CFZ A closer look at our inability to stop the run last two seasons

[kskboys]

Here's why:

1) Lack of run stopping DT's and DE's. We have focused on the pass rush on the D front since Tuna left and it shows. We are focused so much on getting taller dudes just so they can get their hands up into passing lanes that we've ignored the ability to hold their own. That's why we get pushed aside for all these rushing totals. Jerry thinks it's all on the LB's, which is why our LB's are always hurt. The ball carriers and blockers are getting a free run at our LB's which gets them injured.
2) Scheme: In a nutshell, we ignore stopping the run. Which works against crapp teams, but does not against good teams. Which is the biggest reason we don't succeed in the playoffs.

 

[Aven8]

It starts on the Dline. DQ’s scheme for whatever reason has the DE’s crashing in at the QB and would lose containment over and over.

Add into that fact that we really don’t have any LB’s on this team. Damone Clark is a 5th round 2nd year player. LVE got hurt in the 5th game of the year as well.

This draft we must get another DT, and at minimum two LB’s that can play. And not a LB that plays ST’s. A true LB in the mold of Sean Lee type without the injuries.

 

[stilltheguru]

@Mac_MaloneV1 let these dudes know we don't have a run defense prob

 

[kskboys]

You’re right, the offense was also awful, especially in the first half when we needed to stay in the game. If we had been able to run the ball in that first half we could have kept GB offense off the field and given our D a blow.

We sucked vs the pack in all phases of the game.

We don't have a Rb who can take over the game. This was blatantly obvious in the offseason, but Jerry ignored it.

Don't you just wonder exactly who Jerry listens to? It was widely known that Polly is not a starting type RB. Does he listen to the tripe that it's easy to find RB's?

 

[Bobhaze]

Here's why:

1) Lack of run stopping DT's and DE's. We have focused on the pass rush on the D front since Tuna left and it shows. We are focused so much on getting taller dudes just so they can get their hands up into passing lanes that we've ignored the ability to hold their own. That's why we get pushed aside for all these rushing totals. Jerry thinks it's all on the LB's, which is why our LB's are always hurt. The ball carriers and blockers are getting a free run at our LB's which gets them injured.
2) Scheme: In a nutshell, we ignore stopping the run. Which works against crapp teams, but does not against good teams. Which is the biggest reason we don't succeed in the playoffs.

It’s interesting. Over the years, I’ve read quotes from several defensive coaches talking about the importance of your DLinemen to keep the other team’s G’s and T’s off of your LBs so they can make the stop.

I remember the philosophy of Landry’s old Flex defense was for the DL to go against their instincts and not push up field in order to keep those OL engaged and away from the LBs. Obviously the Flex is outdated but there are some principles there that will always be true. Like keeping those OL off your LBs as much as possible.

 

[acr731]

Remember it's all Jerry's fault and he does appreciate your dedication to fix his problem.
Jerry wants to know who you are looking at in the draft, so he can skip that player.

Jerry asks everyone to donate their money to him. How is a man supposed to live with only 15 billion in the bank? He's practically starving to death.

 

[Bobhaze]

Dallas has spent high picks over the McClay era on DL and LBs.
The results have not been kind.
So, either their scouts are Ray Charles and/or their defensive coaches in the war room are bad at analysis the remaining talent when they pick.

I heard Pro Football Focus writers Sam Monson and Steve Pallozolo talking on Dallas radio station the Ticket this week. They were asked about their thoughts on the Cowboys draft strategies the last few years.

Their answer was very interesting. Sam Monson said he thought the Cowboys were at their best at drafting when they did not reach for a player just based on need. He made an excellent point when he mentioned the Cowboys taking Cedee Lamb when he slid down the draft even though at that time, WR was not the biggest position of need. By taking Lamb, the Cowboys got a great player instead of just a need player. Obviously if you can find both that’s even better.

He then mentioned drafting Mazi Smith this year as a “need pick” when there were much better players at other positions. As well as taking Luke Schoonmaker in the second round last year because the team felt they needed another TE after losing Dalton Schultz in FA. By reaching for another position of need while passing over better players, these guys say that is almost always a mistake,

 

[John813]

I heard Pro Football Focus writers Sam Monson and Steve Pallozolo talking on Dallas radio station the Ticket this week. They were asked about their thoughts on the Cowboys draft strategies the last few years.

Their answer was very interesting. Sam Monson said he thought the Cowboys were at their best at drafting when they did not reach for a player just based on need. He made an excellent point when he mentioned the Cowboys taking Cedee Lamb when he slid down the draft even though at that time, WR was not the biggest position of need. By taking Lamb, the Cowboys got a great player instead of just a need player. Obviously if you can find both that’s even better.

He then mentioned drafting Mazi Smith this year as a “need pick” when there were much better players at other positions. As well as taking Luke Schoonmaker in the second round last year because the team felt they needed another TE after losing Dalton Schultz in FA. By reaching for another position of need while passing over better players, these guys say that is almost always a mistake,

For sure. Same thing in 2021 when they needed a CB and took Joseph as per their charts he was the best available by round 2.
Hill was a forced pick, even though they could of tried to upgrade safety too.
Parsons was also a BPA, as they wanted a corner at first.

