This is Dallas' fifth straight year in full commitment to the 3-4 defense, at least in terms of base defense. For the fourth straight year, I'm still wondering how exactly the Cowboys plan on achieving maximum success without a true nose guard. Before you even remotely consider replying to the contrary siting Jay Ratliff as a Pro Bowl player at the position, understand that I think Ratliff is a top notch defensive lineman, likely in 4-3 as well.
My problem is the fact that Ratliff is built like a 3-4 defensive end. It's much more difficult to pull the "little engine that could" trick in the 3-4, especially on the line. While it's not exactly a true 3 versus 5 (opponents o-line), it's a nasty match up in the very middle between Ratliff, at about 305 pounds, and two linemen. Either of the opposing linemen can be well over 300 pounds and you've still got a center to deal with. Even if it's only one offensive linemen assigned to the nose guard, and that's almost always either of the guards who will be well heavier than Ratliff, this is still a very fatiguing contest over the course of the regular season by itself, let alone post.
A guy built to handle these matchups much better, thus being more effective against the run, weighs around 325 to 340. At this point, it's the offense that must apply two guys on a big space eater such as this just to keep him from going straight into the backfield. A man who weighs 325 or better is pretty much going wherever he wants. Question is how fast will he get there. Can the offense run the ball? Does the quarterback have time?
Against the pass a true nose guard likely isn't making much impact, take away the advantage possibly gained by the interior double team to open up opportunities for ends and linebackers. But since most good 3-4 defenses rely primarily on both outside linebackers to pressure the quarterback, and especially one stud like Demarcus Ware, the big boy in the middle doesn't have to get many sacks. He doesn't really need to be on the field in obvious passing situations anyway.
Against the run, however, it'll be much easier to predict where the run is going seeing as the middle is going to be very clogged. The more outside the running game has to operate, the bigger the advantage for the defense and especially when they knows it's likely going right or left only. Dallas' edge linebackers might be the best in the league at playing the run remember.
I think the Dallas defense, personnel-wise, is among the very best in the league. But if we agree that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, you'll also agree that offenses in football want to run up the middle if possible. For as good as Ratliff is at penetrating with quickness and a high motor, he's simply not the best fit for playing nose guard, especially by himself!
Names such as Alan Branch and Gabe Watson come to mind as potentially stellar nose guards in the 3-4 that Dallas has passed on in recent drafts. Both went to Michigan, both ended up in Arizona in the last three years. The Cardinals were in the Super Bowl last year. Granted, the offense got them there for the most part and the defense wasn't exactly dominant. On the contrary, these guys would have had nothing to do with the Steelers' game winning drive either at the end.
Just look at the teams that have run the 3-4 defense very well, outside of Bill Parcells. Vince Wilfork in New England ... last time I checked the Pats were pretty good. How about Tony Sirgusa? He was part of the Baltimore Ravens defense that gave up the fewest points in NFL history at 6'4" and 340. There's numerous other examples as well. Even San Francisco, a much more recent 4-3 defense to switch over to the 3-4, has bigger nose guards trying to land jobs with Mike Singletary. Pittsburgh? Casey Hampton at 6' 1" and 325. The Steelers haven't done too bad as of late and offense is not why Pittsburgh is winning jewelry.
Consider how frightening it would be for opposing offenses to face Ratliff just inside of Ware or Anthony Spencer. As I look at the long term conerning a guy like Marcus Spears (he weighs 315!) who's in a contract year and may be allowed to leave just as Chris Canty was, I know that Dallas needs to be prepared at defense end anyway. Soon it will be time to try Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher in incresed roles snd wouldn't you feel better if Ratliff just slid over to compliment Igor Olshansky. Already you're 4-deep at end with experienced and very talented players starting.
In closing, Junior Siavii and Jonas Seawright are the only other listed tackles on the defensive line. Neither is remotely proven but both look the part certainly. I'm personally hoping Seawright can make the team but this could be stretch. He's massive at the very least and hopefully a 3-4 team will be a better fit for him as previous experience with the 4-3, after North Carolina anyway, hasn't really panned out. I frankly think that he's a bit too massive and lacks the athleticism sought after by 4-3 coordinators.
Either way, things have to get deeper and bigger for Dallas to really turn the corner on defense. I keep waiting and watching year after year as the defense fades in December. Even Parcells couldn't figure this out bringing in Jason Ferguson not long ago with similar results. I will say that Ratliff is certainly more of a playmaker than Ferguson in passing situations. Having said that, you don't have to lose that ingredient in the defense by having Ratliff at end ... or back inside in the nickel as a tackle.
to the zone Dallas71. Great post. Hope to see more from you.