New coach Mike Solari brings changes to scheme and technique

[CCBoy]

​

The Cowboys have posted consecutive 12-win seasons but clearly were not content with the way things were going on offense. In addition to Kellen Moore’s departure, much of the offensive staff was shaken up too. The most notable change was longtime McCarthy disciple and right hand man Joe Philbin being swapped out for Mike Solari.

Solari brings a fairly distinct, though not radical, departure from Philbin in both demeanor and style. Both McCarthy and Zack Martin, in addition to some of Solari’s former players, have cited an edge in the coach that carries over to his offensive line. It has also been hinted at, and observed in OTA’s, that Solari is introducing some technical changes both with the way the Cowboys pass protect and the way they handle outside zone rushing concepts.

Solari has worked with McCarthy before, albeit very briefly, but he’s more notable for his collaboration with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer when the two were with the Seahawks from 2018 to 2020. Now, the pair reunite in Dallas with McCarthy calling plays.

It’s often said that the chemistry between the coordinator and line coach is the most important coach-to-coach relationship, as both need to be on the same page to avoid any confusion within the scheme. Perhaps there were issues with Moore (very much a devotee of his Boise State style offense) and Philbin (decidedly an old school McCarthy man), but there shouldn’t be any concerns about that with McCarthy, Schottenheimer, and Solari.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...iadasz-zack-martin-terence-steele-mike-solari

 

[America's Cowboy]

Here is a very good read about Mike Solari and the Offensive lines he's coached for many teams throughout his NFL coaching tenure, how they were before he took over, during and after he left. A mix of good and bad. It will be interesting to see if Mike Solari can improve or worsen our Oline. Frustrating since the Cowboys have had to change their Oline coach every 4 years or so for the past 15+ seasons. Keeping fingers crossed. Check out this article. Very informative.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/mike-solari-offensive-line-unit-evaluation/

 

[glimmerman]

I heard that he brings more of an aggressive style. I like that. We used to come off the line and search and destroy

 

[Praxit]

.....protect Dak, and open the holes. Job done. Give the man his paycheck.

 

[xwalker]

Here is a very good read about Mike Solari and the Offensive lines he's coached for many teams throughout his NFL coaching tenure, how they were before he took over, during and after he left. A mix of good and bad. It will be interesting to see if Mike Solari can improve or worsen our Oline. Frustrating since the Cowboys have had to change their Oline coach every 4 years or so for the past 15+ seasons. Keeping fingers crossed. Check out this article. Very informative.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/mike-solari-offensive-line-unit-evaluation/

I'm convinced this was the issue...The ability of Moore and the other offensive assistants to work together effectively.

Each one individually was probably OK but just not quite on the same page with each other. Pass Game/ Run Game...QB / WRs...

It is much easier for an OC that is also the Head Coach, because all assistants report to him. They didn't report to Moore.

Some non-Head Coach OCs hire the offensive assistants (If the HC is a defensive guy) but Moore didn't have that opportunity.

Perhaps there were issues with Moore (very much a devotee of his Boise State style offense) and Philbin (decidedly an old school McCarthy man), but there shouldn’t be any concerns about that with McCarthy, Schottenheimer, and Solari.

 

[Stash]

“The elder Smith is healthy for now (quick, knock on some wood), and it makes sense to return him to his left tackle spot after some admirable yet inconsistent work at right tackle the last two months of the year.”

I had to cite this sentence because I think it tactfully and perfectly sums up Tyron Smith at right tackle last year.

 

[quickccc]

Here is a very good read about Mike Solari and the Offensive lines he's coached for many teams throughout his NFL coaching tenure, how they were before he took over, during and after he left. A mix of good and bad. It will be interesting to see if Mike Solari can improve or worsen our Oline. Frustrating since the Cowboys have had to change their Oline coach every 4 years or so for the past 15+ seasons. Keeping fingers crossed. Check out this article. Very informative.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/mike-solari-offensive-line-unit-evaluation/

Yes, it will depend upon cohension, chemistry, easy to adapt and learn and effectiveness... and perhaps Solari did not have the OL personnel in Seattle (and some other places) that
he should have here with Cowboys

For quite awhile Seattle OL was a complete shame, and Solaris became the scape goat for it - but he should be in a better position with the personnel he has here.

