Cowboys D is going to have to get better on the outside runs

[Cowboyny]

When I studied the Cowboy run defense last November, 1 run play stuck out the most, outside run to the weakside of the defense:

-Teams would allow Parsons to get up the field and run right into his gap, where his #1 responsibility was to set the edge and force runs inside where more defenders are. Parsons being so undisciplined started the snowball affect for the rest of the unit as he would take himself out of the play with his over aggressiveness.

-With the left tackle now uncovered he is free to tie up the linebackers, a pulling lineman would lead the back into the hole, our outside corner became the last line of defense and sometimes had to take on a much bigger lineman to make the tackle. We all know the issues Diggs has with tackling, but he shouldn't be the player who has to make this play.

-Doesn't help when the interior cannot win the point of attack and blow up the play before it even starts nor that the rest of the front 7 either reacts too slow or is being undisciplined with their run fits.

It's all about playing together and doing your own job. It starts off the snap, if the 1st line does what they are suppose to do, it makes everyone else's job that much easier.

 

[maryquality]

Yeah....seeing those teams running all over us on the outside of the tackles was so frustrating to watch!! I hope they will clean that up this year!!

 

[gtb1943]

we have to get better at ALL the runs
inside and outside and in between

 

[shabazz]

The best Dlines start from the inside out.....not the other way around.

Bulldozers in the middle and Ferraris on the ends.

The seive will continue in 2025 unless DT rookies suddenly become starter quality

 

[fivetwos]

No need to stop the run. It’s about rushing the passer and getting interceptions.

This way when you’re playing a bad team, you can hang a 50 on them and make your team look better than it actually is with point differential.

Playoffs? Oh….uh….sorry about that.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

-Doesn't help when the interior cannot win the point of attack and blow up the play before it even starts nor that the rest of the front 7 either reacts too slow or is being undisciplined with their run fits.

It's all about playing together and doing your own job. It starts off the snap, if the 1st line does what they are suppose to do, it makes everyone else's job that much easier

The word is that this was the last straw in DLaw's beef with Parsons. The exact word can never be known, but coaches and players knew. Parsons spent way too time and energy hunting splash plays. I'm pretty sure this was part of Jerry and Stephen calling him out for more leadership.

Parsons being so undisciplined started the snowball affect for the rest of the unit as he would take himself out of the play with his over aggressiveness.

 

[Cowboyny]

Yeah....seeing those teams running all over us on the outside of the tackles was so frustrating to watch!! I hope they will clean that up this year!!

Being more disciplined can really turn this run defense into average, not dead last. This is not just on Parsons, but the entire front.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

we have to get better at ALL the runs
inside and outside and in between

This, remember seeing most backs go right up the middle, like it was a parting of the Red Sea.

 

[Cowboyny]

we have to get better at ALL the runs
inside and outside and in between

Agree, but feel the outside runs hurt the run defense the most.

 

[Cowboyny]

The best Dlines start from the inside out.....not the other way around.

Bulldozers in the middle and Ferraris on the ends.

The seive will continue in 2025 unless DT rookies suddenly become starter quality

No doubt, need better interior play, but they aren't the only reason why the run defense has struggled, it's the entire front.

 

[Rayman70]

Much of it defensively is fixable. Fundamentals on defense has been a huge problem around here for seemingly, decades. Everyone wanted to be the hero. This game is about team defense. Soon as we play as a team, our odds go up as far as improving.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Let's be honest, stop the run starts with attitude and discipline from ALL 11 defensive players. Every D player knows how to tackle but it's the dirty work some rather avoid for big/splash plays. A good run-stopping team has layers of players swarming to the ball carrier on every play. Quite honestly, we have not seen that in a while in Dallas.

 

[Stash]

I’m hopeful that Eberflus will put the priority back on ‘doing your job’ over making a splash play and chasing stats.

 

[Cowboyny]

The word is that this was the last straw in DLaw's beef with Parsons. The exact word can never be known, but coaches and players knew. Parsons spent way too time and energy hunting splash plays. I'm pretty sure this was part of Jerry and Stephen calling him out for more leadership.

Parsons being so undisciplined started the snowball affect for the rest of the unit as he would take himself out of the play with his over aggressiveness.

If he and the rest of the front plays "hero" football, coaches have to make necessary personnel and schematic adjustments. I know Zimmer tried a few wrinkles that helped as the season progressed. I think many believe, upgrade Mazi and the run defense is fixed, I say not so fast, it's far more then 1 player why this run defense has struggled.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

‘doing your job’ over making a splash play and chasing stats.

Huge problem the last few years.........

 

[Rayman70]

If Mazi ever decides he wants to be good, watch out. That will also mean the coaching staff will help this along. Much of it is desire or lack of. Not too sure that part can be coached . It's either part of who you are or it isn't.

 

[fivetwos]

No doubt, need better interior play, but they aren't the only reason why the run defense has struggled, it's the entire front.

They just don’t have the horses at DT or MLB….and that’s not news.

Eberflus is their fifth DC in like seven years, but it’s not about that.

Remember trying to run Nolan’s scheme with the players they had? Crawford at NT was an embarrassment, but did the FO care? Is there ever ANY plan to get the right players in here to match the scheme? Sure doesn’t seem like it. They don’t care about run defense. It doesn’t sell.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

If he and the rest of the front plays "hero" football, coaches have to make necessary personnel and schematic adjustments. I know Zimmer tried a few wrinkles that helped as the season progressed. I think many believe, upgrade Mazi and the run defense is fixed, I say not so fast, it's far more then 1 player why this run defense has struggled.

You are exactly right.......everyone wanna blame Mazi. This issue is way bigger than one or two players. Hell, Kendrick had over a 120+ tackles last season and we STILL ranked near the bottom.

 

[Cowboyny]

Let's be honest, stop the run starts with attitude and discipline from ALL 11 defensive players. Every D player knows how to tackle but it's the dirty work some rather avoid for big/splash plays. A good run-stopping team has layers of players swarming to the ball carrier on every play. Quite honestly, we have not seen that in a while in Dallas.

That is a staple in Eberflus Scheme as it was with Marinelli. Due how undersized this front is, they have to play together and do their jobs.

 

[Stash]

Huge problem the last few years.........

Fundamentals have been lacking for a long while now.