Marinelli/Eberflus Defense too predictable

wecasa

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Defense isn't really an emphasis at any level. Heck the rules of the game severely slant towards the offense. Defense anymore is just hope you get in the way and slow them down a bit so your offense can get back on the field.
 

Bigdog

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This is true. Nolan Ryan had one pitch but, it was a fast ball that was humming in and the question was, could you catch up to it? Well, Ryan is a HOF pitcher....................
He was another one that I was thinking about.
 

Uncle_Hank

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I really want that Vic Fangio scheme, but it doesn't look like he's going to be fired this year.
 

fivetwos

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I’m not sure either. If he does get replaced, we know MM is going to want to run a multiple scheme
Agreed, so it comes down to personality, and/or if Jerry needs to have someone fall on the sword for PR reasons, etc.

It also would suggest that Jerry is meddling and overruling the HC if he forces Nolan out, which isnt a great situation either.

Regardless, if Nolan is indeed replaced it will be with someone who runs a similar defense, what's the real point? I dont see Jerry on board with paying both Nolan and his replacement to run the same scheme.

It should come down to if the players are finally buying into Nolan, and if this recent momentum can be carried forward....or if it's just better to move on.

In the end, all signs point to Nolan returning.

I'd actually be surprised if he isnt back at this point.
 
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Wolfpack

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The DT play has been beyond terrible this year. Gotta get at least some average NFL talent or it all isn't going to work.
 

Uncle_Hank

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Michael Lombardi on his podcast has been making the point all season that the Rod Marinelli DEF is not good enough in the NFL anymore. He makes the point that Matt Eberflus DEF is way to predictable (based on Marinelli's) and has been saying this all season and it has been found out. He credits Sean McVay in replacing Wade Phillips with a hybrid DEF that is good at 3 phases and not predictable (33% Zone 33% man, 33% Zone dogs).

Don't be great at just one thing, it will be found out.

Describes Eberflus as a 'one pitch fast ball scheme'

We need a hybrid scheme in Dallas that is further developed in the off season.

which episode is this?
 

thunderpimp91

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I was for Mike Nolan.. I’ve always been a fan of his.

Now I feel like you have to move on..

We’ve played 3 backup QBs and that has more to do with our success than anything.

You’d be risking another season by keeping him.
And i wouldn't argue much if the Cowboys moved on. Honestly if the season ended today id say its too little too late, but with games still on the schedule i think its premature to make up your mind with how they have come on recently.

This team still has a reasonable chance of making the post season. If we see this defense hold Tampa to 20 points and a couple turnovers do we have a different conversation? I'd agree that that is a bit of a longshot, but stranger things have happened.
 

thunderpimp91

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Good post and I totally agree. The DT's virtually never get any push and never shed a blocker. Its just not good enough.

I'll take this a step further. IMO, the two most important positions on defense are DT and S. Those are the guys that will make the people around them look better. Dallas treats those positions like afterthoughts and the results are the logical conclusion of that.
I agree...A true FS would really help the rest of our DBs. We have a giant hole at the position, and really don't have a passable cover SS either, and it does effect the coverages you can play.
 

nalam

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I think having an offseason will also help
Or having the personnel to stop the middle ,

since years of Rod and quick twitch drafting let us weak , with no girth in the middle . We dont have LBs in the mould of Ray or McClain who can engage to stop the run, ( unfortunately not even Lee like , we have Jaylon who doesnt want to fill gap or want to avoid contact) hence , we needed DTs like the Williams of Minny ( few years back )

You start with a good Def front and build the other components in my opinion
 

Verdict

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The teams that very good, defensively, year in and year out usually place a priority on acquiring very good talent on that side of the ball.

It also helps if your talent acquisition process on defense emphasizes the meat and potatoes part of the defense (DT and Linebacker) instead of DE’s and cornerbacks. The spine of your defense (DT and LB) is where it all starts on defense.
 

Sydla

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I've listened to his weekly interviews on DC.com and to me he comes across as an experienced coach that really knows his stuff, which is what you would expect from someone who has been in the NFL that long. What I don't buy is the argument he is 'under qualified' for the position.

Who said underqualified?

You are now creating strawman arguments here. People have argued he really hasn't been all that effective, consistently, as a DC in his career. He's also had a weird resume where he's only been DC for a few years in random places. And after his last DC job and got fired, he couldn't find another DC job for 6 or so years until his buddy came along. He's also never really "built" a great defense. Everyone points to how great he was in Baltimore as a DC (which was over 15 years ago mind you) but no one remembers that the defense was built by Marvin Lewis.