 

[EenonyMoose]

Trysten Hill-2nd rd
Neville Gallimore-3
Quinton Bohanna-6
Osi Whoever-3
Chauncey Golston-3
John Ridgeway-6
Mazi Smith-1

Brent Urban-BBFA
Carlos Watkins-BBFA

Apparently they at least recognize that the middle of the defense has been rotten and needed to be addressed, they have just failed miserably in selecting personnel.

If I had to guess it’s about allowing position coaches too much input over scouts, or one or the other just being not all that good at what they do. That happens.

For all the hype around DQ as a personnel guy, the players he chose had something like an 80% bust rate across the board. Not really much better than Marinelli.

 

[1942willys]

Fredbeard was such a gigantic loss, Biadasz has done a bit above average in comparison, but its a wide gap.

Biadasz is average and we need more; simple as that

 

[1942willys]

For all the hype around DQ as a personnel guy, the players he chose had something like an 80% bust rate across the board. Not really much better than Marinelli.

Evert TIME I heard marinelli talk about quick twitch I wanted to reach through the TV screen and strangle him

 

[Risen Star]

Trysten Hill-2nd rd
Neville Gallimore-3
Quinton Bohanna-6
Osi Whoever-3
Chauncey Golston-3
John Ridgeway-6
Mazi Smith-1

Brent Urban-BBFA
Carlos Watkins-BBFA

Apparently they at least recognize that the middle of the defense has been rotten and needed to be addressed, they have just failed miserably in selecting personnel.

If I had to guess it’s about allowing position coaches too much input over scouts, or one or the other just being not all that good at what they do. That happens.

Nonsense. We always draft well. All of the time.

And keep in mind Osa Whosyourmomma had a high PFF grade.

 

[sbark]

We don't have a Rb who can take over the game. This was blatantly obvious in the offseason, but Jerry ignored it.

Don't you just wonder exactly who Jerry listens to? It was widely known that Polly is not a starting type RB. Does he listen to the tripe that it's easy to find RB's?

Need a Rb that can help the OLine by pressing a perceived hole, helps OL get angles....then bounce to daylight
Pollard was a straight ahead slash.

 

[sbark]

It’s interesting. Over the years, I’ve read quotes from several defensive coaches talking about the importance of your DLinemen to keep the other team’s G’s and T’s off of your LBs so they can make the stop.

I remember the philosophy of Landry’s old Flex defense was for the DL to go against their instincts and not push up field in order to keep those OL engaged and away from the LBs. Obviously the Flex is outdated but there are some principles there that will always be true. Like keeping those OL off your LBs as much as possible.

Unless u have a 3T like Donald, it seems the 3t runs himself out of the run lane, or very subject to a trap, or lastly give great angle to OG to push wide, creating a gap that u better have a monster LB filling...LVE was adequate, Bell, Lsu kid not so much

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Looking at the last two seasons, it is not difficult to see what the biggest issue the Dallas Cowboys have had on defense: The inability to stop the run against the better teams we face. That’s been an issue for more than two seasons, but I chose to just look at 2022 and 2023 since they are the most recent.

In the 2022 and 2023 seasons including the playoffs, the Cowboys won 13 games in 2022 and 12 games 2023. They lost 6 games in 2022 and 6 games in 2023. I want to look at the role the inability to stop the run played in those combined 12 losses the last two seasons.

Here are the stats for the 6 losses we had in 2022 and how many yards rushing we surrendered:

• Vs TB- L 19-3. Gave up 153 yards rushing
• @Phi L 26-17. Gave up 136 yards rushing
• @GB L 31-28. Gave up 206 yards rushing
• @Jax L 40-34. Gave up 192 yards rushing
• @Wash L 26-6. Gave up 151 yards rushing (Cowboys didn’t try to win this game because playoff seeding was decided)
• @SF in Divisional round playoff game L 19-12. Gave up 113 yards rushing

In their 6 losses in 2022, the Cowboys averaged giving up 159 rushing yards per game.

Here are the stats for the 6 losses we had in 2023 and how many yards rushing we surrendered:

• @Ariz L 28-16. Gave up 222 yards rushing
• @SF L 42-10. Gave up 170 yards rushing
• @Phil L 28-23. Gave up 109 yards rushing
• @Buff L 31-10. Gave up 266 yards rushing
• @Mia L 22-20. Gave up 91 yards rushing
• Vs GB in wild card playoff game. L 48-32. Gave up 143 yards rushing.

So in our 6 losses in 2023, the Cowboys averaged giving up 167 rushing yards per game. Combining the last two seasons, we average giving up 163 yards rushing per game. You cannot beat good teams when you can’t stop the run. (Quick side note: 10 of the Cowboys 12 losses the last two seasons were on the road, and our run defense was at its worst on the road)

There are lots of things we need to fix or rebuild with the Cowboys this off-season. I know many Cowboys fans who want to change QBs. I understand that. BUT…if this team does not find a way to fix its inability to stop the run, we could have Patrick Mahomes under center and we aren’t going to win a lot of playoff games.

