Defensive Question: Can they stop the run with the "light box"?

big dog cowboy said:
Yes, but I think this is the central question for Dallas in 2026. The “light box” approach can work, but only if the Cowboys' front can consistently win with fewer bodies committed to the run. Christian Parker has explicitly changed Dallas's base defensive look, and the new scheme is being built around the personnel rather than forcing players into the old system.

The big key is if Williams and Clark are occupying blockers and keeping the linebackers clean, Dallas can afford to play lighter. And they should be able too. It's nice to have run stopping DT's finally.

The biggest reason for my optimism isn't that the Cowboys suddenly have a dominant run defense. It's that they've rebuilt the personnel specifically to make this type of defense more viable. Especially since the offense should be able to allow them to play with a lead and force our opponents into playing catch up.
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Nice and I agree, it’s all about the dline occupying blockers.
 
big dog cowboy said:
Yes, but I think this is the central question for Dallas in 2026. The “light box” approach can work, but only if the Cowboys' front can consistently win with fewer bodies committed to the run. Christian Parker has explicitly changed Dallas's base defensive look, and the new scheme is being built around the personnel rather than forcing players into the old system.

The big key is if Williams and Clark are occupying blockers and keeping the linebackers clean, Dallas can afford to play lighter. And they should be able too. It's nice to have run stopping DT's finally.

The biggest reason for my optimism isn't that the Cowboys suddenly have a dominant run defense. It's that they've rebuilt the personnel specifically to make this type of defense more viable. Especially since the offense should be able to allow them to play with a lead and force our opponents into playing catch up.
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They have brought in the right personnel to be able to accomplish played with extra DB's rather then employing more of a traditional front.
 
JBS said:
Caleb downs is an excellent downhill player. He should be an asset against the run game. Hes a plus tackler , obviously his instincts and his IQ are off the charts. I have very little doubts that we will at the very least be decent in this aspect of the game.
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This is his best trait, using those elite instincts against the run. He is also an excellent tackler in space.
 
BobSacamano said:
That guy from the Chargers Dallas signed might play huge dividends in that regard.

I think Bullard can definitely spell him and Quintin and be a big help as well.
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They definitely have the DL for it. LBs...we'll see. This is why they are hoping Barham can be the guy at MLB due to his size and physicality to deal with OL.
 
Cowboyny said:
More teams are using the nickel as their base defense. To counter that offensive teams have started to employ bigger personnel packages.
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I know. But I didn't say anything about nickel lol. Numbers advantageous doesn't have to do with personnel, it is literally about numbers so you that you have a body in every gap.

If a team is in 10 (4 WRs), you can create a heavy box with 6 defenders. If a team is in 11, you can do it with 7. If a team is in 12, you can do it with 8.
 
I assume Williams, Clark, EZRockU, Gary, Overshown and Downs will be the regulars for the nickel D. And with those guys, I would say they have a better than average chance of being pretty effective against the run.
I'm curious to see if/when Barham gets some looks in there too.
 
When Williams got here last year, the run defense improved. Along with Clark, when he was healthy. He played through some nagging minor injuries.

Now they have Ogbonnia and Bullard as FA's, and Overton in the draft.
Gary can slide up and past on the DL and help in the run, or rush the QB.

Should be very much improved. And could be a straight of the defense.
 
Probably lean on the offense to score a bunch of points so that opposing defenses are forced to be one dimensional.
 
Cowboyny said:
I think we are going to see some penny fronts, where they might just employ 1 linebacker.
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Sure, we will show all kinds of sets all year long and keep teams guessing, but I wouldn't expect to see that on running downs against running teams or against teams that aren't coming out in passing sets. I think for the most part when we are seeing 5 DBs on the field it will be a more traditional 4-2 front or in more certain passing situations perhaps a 5-1 front. We aren't going to put a defense on the field that just screams for the offense to audible into an easy 1st and 10 run.
 
We will see week 1. I am sure the Giants plan to run a lot. Especially if the game is close or they are winning. I foresee a lot of power running and play action passes. I hope our secondary guys come to tackle and have good eye discipline.
 
darthseinfeld said:
Emmanwori is a big reason for that. Downs can do what he does and more
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Hopefully. We will see. Downs is super smart and is a film junky which is great and will speed up his development.

Emmanwori is more of a physical freak at safety. 6'3 220lbs, 43" vert, 32 1/2 inch arms, 1.49 10 yard, 4.38 40 yard dash.

Though I believe if they were in the same draft Caleb Downs would still be picked over Nick Emmanwori who slide to the 2nd round.

Nick already proved his worth in the NFL. Time for Caleb to show the NFL he is HIM.
 
LouBrown said:
No team can consistently stop the run when they don't have numbers advantages unless they are playing poor offensive lines.

Modern (Shanahan) run games are so effective because they constantly create numbers advantages and eliminate any advantages of players occupying multiple blockers.
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The rule that keeps DB’s from cutting legs of pulling O-linemen needs to be readdressed. If DB’s can’t eliminate the OL to allow teammates to get to the RB or WR on a jet then OL shouldn’t be able to pull. Simple.
 
LouBrown said:
I know. But I didn't say anything about nickel lol. Numbers advantageous doesn't have to do with personnel, it is literally about numbers so you that you have a body in every gap.

If a team is in 10 (4 WRs), you can create a heavy box with 6 defenders. If a team is in 11, you can do it with 7. If a team is in 12, you can do it with 8.
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Certainly teams are going to match up based on who is on the field. If the offense is in a base package, I think we will counter with the big nickel. Now if there are multiple TE's on the field, you would think they replace a DB with another LB.
 
I think our DC will use our LBs like how the Seahwaks did even though they were in a light box-they blitzed their LBs into B gaps on early downs 21% of the time.This is perfect for us because we have Barham who has shown many times in TC and Pre season that he is too quick for guards.another reason why i want Barham at MLB.
 
the linebackers have to move as soon as the ball is snapped and understand closing gaps

The dlinemen have one or two jobs on any alignment….either rush past your man or hold him up to keep the linebackers clean

If they do that you can stop the run
 
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