How is the secondary going to shake out?

Cowboyny · May 1, 2020

-Team used 2 premium picks at the CB position.
-We hear they are considering moving Awuzie to Safety
-Another Veteran CB fa was signed, in which they have many numbers
-Heard on several times that Nolan wants to run Quarter's Press Coverage

-It appears Nolan want big, long CB's who excel in press coverage. Both Diggs/Robinson are excellent fits
-Worley has a similar profile, probably signed to become a bridge starter for one of their prospects
-Could Awuzie play a similar role to Charles Woodson?

Stash · May 1, 2020

Cowboyny said:
-Team used 2 premium picks at the CB position.
-We hear they are considering moving Awuzie to Safety
-Another Veteran CB fa was signed, in which they have many numbers
-Heard on several times that Nolan wants to run Quarter's Press Coverage

-It appears Nolan want big, long CB's who excel in press coverage. Both Diggs/Robinson are excellent fits
-Worley has a similar profile, probably signed to become a bridge starter for one of their prospects
-Could Awuzie play a similar role to Charles Woodson?

There definitely appears to be a plan to makeover the cornerback position, and a specific preference for bigger, press-man corners. A priority is being placed on having corners with better hands and more of a penchant for getting interceptions and turnovers. Given the sheer number of corners they've brought in in one way or another, it looks like nothing is set and that there will be a lot of competition going on.

I have to think that the new coaches haven't been particularly impressed by wither the schemes or the play they've been watching on tape. But I do think that they think Chido can play and are moving him to some form of a safety role in an effort to better maximize his abilities. If they didn't think much of him, I think they'd just let him play out his final contract year at corner and move on. Moving him instead tells me that they see something.

BotchedLobotomy · May 1, 2020

Glad to finally be rid of the previous scheme. Looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.

darthseinfeld · May 1, 2020

stasheroo said:
There definitely appears to be a plan to makeover the cornerback position, and a specific preference for bigger, press-man corners. A priority is being placed on having corners with better hands and more of a penchant for getting interceptions and turnovers. Given the sheer number of corners they've brought in in one way or another, it looks like nothing is set and that there will be a lot of competition going on.

I have to think that the new coaches haven't been particularly impressed by wither the schemes or the play they've been watching on tape. But I do think that they think Chido can play and are moving him to some form of a safety role in an effort to better maximize his abilities. If they didn't think much of him, I think they'd just let him play out his final contract year at corner and move on. Moving him instead tells me that they see something.

If they do look to move Awuzie, it will be interesting to see how they do it. I dont think he is a real Safety by any stretch, but I can see them using him as a Safety in some of the dime or quarter packages. In Nickel and 4-3 alignments, you will probably still see him at CB

Stash · May 1, 2020

darthseinfeld said:
If they do look to move Awuzie, it will be interesting to see how they do it. I dont think he is a real Safety by any stretch, but I can see them using him as a Safety in some of the dime or quarter packages. In Nickel and 4-3 alignments, you will probably still see him at CB

My guess is that it will be very similar to what was talked about in the Youtube video from AKOYE where he talked about Awuzie being miscast.

I think he's going to be playing in nickel and dime stuff as you said, and not what you would call an absolute 'safety role'. He'll line up inside and be allowed to blitz and play closer to the line of scrimmage more rather than being strictly that outside guy.

Based on the footage in that video, the team and scheme did him no favors.

Stash · May 1, 2020

BotchedLobotomy said:
Glad to finally be rid of the previous scheme. Looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.

Same here.

I'm sticking with my double digit wins prediction as the draft has only helped me to feel more confident in that.

And I'm also even more confident that the positive change, ability, and performance of this team will be stark, noticeable, undeniable, and beyond question, even by those last few remaining Garrett fans huddled over there in the corner.

Kaiser · May 1, 2020

darthseinfeld said:
If they do look to move Awuzie, it will be interesting to see how they do it. I dont think he is a real Safety by any stretch, but I can see them using him as a Safety in some of the dime or quarter packages. In Nickel and 4-3 alignments, you will probably still see him at CB

I could actually see him doing well in a FS role where everything is in front of him. Apparently the new staff like Clinton-Dix a lot but I never have, I'd rather start Woods and Awuzie.

CouchCoach · May 1, 2020

Right now, it is a little shaky but it was before. This D needed more pressure for the secondary and the DL needed better coverage for their pass rush. Neither was strong enough to make the other better.

Moving a CB to S, didn't they already try that?

