How to fix our run defense?

[Cowboyny]

I have been doing a ton of research since the Lions loss this year and how the Cowboys can truly fix this weakness of defending the run.

-4th worst in rushing yards allowed
-Dead last in red zone defense
-4th worst in defensive points allowed

The last time this unit was consistently good at stopping the run was under Wade Phillips. Not saying we MUST move to a 3-4 front, but it is more about having bigger personnel to be able to defend the run better. Let's take a look at their front 7:

2007

DE-Canty, Spears (both were over 315 lbs)
NT-Jay Ratliff (bigger then Osa, closer to 290)

WOLB-Ware 260 LBS (Parsons is just 245)
SOLB-Spencer 257 LBS (Lawrence is 251)

MLB-James 245 LBS (Kendricks is just 227, Marist is 238)
WLB-Ayodele 250 LBS (Overshown is 235)

Things I would consider in rebuilding this front 7:

-Moving Parsons off the ball, especially in obvious run situations. He struggles setting the edge and gets beaten up too much facing these huge tackles.
-Add multiple Defensive Lineman in that 315 range. Players that are hard to move off a spot, to allow our linebackers to make the plays.
-Consider making a switch to a 3-4 Base Defense

 

[Hawkeye0202]

-Consider making a switch to a 3-4 Base Defense

Honestly and I could be wrong but I think Jerry has already decided on this........which might explain why he only signed 1 defensive free agent this season after letting several starters walk.

DeMarcus Ware became a HOFer from the 3-4 base. We switched to the 4-3 his final year and he struggled before going to Broncos and winning his Super Bowl in 3-4 with Vonn. Saying this coz there's no way Jerry's going to keep Parsons and pay him $40M+ and NOT put him in the best position to succeed including coaching and schemes.

This is why I wouldn't rule out the next head coach being a 3-4 defensive guy with some skin on the wall.

 

[Cowboyny]

Honestly and I could be wrong but I think Jerry has already decided on this........which might explain why he only signed 1 defensive free agent this season after letting several starters walk.

DeMarcus Ware became a HOFer from the 3-4 base. We switched to the 4-3 his final year and he struggled before going to Broncos and winning his Super Bowl in 3-4 with Vonn. Saying this coz there's no way Jerry's going to keep Parsons and pay him $40M+ and NOT put him in the best position to succeed including coaching and schemes.

This is why I wouldn't rule out the next head coach being a 3-4 defensive guy with some skin on the wall.

The majority of the Defensive HC Candidates this cycle run a 3-4 Base Defense: BB, Vrabel, Flores. They say it is far easier to draft 3-4 personnel then it is 4-3. Just look how quickly Flores turned around the Vikings D. Can you name 1 star on their defense?

Not saying you HAVE TO transition to a 3-4 Base, but you are going to need personnel who are not affected by scheme. There will be alignments to play multiple fronts and you need the right players to do so. You cannot have undersized lineman/backers expected to stop the run on a consistent basis. The Packers were laughing how easy it was to run against our front last yr in the playoffs.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I see a lot of posters really hung up on the idea of moving to a 3-4. I think you may be focusing on something that really isn’t relative in today’s game. Defenses are multiple now. Defenses spend the majority of their time in a Nickel defense. Parsons is your Edge rusher in whatever scheme you are running.

This is the type of thinking that has you thinking you have to take Taco over TJ. No matter your scheme, TJ is your Edge.

Or like Jerry demanding his offensive coaches try to run Norv Turner’s 1990s offense. Not even Norv Turner runs that offense in 2024.

Part of the problem in Dallas is an unskilled Owner masquerading as the GM pushing outdated football ideologies on his football team. How many times have you heard opposing players, coaches, or even media members stating they knew what the Cowboys offense or defense was going to do? Way too many.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

They say it is far easier to draft 3-4 personnel then it is 4-3

The exact words of Bill Parcell also.........

 

[My3Sons]

there's no way Jerry's going to keep Parsons and pay him $40M+ and NOT put him in the best position to succeed including coaching and schemes.

This gives JJ too much credit imo

 

[Cowboyny]

I see a lot of posters really hung up on the idea of moving to a 3-4. I think you may be focusing on something that really isn’t relative in today’s game. Defenses are multiple now. Defenses spend the majority of their time in a Nickel defense. Parsons is your Edge rusher in whatever scheme you are running.

