What defensive scheme you prefer?

[Hawkeye0202]

It's no secret we've tried a little everything to fix our D. We brought in Rob Ryan only to fire him after a couple of years. Interestingly according to Jason at the time, Rob was fired coz they wanted to switch to a new scheme that would create more turnovers. As we know, that led to hiring Monte Kiffen and Marinelli, and quite frankly we are STILL searching for more turnovers. Honestly, I'm not sure what's best, but I do know we need to do something different.

** Stay with the current Tampa 2 variation
** Conventional 4-3
** Go back to the 3-4 we used during Parcell/DWare days.

Sidenote ......Both recent interview candidates, McCarthy and Marvin have used the 3-4. Guess my only question switching back is whether or not we have the personnel. I remember someone saying pass rush specialists are easier find under 3-4.

 

[jazzcat22]

NO to the 3-4, it was a failed experiment 3 times.

Parcells set the team back by switching, Jerry hired a HC in Wade because he felt he needed to stay with the 3-4 scheme. Then they brought in the spawn of Buddy which was a failure.
So back to the 4-3, and has failed ever since. That switch set the defense back for 16 years now. Which also set the team back. As we had some very good offenses, but never a defense.

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Move to a hybrid system.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Move to a hybrid system.

Meaning?

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Meaning?

See the scheme run by the Ravens.

 

[DogFace]

Meaning?

Maybe something like the Patriots. Switching back and forth from 4-3 to 3-4 and variations of each to suit their team and talent.

Mix it up. Disguise and try to confuse the offense. More than a few teams have said we run like 3 D’s. And they’re very easy to diagnose a read who should be open.

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Maybe something like the Patriots. Switching back and forth from 4-3 to 3-4 and variations of each to suit their team and talent.

Mix it up. Disguise and try to confuse the offense. More than a few teams have said we run like 3 D’s. And they’re very easy to diagnose a read who should be open.

Yep, we currently run a scheme that is predictable (everything this team does is predictable). We rely on this idea that our guys should just go out and do their best and beat the other guy. Which is an idea that only works when you have a large disparity in talent between the two teams. Where it fails is when you run into teams with similar or greater talent than your own - you know the kind that you are likely to run into in the playoffs?

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

After what we just witness the last 4 years, let's just go back to the flex with Tom and Ernie.

 

[DuncanIso]

It's no secret we've tried a little everything to fix our D. We brought in Rob Ryan only to fire him after a couple of years. Interestingly according to Jason at the time, Rob was fired coz they wanted to switch to a new scheme that would create more turnovers. As we know, that led to hiring Monte Kiffen and Marinelli, and quite frankly we are STILL searching for more turnovers. Honestly, I'm not sure what's best, but I do know we need to do something different.

** Stay with the current Tampa 2 variation
** Conventional 4-3
** Go back to the 3-4 we used during Parcell/DWare days.

Sidenote ......Both recent interview candidates, McCarthy and Marvin have used the 3-4. Guess my only question switching back is whether or not we have the personnel. I remember someone saying pass rush specialists are easier find under 3-4.

Dallas plays a lot of 4-2-5 now.

 

[Toro9]

I like man coverage, 4-3. You need really good corners but if you have them, along with edge rushers and versatile LBs, that's a good nucleus imo.

 

[Swanny]

It's no secret we've tried a little everything to fix our D. We brought in Rob Ryan only to fire him after a couple of years. Interestingly according to Jason at the time, Rob was fired coz they wanted to switch to a new scheme that would create more turnovers. As we know, that led to hiring Monte Kiffen and Marinelli, and quite frankly we are STILL searching for more turnovers. Honestly, I'm not sure what's best, but I do know we need to do something different.

** Stay with the current Tampa 2 variation
** Conventional 4-3
** Go back to the 3-4 we used during Parcell/DWare days.

Sidenote ......Both recent interview candidates, McCarthy and Marvin have used the 3-4. Guess my only question switching back is whether or not we have the personnel. I remember someone saying pass rush specialists are easier find under 3-4.

I prefer 4-3 with 75% sub packages

 

[Whyjerry]

Modern defenses are all over the board. Most times they are playing the nickel anyway.

