Did a Cowboys CB allow Zero Receptions?

[TwoCentPlain]

I personally think Joseph can be as good or better than Surtain or Horn. He has the skills and talent. Just a matter of him putting in the work and getting an opportunity.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Just a couple of things...Patrick Surtain Jr. is having a heck of a year. With 4 ints and 12 PD he would be the clear winner of defensive rookie of the year if it weren't for Parsons. And while you can say hindsight is 20/20 *or* it was a misevaluation (mainly due to Parsons opting out of 2020), Surtain was viewed as the superior prospect in the draft.

So yes, draft BPA, but in all honesty, even if we did, we lucked into Parsons

It would be Surtain or Ojulari for DROY. Both have been outstanding

 

[gimmesix]

It is interesting that the perceived biggest need in the off-season was CB.
- It turned out that even without Joseph, CB has been a strong position group this year.

A good example of why teams should always draft BPA instead of drafting for need.
- The perceived weak & strong positions in the offseason often end up being the opposite in the regular season.
- Last season OL looked like one of the strongest position groups but ended up being one of the most challenged due to injuries.

Obviously need and position value has to be considered when players are on the same tier, but if there is a clearly higher rated player available, then draft that player.
- Parsons should be a lesson to the Cowboys and all team in that regard.
- Parsons was a clearly better prospect than any CB in that draft class.

I admit that the idea of starting Brown did not appeal to me. That he has played as well as he has is a credit to his efforts, his position coach and Quinn's scheme. All of our top three corners have looked better than they previously did. Of course, some of that is because of the amount of pressure we're getting.

 

[fivetwos]

It is interesting that the perceived biggest need in the off-season was CB.
- It turned out that even without Joseph, CB has been a strong position group this year.

A good example of why teams should always draft BPA instead of drafting for need.
- The perceived weak & strong positions in the offseason often end up being the opposite in the regular season.
- Last season OL looked like one of the strongest position groups but ended up being one of the most challenged due to injuries.

Obviously need and position value has to be considered when players are on the same tier, but if there is a clearly higher rated player available, then draft that player.
- Parsons should be a lesson to the Cowboys and all team in that regard.
- Parsons was a clearly better prospect than any CB in that draft class.

The CBs have actually been outstanding this year.

I asked yesterday, semi rhetorically, if things were about the vets holding him off, or if he simply wasn't showing much.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I re-watched the game and focused on Kelvin Joseph.

My conclusion is that he did not allow a reception.
- There was a swing pass in the backfield.
- However, if that counts against him, then he allowed -2 receiving yards for the game.

For the season he is listed as playing 71 snaps with 1 completion allowed.
- 57 snaps in the WFT game.
- 14 snaps in all other games.

Also, Joseph was strong against the run.

The only negative play was a penalty for being lined up in the neutral zone.
- He likes to get as close as absolutely possible to the WR when playing press-man.

Caveat 1:
There was a McLaurin reception where Joseph started out in coverage on McLaurin, but...
- It appears that he passed him off in zone coverage.
- Note: I'm watching broadcast footage, not All-22. The broadcast view is limited.
- There were 3 other defenders surrounding McLaurin when he made the catch.

Caveat 2:
Diggs followed the #1 WR McLaurin on most snaps.
- The fact that he didn't on the above mentioned play is another indicator that it was zone coverage.

Side Note Trivia:
- QB Heinicke played 72% of the snaps but had less completions than QB Allen.
- Heinicke 7 of 22
- Allen 8 of 10
- The Cowboys had backups in the game vs Allen (Wright and Canady at CB, etc..).

Great news. I didnt even notice he was in the game. Nice to hear. Maybe the days of relying on the horrid Brown are gone.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I've been Pro Anthony Brown as much or more than anybody, but if they might have to consider giving Joseph some snaps in the playoffs.

Note: Brown is decent as an outside CB but he is terrific playing against the slot WR.

I wouldnt admit that if I were you. You already had a run in with Chaz Green.

Brown sucks no matter where he plays.

 

[Aven8]

Bossman was very impressive. He looked prepared, confident, and aggressive.

I think playing ST’s and doing well built his confidence

 

[CWR]

BTW Diggs is Terry MCs daddy. He has absolutely owned him this season.

