Twitter: Sturm: The Cowboys played more Cover 1 in 2021 than any team in the NFL

The Cowboys played more cover one than any other team...that's why I want more speed at free safety. Kyron Brown or Anthony Brown will do.

Typhus said:

Nobody seems to be recognizing this, and thank you for posting this.
Maybe some will start to recognize the evolution of this back seven.

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Don't look now, the defensive positional groups have become pretty good and deep...plus very few banks are broken at present!

I expect the Dallas defense to take another step forward in 2022, as long as injuries don't plague them unmercifully. The DL will likely be better developed, with Osa and Neville further along in their recognition and development. We should also see an improved pass rush from more depth being a factor in keeping the DL fresh and energetic. The young players at CB will be another year in their development, as well. Hoping to see a good year from Dorance Armstrong in 2022 at DE.

Dan Quinn will also be better acquainted with his player talents, which always helps. Sam Williams should make a nice splash, even though his reps might be fittingly limited as a rookie. There'll be no shortage of help at DE in 2022. The Dallas pass rush should certainly take a big step forward this year. A constant rotation of fresh players at DE should help their cause immensely. Looking forward to seeing Jabril Cox being added to the LB corps, also.

WoodysGirl said:

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Fans and Media just don’t get it. This defense is fast and nasty. I get the first half against the 49ers was concerning but they shut the 49ers down in the second half. Top 5 defense next season no doubt. Tom Brady is gonna have problems in game 1.

RonnieT24 said:

Interesting.. That coverage only works if you a) have a good pass rush and b) have a free safety who can cover a lot of ground. Kazee may not have been a big hitter but dude could run.. I don't know if Hooker brings the same level of center fielder range to the plate but we will find out. If he can't, they will have to play more traditional cover 2 or 3 .. Of course if you listen to "experts" the loss of Gregory and his 6.5 sacks will doom our pass rush..

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Don’t want to depend on Joseph but you put him out there at cornerback with Diggs and Brown the secondary speed will be faster then with Kazee/Lewis. The Cowboys believe Hooker is healthy so we will see. Gregory will be replaced by Fowler. I think Fowler can give us 5-8 sacks. Armstrong and Williams will surprise as well.

CowboyRoy said:

And signing Kearse in FA was a key to maintaining the viability of this defense.

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Needed that veteran stability for sure, and have zero problem with the investment.
Kearse might find it difficult to stay penciled in as the 1, he will have to fend off several young rooks to remain the starter.

DEs - I'll be watching how Sam is progressing during TC. I need to know if DQ has stole another big time pass rusher. If DLaw stays healthy the DE position should be strong. Is Fowler this year's Kearse?

Oz-of-Cowboy-Country said:

The Cowboys played more cover one than any other team...that's why I want more speed at free safety. Kyron Brown or Anthony Brown will do.

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AB is a versatile player, and he could be a solid FS imho. At Purdue, Brown played some FS and looked pretty good to me...has was around the ball.

Malik Hooker is in the 2nd year of his recovery, so he should be even better this season. I could see him having a big year in CF for this Cover 1 defense.

It's easy to do this when you have Nahshon Wright.

Dallas being creative and innovative? It’s the end of the world as we know it.. and I feel fine.

CouchCoach said:

The speed of Parsons allowed him to do things other DC's just could not do. Did you get a look at the QB's facing him the first time when he was on them that fast, they were shocked.

The second time Heineke faced the Cowboys, he was so concerned about Parsons, Gregory got him.

With Parsons close to the line, every QB has to cut that timer down in his head and that disrupts timing. I wonder just how many of the Cowboys picks Parsons presence on the field affected.

2020 26th with 10
2021 1st with 26

I agree that Diggs' ball skills attributed to that increase but I think Parsons was just as responsible. Any DC that has a rusher that can close on a QB like that has a lot of options in his coverage.

If Lawrence, Strong and Sam I Am can provide some real help, this could be a problem defense to score on.

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It takes a good coach to see a players strengths and gameplan accordingly..many say that Garrett wasted Romos, Witten, Wares and many other careers....coaching matters.

Risen Star said:

It's easy to do this when you have Nahshon Wright.

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Dont be so critical on Wright, man can cover everything over 8 feet high.

RonnieT24 said:

Interesting.. That coverage only works if you a) have a good pass rush and b) have a free safety who can cover a lot of ground. Kazee may not have been a big hitter but dude could run.. I don't know if Hooker brings the same level of center fielder range to the plate but we will find out. If he can't, they will have to play more traditional cover 2 or 3 .. Of course if you listen to "experts" the loss of Gregory and his 6.5 sacks will doom our pass rush..

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I'd guess they play a lot of off man cover because of the cover 1. [2 man press is my favorite.]

Taking a big chance playing a trail technique versus multiple vertical routes, which is a good way to defeat a single S.

dargonking999 said:

Also it's not just his speed in getting to the QB it's his speed covering RBs and WRs. I saw multiple plays where he went from lined up like he was gonna rush to a full on sprint to cover a RB or WR that was running up the field, and was the reason for the incomplete.

His speed is game changing. No matter where he is on the field he can disrupt the play, with that kinda of LB play it makes it easier for DBs.

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Totally messed up the Minny's scheme on offense single-handedly.