Twitter: Sturm: The Cowboys played more Cover 1 in 2021 than any team in the NFL

[WoodysGirl]

 

[RonnieT24]

Interesting.. That coverage only works if you a) have a good pass rush and b) have a free safety who can cover a lot of ground. Kazee may not have been a big hitter but dude could run.. I don't know if Hooker brings the same level of center fielder range to the plate but we will find out. If he can't, they will have to play more traditional cover 2 or 3 .. Of course if you listen to "experts" the loss of Gregory and his 6.5 sacks will doom our pass rush..

 

[CouchCoach]

The speed of Parsons allowed him to do things other DC's just could not do. Did you get a look at the QB's facing him the first time when he was on them that fast, they were shocked.

The second time Heineke faced the Cowboys, he was so concerned about Parsons, Gregory got him.

With Parsons close to the line, every QB has to cut that timer down in his head and that disrupts timing. I wonder just how many of the Cowboys picks Parsons presence on the field affected.

2020 26th with 10
2021 1st with 26

I agree that Diggs' ball skills attributed to that increase but I think Parsons was just as responsible. Any DC that has a rusher that can close on a QB like that has a lot of options in his coverage.

If Lawrence, Strong and Sam I Am can provide some real help, this could be a problem defense to score on.

 

[nalam]

The speed of Parsons allowed him to do things other DC's just could not do. Did you get a look at the QB's facing him the first time when he was on them that fast, they were shocked.

The second time Heineke faced the Cowboys, he was so concerned about Parsons, Gregory got him.
….

If Lawrence, Strong and Sam I Am can provide some real help, this could be a problem defense to score on.

Valid point Coach.

Don’t underestimate Fowler and hopefully improved Gholston . Armstrong-if he can justify the contract !

If the interior DL can play well ( Full availability of Gallimore , Hill, Bohanna, Ridgeway - some combo of this works , then QBs cannot step up in the pocket , which will be feast for DEs)

 

[CowboyFrog]

I think we have what we need to get what Gregory brought on the roster, this defense will go forward from how the young guys in the middle progress if they can all take steps forward, i think everyone will be real happy with how they look.

 

[dargonking999]

The speed of Parsons allowed him to do things other DC's just could not do. Did you get a look at the QB's facing him the first time when he was on them that fast, they were shocked.

The second time Heineke faced the Cowboys, he was so concerned about Parsons, Gregory got him.

With Parsons close to the line, every QB has to cut that timer down in his head and that disrupts timing. I wonder just how many of the Cowboys picks Parsons presence on the field affected.

2020 26th with 10
2021 1st with 26

I agree that Diggs' ball skills attributed to that increase but I think Parsons was just as responsible. Any DC that has a rusher that can close on a QB like that has a lot of options in his coverage.

If Lawrence, Strong and Sam I Am can provide some real help, this could be a problem defense to score on.

Also it's not just his speed in getting to the QB it's his speed covering RBs and WRs. I saw multiple plays where he went from lined up like he was gonna rush to a full on sprint to cover a RB or WR that was running up the field, and was the reason for the incomplete.

His speed is game changing. No matter where he is on the field he can disrupt the play, with that kinda of LB play it makes it easier for DBs.

 

[JBS]

Interesting.. That coverage only works if you a) have a good pass rush and b) have a free safety who can cover a lot of ground. Kazee may not have been a big hitter but dude could run.. I don't know if Hooker brings the same level of center fielder range to the plate but we will find out. If he can't, they will have to play more traditional cover 2 or 3 .. Of course if you listen to "experts" the loss of Gregory and his 6.5 sacks will doom our pass rush..

Hooker is known for his CF range

 

[Typhus]

Nobody seems to be recognizing this, and thank you for posting this.
Maybe some will start to recognize the evolution of this back seven.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Interesting.. That coverage only works if you a) have a good pass rush and b) have a free safety who can cover a lot of ground. Kazee may not have been a big hitter but dude could run.. I don't know if Hooker brings the same level of center fielder range to the plate but we will find out. If he can't, they will have to play more traditional cover 2 or 3 .. Of course if you listen to "experts" the loss of Gregory and his 6.5 sacks will doom our pass rush..

Kazee didnt have a good year for us. Not a lot of big plays, pass breakups, picks, jarring hits. He was a disappointment.

I have no problem with Williams, Armstrong, Fowler and saving 8 million in salary. I think Williams has something to him.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Nobody seems to be recognizing this, and thank you for posting this.
Maybe some will start to recognize the evolution of this back seven.

And signing Kearse in FA was a key to maintaining the viability of this defense.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

The speed of Parsons allowed him to do things other DC's just could not do. Did you get a look at the QB's facing him the first time when he was on them that fast, they were shocked.

The second time Heineke faced the Cowboys, he was so concerned about Parsons, Gregory got him.

With Parsons close to the line, every QB has to cut that timer down in his head and that disrupts timing. I wonder just how many of the Cowboys picks Parsons presence on the field affected.

2020 26th with 10
2021 1st with 26

I agree that Diggs' ball skills attributed to that increase but I think Parsons was just as responsible. Any DC that has a rusher that can close on a QB like that has a lot of options in his coverage.