 

[visionary]

I will say the same thing that I have been saying in here for years. The day of the shut down CB is gone with the newer NFL rules. A great and consistent defense is built by having a great front 7 and safety play not by having more CBs. We improved our front 7 and safeties this off season and “suddenly” our CBs are “playing great”.

great and consistent defense rules

1. focus on DL and front 7
2. Focus on safeties
3. Preach and enforce discipline, tackling and gap control

notice that “shut down CB” is not included

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I didn't expect him to look quite so well-prepared. To be honest, I expected Washington to try to target and exploit him, especially when they were down so big so early. But that never happened, and the few times they tried, he shut it right down. I'm now eager to see more of him to determine if this was a one game thing or if we actually have this good of a young corner to add to this defense.

I agree. I just don't see the guy that the scouting reports negatively said they didn't know if he liked football...that looked like a guy who knew what he was doing. Its a scary thought to see if he lives up to the potential people had for him college. Just wow. Happy he got those reps.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

BTW Diggs is Terry MCs daddy. He has absolutely owned him this season.

Yeah as of now I'd have to say the best ball Taylor threw was to Diggs. McLaurin is suffering for quarterback issues....

The Cowboy fan in me says keep Henieke...the NFL fan in me says Commanders need to trade for Watson or Russell in the offseason and make Taylor the backup. It just has to happen. I think more so than the Eagles are more suited for a veteran QB.

 

[guag]

It's incredible that even after how amazingly the defense has played thus far, even in late December we are discovering guys who are surprising us with their play. There seems to be minimal drop off from many starters to their backups. This season is going to end up being special, I can feel it.

 

[RonnieT24]

I've been Pro Anthony Brown as much or more than anybody, but if they might have to consider giving Joseph some snaps in the playoffs.

Note: Brown is decent as an outside CB but he is terrific playing against the slot WR.

The extent to which Brown blanketed anybody the W T Fs put in the slot jumped out at me as well. Is it possible he's actually better at that slot corner position than Lewis? That really makes no sense because fluid hips are generally thought to be an absolute must for the slot corner and Brown's hip's are anything but. Still you can't sneeze at what he did last night.. But I'd have to see it against better QBs to be convinced.

 

[Beaker42]

Wait he played 57 snaps last night?

I believe so. Played most of the game IIRC.

 

[guag]

Great news. I didnt even notice he was in the game.

For a cornerback who played almost all defensive snaps, that is certainly a very good thing!

 

[Beaker42]

It's incredible that even after how amazingly the defense has played thus far, even in late December we are discovering guys who are surprising us with their play. There seems to be minimal drop off from many starters to their backups. This season is going to end up being special, I can feel it.

They’ve all bought in. I hope Quinn had enough of being the guy in ATL and will stick with us for a long time.

 

[Stash]

I think playing ST’s and doing well built his confidence

And being brought along slowly rather than thrown right into the fire as well.

 

[FanofJerry]

This is exactly why Favre never wanted to come out of a game. Favre got his chance when the QB got hurt. Never know what a player on the bench can do when given an opportunity.

Joseph has earned more reps in practice and playing time. Good ‘problem’ for the coaches to get him more playing time.

Man...Favre understands the game. It is rumored that he refused to help Rogers as a backup as well. All said...it seems like a a-hole move by him...but if you could lose a high paying job by helping the next in line become better and possibly replace you...you might think twice about what is a-hole and what is smart.

 

[Stash]

I agree. I just don't see the guy that the scouting reports negatively said they didn't know if he liked football...that looked like a guy who knew what he was doing. Its a scary thought to see if he lives up to the potential people had for him college. Just wow. Happy he got those reps.

I agree completely.

 

[CWR]

Yeah as of now I'd have to say the best ball Taylor threw was to Diggs. McLaurin is suffering for quarterback issues....

The Cowboy fan in me says keep Henieke...the NFL fan in me says Football Team need to trade for Watson or Russell in the offseason and make Taylor the backup. It just has to happen. I think more so than the Eagles are more suited for a veteran QB.

No doubt, his qb play has been a big part of it, but let's give due credit.

I can't recall seeing MC open once last night. When the ball went his way Diggs was there.