TheMarathonContinues · May 1, 2020

A week ago I thought I knew. Now I’m not so sure. Regardless of how they addressed it in the draft I figured Brown, Chido and Lewis Were all the starters especially in contract years. Now I have no idea lol. Seems Diggs and even Robinson May have a shot at starting.

TheMarathonContinues · May 1, 2020

CouchCoach said:
Right now, it is a little shaky but it was before. This D needed more pressure for the secondary and the DL needed better coverage for their pass rush. Neither was strong enough to make the other better.

Moving a CB to S, didn't they already try that?

I hate the idea of changing a young cb who’s struggling position to safety. Never liked it.

Carson · May 1, 2020

I see Lewis or Awuzie shipped for a late round pick.

xwalker · May 1, 2020

Cowboyny said:
-Team used 2 premium picks at the CB position.
-We hear they are considering moving Awuzie to Safety
-Another Veteran CB fa was signed, in which they have many numbers
-Heard on several times that Nolan wants to run Quarter's Press Coverage

-It appears Nolan want big, long CB's who excel in press coverage. Both Diggs/Robinson are excellent fits
-Worley has a similar profile, probably signed to become a bridge starter for one of their prospects
-Could Awuzie play a similar role to Charles Woodson?

Quarters is a 2-deep Safety alignment.

As compared to single-high, neither Safety is initially as deep as the single-high FS or as close to the line as SS in the single-high alignment.
One advantage of Quarters defense is that it is more feasible to stay in a base 4-3 against 3 WR sets.
- The Rams gashed the Cowboys with their running game in the 2018 season playoff game and the Rams played over 90% from 3 WR sets.
- In the Super Bowl that year, Belichick played a lot of Quarters coverage and played a higher than normal percent of base 4-3 vs 3 WR sets.
One interesting concept with Quarters is that it makes each side of the field somewhat independent with regards to coverage and alignment variations.
- Each Safety has options to move up towards the line based on the offensive alignment.
With the exact same front 7 personnel/alignment, single-high with a SS in the box is a stronger run defense than the initial Quarters alignment...
- however, Quarters allows for a more run focused front 7 in terms of personnel/alignment because with 2 Safeties back it is less susceptible to big pass plays.
- In Nickel, Quarters makes it feasible to swap a Safety and the Nickel CB. The Safety moves down near the line facing the slot WR which is a good position vs the run.
  - The Nickel CB is back as one of the 2-deep Safeties.

Side Note: Charles Woodson is one of my favorite non-Cowboys players. He could be both the best SS and the best CB in the same game. His role varied with the down/distance situation but there was no drop off in run defense if he basically replaced the SS and not drop off in coverage if he lined up as the #1 CB.

Cowboyny · May 1, 2020

stasheroo said:
My guess is that it will be very similar to what was talked about in the Youtube video from AKOYE where he talked about Awuzie being miscast.

I think he's going to be playing in nickel and dime stuff as you said, and not what you would call an absolute 'safety role'. He'll line up inside and be allowed to blitz and play closer to the line of scrimmage more rather than being strictly that outside guy.

Based on the footage in that video, the team and scheme did him no favors.

I remember reading his scouting reports state, very good when everything is in front of him, struggles to locate the football when his back is to the QB. Sounds like a exactly like the player we have seen with the Cowboys, Always in tight coverage, but gives up too many contested catches cause he struggles to find the ball. He did play some safety at Colorado.

Manwiththeplan · May 1, 2020

I think someone does move to safety. Hopefully not Awuzie...I just think it's such a long shot heading into the final year of his deal, but possibly Robinson. I kinda see Lewis as the odd man out

OmerV · May 1, 2020

Cowboyny · May 1, 2020

xwalker said:
Quarters is a 2-deep Safety alignment.

As compared to single-high, neither Safety is initially as deep as the single-high FS or as close to the line as SS in the single-high alignment.

One advantage of Quarters defense is that it is more feasible to stay in a base 4-3 against 3 WR sets.

The Rams gashed the Cowboys with their running game in the 2018 season playoff game and the Rams played over 90% from 3 WR sets.

In the Super Bowl that year, Belichick played a lot of Quarters coverage and played a higher than normal percent of base 4-3 vs 3 WR sets.

One interesting concept with Quarters is that it makes each side of the field somewhat independent with regards to coverage and alignment variations.

Each Safety has options to move up towards the line based on the offensive alignment.

With the exact same front 7 personnel/alignment, single-high with a SS in the box is a stronger run defense than the initial Quarters alignment...

however, Quarters allows for a more run focused front 7 in terms of personnel/alignment because with 2 Safeties back it is less susceptible to big pass plays.

