Jerry Jones believes the Dallas Cowboys defense will be improved in 2014, even if the only reason is because it’s difficult to be any worse.
The Cowboys ranked dead last in the league in total defense in 2013, allowing an average of 415 yards per game. It was statistically the worst defense in Cowboys franchise history. That defense has also lost DeMarcus Ware this offseason to the Denver Broncos and saw veteran linebacker Sean Lee likely lost for the season due to a knee injury suffered in OTAs.
However, Jones is still optimistic for improvement on the defensive side of the ball. He doesn’t feel the unit they have currently is better than the defense that took the field for opening day in 2013, but he believes it’s better than the injury-depleted group that finished last season.
“I can say it this year, we are better right now,” Jones said, via Schuyler Dixon of the Associated Press. “Not on paper at the beginning of the season last year, but on paper right now relative to how we ended up last year.”
The Cowboys invested seven of their nine draft picks on the defensive side of the ball in hopes of turning the defense around.
Dallas allowed opponents to score at least 20 points in 12 of 16 games last season. However, all four games in which the Cowboys held their opponents to less than 20 points came in the first seven weeks of the season before injuries really began to take their toll on the team.
If the Cowboys want to break their streak of 8-8 seasons and post their first winning campaign since 2009, they’ll have to hope their owner is correct and the defense can become at least respectable next season.