Lee enthusiastic about direction defense headed
As young talent matures, team’s identity changes
FRISCO — Sean Lee wants more time to decide if this is the best chance the Dallas Cowboys have to be defined by their defense in the linebacker’s eight years with the team. There’s no question about the answer through two weeks.
The Cowboys (1-1) are fourth in the NFL in total defense, with a loss to Carolina that could have been a blowout and a win over the New York Giants that wasn’t nearly as close as the seven-point margin. In both cases, it was thanks to a defense that is delivering on preseason hopes of being a difference-making unit.
“I think we’re starting to show the type of defense we can be,” Lee said Thursday. “It’s still early in the season. Still room to improve. Still a case we can cause and make more turnovers. But we’re around the football. We’re making plays. We’re keeping points down, yards down.”
Dallas is tied for second behind Chicago with nine sacks after bringing down the Giants’ Eli Manning six times. The Cowboys visit Seattle on Sunday, and the Seahawks have allowed six sacks of Russell Wilson each of the first two games.
DeMarcus Lawrence, who finished tied for second in the NFL with 14½ sacks last season and ended up with the $17.1 million franchise tag, has a sack in each of the first two games. Three fellow defensive linemen had a sack apiece against the Giants. For that and other reasons, Rod Marinelli is comfortable saying the Dallas defense has the most upside in his five seasons as defensive coordinator.
“I just think we’ve gotten better every year,” Marinelli said. “We’ve improved and our talent level has gotten a little bit better. I know we’re fast. We’re really fast. Now we’ve just got to direct our speed.”
That said, defensive tackle Maliek Collins has been ruled out of Sunday’s game at Seattle with a knee injury and pass rusher Randy Gregory is set to return after missing a week with a concussion.
Safety Xavier Woods could make his season debut against the Seahawks after sitting the first two games with a hamstring injury. Woods is listed as questionable along with Lee (hamstring) and receiver Cole Beasley, who injured an ankle in practice Thursday. Four-time Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick will miss his third straight game with a nerve disorder that has sidelined him indefinitely.