In Nickel, Quarters makes it feasible to swap a Safety and the Nickel CB. The Safety moves down near the line facing the slot WR which is a good position vs the run.

The Nickel CB is back as one of the 2-deep Safeties.

Side Note: Charles Woodson is one of my favorite non-Cowboys players. He could be both the best SS and the best CB in the same game. His role varied with the down/distance situation but there was no drop off in run defense if he basically replaced the SS and not drop off in coverage if he lined up as the #1 CB.

Excellent post. You are one of the better posters breaking down the film and a particular scheme. Heard several insiders state that the Cowboys are expected to run more of a Quarters press scheme, Bucky Brooks on the DC Website said the same thing breaking down our 2 drafted CB's. I did a little general research yesterday to try to understand the Quarters Press Scheme concepts, the two main things I learned was it takes away the quick passing game and it allows the defense to disguise their coverages.

Could you see Awuzie playing a similar role to what Woodson did with the Packers? I'm not comparing the two by any means, cause Woodson is a hall of fame caliber player, just the role.

xwalker · May 1, 2020

Cowboyny said:
Excellent post. You are one of the better posters breaking down the film and a particular scheme. Heard several insiders state that the Cowboys are expected to run more of a Quarters press scheme, Bucky Brooks on the DC Website said the same thing breaking down our 2 drafted CB's. I did a little general research yesterday to try to understand the Quarters Press Scheme concepts, the two main things I learned was it takes away the quick passing game and it allows the defense to disguise their coverages.

Could you see Awuzie playing a similar role to what Woodson did with the Packers? I'm not comparing the two by any means, cause Woodson is a hall of fame caliber player, just the role.

Yes, Awuzie could definitely play that role.

There is a thread with video breakdown of Awuzie that shows what I've been posting since the middle last season about. The scheme screwed him over.

Awuzie is a very good in run defense. Probably better than any Safety on the Cowboys 2019 roster.

Quarters vs Single-High

It's basically 2 different methods of run defense vs pass defense trade offs.
Single High: Run defense improved because a Strong Safety is in the box.
Quarters: Use stronger run defense / weaker pass defense front 7 personnel/alignment and offset coverage risks using Quarters for the secondary.

Jumbo075 · May 1, 2020

Cowboyny said:
-Team used 2 premium picks at the CB position.
-We hear they are considering moving Awuzie to Safety
-Another Veteran CB fa was signed, in which they have many numbers
-Heard on several times that Nolan wants to run Quarter's Press Coverage

-It appears Nolan want big, long CB's who excel in press coverage. Both Diggs/Robinson are excellent fits
-Worley has a similar profile, probably signed to become a bridge starter for one of their prospects
-Could Awuzie play a similar role to Charles Woodson?

They actually signed 3 veteran CBs, and then drafted 2 more. They also resigned Anthony Brown. That's a lot of competition for Lewis, Awuzie and Goodwin.

3/18/2020 - FA Anthony Brown - signed new 3-year contract, $15.5M
3/18/2020 - FA Maurice Canady - signed 1 year contract, $1.25M
4/10/2020 - FA Saivion Smith - signed 2-year minimum contract, $1.39M
4/24/2020 - 2nd round draft pick - Trevon Diggs
4/25/2020 - 4th round draft pick - Reggie Robinson II
4/29/2020 - FA Daryl Worley - signed 1 year contract, $1M signing bonus

Cowboyny · May 1, 2020

xwalker said:
Yes, Awuzie could definitely play that role.

There is a thread with video breakdown of Awuzie that shows what I've been posting since the middle last season about. The scheme screwed him over.

Awuzie is a very good in run defense. Probably better than any Safety on the Cowboys 2019 roster.

Quarters vs Single-High

It's basically 2 different methods of run defense vs pass defense trade offs.

Single High: Run defense improved because a Strong Safety is in the box.

Quarters: Use stronger run defense / weaker pass defense front 7 personnel/alignment and offset coverage risks using Quarters for the secondary.

Outside of the Eagle game, Awuzie has always been a quality tackler for the position. Both Woods/Dix are considered below average tacklers, Awuzie is certainly better them both in that department.

charron · May 1, 2020

We counting round 4 as premium?

How is the secondary going to shake out?

Cowboyny

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Stash

BotchedLobotomy

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darthseinfeld

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Stash

Stash

Kaiser

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CouchCoach

TheMarathonContinues

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TheMarathonContinues

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Carson

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xwalker

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Cowboyny

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Manwiththeplan

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OmerV

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Cowboyny

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xwalker

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Jumbo075

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