Adjustments to the Defense?

[Alexander]

In a thread about adjustments to the defense, and not one person has mentioned anything about an actual scheme we employed last year.

I think we need to go back to a cover 3 shell primarily. I'm not exactly sure what we ran in 2014 but I know it was a lot of cover 3 off man. That led to us nearly leading the league in TO's.

Last year we thought our pass rush was going to be vastly improved, and tried to play to Carr/Claibornes strengths with a cover 1 man robber scheme. The secondary wasn't terrible but I think it's pretty apparent that these guys need to have their eyes toward the ball.

I think having a philosophy that is consistent will help. Last year they had installed more man coverage and it is hard to change midstream once they realized the pass rush was not what it was cracked up to be.

I also think Marinelli needs to coach over his head for at least the first month of the season to manufacture pressure on the QB.

He can do it, as evidenced by out-of-character game plans like he showed in the first half of the Patriots game and also the first Commander game where he blitzed a ton.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think having a philosophy that is consistent will help. Last year they had installed more man coverage and it is hard to change midstream once they realized the pass rush was not what it was cracked up to be.

I also think Marinelli needs to coach over his head for at least the first month of the season to manufacture pressure on the QB.

He can do it, as evidenced by out-of-character game plans like he showed in the first half of the Patriots game and also the first Commander game where he blitzed a ton.

Agree, now with Byron Jones as a true FS, and if this helps the SS as well as the CB's get an extra second of coverage, maybe that's enough to help the pass rush or a blitz get pressure.
Seems for the past 10 years, we are "almost" there for a sack, but don't get it.
I have no idea at this point, only hope that this happens. As for the past 10 years...LOL...

 

[Alexander]

Agree, now with Byron Jones as a true FS, and if this helps the SS as well as the CB's get an extra second of coverage, maybe that's enough to help the pass rush or a blitz get pressure.
Seems for the past 10 years, we are "almost" there for a sack, but don't get it.
I have no idea at this point, only hope that this happens. As for the past 10 years...LOL...

Interior pressure seems to be the hangup. Aside from one good year from Hatcher, that has not been consistent since Jay Ratliff had all his mental faculties.

 

[cowboyblue22]

one adjustment that would help this defense is really good players that stay on the field and play consistently draft players that can play.

 

[Denim Chicken]

One thing we may have potentially going for us will be upgraded interior pressure with Thorton and a healthy Crawford + potentially, McClain, Irving and the rest of the rotation.

I can't find stats for completion percentage outside the pocket from last year, but I know it's not a strength for Eli. I don't see Cousins as very mobile either. Cutler and whomever the 49ers go with should be a bit better outside, though.

I remember when we had decent edge pressure, QBs could simply step up to buy time. Most QBs would rather faced edge pressure then pressure right up the gut in their face. Hopefully our improved interior can mitigate losses to DE and MLB in the first four games.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

With the suspensions and the overall lack of available talent, will the Cowboys change their approach on defense?

I have been thinking about using the DL to attack less and to free up the linebackers to stop the run. Yet, the LBs don't seem sound. Nor does the secondary make me think they can hold up or come up with turnovers.

So how does the defense become creative? The attacks lanes and the need to create a pass rush scare me.

I believe that the silver lining is that the backups will get some exposure and experience. The downside is that they could be horrible. The good point about that is what we will know who to release and can keep churning the roster.

The Cowboys should be fine against the run, the interior of the dline is improved, while Lee and Hitchens are very capable defenders against the run. They will need to get creative with the pass rush to create confusion and generate turnovers though. Playing too conservative is a recipe for disaster without a consistent pass rush. Sure theyll give up some big plays, but if they control the clock on the otherside theyll be in position to win games.

 

[Bullflop]

The lack of our pass rush (assuming that'll be the case) might encourage more frequent blitzes -- even though RM doesn't routinely favor it. At times, defenses like ours are forced to adjust to their needs. It probably wouldn't be as numerous as what Philly might do but should be more than we'd normally see for the first four games, at least.

 

[Idgit]

One thing we may have potentially going for us will be upgraded interior pressure with Thorton and a healthy Crawford + potentially, McClain, Irving and the rest of the rotation.