If Lawrence, Strong and Sam I Am can provide some real help, this could be a problem defense to score on.

+1.......you could literally see how surprised some were. Pretty sure his presence on the LOS will affect every offense he faces now.

 

[Proof]

Hooker is known for his CF range

yeah i found that odd. that’s his calling card, and acting as if randy didn’t have a big hand in the pass rush last year as well

 

[Zekeats]

Interesting.. That coverage only works if you a) have a good pass rush and b) have a free safety who can cover a lot of ground. Kazee may not have been a big hitter but dude could run.. I don't know if Hooker brings the same level of center fielder range to the plate but we will find out. If he can't, they will have to play more traditional cover 2 or 3 .. Of course if you listen to "experts" the loss of Gregory and his 6.5 sacks will doom our pass rush..

Kazee was terrible. Hooker was way better in all aspects.

 

[visionary]

This defense will rise or fall on 4 things:

1. Parsons play
2. Quinn schemes
3. Ability to stop the run and pressure the passer with front 4
4. Good FS play

 

[gimmesix]

Interesting.. That coverage only works if you a) have a good pass rush and b) have a free safety who can cover a lot of ground. Kazee may not have been a big hitter but dude could run.. I don't know if Hooker brings the same level of center fielder range to the plate but we will find out. If he can't, they will have to play more traditional cover 2 or 3 .. Of course if you listen to "experts" the loss of Gregory and his 6.5 sacks will doom our pass rush..

I'm interested to see what happens at free safety. The starting job is presumably Hooker's, but Mukuamu has good speed and size and could develop into a nice cornerback conversion. The UDFA Markquese Bell also intrigues me. I don't know if we're looking at him at free safety, but he's also a nice size-speed prospect.

I think we're a little less fluid at strong safety, where we know Kearse will be out there and Wilson is a solid reserve/third safety who has shown some decent ability in coverage. Coyle and Juanyeh Thomas also will be looking to squeeze into the group. Imagine (if they are any good) ending up with Mukuamu (6-4) and Bell (6-3) out there with Kearse (6-4). That's some tall players with long arms that QBs have to get the ball over. Of course, the length doesn't matter if they are not any good.

 

[gimmesix]

Kazee was terrible. Hooker was way better in all aspects.

They really didn't play the same role, though. Kazee was the single-high a lot, so he had to cover a lot of ground, make the right reads and take the right angle to get to the ball and receiver as fast as possible (at times he especially failed at the third one). Hooker played a lot of the third safety role, meaning he was more in underneath coverage coming up to play the ball, which also meant it was easier for him to close ground and make a hit because he didn't have as much distance to cover.

I'm not concerned about Hooker being moved to the single-high, though, because he's done it in the past and done it well. The biggest question with him last year was whether his health was going to continue being a factor, and it wasn't. Health is probably still the biggest question mark. I am interested to see, though, if any of these young guys can push him for playing time.

 

[john van brocklin]

Defense was much improved

 

[RonnieT24]

I'm interested to see what happens at free safety. The starting job is presumably Hooker's, but Mukuamu has good speed and size and could develop into a nice cornerback conversion. The UDFA Markquese Bell also intrigues me. I don't know if we're looking at him at free safety, but he's also a nice size-speed prospect.

I think we're a little less fluid at strong safety, where we know Kearse will be out there and Wilson is a solid reserve/third safety who has shown some decent ability in coverage. Coyle and Juanyeh Thomas also will be looking to squeeze into the group. Imagine (if they are any good) ending up with Mukuamu (6-4) and Bell (6-3) out there with Kearse (6-4). That's some tall players with long arms that QBs have to get the ball over. Of course, the length doesn't matter if they are not any good.

I keep forgetting about Mukuamu.. Needs seasoning but dude has a nice set of tools to work with as does Bell. I could see those two being our safety tandem of the future if things break right. I agree that Hooker is the starter at least this season unless he just poops his pants. I think the Cowboys view Kearse as more of a small linebacker than an actual safety though. Wilson has shown a lot of playmaking ability but durability might doom him. I do like him in tandem with Kearse though so I think we can keep both guys fresh and not really lose much. Wilson being a little better in coverage and Kearse being a little better against the run..

 

[JohnsKey19]

I keep forgetting about Mukuamu.. Needs seasoning but dude has a nice set of tools to work with as does Bell. .

I really liked Mukuamu as a prospect. But all of the observers who had access to training camp and practices claim he has the critical flaw of being kinda soft, or not being physical enough. Maybe a year in the weight room and coaching leads to more confidence and physicality in his 2nd year

 

[gimmesix]

I keep forgetting about Mukuamu.. Needs seasoning but dude has a nice set of tools to work with as does Bell. I could see those two being our safety tandem of the future if things break right. I agree that Hooker is the starter at least this season unless he just poops his pants. I think the Cowboys view Kearse as more of a small linebacker than an actual safety though. Wilson has shown a lot of playmaking ability but durability might doom him. I do like him in tandem with Kearse though so I think we can keep both guys fresh and not really lose much. Wilson being a little better in coverage and Kearse being a little better against the run..

Kearse plays both strong safety and linebacker depending on the set. We use the three-safety set quite a bit, so he probably does spend more time as a linebacker.