Analysis: Cowboys Defense

[xwalker]

Before I start on the analysis, I wanted to mention that if Lee did not intercept the ball in front of him that Jaylon was about 99% certain to get an INT. He was in perfect position and was waiting for it but Lee snagged it first. I just find it interesting that they struggle to get INTs most of the time but had 2 players in position for the INT on the same play.

The top reason the defense played better against the run was NOT because of rah-rah emotion. They finally made some legit schemThee/assignment changes and not just tweaks to existing assignments which is what they've been doing most of the season.

I posted often about the details of their problems against Zone Run Blocking teams. They finally made changes almost identical to what I've described as the needed changes.

They changed the alignments of the LBs with regards to side to side spacing. Even in some situations where the initial alignment at the snap was not significantly different, they a LB quickly getting outside with his gap assignment primarily focused on the edge while the MLB's run assignments were more focused on the inside with less need either to move side to side. In base with 3 LBs they had all 3 shifted towards the side with the 1tech DT on most snaps.

In Nickel they swapped a LB and the Nickel on some downs when they expected run. There were plays where against the same offensive alignment and same offensive personnel grouping, they flipped the OLB and Nickel CB relative to their normal alignments on the run down but then back to normal on 3rd down.

On multiple snaps they had the DE on the side with the 1tech DT play the gap inside the OT (B gap) instead of the outside (C gap). They did this because a LB was outside the OT to play outside contain.

Sometimes the DE would delay committing inside or outside and the LB behind him would read the DE vs OT and fill whichever gap relative to the OT that the DE didn't end up committing to fill. That allowed the DE some flexibility from a gap assignment perspective such that if he got "boxed" into the wrong gap that the LB was reading that block to avoid both being boxed into the same gap by blockers.

The 1tech didn't have to move quickly to the outside like he did in the playoff game vs the Rams because of how they changed the LB and DE assignments/techniques. Also the 1tech was shading just slightly more towards the OG instead with his helmet on the OC's shoulder like the Cowboys normally play the 1tech.

They often have the 1tech "cocked" (slanted) towards the OC which means facing more in the direction of the 3tech. In this game they sometimes flipped that with regards to the 1tech and 3tech. They would have the 3tech slant towards the inside (towards the side where the 1tech was located) and the 1tech would play straight up and slightly shaded towards the OG.

Early this season they tried to resolve the problem by having 1tech and the LBs try to "time" there moves to the outside to avoid the problems they had getting boxed inside or outside vs the outside zone run with cut-back option. In this game they made actual scheme/assignment changes that minimized the 1tech and LBs from having to move side to side which made it difficult for the Rams to box them inside or outside like they did on almost all run plays in the playoff game.

 

[HungryLion]

Before I start on the analysis, I wanted to mention that if Lee did not intercept the ball in front of him that Jaylon was about 99% certain to get an INT. He was in perfect position and was waiting for it but Lee snagged it first. I just find it interesting that they struggle to get INTs most of the time but had 2 players in position for the INT on the same play.

The top reason the defense played better against the run was NOT because of rah-rah emotion. They finally made some legit schemThee/assignment changes and not just tweaks to existing assignments which is what they've been doing most of the season.

I posted often about the details of their problems against Zone Run Blocking teams. They finally made changes almost identical to what I've described as the needed changes.

They changed the alignments of the LBs with regards to side to side spacing. Even in some situations where the initial alignment at the snap was not significantly different, they a LB quickly getting outside with his gap assignment primarily focused on the edge while the MLB's run assignments were more focused on the inside with less need either to move side to side. In base with 3 LBs they had all 3 shifted towards the side with the 1tech DT on most snaps.

In Nickel they swapped a LB and the Nickel on some downs when they expected run. There were plays where against the same offensive alignment and same offensive personnel grouping, they flipped the OLB and Nickel CB relative to their normal alignments on the run down but then back to normal on 3rd down.

On multiple snaps they had the DE on the side with the 1tech DT play the gap inside the OT (B gap) instead of the outside (C gap). They did this because a LB was outside the OT to play outside contain.

Sometimes the DE would delay committing inside or outside and the LB behind him would read the DE vs OT and fill whichever gap relative to the OT that the DE didn't end up committing to fill. That allowed the DE some flexibility from a gap assignment perspective such that if he got "boxed" into the wrong gap that the LB was reading that block to avoid both being boxed into the same gap by blockers.

The 1tech didn't have to move quickly to the outside like he did in the playoff game vs the Rams because of how they changed the LB and DE assignments/techniques. Also the 1tech was shading just slightly more towards the OG instead with his helmet on the OC's shoulder like the Cowboys normally play the 1tech.

