IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli knows his defense failed to register a turnover last week against the New York Giants, but he still believes in his ability to produce takeaways.
"The biggest thing, the one thing you probably noticed is how the ball came out," Marinelli said. "So, as long as we're going for it, just keep doing that, it'll come out."
On the Giants first drive late in the first quarter, the Cowboys thought they had two fumble recoveries on consecutive plays. The first was when running back Rashad Jennings lost the ball on a seven-yard gain on first-and-10, but New York challenged the ruling on the field and Jennings was found to be down by contact. The second was when receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. caught a pass over the middle in the red zone, but safety J.J. Wilcox collided with Beckham so hard he jarred the ball loose and broke his own nose. The ruling on the field was an incomplete pass, but Dallas challenged Beckham had fumbled. Referee Bill Vinovich sided with the call on the field this time.
"Now, if they're not popping out, then we've come some issues," said Marinelli. "But we didn't have any. Still, we were going after the ball. We were stripping it out. Two of them were close. We challenged them."
According to Marinelli, the mentality is there with his unit to produce turnovers. The technicalities and statistics indicate the defense has failed to produce a turnover after one game, but their hearts and intentions are to come up with fumbles and interceptions.
"Having said that, you've got to get the ball. You've got to to win in this league."
The last time Marinelli's defense failed to record a turnover was in Week 1 of 2014 in a 28-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. For the next 17 games, including playoff bouts with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys defense had at least one takeaway.
"Just keep believing, keep working, keep taking a swing at it. That's all we can do."