This is the type of thinking that has you thinking you have to take Taco over TJ. No matter your scheme, TJ is your Edge.

Or like Jerry demanding his offensive coaches try to run Norv Turner’s 1990s offense. Not even Norv Turner runs that offense in 2024.

Part of the problem in Dallas is an unskilled Owner masquerading as the GM pushing outdated football ideologies on his football team. How many times have you heard opposing players, coaches, or even media members stating they knew what the Cowboys offense or defense was going to do? Way too many.

I am not so focused about changing scheme, but rather bringing in bigger personnel. The league has reverted back where the run game is relevant again, Cowboys personnel has been built for more of a pass defense. Undersized lineman who can get up the field and play the run on the way to the QB. Teams game plan to avoid the Cowboys from being in obvious passing situations, they believe if they run the football enough, they are ware down their undersized front.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I am not so focused about changing scheme, but rather bringing in bigger personnel. The league has reverted back where the run game is relevant again, Cowboys personnel has been built for more of a pass defense. Undersized lineman who can get up the field and play the run on the way to the QB. Teams game plan to avoid the Cowboys from being in obvious passing situations, they believe if they run the football enough, they are ware down their undersized front.

I’m with you on personnel. The Cowboys and by that I mean the Jones, have been dead wrong with their obsession with gap-penetrating 3Tech types and have wasted valuable resources and time on guys like Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore.

Their approach to DT and LB has proven to be a failed philosophy. There was some talk that Dan Quinn didn’t prioritize LBs and that’s why they didn’t sign guys like Bobby Wagner.

Yet the second Quinn becomes a HC, he signs Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. That tells you that’s it’s the Jones and their constant low football IQ.

 

[My3Sons]

Fire current DC that JJ dusted off from the scrap heap.

Install 3/4

Draft impact DT

Draft 2 RBs from rounds 2 to 6

Defense is improved.

 

[Cowboyny]

I’m with you on personnel. The Cowboys and by that I mean the Jones, have been dead wrong with their obsession with gap-penetrating 3Tech types and have wasted valuable resources and time on guys like Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore.

Their approach to DT and LB has proven to be a failed philosophy. There was some talk that Dan Quinn didn’t prioritize LBs and that’s why they didn’t sign guys like Bobby Wagner.

Yet the second Quinn becomes a HC, he signs Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. That tells you that’s it’s the Jones and their constant low football IQ.

Jones family mismanagement is a given. Reason why I think an experienced HC needs to convince them how to properly build a team. Question is will their egos allow it, will they be too stubborn to change they way they have done things?

I hope I’m wrong, but I think Zimmer has a good chance to become the teams new HC next yr. He is the type that the Jones family can control

 

[gtb1943]

I’m with you on personnel. The Cowboys and by that I mean the Jones, have been dead wrong with their obsession with gap-penetrating 3Tech types and have wasted valuable resources and time on guys like Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore.

Their approach to DT and LB has proven to be a failed philosophy. There was some talk that Dan Quinn didn’t prioritize LBs and that’s why they didn’t sign guys like Bobby Wagner.

Yet the second Quinn becomes a HC, he signs Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. That tells you that’s it’s the Jones and their constant low football IQ.

Not just their low Football IQ but their need to run it their way and not listen to any opposing voices

 

[gtb1943]

Fire current DC that JJ dusted off from the scrap heap.

Install 3/4

Draft impact DT

Draft 2 RBs from rounds 2 to 6

Defense is improved.

NOT just a real NT but more beef overall in the D Line.
If you rewatch the Ravens game you see Henry just getting a free pass as their O line manhandles everyone.
And the Lions O Line did the same.

 

[Mr_437]

On the contrary, I see it being much easier to add to the 4-3 they already have. Whether Zimmer is kept or not his philosophy of having two NTs in the middle should be deployed considering the personnel in-house.

2 NTs (320+), MLB, FS.
Defense is ok on the Edges with DEs (may need 1) and CBs.

FAs:
FS - Justin Simmons, Jevon Holland, Camryn Bynum
MLB - Blah
NT - a couple guys, draft is loaded...draft.
Sign a FA FS, and all they need is 3 draft picks on defense minimum, maybe a DE too.