I think good defenses start with excellent coverage and a consistent pass rush. The CBs have to be able to man up. The pass rush needs to be consistently crashing the ends and apply pressure up the middle. QBs can get too comfortable in the pocket these days. Even the best hate pressure in their face. LBs need go be punishers. They need to be athletic enough to cover over the middle or flat and strong enough to fill a gap. They also need to be punishing hitters and not sell Sunglasses on Wednesday. My preference would be a 4-2-5 if you can get 2 DEs to crash the ends consistently and 2 big, mean DTs that can take up blockers and get up field. I think a single high safety works if he is an athlete that can track a ball well. I like the other S to rove. Have him in the box and plenty of blitzes. Sneak him down to cover a TE and have one of the backers delay blitz. Those CBs must cover none of that zone crap.

 

[JMPearson]

Press man and variety of blitz packages, playing soft zone with limited pressure does not work in modern NFL. Need to create turnovers if you give up a few big plays who cares.

 

[Crown Royal]

A few things:

1. We don't run the Tampa 2, at least not as a core defensive set from the 4-3 alignment on 80% of our plays or anything. In fact, I believe we rarely run cover-2 defense outside of in protection. We, as with most defenses in the league, favor a Cover-3 coverage scheme with multiple variants. Remember Tampa-2 is a version of Cover 3, but with the safeties in charge of the deep thirds and the MLB covering the deep seam. The rise of the Tight End pretty much did away with the Tampa 2 defense in the NFL as a core coverage scheme.
2. Most teams are neither pure 4-3 or 3-4 either, although most do favor one alignment over the other, with the Cowboys being favorable toward the 4-3. A bigger distinction is whether teams use multiple front and/or gap philosophies. For instance, the Pats, Seahawks, Ravens, and many of the successful defenses in the league have a multiple technique front where some players are 2-gap and some are 1-gap. The Cowboys are very much a 1-gap team, meaning they believe fully in every player focusing on one-gap and getting up field, which often means speed and agility are valued over strength and size. My opinion is that this would have been the right strategy 5 years ago, but the running game and heavy offense is making a strong come back and you need gap integrity. Which leads me to
3. Strength. I think the Cowboys have over-valued defensive speed and undervalued strength and gap integrity. In all honesty, my ideal defense would have a multiple front philosophy, with at least 2 strong 2-gappers on the roster to hold the nose and a really good LOS LB who can just play downs 1-2. Since most teams play nickel now a-days anyway, I'd like to see a nickel defense that can run like the nickel but defend like a 5-1 front when necessary.

Now, one caveat. My view is based on what I see in the NFL right now. I don't pay quite enough attention to bet that it will stay that way for 2-4 more seasons, but that's the job of a strong front office and coaching staff. To strategize according to trends upcoming.

 

[Cowboyny]

It's an interesting question. Like Crown Royal stated, our defense relies on speed more so then size and strength. Marinelli wants his lineman to play the run on the way to the QB. He wants all his players to give maximum effort to the football on every play. This is why the defense needs a deep rotation. This type of defense can ware down against bigger fronts.

No matter what the alignment is as many play hybrid fronts, size/strength matters in the base defense. The Cowboys have plenty on speed, edge rushers, but they need to beef up the middle, that includes MLB and SS.

 

[NumOneQB]

3-3-5

 

[CF74]

We need coaches that can scheme around the rosters strengths and hide or limit weaknesses. First thing is get a real 1-Tech, fs, and a 3-Tech, then scrap the idea of playing 5-10 yds off the line with our db’s and teach them it’s ok to turn around and go for the pick..

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

We need coaches that can scheme around the rosters strengths and hide or limit weaknesses. First thing is get a real 1-Tech, fs, and a 3-Tech, then scrap the idea of playing 5-10 yds off the line with our db’s and teach them it’s ok to turn around and go for the pick..

I think playing 5 to 10 yards off the receiver has been here since red has been in charge. Crazy! On 3rd and 4 you knew it would be picked up.

 

[glimmerman]

Go back to a conventional 4-3 and stop stunting so much. Get a run stuffer in the middle and bring some heat on qbs. A new scheme of swarming to the ball and having corners that look back for the ball will get us picks.

 

[Parcells4Life]

Give me the Spagnuolo and Jim Johnson version of the 4-3. Blitzing On pretty much every down. Change up coverages so while there’s pressure every play there’s no automatic where to go with the ball. It makes guys like Lito Sheppard look like Pro Bowlers