Increasing interceptions - how exactly is it done?

Red Dragon

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There's pretty much unanimous consensus here that the Cowboys defense gets far few interceptions. With that in mind, how to go about it?

Every defender in the NFL is an elite professional, so the issue isn't their hands; at this level, every Cowboys cornerback and safety can catch balls thrown in their vicinity.

Is it the defensive coordinator mindset of "err on the safe side and bat the ball down rather than go for an INT and risk whiffing entirely?" If so, then we need a more risk-taking DC who is willing to forgive big passing plays allowed if it means upping our chances of INTs. We need to teach a mindset of "one interception is worth five bat-downs" or something like that.

Is it that the Cowboys generate too little pressure on the opposing quarterback? Well, that's a given no matter what - you always need pressure on the opposing QB no matter what kind of defense you run, so that's a no-brainer - clearly the Cowboys' lack of interceptions isn't solely about lack of quarterback pressure.

Do some defensive backs simply have the ball-hawking "it factor" while others don't?
 

HungryLion

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Combination of talent and technique.

Going for the Int leads to more big plays.

playing the receiver and making sure you’re in position to tackle them when they catch the ball reduces ints but also minimizes the risk of the receiver taking a short pass and gaining big chunk yards.
 

BrassCowboy

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There's pretty much unanimous consensus here that the Cowboys defense gets far few interceptions. With that in mind, how to go about it?

Every defender in the NFL is an elite professional, so the issue isn't their hands; at this level, every Cowboys cornerback and safety can catch balls thrown in their vicinity.

Is it the defensive coordinator mindset of "err on the safe side and bat the ball down rather than go for an INT and risk whiffing entirely?" If so, then we need a more risk-taking DC who is willing to forgive big passing plays allowed if it means upping our chances of INTs. We need to teach a mindset of "one interception is worth five bat-downs" or something like that.

Is it that the Cowboys generate too little pressure on the opposing quarterback? Well, that's a given no matter what - you always need pressure on the opposing QB no matter what kind of defense you run, so that's a no-brainer - clearly the Cowboys' lack of interceptions isn't solely about lack of quarterback pressure.

Do some defensive backs simply have the ball-hawking "it factor" while others don't?
Well do the defensive coaches allow players to take a risk and go after it?
There is risk to bring aggressive
 

817Gill

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The turn your back to the QB stuff Richard loved was crap for INT’s. Looked great with All-Pros in Seattle but without elite talent/instincts you can’t expect guys to haul in a bunch of picks if they literally turn and run with the WR the whole time.

Get guys eyes to QB more often, change up coverages sprinkle in zones and zone blitzes to confuse the QB. Not only does our technique make it hard but we never change what we do and QB’s are comfy as heck when they play us. Makes it even harder to get picks when they know exactly what to exploit scheme wise.
 

ThatJerryKid

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There's pretty much unanimous consensus here that the Cowboys defense gets far few interceptions. With that in mind, how to go about it?

Every defender in the NFL is an elite professional, so the issue isn't their hands; at this level, every Cowboys cornerback and safety can catch balls thrown in their vicinity.

Is it the defensive coordinator mindset of "err on the safe side and bat the ball down rather than go for an INT and risk whiffing entirely?" If so, then we need a more risk-taking DC who is willing to forgive big passing plays allowed if it means upping our chances of INTs. We need to teach a mindset of "one interception is worth five bat-downs" or something like that.

Is it that the Cowboys generate too little pressure on the opposing quarterback? Well, that's a given no matter what - you always need pressure on the opposing QB no matter what kind of defense you run, so that's a no-brainer - clearly the Cowboys' lack of interceptions isn't solely about lack of quarterback pressure.

Do some defensive backs simply have the ball-hawking "it factor" while others don't?
Want more interceptions? Have Dak throw more passes.....
:laugh:
 

AbeBeta

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There's pretty much unanimous consensus here that the Cowboys defense gets far few interceptions. With that in mind, how to go about it?

Every defender in the NFL is an elite professional, so the issue isn't their hands; at this level, every Cowboys cornerback and safety can catch balls thrown in their vicinity.

Is it the defensive coordinator mindset of "err on the safe side and bat the ball down rather than go for an INT and risk whiffing entirely?" If so, then we need a more risk-taking DC who is willing to forgive big passing plays allowed if it means upping our chances of INTs. We need to teach a mindset of "one interception is worth five bat-downs" or something like that.

Is it that the Cowboys generate too little pressure on the opposing quarterback? Well, that's a given no matter what - you always need pressure on the opposing QB no matter what kind of defense you run, so that's a no-brainer - clearly the Cowboys' lack of interceptions isn't solely about lack of quarterback pressure.

Do some defensive backs simply have the ball-hawking "it factor" while others don't?

The defenders have to catch more passes than in the previous season.

/thread
 

big dog cowboy

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1. Get CB's to turn around and look for the ball. (Seems like a no brainer)
2. Get a ballhawking FS. (Something the Cowboys can't seem to figure out)
3. Improve the pass rush.

Successfully implement those 3 things into the defense and watch the interception rate go up overnight.
 

JoeKing

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The offense already has the advantage because they know the play and snap count. Overcoming that advantage requires the DBs to be more athletic and savvy about the player being covered. Resist the temptation to take your cues from the receiver rather than playing the ball. this means getting their eyes on the ball. The DBs have to do their homework on how the WRs and TEs they face tend to get open and how to defeat that. Technique is critical, which includes being in a position to catch the ball rather than slap it down. What I'm describing isn't easy to do, in fact, it's rare to have a DB that can do all that I've just described. For that reason, they should be recognized for their skill set by being paid more than the FO seems to be willing to pay these rare individuals.
 
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