One will be the issue at LG, and how to best implement both Steele and Tyron at OT, and best place to implement Tyler ..LG or LT?

I'm not yet sure if Solari will be man-power scheme or a zone scheme.-
Makes a difference in how much is individual matchup in pass protection and how much is zone pass off.
maybe he uses both.. but one more than the other ?

We can get much better in run design scheme for running game such as a stretch, slanting run design that emphasizes cut back lanes, rather than a stright up
man -power scheme. I think having better in-line blocking TEs on the edges ( instead of Schultz ) should help with a lot of bounce runs and getting RBs on the perimeter.



.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think having better in-line blocking TEs on the edges ( instead of Schultz ) should help with a lot of bounce runs and getting RBs on the perimeter.

Clearly this is something McCarthy had in mind with Schoon being drafted.

 

[quickccc]

I'm convinced this was the issue...The ability of Moore and the other offensive assistants to work together effectively.

Each one individually was probably OK but just not quite on the same page with each other. Pass Game/ Run Game...QB / WRs...

It is much easier for an OC that is also the Head Coach, because all assistants report to him. They didn't report to Moore.

Some non-Head Coach OCs hire the offensive assistants (If the HC is a defensive guy) but Moore didn't have that opportunity.

Perhaps there were issues with Moore (very much a devotee of his Boise State style offense) and Philbin (decidedly an old school McCarthy man), but there shouldn’t be any concerns about that with McCarthy, Schottenheimer, and Solari.

Maybe a good thing is now every coaching upgrade hiring on the offensive side seems to be in the hands of McCarthy.

Although I still wonder what happened behind the scenes that got his long time buddy Joe Philibin canned and out the door.

Just speculation on my part, but I still wonder if something was brewing between Philibin vs Management that led to his dismissal.

 

[quickccc]

Clearly this is something McCarthy had in mind with Schoon being drafted.

Agree.

Also yet another reason why I don't think we go with just 3 TEs, and why I don't think 4th TE McKeon (blocking specilist) will be cut.

 

[CCBoy]

Here is a very good read about Mike Solari and the Offensive lines he's coached for many teams throughout his NFL coaching tenure, how they were before he took over, during and after he left. A mix of good and bad. It will be interesting to see if Mike Solari can improve or worsen our Oline. Frustrating since the Cowboys have had to change their Oline coach every 4 years or so for the past 15+ seasons. Keeping fingers crossed. Check out this article. Very informative.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/mike-solari-offensive-line-unit-evaluation/

I'm thinking that having both Tyler Smith and Martin as his two Pro Bowl guards will set his style and inside schemes to powerful and a dynamic influence on both the running and passing games.

If Tyron Smith and Steele are both able to answer muster formation, this team will be very strong on the offensive side of things now.

 

[noshame]

Solari is a run blocking guy, not known for pass blocking against today's multi front defenses. Hoping for the best.
Philbin was a fraud.

 

[The Fonz]

I beleive it when I see it working

 

[TequilaCowboy]

The key to how great the OL coach is obviously to have the starting five work in unison and to their strengths; but also just as important is how prepared and better the backup linemen are once they have to be put in. We know what the starting unit brings to the table, but how about Waletzko, Forniak, Bass, Bostick, Richards and yes even Ball. I hope they upgrade their skills and technique. They will be needed very much this year with Steele coming off injury, Tyron's injury history and possible Martin's holdout. Solari may need to work some miracles.

 

[Cowboyny]

Yes, it will depend upon cohension, chemistry, easy to adapt and learn and effectiveness... and perhaps Solari did not have the OL personnel in Seattle (and some other places) that
he should have here with Cowboys

For quite awhile Seattle OL was a complete shame, and Solaris became the scape goat for it - but he should be in a better position with the personnel he has here.