 

[Cowboyny]

On the contrary, I see it being much easier to add to the 4-3 they already have. Whether Zimmer is kept or not his philosophy of having two NTs in the middle should be deployed considering the personnel in-house.

2 NTs (320+), MLB, FS.
Defense is ok on the Edges with DEs (may need 1) and CBs.

FAs:
FS - Justin Simmons, Jevon Holland, Camryn Bynum
MLB - Blah
NT - a couple guys, draft is loaded...draft.
Sign a FA FS, and all they need is 3 draft picks on defense minimum, maybe a DE too.

As I have said, not hung up so much about changing schemes but rather adding bigger personnel. Two NT’s can definitely work, but they have to get bigger on the edge, perhaps even at linebacker

 

[cnuball21]

I have been doing a ton of research since the Lions loss this year and how the Cowboys can truly fix this weakness of defending the run.

-4th worst in rushing yards allowed
-Dead last in red zone defense
-4th worst in defensive points allowed

The last time this unit was consistently good at stopping the run was under Wade Phillips. Not saying we MUST move to a 3-4 front, but it is more about having bigger personnel to be able to defend the run better. Let's take a look at their front 7:

2007

DE-Canty, Spears (both were over 315 lbs)
NT-Jay Ratliff (bigger then Osa, closer to 290)

WOLB-Ware 260 LBS (Parsons is just 245)
SOLB-Spencer 257 LBS (Lawrence is 251)

MLB-James 245 LBS (Kendricks is just 227, Marist is 238)
WLB-Ayodele 250 LBS (Overshown is 235)

Things I would consider in rebuilding this front 7:

-Moving Parsons off the ball, especially in obvious run situations. He struggles setting the edge and gets beaten up too much facing these huge tackles.
-Add multiple Defensive Lineman in that 315 range. Players that are hard to move off a spot, to allow our linebackers to make the plays.
-Consider making a switch to a 3-4 Base Defense

With today’s game I think 3/4 4/3 is irrelevant but I agree with a lot of what you’re saying.

Gotta get a legit DT ideally in FA and same for a glass eater type MLBr.

 

[Mr_437]

As I have said, not hung up so much about changing schemes but rather adding bigger personnel. Two NT’s can definitely work, but they have to get bigger on the edge, perhaps even at linebacker

Rough draft
OLB/Edge - Parsons
RDE - Kneeland/Williams
NT - Grant (for example)
NT - Mazi
LDE - Golston
That's a 5 man DL basically, but still a 4-3, Parsons can go strong side over TE where he'd function like a 3-4 OLB.

With a bigger iDL the LBs don't necessarily have to be bigger, but I agree you want a block shedding 245 pounder to pair with Overshown.

 

[Cowboyny]

With today’s game I think 3/4 4/3 is irrelevant but I agree with a lot of what you’re saying.

Gotta get a legit DT ideally in FA and same for a glass eater type MLBr.

It’s more about bigger personnel than it is as much about scheme change. Really would like to double up along the DL with 2 of our first three picks. Use fa to either resign OSA or another 3t and add another Hankins type.

Also believe Parsons off the line of scrimmage has its benefits. Use him and Overshown like chess pieces so it’s hard to figure out where they are coming and avoid dealing with those tackles from too many snaps

 

[Cowboyny]

Rough draft
OLB/Edge - Parsons
RDE - Kneeland/Williams
NT - Grant (for example)
NT - Mazi
LDE - Golston
That's a 5 man DL basically, but still a 4-3, Parsons can go strong side over TE where he'd function like a 3-4 OLB.

With a bigger iDL the LBs don't necessarily have to be bigger, but I agree you want a block shedding 245 pounder to pair with Overshown.

This is how I envision the defense would look like. Perhaps we add another edge or big Mike linebacker along with that NT in the draft

 

[Mr_437]

This is how I envision the defense would look like. Perhaps we add another edge or big Mike linebacker along with that NT in the draft

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I would definitely move to a 34 for Micah alone. Do what Pittsburgh does. Their olb opposite Watt is no bigger than Micah.

I don't know how Kneeland fits into that, but although I like him, he isn't worth staying in a 43. And we need a DL overhaul anyway regardless of scheme.