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

Cowboyny said:
Ever since Christian Parker was hired as the team's new DC, acquiring that "big nickel" was their #1 priority. CP mentioned the importance of this position in his opening press conference. This position wasn't going to be like a traditional nickel corner, but more like a safety who can play the run at a high level, but also hold up in underneath coverage. So happens that Cowboys were fortunate to land Caleb Downs-the ideal fit for what CP wants at this important position.

It's not coincidence that they rebuilt their DL with massive size/strength. They also acquired Gary who is considered one of the best run defending DE's who will now play OLB close to 280.

Add in they hired the former Arizona Defensive Back coach who comes from a system that employed a ton of 3 safety formations. They went long at the safety position have 5 on their active roster, but just 4 linebackers. This suggests we are going to see a ton of defensive backs on the field at the same time.

Biggest defensive question to me is, can they hold up playing the so called "light box" to stop the run? In my opinion, success or failure in this area will determine this year's fate on defense.
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To me your question is the key to the season. The Cowboys need to stop the run with a light box. Since all our corners have questions I want a extra safety on the backend.
 
Coogiguy03 said:
Maybe you're being funny or truthful here but either way teams can get the ball ran on them, we just have to play team ball!!!
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There is sage wisdom in what I've stated as well as a little humor......very little actually

And yes the ball does play a minor role in accomplishing said task but its not the focal point.

I hope this clarified things.
 
Cowboyny said:
Ever since Christian Parker was hired as the team's new DC, acquiring that "big nickel" was their #1 priority. CP mentioned the importance of this position in his opening press conference. This position wasn't going to be like a traditional nickel corner, but more like a safety who can play the run at a high level, but also hold up in underneath coverage. So happens that Cowboys were fortunate to land Caleb Downs-the ideal fit for what CP wants at this important position.

It's not coincidence that they rebuilt their DL with massive size/strength. They also acquired Gary who is considered one of the best run defending DE's who will now play OLB close to 280.

Add in they hired the former Arizona Defensive Back coach who comes from a system that employed a ton of 3 safety formations. They went long at the safety position have 5 on their active roster, but just 4 linebackers. This suggests we are going to see a ton of defensive backs on the field at the same time.

Biggest defensive question to me is, can they hold up playing the so called "light box" to stop the run? In my opinion, success or failure in this area will determine this year's fate on defense.
Click to expand...
It will be fun watching this defense settle in and wreak havoc in the NFL, week after week! GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Cowboyny said:
Ever since Christian Parker was hired as the team's new DC, acquiring that "big nickel" was their #1 priority. CP mentioned the importance of this position in his opening press conference. This position wasn't going to be like a traditional nickel corner, but more like a safety who can play the run at a high level, but also hold up in underneath coverage. So happens that Cowboys were fortunate to land Caleb Downs-the ideal fit for what CP wants at this important position.

It's not coincidence that they rebuilt their DL with massive size/strength. They also acquired Gary who is considered one of the best run defending DE's who will now play OLB close to 280.

Add in they hired the former Arizona Defensive Back coach who comes from a system that employed a ton of 3 safety formations. They went long at the safety position have 5 on their active roster, but just 4 linebackers. This suggests we are going to see a ton of defensive backs on the field at the same time.

Biggest defensive question to me is, can they hold up playing the so called "light box" to stop the run? In my opinion, success or failure in this area will determine this year's fate on defense.
Click to expand...
Although I think we will be in the 4-2-5 on most downs because that's simply the way this game is played now (three- and four-receiver sets), when teams are lined up to run (two tight ends, a fullback, etc.), we'll be in the 3-4 and won't have a light box. We'll have Quinnen, Clark and Ogbonnia up front (with Bullard rotating in some), Eze and Clark at OLB and Overshown and Winters at ILB (with Barham possibly in for Winters if he's ready).

Now, teams are going to run at times when we are in the 4-2-5, but that's no different than teams running when other defenses have their nickel personnel on the field. The difference is that we plan to use a safety instead of a third corner.
 
Cowboyny said:
Ever since Christian Parker was hired as the team's new DC, acquiring that "big nickel" was their #1 priority. CP mentioned the importance of this position in his opening press conference. This position wasn't going to be like a traditional nickel corner, but more like a safety who can play the run at a high level, but also hold up in underneath coverage. So happens that Cowboys were fortunate to land Caleb Downs-the ideal fit for what CP wants at this important position.

It's not coincidence that they rebuilt their DL with massive size/strength. They also acquired Gary who is considered one of the best run defending DE's who will now play OLB close to 280.

Add in they hired the former Arizona Defensive Back coach who comes from a system that employed a ton of 3 safety formations. They went long at the safety position have 5 on their active roster, but just 4 linebackers. This suggests we are going to see a ton of defensive backs on the field at the same time.

