How to fix their anemic pass rush?

[fivetwos]

IF they are capable. I'm ALL for it.
That's a really really big IF though.

At some point one or two of them is going to need to step up even if they make yet another trade.

Bottom line is it can’t all be fixed at once just because they finally found a sense of urgency because Jerry is old.

He was old years ago when they were playing the long game. Stephen either has the old man completely buffaloed, or he is genuinely that stupid.

 

[LouBrown]

Its different when hes lined up as a 3-4 end controlling 2 gaps to hold the line of scrimmage then as a 3tech in a single gap trying to immediately penetrate the backfield which hes best suited for. Different responsibilities. Hes talented enough to do both but i would like to see him tasked to penetrate as a 3tech more then he has currently been doing.

Ah, yes that part I agree with.

 

[plymkr]

Sometimes I wish we could draft a Micah Parsons type player. That would do wonders here

 

[Cowboyny]

A lot of the guys being discussed are DT’s. The edge rushers are all spare to fare this year except for Mack.

The time to address this was March/April during free agency and the draft.

Draft you get guys like Lawrence/EZ-developmental players at the position. Has to be for a veteran.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

New name to consider, Khalil Mack.

Chargers are done and the Cowboys can afford him. Has 3 sacks this season and is a proven pass rusher despite his age. As a rental for 12-13 games or so he’d be a great addition.

Mack could be this year's Clowney for the defense for sure.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Outside of Maxx Crosby there aren't any truly pass rushers available

What sign is there he is still available? There is another member who posts his name regularly as if the Cowboys would trade for him. They won't.

 

[big dog cowboy]

New name to consider, Khalil Mack.

The best plan for the Cowboys is to call the Chargers and ask about him if they want to upgrade their pass rush. The biggest issue is the cost (in draft picks) and cash (his $15M contract). It's hard to see the Cowboys giving up any more draft capital in 2027. And Macks contract is pricy and he would be a FA after this year.

 

[nalam]

Blitz more, and don't play soft zone when you do (unless it's 3rd and VERY long).

Blitz Barham, Overshown, and Downs. Play more man defense.

This can only happen if they somehow stop giving long pass completions, right now even with our zone coverage we are giving up long completions.

Secondary needs to get healthier and the DL has to start collapsing the pocket. Hopefully what we saw in Houston game late is not an abnormality ( Gary and QW getting sacks) and becomes every game item.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Sweat is almost the ideal mid grade player for this defense.

Except he has not been good this year.

 

[Cowboyny]

What sign is there he is still available? There is another member who posts his name regularly as if the Cowboys would trade for him. They won't.

They did almost land him last season and reportedly didn't rule out another run at him, but it is really up to the Raiders if they want to make him available again.

 

[Cowboyny]

What the heck is simulated pressures?

It calling blitzes out of different alignments, where the QB has to determine how to coming who is dropping back.

 

[Cowboyny]

I think some of y'all really keep acting like we have a 43 and have a 34 defense you don't need a defensive end pass rusher like you're talking about you need a better outside linebacker They're talking about Khalil Mack could be a guy who is available maybe less expensive than other guys.

I say no to another acquisition, CP do your job!!

but I say start in house you need to play Von Miller more Use the rookie and Eazy E, A little less I know you're going to say progress stopper and I'm saying, no it's not ,and use James Houston more, and change Overshown temporarily see how he responds to playing outside linebacker..

I really believe Agent Zero could play that position better than the other two young guys I really do Why not it keeps Winters and Barham where they're at no changes You just give my idea above plus overshown I think that it can help he has all 10 days after this next game to get acclimated in practice to playing outside linebacker..

The prospects are still developing, they need more juice off the edge of what they are currently getting. If it means less reps for them, so be it.

 

[Cowboyny]

Blitz Barham, Overshown, and Downs. Play more man defense.

No doubt have to be more aggressive, especially in the long downs and distance, too many easy conversions against the soft zone.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

It is just as much the scheme as it is the players.

A hybrid 3-4 is not a 3-4 defense but they should incorporate a few fundamentals. It could benefit them. However, in order to do that, they would need legitimate LBs and not converted EDGEs.

EZE is not a LB. Rashan Gary did not truly emerge in Green Bay until they switched back to the 4-3 and made him a DE.

These former EDGEs and other like them lack the versatility to perform as complete LBs. There are times when a LB should be called upon for pass coverage. Both their own coaches and the opponent coaches realize this isn't going to happen.

Therefore, they will be used to pass rush in most cases and the opponent will know this.

This effectively eliminates one of the most important advantages of a 3-4 defense which is the direction of the 4th pass rusher. In a traditional 3-4, the identity of the 4th pass-rusher is unknown. He could come from anywhere, a LB, a safety, even a CB. This confuses the opponent O-line by creating a degree of doubt.

It is far easier when they know who the pass-rushers are and this eliminates a key advantage of a 3-4. If Rashan Gary is on the field during an obvious pass play, the Cowboys could put him at safety and it wouldn't change the opponent's blocking assignments.

The Cowboys must diversify their 4-man pass rush in the same way as a traditional 3-4. Their 3-man front is talented but must stay conservative in their lanes. Again, knowing the identity of the 4th pass rusher give the O-line the advantage.

I think EZE is now in the unfortunate position of playing on a defense that is not compatible with his skill set. Rashan Gary is also better suited for a 4-3 defense but they could try him at DE where he would still be considered smallish.

Trading for an elite 4-3 pass-rusher is not going to solve the issue and would probably just create more of them.

I have to question some principles of Parker's defense when it claims to be an innovation of the 3-4. They need the right kind of LB with the right kind of skillset. Parcells knew this and always stated that you could never have too many good LBs. How many do the Cowboys actually have?

In the end, it will take some personnel changes for this defense to become elite. Considering the draft capital available over the next few seasons, this will be another challenge.

the problem is we have to converted edges....Ware wasn't a LB, as his job was to pin back his ears and rush the QB. outside of the DL alignment, the edge, OLB rushes from standup position, kind of being away from the LT and then rushing to get an advantage.....
but gary playing the otherside at RT is over matched, not a LB, too small to be DE and not good at all dropping into coverage. he makes no sense for this defense and not sure why we got him.

right now, Parker is over matched, over thinking and not ready for the role. I am not surprised. he may become a great DC at some point, ala Moore did as OC, but he is not there. he is green and learning and being schooled. his theory in the books and on the white board doesn't translate to the field. he needs to adjust to his players. and the back 7 seems to be out of position all the time.

we need a true pass rushing OLB on the left side, as Eze is not getting it done. he is not closing, he is not tackling properly, he get washed out of plays, he is not playing good run defense. things are over his head right now.

but I do agree, trading for a 4-3 DE doesn't solve the problem.