They often have the 1tech "cocked" (slanted) towards the OC which means facing more in the direction of the 3tech. In this game they sometimes flipped that with regards to the 1tech and 3tech. They would have the 3tech slant towards the inside (towards the side where the 1tech was located) and the 1tech would play straight up and slightly shaded towards the OG.

Early this season they tried to resolve the problem by having 1tech and the LBs try to "time" there moves to the outside to avoid the problems they had getting boxed inside or outside vs the outside zone run with cut-back option. In this game they made actual scheme/assignment changes that minimized the 1tech and LBs from having to move side to side which made it difficult for the Rams to box them inside or outside like they did on almost all run plays in the playoff game.

schematic adjustment? Nah. The players just executed. I heard it here first.

 

[morasp]

Would be fun to know who came up with the scheme change.

 

[Dallasfann]

Now can you answer me this question. Why do opposing teams get 20 yards a play on any type of screen?

 

[gimmesix]

I would have to go back and check to be sure but it appeared to me that we also played fewer games with the front with less stunting/looping to better maintain gap integrity.

 

[Kaiser]

They finally made some legit schemThee/assignment changes and not just tweaks to existing assignments which is what they've been doing most of the season.

Marinelli for Head Coach!

Kidding, I'm just jumping in before the trolls.

 

[baltcowboy]

How did Jaylon play? I heard that he is the worst linebacker in the NFL.

 

[quickccc]

Thanks for the analysis- thought.

- Some can continue to say what they like about the LB play and theory again, but I figured that I’m gonna say my own same thang again, it starts up front, in the trenches, the DL wasn;t swayed out of position and they anchored the line upfront and Rams didn’t bulge them off of it . hey shed and came off blocks and made the play at the line or in the backfield.
When I’m seeing Woods, Maliek, Dlaw etc.stuffing lanes and maintaining gaps, detouring runners and getting penetration that instantly becomes a win for our front seven,

Gurley as he has for much of this season, never got untracked, and not surprising as he still has yet to record a single 100 yard rushing output all season long, when Rams cannot get their run game going on even an adequate basis, they don’t have a play action fake to go to .. no one buys it and they eventually go on that pass frenzy. And put it all in the hands of Goff

I dunno how they will further deal with Gurley and his ineffectiveness with how salary cap strapped and depleted with their early round picks as they are now, but I can see Gurley eventually being cut once they finally get a hold of their own Tony Pollard version in the draft,... that will allow them to move on from Gurley in a physical sense.

- as with that Sean Lee INT, that could have been Jaylon's ? Nope. Jaylon would have knocked the ball down at best, he never gets himself in that kind of position to jump a pass and
make a play on the ball for an INT. - it’s like Byron Jones, just do enough to get in the way, but he’s not making that kind of INT play

- what’s not been mentioned in this Defense- thread is how the secondary particularly the CBs played a superb game vs Rams who were very pass happy heavy for very much of the game – Auwuzie clearly had his best game of his year- Rams tried to deep bomb him and he responded soundly in giving them nothing in big plays surrendered.

- They never seem to triy at Jones, and Lewis had a blitz sack – his 3rd of the year, and had some brilliant 3rd down knock downs that stopped drives.

- Rams were so inept on 3rd downs for much of game, and Rams just were not in threatening end zone scoring threat until very late in game where we seemed to let up and give them some gimme TDs.

-the only thing that seem to work well for them is what continues to still be troublesome for us – those damn screen passes – this time
to WRs and TEs

- Wow how the Rams vastly overpaid for Jared Goff. first Gurley and now Goff.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Bet the OP looked at like 15 snaps.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

Analysis: The Dline held the point of attack instead of trying to penetrate. They threw playing the run on the way to the QB out the window. They actually would slant one DT then have the LB's fill in that hole. So they played more of a two gap with one slanting DT.

BOOM...and I didnt even have to rewatch the tape.

 

[cern]

they're playing for their new coach and future careers. no hotboyz talk all week.

 

[CapnB]

A healthy woods does make a difference on how this team plays. Lets hope he doesnt get a quick suspension from the league that takes him out for the rest of the regular season or playoffs if we are to get so lucky. Also, the team is better when heath is back there and healthy.

 

[Kaiser]

A healthy woods does make a difference on how this team plays. Lets hope he doesnt get a quick suspension from the league that takes him out for the rest of the regular season or playoffs if we are to get so lucky. Also, the team is better when heath is back there and healthy.