I can't find stats for completion percentage outside the pocket from last year, but I know it's not a strength for Eli. I don't see Cousins as very mobile either. Cutler and whomever the 49ers go with should be a bit better outside, though.

I remember when we had decent edge pressure, QBs could simply step up to buy time. Most QBs would rather faced edge pressure then pressure right up the gut in their face. Hopefully our improved interior can mitigate losses to DE and MLB in the first four games.

Back when they were looking at drafting Shazier, they were making noise about blitzing the WIL more often. I thought that was going to be the plan heading into last season, but the injury to Romo kept teams out of passing situations and the name of the game became 'try to not let them score' instead of 'don't let them throw the ball to keep up.' Maybe that changes with Romo back. The injury to Crawford probably didn't help things, either, as that's where Lee would be blitzing. I could see that being pretty effective if we get a bit of edge pressure and if Hitchens can cover deep enough underneath the safeties to not be a liability.

 

[big dog cowboy]

We should sign Hardy after week 1 (non-guaranteed) and cut him after week 4.

 

[jnday]

I haven't seen anything about the DC to make me think that adjustments are really one of his strengths.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Back when they were looking at drafting Shazier, they were making noise about blitzing the WIL more often. I thought that was going to be the plan heading into last season, but the injury to Romo kept teams out of passing situations and the name of the game became 'try to not let them score' instead of 'don't let them throw the ball to keep up.' Maybe that changes with Romo back. The injury to Crawford probably didn't help things, either, as that's where Lee would be blitzing. I could see that being pretty effective if we get a bit of edge pressure and if Hitchens can cover deep enough underneath the safeties to not be a liability.

To be able to blitz the Will (or any LB), the Dline, specifically 1tech and SDE, will need to draw some double teams. I'm not sure if we'll have that luxury, especially early in the season.

 

[Idgit]

To be able to blitz the Will (or any LB), the Dline, specifically 1tech and SDE, will need to draw some double teams. I'm not sure if we'll have that luxury, especially early in the season.

We'll see what Crawford/Thornton can do in there. It's what we were reportedly looking to do in the draft back before the 2014 season, before we had Hardy, when we weren't sure were going to be able to get pressure off the edge.

 

[XDez88BeastX]

How is Thornton against the run? Is it possible that we will be a little stronger against the run with Thornton and Crawford up the middle? Both can get some pressure on the QB up the middle and sometimes push the pocket allowing our DEs a better chance to make plays. At DE, even if we had Gregory, he doesn't appear ready to stop the run (although Lawrence would be fine).

So in the meantime, my hope is that we are little better against the run allowing 3rd and a little bit longer and an occasional missed 3rd down conversion.

P.S. I'm grasping for straws (above). I wouldn't change schemes or get too cute or we might be out of our "lanes" allowing big plays.

If I remember correctly I think I read Thornton was a top 6-7 defender against the run the last couple years. I could have made that up though lol

 

[Alexander]

If I remember correctly I think I read Thornton was a top 6-7 defender against the run the last couple years. I could have made that up though lol

He is not Hayden, so that is a big start.

 

[endersdragon]

If I remember correctly I think I read Thornton was a top 6-7 defender against the run the last couple years. I could have made that up though lol

That's about right, and putting him with Crawford will help them both out immensely. Honestly the only DL position I am that worried about is whoever is playing opposite D-Law. Gregory has potential, but can he be what we need of him this year.

 

[Floatyworm]

There's no replacement for talent.

I don't really see much changing in terms of scheme or special packages, that's never really been our style. For us, "switching it up" usually means blitzing Scandrick from the slot.

Yup...and teams see it coming 95% of the time.

 

[jnday]

I think having a philosophy that is consistent will help. Last year they had installed more man coverage and it is hard to change midstream once they realized the pass rush was not what it was cracked up to be.

I also think Marinelli needs to coach over his head for at least the first month of the season to manufacture pressure on the QB.

He can do it, as evidenced by out-of-character game plans like he showed in the first half of the Patriots game and also the first Commander game where he blitzed a ton.

Then he just stopped with the blitzing . Hate to continue with a successful adjustment.