Why Cowboys Had To Replace Rob Ryan, Part II: Adapting To A Changing Landscape

[HowAboutThemCowboys]

"future tournament opponents"

[InmanRoshi]

Originally Posted by rwalters31

The original Tampa 2 had TWO 325 pounders! I think that's big!! That is how they got away with two light weight DE.

Sapp just ate his way from this ....



To this...



I'm sure we could have all of our defensive tackles just give up on conditioning like Sapp did, and they'll be just as fat as you like .

[Chocolate Lab]

Exactly. I remember when we had Ferguson and the local media were asking Parcells about why he didn't have this 350-lb NT that you "have" to have in the 34.

And his reply was that without that weight clause in his contract, Fergy would be 340 in about a couple of weeks.

[john van brocklin]

Originally Posted by Teague31

Good read

Ditto

[InmanRoshi]

Booger McFarland wasn't a natural huge body either. He weighed 299 at his Combine. I suspect his lack of conditioning was also a reason why he only made it 8 full season in the NFL. He was an Pro Bowl caliber player who barely beat out Bobby Carpenter in career longevity.

[Zman5]

RG3's worse game past year was against Pittsburgh (2gap 3-4) and his better games were against the 4-3 defenses (NO, Tampa, Min).

[ThreeandOut]

I don't think Dallas is moving to a 4-3 specifically to counter the read option. I do think think they want a simplier system requiring fewer substitutions, particulary as more offenses go uptempo. Also, they probably would rather play with an Albright/Wilber in the base defense rather than Spears/Coleman.

Chip Kelly's selection of defense will probably put the theory espoused in this article to the test. If he goes to a 3-4, then he's probably comfortable that this formation could work against read option offenses.