One will be the issue at LG, and how to best implement both Steele and Tyron at OT, and best place to implement Tyler ..LG or LT?

I'm not yet sure if Solari will be man-power scheme or a zone scheme.-
Makes a difference in how much is individual matchup in pass protection and how much is zone pass off.
maybe he uses both.. but one more than the other ?

We can get much better in run design scheme for running game such as a stretch, slanting run design that emphasizes cut back lanes, rather than a stright up
man -power scheme. I think having better in-line blocking TEs on the edges ( instead of Schultz ) should help with a lot of bounce runs and getting RBs on the perimeter.



.

Those perimeter runs couldn't work with Zeke no matter the scheme at this stage.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Also yet another reason why I don't think we go with just 3 TEs, and why I don't think 4th TE McKeon (blocking specilist) will be cut.

Don't sleep on Princeton Fant.

 

[McMicah]

I’m hoping Solari will work out for 3 reasons:

1. He’s basically a run specialist coach, and we could use a bit of a boost in that arena. I expect 0 improvement in pass protection because he has no record of that in his entire career. I trust the O-Line will ignore pass pro guidance

2. The Tex coast offense should have Dak holding the ball for much less time. This should artificially ‘improve’ pass protection

3. Since we will still do a lot play action and (please Lord) actually run screens this year, those plays will also benefit from run blocking improvements

Don’t expect Dak to be comfy in the pocket all year, but I think offensive scheme changes align with the Solari hire

 

[CCBoy]

I’m hoping Solari will work out for 3 reasons:

1. He’s basically a run specialist coach, and we could use a bit of a boost in that arena. I expect 0 improvement in pass protection because he has no record of that in his entire career. I trust the O-Line will ignore pass pro guidance

2. The Tex coast offense should have Dak holding the ball for much less time. This should artificially ‘improve’ pass protection

3. Since we will still do a lot play action and (please Lord) actually run screens this year, those plays will also benefit from run blocking improvements

Don’t expect Dak to be comfy in the pocket all year, but I think offensive scheme changes align with the Solari hire

Actions across the line from his offensive line won't be sneaking up on him at this point and player knowledges that Solari has now worked and weathered through.

He knows the coaching staff and even pride of coaching in Dallas previously.

 

[speedkilz88]

Agree.

Also yet another reason why I don't think we go with just 3 TEs, and why I don't think 4th TE McKeon (blocking specilist) will be cut.

McKeon will be cut (and put on the practice squad) because Mike McCarthy is a FB guy and he got one he likes in Hunter Luepke.

 

[Qcard]

​

The Cowboys have posted consecutive 12-win seasons but clearly were not content with the way things were going on offense. In addition to Kellen Moore’s departure, much of the offensive staff was shaken up too. The most notable change was longtime McCarthy disciple and right hand man Joe Philbin being swapped out for Mike Solari.

Solari brings a fairly distinct, though not radical, departure from Philbin in both demeanor and style. Both McCarthy and Zack Martin, in addition to some of Solari’s former players, have cited an edge in the coach that carries over to his offensive line. It has also been hinted at, and observed in OTA’s, that Solari is introducing some technical changes both with the way the Cowboys pass protect and the way they handle outside zone rushing concepts.

Solari has worked with McCarthy before, albeit very briefly, but he’s more notable for his collaboration with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer when the two were with the Seahawks from 2018 to 2020. Now, the pair reunite in Dallas with McCarthy calling plays.

It’s often said that the chemistry between the coordinator and line coach is the most important coach-to-coach relationship, as both need to be on the same page to avoid any confusion within the scheme. Perhaps there were issues with Moore (very much a devotee of his Boise State style offense) and Philbin (decidedly an old school McCarthy man), but there shouldn’t be any concerns about that with McCarthy, Schottenheimer, and Solari.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...iadasz-zack-martin-terence-steele-mike-solari

Zack Martin's contract Issue.....Classic Red Herring. Solari cut veteran days in half.... Training Camp is a Mutha