Let’s not overrate Rams loss on run D

[DuncanIso]

The Rams run game was not innovative, we weren't out schemed we were beaten badly in the trenches and too stubborn to adjust. In fact the power game the Rams used to beat us is about 100 years old, using inside traps and dives. They beat us with Vanilla, man on man.

We needed to bring more run support because their guys were beating our guys and "we never did".
We did a poor job coaching in that aspect

Agree 100 percent.

Marinelli kept us in that 4-2-5 nickel package most of the game.

Dumb.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Agree 100 percent.

Marinelli kept us in that 4-2-5 nickel package most of the game.

Dumb.

Wait, do you not know who was calling the defensive play?

 

[CowboyRoy]

Many posters keep citing the Rams loss as a reason to get bigger run stuffers on the DL. While it is always embarrassing to give up 270 yards rushing in a playoff game, everything points to that game being an outlier. In 2018, our run defense was 5th overall in the league. We were fourth in the league in average yards per rush (3.8). We shut down great running teams like NO and SEA. We had two bad games: IND and LAR. As has been reported, the LAR collapse had more to do with being out coached than poor effort or play by our DTs. When you watch the video, there are gaping holes because DTs are out of position, not necessarily because they were being blown off the ball. And we cannot discount that we just got a bad “field matchup.” We are built for speed and penetration on turf. Put same DL on that soft, sloppy grass field and they are not as quick and disruptive.

All this is to say that... do not be surprised or disappointed when in the 2nd or 3rd round we go with an undersized 3T like Gerald Willis, Zach Allen, Jaylon Ferguson, LJ Collier, rather than a 320+ pound run stuffer. And if we do, we’ll be fine.

Wasnt as much the DT's as it was getting out coached by a much better coach.

While Garrett the puppet was sitting on his hands and knees watching other people do the legwork on the game plan, the RAMS HC was obviously studying film trying to come up with some kind of angle or weakness for the Cowboys defense. And he found a huge one.

The Cowboys DL does a lot of stunting to help get pressure. What he saw was a distinct tell in how they lined up. It gave away that they were going to stunt. If you know this, its very easy to adjust your blocking and call a run play and get big chunks with the holes it creates. And that is exactly what they did.


Of course the hapless Garrett would NEVER come up with something like that. And God forbid he actually sees what's happening during a game and make an adjustment.

It was the key reason we lost to the Rams. COACHING.

Then of course their HC had that golden play in his pocket for just such a time at the end of the game to pick up a first down. The one where he takes advantage of the hapless Heath and runs a play fake bootleg with his QB. Worked to perfection to ice the game as well.

 

[G2]

The players deserve their fair share of blame.

 

[Floatyworm]

I would love to be a fly on the wall after that. It was pretty clear that we prepared like the Rams were going to be throwing the ball extensively and especially to Gurley. No idea where they got that conclusion based on how the Rams finished the season.

Cowboys coaching staff afterwards....

 

[Future]

Why do people keep saying the rams game was some fluke anomaly? Except for the 2016
Season , the cowboys have given up over 200 yards rushing at least once a year going as far back as 2013.the guy whose scheme was exploited in the rams game is still coaching for the cowboys.

This nonsense again?

 

[erod]

The Cowboys defense was supremely overrated last year, and the Rams exploited that perfectly.

 

[Doomsday101]

So your approach is: when truth slaps you in the face, just close your eyes tighter and hope you're dreaming?

We have a stupid defensive philosophy that ignores 1T DT and top end safeties and continuing that approach will mean the same results

and yet still ranked as one of the top defensive units? I agree we need to add to DT and we need to add to SS. However the way some act you would think Dallas was a bottom dwelling team. Yes Rams game we played poorly I make no excuse by the same token I don't crap all over the defense and the coaches because of one game.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Agree 100 percent.

Marinelli kept us in that 4-2-5 nickel package most of the game.

Dumb.

I think in that regard, the Rams running success led to take your poison approach. If we would have bring another man to stop the run they would have gone over the top and in fact did on several occasions. That would lead to big plays and big chunks of yards, so we probably stayed in the scheme to avoid big plays.... the problem was the DL had one of its worst games in rushing the passer and run defense.

btw, where is Richard culpability in all of this? all of a sudden things don't work out and its Marinelli, but when things are great, its all Richard?

 

[Doomsday101]

I think in that regard, the Rams running success led to take your poison approach. If we would have bring another man to stop the run they would have gone over the top and in fact did on several occasions. That would lead to big plays and big chunks of yards, so we probably stayed in the scheme to avoid big plays.... the problem was the DL had one of its worst games in rushing the passer and run defense.

btw, where is Richard culpability in all of this? all of a sudden things don't work out and its Marinelli, but when things are great, its all Richard?