Rico Gathers got a one game suspension for the same thing, if the NFL gives Woods more than that during the playoff chase it will definitely send a message.

But the message will be about Goodell, not Woods.

 

[Verdict]

A healthy woods does make a difference on how this team plays. Lets hope he doesnt get a quick suspension from the league that takes him out for the rest of the regular season or playoffs if we are to get so lucky. Also, the team is better when heath is back there and healthy.

We need Woods, so he will be suspended by Goodell. Most likely in the game we need him the most.

 

[CapnB]

We need Woods, so he will be suspended by Goodell. Most likely in the game we need him the most.

Wouldn't shock me one bit.

 

[nalam]

Before I start on the analysis, I wanted to mention that if Lee did not intercept the ball in front of him that Jaylon was about 99% certain to get an INT. He was in perfect position and was waiting for it but Lee snagged it first. I just find it interesting that they struggle to get INTs most of the time but had 2 players in position for the INT on the same play.


... he did run plays in the playoff game.

I felt the same on that play , well then knowing Jaylons play of late it would have bounced off his hands into a WR for Rams , LOL

 

[AbeBeta]

Would be fun to know who came up with the scheme change.

I would guess the team gave Richard a bit more say - Garrett has been reluctant to take power from his coordinators but like we saw last year with Linehan after some problematic offensive showings (Colts and TB), a change was made.

This likely would have happened earlier but we had a stretch with three games in 11 days so it would have been tough to adjust on the fly then.

 

[Corso]

I would guess the team gave Richard a bit more say - Garrett has been reluctant to take power from his coordinators but like we saw last year with Linehan after some problematic offensive showings (Colts and TB), a change was made.

This likely would have happened earlier but we had a stretch with three games in 11 days so it would have been tough to adjust on the fly then.

Interesting point about the 3 games in 11 days.
Makes sense.

 

[xwalker]

Thanks for the analysis- thought.

- Some can continue to say what they like about the LB play and theory again, but I figured that I’m gonna say my own same thang again, it starts up front, in the trenches, the DL wasn;t swayed out of position and they anchored the line upfront and Rams didn’t bulge them off of it . hey shed and came off blocks and made the play at the line or in the backfield.
When I’m seeing Woods, Maliek, Dlaw etc.stuffing lanes and maintaining gaps, detouring runners and getting penetration that instantly becomes a win for our front seven,

Gurley as he has for much of this season, never got untracked, and not surprising as he still has yet to record a single 100 yard rushing output all season long, when Rams cannot get their run game going on even an adequate basis, they don’t have a play action fake to go to .. no one buys it and they eventually go on that pass frenzy. And put it all in the hands of Goff

I dunno how they will further deal with Gurley and his ineffectiveness with how salary cap strapped and depleted with their early round picks as they are now, but I can see Gurley eventually being cut once they finally get a hold of their own Tony Pollard version in the draft,... that will allow them to move on from Gurley in a physical sense.

- as with that Sean Lee INT, that could have been Jaylon's ? Nope. Jaylon would have knocked the ball down at best, he never gets himself in that kind of position to jump a pass and
make a play on the ball for an INT. - it’s like Byron Jones, just do enough to get in the way, but he’s not making that kind of INT play

- what’s not been mentioned in this Defense- thread is how the secondary particularly the CBs played a superb game vs Rams who were very pass happy heavy for very much of the game – Auwuzie clearly had his best game of his year- Rams tried to deep bomb him and he responded soundly in giving them nothing in big plays surrendered.

- They never seem to triy at Jones, and Lewis had a blitz sack – his 3rd of the year, and had some brilliant 3rd down knock downs that stopped drives.

- Rams were so inept on 3rd downs for much of game, and Rams just were not in threatening end zone scoring threat until very late in game where we seemed to let up and give them some gimme TDs.

-the only thing that seem to work well for them is what continues to still be troublesome for us – those damn screen passes – this time
to WRs and TEs

- Wow how the Rams vastly overpaid for Jared Goff. first Gurley and now Goff.

I think that you are commenting on the Jaylon play without watching it.

He was focused on the ball and hand his hands up to catch it. There was not an offensive player there to contest it.

Obviously no catch is guaranteed but it was a very high probability that he would have had the INT.

 

[xwalker]

I would have to go back and check to be sure but it appeared to me that we also played fewer games with the front with less stunting/looping to better maintain gap integrity.

Yes, less of that; although, stunting has not been the primary reason for the struggles against the run. It has contributed but they have done much less stunting all season than in the past.