Increasing interceptions - how exactly is it done?

blueblood70

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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?
really? not their hands?

they arent WRS and the DC DBS DROPPED 9 INTS LAST SEASON.. AGAIN STOP BLAMING COACHES..im sick of it sure we need to improve our defense heck DT and some of our offense its why we have new staff but our DBs have bricks for hands , most are NOT ballhawks, they dont have the IT factor of being splash playmakers.. Pros are not all equal lmao I mean theres elite and then the rest and it can fall off two tiers down..
 

kskboys

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really? not their hands?

they arent WRS and the DC DBS DROPPED 9 INTS LAST SEASON.. AGAIN STOP BLAMING COACHES..im sick of it sure we need to improve our defense heck DT and some of our offense its why we have new staff but our DBs have bricks for hands , most are NOT ballhawks, they dont have the IT factor of being splash playmakers.. Pros are not all equal lmao I mean theres elite and then the rest and it can fall off two tiers down..
DB's are known for having bad hands.
 

kskboys

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Place a higher priority on the safety position, you can't constantly dumpster dive at that position and expect positive results.
There is actually a list:

1. Disruptive and deep Dline
2. Competent S's.
3. Viable NFL scheme
4. Ball control O that scores, which makes other teams play from behind.
 

doomsday9084

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A significant percentage of interceptions are caused by confusing QB's. You mix up the coverages and disguise them so that from time to time, the QB makes a bad read and throws where he shouldn't. Zone blitzes, hybrid zone/man, mixes of different zones, etc. will cause QB's to throw to an area where they think is open but a defender is there.

The downside of this is that you will get more blown coverages. Just as it can be confusing to QB's, defenders can make mistakes about responsibilities and let a guy run free. This is what the old defense was supposed to stop, and largely did.

Overall though, winning football is about field position and ball possession. I would rather give up a few long ones in exchange for more interceptions and 3 and outs. The "let the team march down the field" defense looked far better statistically then it did in games. It was always just good enough to lose.
 

TwistedL0g1k

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There is actually a list:

1. Disruptive and deep Dline
2. Competent S's.
3. Viable NFL scheme
4. Ball control O that scores, which makes other teams play from behind.

#4 is underappreciated, but so true. Desperate teams through interceptions.
 

xwalker

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CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
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?



backtofuture-xlarge.jpg
 

cowboyed

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It takes great physical ability, ability to read the quarterback and guts to intercept a pass than just defend it. If you miss on the interception the receiver can gain a lot of yards or score. I think we have a fearless ball hawk in the making with Donovan Wilson. Coach him up .
 
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