Biggest defensive question to me is, can they hold up playing the so called "light box" to stop the run? In my opinion, success or failure in this area will determine this year's fate on defense.
Click to expand...
:hammer:Call me skeptical...And if Clark or Williams gets hurt...we are in trouble
 
Cowboyny said:
I think we are going to see some penny fronts, where they might just employ 1 linebacker.
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I think some of that will depend on how the linebackers do in coverage. Are we better off with Bell in as a dime linebacker? Do we move Downs to the dime LB spot and bring in a third corner? It will be interesting to see how we play it.
 
Cowboyny said:
Ever since Christian Parker was hired as the team's new DC, acquiring that "big nickel" was their #1 priority. CP mentioned the importance of this position in his opening press conference. This position wasn't going to be like a traditional nickel corner, but more like a safety who can play the run at a high level, but also hold up in underneath coverage. So happens that Cowboys were fortunate to land Caleb Downs-the ideal fit for what CP wants at this important position.

It's not coincidence that they rebuilt their DL with massive size/strength. They also acquired Gary who is considered one of the best run defending DE's who will now play OLB close to 280.

Add in they hired the former Arizona Defensive Back coach who comes from a system that employed a ton of 3 safety formations. They went long at the safety position have 5 on their active roster, but just 4 linebackers. This suggests we are going to see a ton of defensive backs on the field at the same time.

Biggest defensive question to me is, can they hold up playing the so called "light box" to stop the run? In my opinion, success or failure in this area will determine this year's fate on defense.
Click to expand...
It's only a light box because of the 2-deep Safeties.

Compare 3-4 to 4-2-5
- Heavy 3-4 with box Safety
- Medium 4-2-5 with box Safety
- Light 3-4 with 2-deep
- Very Light: 4-2-5 with 2-deep

The 3 bigs (IDL) squeeze the interior gaps from OT to OT.
- The 4-2-5 only has 2 DTs between the OTs.
- The tighter 3-4 inside spacing puts more pressure on the LBs and DBs to contain outside action.
- i.e. Bigger penalty for OLBs jumping inside vs an outside run.
- Less of an issue now that Ole Sam Wiliams is gone...
 
shabazz said:
There is sage wisdom in what I've stated as well as a little humor......very little actually

And yes the ball does play a minor role in accomplishing said task but its not the focal point.

I hope this clarified things.
Click to expand...
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
 
I doubt we have many light box situations. Keep in mind if the offense is in a 3 or 4 WR set what a light box is changes from if they’re in a 2 WR set. If the offense only has 5 blockers vs 6 guys in the box it’s not really a light box for example.

We still likely play a true 3-4 or 5-2 look against those 2 receiver formations. I’d argue The big nickel look actually helps you get stronger run defenders on the field against those extra WR sets. Plus the 3 man front typically makes for a stronger run defense, depending on specifics of the actual scheme.
 
xwalker said:
It's only a light box because of the 2-deep Safeties.

Compare 3-4 to 4-2-5
- Heavy 3-4 with box Safety
- Medium 4-2-5 with box Safety
- Light 3-4 with 2-deep
- Very Light: 4-2-5 with 2-deep

The 3 bigs (IDL) squeeze the interior gaps from OT to OT.
- The 4-2-5 only has 2 DTs between the OTs.
- The tighter 3-4 inside spacing puts more pressure on the LBs and DBs to contain outside action.
- i.e. Bigger penalty for OLBs jumping inside vs an outside run.
- Less of an issue now that Ole Sam Wiliams is gone...
Click to expand...
Great explaination!
 
gimmesix said:
I think some of that will depend on how the linebackers do in coverage. Are we better off with Bell in as a dime linebacker? Do we move Downs to the dime LB spot and bring in a third corner? It will be interesting to see how we play it.
Click to expand...
CP is going to be all about disguising his intentions. By doing so, he is going to try to keep the same personnel grouping on the field, but shift them all over the field post snap.
 
gimmesix said:
Although I think we will be in the 4-2-5 on most downs because that's simply the way this game is played now (three- and four-receiver sets), when teams are lined up to run (two tight ends, a fullback, etc.), we'll be in the 3-4 and won't have a light box. We'll have Quinnen, Clark and Ogbonnia up front (with Bullard rotating in some), Eze and Clark at OLB and Overshown and Winters at ILB (with Barham possibly in for Winters if he's ready).

Now, teams are going to run at times when we are in the 4-2-5, but that's no different than teams running when other defenses have their nickel personnel on the field. The difference is that we plan to use a safety instead of a third corner.
Click to expand...
In essence that is a 3 safety alignment.
 
baltcowboy said:
To me your question is the key to the season. The Cowboys need to stop the run with a light box. Since all our corners have questions I want a extra safety on the backend.
Click to expand...
CP wants to have an extra man in coverage, not forced to play a linebacker to stop the run.
 
Cowboyny said:
CP wants to have an extra man in coverage, not forced to play a linebacker to stop the run.
Click to expand...
This is gonna be a fun season to watch. I could see us anywhere from 11-6 high end to 7-10 low end. All eyes on the defense. That is the key……
 
No. It makes it challenging with a lighter box. Size and eating space is what matters most in the 3-4. Those 3 lineman need to big big hosses.
 
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