DeMarcus Lawrence and Jaylon Smith: Dallas Cowboys defense has been unacceptable
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has already fallen on the sword for the woeful play of the Dallas Cowboys defense.
He has taken the blame for the players missing tackles, not playing technically sound and giving up big plays by the bushel as the team has lost three straight games and four of their last five.
But defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence has stepped up and is holding himself accountable for his subpar play.
“I’m testifying,” Lawrence said. “I’ll take ownership of those last couple of games.
“I haven’t been playing like myself. I haven’t been taking the leadership role I should be taking. It’s time for me to step up.”
Lawrence has not played badly but he has not played up to past standards. He has just five sacks.
As the highest paid player in team history, after he signed a five-year, $105 million contract extension in the off- season, he knows more is expected of him. He had 24.5 sacks the past two years combined.
Lawrence is a team captain. So is linebacker Jaylon Smith, who leads the team with 141 tackles but has made few game-changing plays.
The target is on him as well, considering he signed a five-year, $64 million contract extension in August.
The Cowboys lead the league with 104 missed tackles. Linebackers Leighton Vander Esch and Sean Lee lead the way with 14 and 12. Smith and cornerback Chido Awuzie are tied for third with 11.
“It’s unacceptable,” Smith said. “It’s unacceptable. We know the type of defense we’ve been and we want to continue to be. But you have to go out and execute, you have to go out and get your job done by any means necessary.
“It comes down to execution. Men being men and making a decision to come together as one and succeed. That’s what we have to vow ourselves.”
The Cowboys defense has not lived up to expectations for most of the season, and have been embarrassed the past two weeks losses to the offensively-challenged Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears, giving up a total of 738 yards and 46 first downs in those games.
The Cowboys (6-7) have lost seven of their last 10 games heading into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, who exposed the defense in NFC divisional playoffs last season.
But Smith says he has faith the Cowboys can turn it around over the final three games and hold off the Philadelphia Eagles to win the NFC East and make the playoffs.
“For us, we’re understanding and accepting our reality, but it’s about making a change,” Smith said. “I have faith.”
Lawrence is of a similar mindset.
“Absolutely,” Lawrence said. “We still have high hopes for our team. We still believe we can make it all the way. That’s all you need in this world is a little bit of belief. So stay tuned.”
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 7:00 AM.
