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The defense finally achieves a dominant pass-rush performance against the Jets and the secondary covers well, but then they also get exposed against the run. Having seen improvements on defense the last two weeks, the question becomes, is this a "pick your poison" situation? Defend the pass or stop the run? – Jack Jackson/Tyler, TX
Nick: I've never really heard it put that way before and probably the reason for that is coaches are greedy. They're always going to say "both" in terms of stopping the run or pass. But it usually begins with stopping the run. That's the NFL, college, high school and any other organized football team. If you don't stop the run at least somewhat, then you'll never be a good defense.
Think about the actual trade the Cowboys made with Micah and Kenny Clark. Of course, we all know there were reasons why they ultimately sent Parsons to Green Bay, but what we heard over and over was how they wanted to make sure and get a true run-stopper in return with Clark. Parsons was here for four years and the Cowboys couldn't stop the run. When it counts the most, they lost games because they were unable to slow down the running game.
I don't think it's 'pick your poison' on defense. It's stopping the run first and foremost.
Patrik: Yours is an intriguing question, indeed. The thing is, when the Cowboys weren't able to stop the run anymore than a wet paper towel could stop a bullet, but owned the best pass rush in the league, it didn't translate into playoff success. I'm of the mindset that you better figure out how to have both, because you can, and I've seen it in other championship defenses over the course of NFL history, recently as well. The Eagles' defensive line tortured the Chiefs in the most recent Super Bowl with both run defense and pass rush, and trading to acquire Kenny Clark after signing Solomon Thomas and extending Osa Odighizuwa tells me they're all-in on stopping the run, finally. They simply need the pass rush to wake up and, when they do (e.g., Jets), for the run defense to not have a bad day at the office in that game. I'm not picking a poison when I know I don't have to, and shouldn't be asked to.
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