Richard is responsible and so is Jaylon and LVE who kept over pursuing and getting sealed off. Richard was getting after both on the sideline. I would also give credit to the Rams who entered the game as the 3rd best rushing team in the league last season. People want 1 person to point their finger out yet I can find many who share in blame as well as credit. Bottom line Cowboys did play poorly and a very good run team in the Rams went out and played great

 

[armadillooutlaw]

Richard is responsible and so is Jaylon and LVE who kept over pursuing and getting sealed off. Richard was getting after both on the sideline. I would also give credit to the Rams who entered the game as the 3rd best rushing team in the league last season. People want 1 person to point their finger out yet I can find many who share in blame as well as credit. Bottom line Cowboys did play poorly and a very good run team in the Rams went out and played great

Richard was busy doing interviews for head coaching jobs.
I definitely think it played into the lack of preparation.

 

[Doomsday101]

Richard was busy doing interviews for head coaching jobs.
I definitely think it played into the lack of preparation.

I don't. Dallas played Seahawks on a Sat and 3 teams, Jets, Tampa and Miami did interview on Sunday in Dallas

https://apnews.com/d9ad955ee2dd4253b7f6c3ff938ba8e9

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Richard is responsible and so is Jaylon and LVE who kept over pursuing and getting sealed off. Richard was getting after both on the sideline. I would also give credit to the Rams who entered the game as the 3rd best rushing team in the league last season. People want 1 person to point their finger out yet I can find many who share in blame as well as credit. Bottom line Cowboys did play poorly and a very good run team in the Rams went out and played great

great points....it was a total collapse and ended up in a panic and we couldn't stop the avalanche....

 

[Doomsday101]

great points....it was a total collapse and ended up in a panic and we couldn't stop the avalanche....

True fact is in the end we did make a game of it and had a chance late in the game but unable to make a stop on 3rd and 7 with 2:00 left. Would have given us a legit chance to get the game tied up but could not get it done. I put blame on our players and coaches and give credit to a very good Rams offense who I guess people forget was one of the top ranked offense in the league. This does not mean I junk my defense or my coaches because of this game as some seem eager to do.

 

[Big_D]

Does once a year mean anything? No it doesn't..

It does when it's in January. Win or go home and you're heading home. That's not a fluke.

 

[Doomsday101]

It does when it's in January. Win or go home and you're heading home. That's not a fluke.

true not a fluke, Rams were a 2 seed for a reason, they were one of the top teams in the league. Cowboys did not play a great game and to the Rams credit they did what they needed to do to win. Dallas has lost playoff games under other coaches as well but no one was looking to run them off because of it. Players also share in it as well.

 

[Big_D]

true not a fluke, Rams were a 2 seed for a reason, they were one of the top teams in the league. Cowboys did not play a great game and to the Rams credit they did what they needed to do to win. Dallas has lost playoff games under other coaches as well but no one was looking to run them off because of it. Players also share in it as well.

except here actually winning playoff games is the anomaly. Rams took how many years to get better than the Cowboys? lol

 

[Ranched]

Many posters keep citing the Rams loss as a reason to get bigger run stuffers on the DL. While it is always embarrassing to give up 270 yards rushing in a playoff game, everything points to that game being an outlier. In 2018, our run defense was 5th overall in the league. We were fourth in the league in average yards per rush (3.8). We shut down great running teams like NO and SEA. We had two bad games: IND and LAR. As has been reported, the LAR collapse had more to do with being out coached than poor effort or play by our DTs. When you watch the video, there are gaping holes because DTs are out of position, not necessarily because they were being blown off the ball. And we cannot discount that we just got a bad “field matchup.” We are built for speed and penetration on turf. Put same DL on that soft, sloppy grass field and they are not as quick and disruptive.

All this is to say that... do not be surprised or disappointed when in the 2nd or 3rd round we go with an undersized 3T like Gerald Willis, Zach Allen, Jaylon Ferguson, LJ Collier, rather than a 320+ pound run stuffer. And if we do, we’ll be fine.

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Wait, do you not know who was calling the defensive play?

Marinelli was the bozo responsible for the defensive line. You saw the same gutless play from the defense against Green Bay a couple of years ago. You might hate Kris Richard but he's hardly responsible for being stuck with the pathetic Swiss cheese of a defense.

 

[Doomsday101]

except here actually winning playoff games is the anomaly. Rams took how many years to get better than the Cowboys? lol

Rams were in the SB with Kurt Warner so they had been in the show more recently that the Cowboys. What I do know is this team since 2016 has been one of the youngest in the NFL and has win the east 2 out of those 3 season. I like our chances and refuse to lay 20 years at their feet. I judge this group and this team based on recent time that they have taken part in. I think this team can and will challenge for a title and yes this season. I see a very talented group of players and while I would like to see us add to DT and SS this off season is not over as of yet. So excuse me if I'm not sharing into the doom and gloom crowd.