Three things the defense should improve for next season

The list of what went wrong in 2020 is long.

Putting these gruesome, discouraging, and depressing events in some kind of order is an overwhelming individual decision.

We have no advice on the best way to compile this catastrophic catalog.

But we would like to take this opportunity to provide a reminder.

Don’t forget to include the Dallas Cowboys defense.

Allowing the most points in franchise history was far from the worst performance or episode of last year, but at least it deserves a dishonorable mention on its list.

Dak Prescott’s contract status is the biggest issue Dallas faces this offseason, but most of the issues this team must address lie on the other side of the ball.

The defense will consume the conversations and thoughts of the club officers in the days and weeks to come.

An extreme makeover is required and these are the top three changes the team must make defensively to have a better season in 2021.

This is already underway.

Dan Quinn replaced Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator.

Nolan was unlucky here. He didn’t have time for his plan to take root. With Quinn, players will return to a scheme and approach that is more comfortable for them.

What Quinn does will be similar to the defense of Rod Marinelli and Kris Richard.

He will depend on four linemen to generate pressure in the passing game.

Quinn has a strong resume and is respected in the league.

This was a good start to a crucial offseason on the defensive side of the ball.

The Cowboys gave up 2,541 rushing yards last season.

That’s nearly double what Tampa Bay, the league’s best running defense, allowed.

Dallas was stabbed week after week. Four teams rushed for more than 200 yards against the Dallas defense, and one, Cleveland, went for more than 300 yards.

The Cowboys allowed an average of 158.8 rushing yards per game and thus it is difficult to win.

The running defense is where the Cowboys should make their biggest advances heading into next season.

The Cowboys haven’t selected a safety before the sixth round of the draft in eight years.

That should change in April.

Quinn appreciates the position that previous regimes have not had.

He had Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor in Seattle.

He had Keanu Neal in Atlanta.

In Dallas he will seek to improve the position.

Here are the last four safeties Dallas has drafted and the number they were drafted: Donovan Wilson (213), Xavier Woods (191), Kavon Frazier (212) and Ahmad Dixon (248).

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