t have happened. … Just like we’re watching tape on other (teams), they’re watching tape on us. And I can assure you, right now, they’re licking their chops," Kearse said.
Dallas still has time with three games left to get things figured out defensively. It needs to happen expeditiously if the Cowboys want to avoid another early playoff exit.
“We’ve talked a lot. At this point, we should not need to talk anymore, Kearse said. "We should be about business. We should be about action. The film should speak. I really don’t think there’s much more talking that needs to be done other than getting the job done.”
Kearse is right. It's time for the Cowboys' defense to step and play at the level they are accustomed to.
Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
