Garrett sums up improvement on defense: 'defending run well, covering better, pressuring the quarterback'

The idea is out there that the Cowboys should play better on defense this year, considering the upgrades at cornerback and an offseason to work with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Jason Garrett was asked this week, after the Cowboys wrapped up practices against the San Diego Chargers, if indeed the defense will be better this year, and why.

His answer:

“If you think about the additions of some guys we added to our team in free agency and the draft, you see some positive steps there,” he said. “I think the defense has played well since the start of camp. They are understanding the scheme better. We have guys in spots where they can be really, really good football players.

“If you look at our defense through the first two preseason games, they have played very well, particularly in the first half. We are defending the run well. We are covering better. We are pressuring the quarterback.

“We have to get better in all those areas and throughout our football team. But there certainly has been a lot of progress on the defensive side of the ball.”

-- Carlos Mendez

Twitter @calexmendez