ware-sack-on-vikes.jpg Since his partial return and ever-increasing playing time, LB Greg Ellis has made a definite impression on this Cowboys’ defense.  Already with 4 1/2 sacks, he is closing in on Ware’s 5 1/2 for the year in only half the time.  With his steady return to full health and a starting role, the Dallas D will be incredibily formidable with both he and Ware to try to defend. 

Since the first game, the Cowboy defense has gotten much better in every statistical aspect of defense, with the exception of the secondary’s meltdown against the Pats.  In several games, the Minnesota game the latest example, it has been the play of the defense that has proven the difference in winning or losing.  We should probably forget the terrible turnover fiasco in Buffalo, but that game combined with the turnovers the defense caused in Miami is now part of a 6-1 record going into the bye week.

Anthony Henry’s return is still somewhat questionable by all reports and Tank Johnson can’t play until the second week following the bye against the Giants, but at some point, both of these players will participate in what is quickly becoming a strong defensive unit.   NT Jay Ratliff will have some welcomed relief and has been improving his play every week.  Terrence Newman is getting healthier every week, and before you know it, it just may be the defense that is out-shining the high-flying offense for this team.

As Tony Romo so aptly put it after this week’s game, it’s not easy to win in this league and however you can accomplish it, a win is a win!  It’s a forgone conclusion that a overpowering defense can get you very far in the NFL, look at last year’s Super Bowl contending Chicago Bears.  It is quite possible we could get close to just such a defense here in Dallas.  Combine that with the NFL’s second-ranked offense and you’ve got yourself a pretty decent team regardless of who the opponent happens to be. 

I have read and understand all of the areas for improvement needed to get this team to the next level, penalties and mental mistakes are probably the biggest.  But these are, and always will be part of the game of football and will be the hardest to prevent.  A solid defense, on the other hand, can work wonders to elevate a team’s play as we have now seen first hand already this season.