The Cowboys are running a multiple front defense.
Also, they often use a 4-3 defense but with 1 or both DEs standing up.
- The alignment is exactly the same as a 4-3 or 4-2-5 regardless of whether one or both DEs stand-up.
The majority of the snaps vs the Falcons were 4-3 (or 4-2-5) but with the DEs standing up.
- Sometimes in that same alignment, one DE puts his hand down.
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That makes it look like a 3-4 but it's not really.
- If one DE is more than a few inches outside of an OT, then it's not really a 3-4.
A true 3-4 has 3 DL between the outside shoulders of the OTs.
- They might be slightly outside on occasion but generally the DL are head up on the OTs or to the inside).
- A true 4-3 only has 2 DL between the outside shoulders of the OTs (The DTs).
- This is the reason that the 3-4 is really a run defense alignment.
Alignments most used by Cowboys in the Falcons game (these are not in order):
4-3 with 2 stand-up DEs.
4-3 with 1 stand-up DE.
3-4 (on run downs)
4-2-5 Nickel with various combinations of stand-up and hand-down DEs.
DLaw/Griffen are different than Aldon Smith.
- Aldon Smith generally plays LB in 4-3 alignments.
- DLaw/Griffen never play as a 4-3 LB.
DLaw/Griffen
4-3 or 4-2-5 hand-down DE
4-3 or 4-2-5 stand-up DE
3-4 OLB
Aldon Smith
4-3 OLB
3-4 OLB
4-3 or 4-2-5 hand-down DE
4-3 or 4-2-5 stand-up DE
Most snaps with Aldon Smith as a DE (stand-up or hand-down) are in Nickel.
- He plays OLB in in the 4-3 regardless of whether the DEs are stand-up or hand-down.
I think Griffen and DLaw had the option on many snaps to play standing up or with their hand down.
- In those situations Griffen has opted to play with his hand down far more often than DLaw.
- That makes me think that DLaw somewhat likes standing up.
- I "think" that as long as 1 DE is standing up that Nolan is OK with the other one having his hand down.