I would hope he can sound intelligent in interviews and sounds like he knows what he's talking about. He's been in the NFL for over 20+ years. But giving a slick interview and being able to make the right calls during games are two totally different things. Garrett sounds intelligent and well versed in press conferences, you want him back as HC?
 

Cowboyny

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Agreed, so it comes down to personality, and/or if Jerry needs to have someone fall on the sword for PR reasons, etc.

It also would suggest that Jerry is meddling and overruling the HC if he forces Nolan out, which isnt a great situation either.

Regardless, if Nolan is indeed replaced it will be with someone who runs a similar defense, what's the real point? I dont see Jerry on board with paying both Nolan and his replacement to run the same scheme.

It should come down to if the players are finally buying into Nolan, and if this recent momentum can be carried forward....or if it's just better to move on.

In the end, all signs point to Nolan returning.

I'd actually be surprised if he isnt back at this point.

I think if Nolan has any chance, his defense has to finish strong. If the Giants have a big day, it could seal his fate.
 

nightrain

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The Cowboys have significant inadequacies through the center of the defense at all three levels. Until they get that fixed, it won't matter who is coaching them up.
 

Sydla

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The Cowboys have significant inadequacies through the center of the defense at all three levels. Until they get that fixed, it won't matter who is coaching them up.

This is true but it's also no reason to A) continue with a mediocre DC and B) let that mediocre DC be the guy helping influence player acquisition to fill those positions.
 

Majic

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Who said underqualified?

You are now creating strawman arguments here. People have argued he really hasn't been all that effective, consistently, as a DC in his career. He's also had a weird resume where he's only been DC for a few years in random places. And after his last DC job and got fired, he couldn't find another DC job for 6 or so years until his buddy came along. He's also never really "built" a great defense. Everyone points to how great he was in Baltimore as a DC (which was over 15 years ago mind you) but no one remembers that the defense was built by Marvin Lewis.

I would hope he can sound intelligent in interviews and sounds like he knows what he's talking about. He's been in the NFL for over 20+ years. But giving a slick interview and being able to make the right calls during games are two totally different things. Garrett sounds intelligent and well versed in press conferences, you want him back as HC?

Been said on this board a number of times 'he hasn't been a DC for a long time' ' he only got the job because of MM' He certainly made the right calls in the Eagles game with the use of Wilson, moving Lewis to Safety to give a couple of examples. Apart from Atlanta where he had little to work with, he has produced top 15 Defenses at nearly all his stops.
 

nightrain

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This is true but it's also no reason to A) continue with a mediocre DC and B) let that mediocre DC be the guy helping influence player acquisition to fill those positions.
I certainly don't believe in Nolan to run the D, but it will be hard to attract a proven coordinator with the current personnel.
 

Sydla

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Been said on this board a number of times 'he hasn't been a DC for a long time' ' he only got the job because of MM' He certainly made the right calls in the Eagles game with the use of Wilson, moving Lewis to Safety to give a couple of examples. Apart from Atlanta where he had little to work with, he has produced top 15 Defenses at nearly all his stops.

He's not an idiot who can never get anything right. Great, he had a good game against Philly in confusing a rookie QB. That's hardly justification for thinking he's a really good DC.

And "he hasn't been DC for awhile" is a legitimate argument because he hasn't been DC for awhile. That's just a fact. And it's not a knock on his "knowledge" it's a knock on his reputation as a DC. If he was as good and dynamic and had such a great hybrid scheme, why could he not sniff a DC job after Atlanta for 5 seasons? It's a legitimate question to ask.
 

fivetwos

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I think if Nolan has any chance, his defense has to finish strong. If the Giants have a big day, it could seal his fate.
Could be yep.

I just dont know if I see Jerry making a change if they are in the playoffs.

They can sell it to the fanbase in that case.

Remember the decision makers will error on the side of him staying for several reasons...not necessarily good ones.
 

jrumann59

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He's not an idiot who can never get anything right. Great, he had a good game against Philly in confusing a rookie QB. That's hardly justification for thinking he's a really good DC.

And "he hasn't been DC for awhile" is a legitimate argument because he hasn't been DC for awhile. That's just a fact. And it's not a knock on his "knowledge" it's a knock on his reputation as a DC. If he was as good and dynamic and had such a great hybrid scheme, why could he not sniff a DC job after Atlanta for 5 seasons? It's a legitimate question to ask.
All valid points the places he succeeded as DC he had a lot of All-Pro talent Baltimore and SF
 
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