Fixing the run defense problem is job #1 this off-season.

It all just reinforces the need to build up the trenches...DL and OL.....need to stop the run, and run the ball. Two key ingredients for winning playoff games which is against the better teams in the NFL. That is said time and time again here and until that is done, we will keep banging our head against the brick wall....

 

[ColoradoCowboy]

Evert TIME I heard marinelli talk about quick twitch I wanted to reach through the TV screen and strangle him

Who can forget the "Golden Cock"?

 

[Bobhaze]

Need a Rb that can help the OLine by pressing a perceived hole, helps OL get angles....then bounce to daylight
Pollard was a straight ahead slash.

I was mystified that this team seemed to think Tony Pollard was their every down kind of back. He’s a great change of pace guy who excels in situations and is best when getting about 12-15 touches per game. And there wasn't much behind him in terms of power running.

As several have mentioned in this thread, fixing the running game is critical as well. I’m thinking Pollard is a cap casualty this year so we may be starting from scratch at the RB position. Sure there’s Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and miniature Deuce Vaughn. But there can’t be a starter among those three.

 

[phildadon86]

I was mystified that this team seemed to think Tony Pollard was their every down kind of back. He’s a great change of pace guy who excels in situations and is best when getting about 12-15 touches per game. And there wasn't much behind him in terms of power running.

As several have mentioned in this thread, fixing the running game is critical as well. I’m thinking Pollard is a cap casualty this year so we may be starting from scratch at the RB position. Sure there’s Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis and miniature Deuce Vaughn. But there can’t be a starter among those three.

This FO's MO is overrating their own talent. Anyone with a brain knew Pollard wasnt a starting back and couldnt handle 30 touches a game. They brought in no one to compliment him, changed blocking schemes and then were perplexed as to what happened.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Looking at the last two seasons, it is not difficult to see what the biggest issue the Dallas Cowboys have had on defense: The inability to stop the run against the better teams we face. That’s been an issue for more than two seasons, but I chose to just look at 2022 and 2023 since they are the most recent.

In the 2022 and 2023 seasons including the playoffs, the Cowboys won 13 games in 2022 and 12 games 2023. They lost 6 games in 2022 and 6 games in 2023. I want to look at the role the inability to stop the run played in those combined 12 losses the last two seasons.

Here are the stats for the 6 losses we had in 2022 and how many yards rushing we surrendered:

• Vs TB- L 19-3. Gave up 153 yards rushing
• @Phi L 26-17. Gave up 136 yards rushing
• @GB L 31-28. Gave up 206 yards rushing
• @Jax L 40-34. Gave up 192 yards rushing
• @Wash L 26-6. Gave up 151 yards rushing (Cowboys didn’t try to win this game because playoff seeding was decided)
• @SF in Divisional round playoff game L 19-12. Gave up 113 yards rushing

In their 6 losses in 2022, the Cowboys averaged giving up 159 rushing yards per game.

Here are the stats for the 6 losses we had in 2023 and how many yards rushing we surrendered:

• @Ariz L 28-16. Gave up 222 yards rushing
• @SF L 42-10. Gave up 170 yards rushing
• @Phil L 28-23. Gave up 109 yards rushing
• @Buff L 31-10. Gave up 266 yards rushing
• @Mia L 22-20. Gave up 91 yards rushing
• Vs GB in wild card playoff game. L 48-32. Gave up 143 yards rushing.

So in our 6 losses in 2023, the Cowboys averaged giving up 167 rushing yards per game. Combining the last two seasons, we average giving up 163 yards rushing per game. You cannot beat good teams when you can’t stop the run. (Quick side note: 10 of the Cowboys 12 losses the last two seasons were on the road, and our run defense was at its worst on the road)

There are lots of things we need to fix or rebuild with the Cowboys this off-season. I know many Cowboys fans who want to change QBs. I understand that. BUT…if this team does not find a way to fix its inability to stop the run, we could have Patrick Mahomes under center and we aren’t going to win a lot of playoff games.

Fixing the run defense problem is job #1 this off-season.

how do we combat this, use smaller guys to make big plays!! I remember when we drafted big bohanna he bragged about coming here and stopping the run, it's been an issue for years now

 

[Bobhaze]

For sure. Same thing in 2021 when they needed a CB and took Joseph as per their charts he was the best available by round 2.
Hill was a forced pick, even though they could of tried to upgrade safety too.
Parsons was also a BPA, as they wanted a corner at first.

So true. The Micah Parsons pick is another great example of us taking the best player over only player of need. We wanted a CB badly in that draft but took Parsons which ended up being a really great pick. It reinforces what the PFF guys said about the Cowboys doing better in the draft when they just select the best player available.

Sometimes the best player is a player at a position of need. But if you chase need FIRST, you tend to miss guys like Lamb and Parsons.