Biggest Defensive issue was inability to stop the run!

[Cowboyny]

The Cowboys Defense ranked 31st against the run last season. I don't care if we have Lawrence Taylor or Deion Sanders, if you cannot stop the run, doesn't matter who you have rushing the QB or covering the best receiver. Until this is fixed, no other addition will mean anything.

It starts up front with the defensive line, the interior has to dramatically improve in this area as well as the defensive ends being able to set the edge and uphold outside containment. We no longer can have run liability players manning the front in our base defense. Have to draft a legitimate 1 Tech, if not two and add another run base DE at the minimum. What do we do at the 3T, as both our prospects struggle in that area?

Then we need to address the next level, both Jaylon/Lve have never been the same since that Rams Playoff Loss. Teams use the same blueprint against us, misdirection. Both are run and hit linebackers that don't exhibit natural instincts for the position. We need an instinctive, middle linebacker who isn't fooled by misdirection and come up with an simplistic plan for both Jaylon/Lve for their reads.

 

[cnuball21]

The Cowboys Defense ranked 31st against the run last season. I don't care if we have Lawrence Taylor or Deion Sanders, if you cannot stop the run, doesn't matter who you have rushing the QB or covering the best receiver. Until this is fixed, no other addition will mean anything.

It starts up front with the defensive line, the interior has to dramatically improve in this area as well as the defensive ends being able to set the edge and uphold outside containment. We no longer can have run liability players manning the front in our base defense. Have to draft a legitimate 1 Tech, if not two and add another run base DE at the minimum. What do we do at the 3T, as both our prospects struggle in that area?

Then we need to address the next level, both Jaylon/Lve have never been the same since that Rams Playoff Loss. Teams use the same blueprint against us, misdirection. Both are run and hit linebackers that don't exhibit natural instincts for the position. We need an instinctive, middle linebacker who isn't fooled by misdirection and come up with an simplistic plan for both Jaylon/Lve for their reads.

Run D has to be fixed...if it's bad it can look like the Rams playoff game where the opposing QB doesn't even have to do anything.

I agree it starts at DT. For years we've targeting the "quick twitch" 3 T type but have ignored the ability to anchor and impact the run game which has killed us.

I think LVE is fine if he can stay healthy but Jaylon is a lost cause.

If we can fix the DT position and add a quality LBr I think it will be much better. A progressing S like WIlson that can actually makes plays helps too.

 

[Cowboyny]

Run D has to be fixed...if it's bad it can look like the Rams playoff game where the opposing QB doesn't even have to do anything.

I agree it starts at DT. For years we've targeting the "quick twitch" 3 T type but have ignored the ability to anchor and impact the run game which has killed us.

I think LVE is fine if he can stay healthy but Jaylon is a lost cause.

If we can fix the DT position and add a quality LBr I think it will be much better. A progressing S like WIlson that can actually makes plays helps too.

In my workup researching Quinn's scheme, he employs two anchor type of down lineman in his base defense (early downs). It's more of a traditional NT, with more of a 5 Tech playing LE. Stick a McNeil at the Nose and a player like Basham at LE. Tank could play the 3 or even the Leo against the run.

 

[Mr_437]

Yep, haven't been able to stop the run for a couple years, and the FO continually ignores/devalues important run stopping positions.

They should add:
1 NT
1 Base DE
1 MLB
1 Big SS/ Nickel LB
1 FS

For this negligent FO group that's a lot of resources to throw at the entire defense, let alone just the middle of the defense. However, addressing the middle properly is the difference between winning and losing.

 

[Future]

I can't for the life of me understand this boards obsession with nose/1T players. Those hurt your ability to rush the passer with 4 and when nickel is base, you're limiting what you can do.

And I'm going to say it again. There is no correlation between run defense and winning. Buffalo, KC and GB were all poor against the run - ranked 19th or worse. It didn't matter. Tampa, Buffalo, and GB were, however, top 10 against the pass. KC was also better against the pass than the run.

The passing game is what matters. Fix the offense, play with the lead, and the run D won't matter.

 

[Mr_437]

I can't for the life of me understand this boards obsession with nose/1T players. Those hurt your ability to rush the passer with 4 and when nickel is base, you're limiting what you can do.

And I'm going to say it again. There is no correlation between run defense and winning. Buffalo, KC and GB were all poor against the run - ranked 19th or worse. It didn't matter. Tampa, Buffalo, and GB were, however, top 10 against the pass. KC was also better against the pass than the run.

The passing game is what matters. Fix the offense, play with the lead, and the run D won't matter.

That was McCarthy's plan last season and he was just as wrong as you.

 

[Future]

That was McCarthy's plan last season and he was just as wrong as you.

Are you just going to ignore the injuries?

You can call me wrong if you want. It's what all the good teams do. KC, GB, Tampa, and Buffalo. They were, by FAR, the best teams in the league last year, and all of them prioritize the passing game and playing with a lead.

 

[stilltheguru]

Zach Collins will be a beast in this league. But let Pitt get him in the 20's because its a "reach" at 10. lol

 

[Mr_437]

Are you just going to ignore the injuries?

You can call me wrong if you want. It's what all the good teams do. KC, GB, Tampa, and Buffalo. They were, by FAR, the best teams in the league last year, and all of them prioritize the passing game and playing with a lead.

Defense vs the run:
Top 16 teams - 11 made playoffs
Bottom 16 teams - 3 made playoffs

I get the theory, but it's not applicable to the Cowboys because they're so bad vs the run.

 

[Future]

Defense vs the run:
Top 16 teams - 11 made playoffs
Bottom 16 teams - 3 made playoffs

I get the theory, but it's not applicable to the Cowboys because they're so bad vs the run.

I'm sorry is "making the playoffs" some sort of barometer?

They'd be better against the run with a healthy offense, is the point. So yes, it applies to them more than just about anyone.

 

[Cowboyny]

I can't for the life of me understand this boards obsession with nose/1T players. Those hurt your ability to rush the passer with 4 and when nickel is base, you're limiting what you can do.

And I'm going to say it again. There is no correlation between run defense and winning. Buffalo, KC and GB were all poor against the run - ranked 19th or worse. It didn't matter. Tampa, Buffalo, and GB were, however, top 10 against the pass. KC was also better against the pass than the run.

The passing game is what matters. Fix the offense, play with the lead, and the run D won't matter.

This argument doesn't fly when Tampa Bay has the #1 run defense in the entire league. Nobody had success running against them in the postseason, in which they made teams one dimensional where they had extra men in coverage. You cannot win, if you cannot get off the field. No matter if it's a big passing play or if a team drives the entire field.

 

[Mr_437]

I'm sorry is "making the playoffs" some sort of barometer?

They'd be better against the run with a healthy offense, is the point. So yes, it applies to them more than just about anyone.

A team has to make the playoffs to win the SB, no?

A much higher % of teams who stop the run makes the playoffs, facts.

Cowboys have been trash for the last 2 years vs the run, and the offense couldn't make up the difference...also no playoff appearances. In addition, the last time they made the playoffs they got ran right off the field by the Rams... Cowboys offense wasn't enough and guess what...they were healthy.

#1 Defense won the SB this season. Cowboys won 3 SB with a Top 5 every year.

 

[Bobhaze]

A team has to make the playoffs to win the SB, no?

A much higher % of teams who stop the run makes the playoffs, facts.

Cowboys have been trash for the last 2 years vs the run, and the offense couldn't make up the difference...also no playoff appearances. In addition, the last time they made the playoffs they got ran right off the field by the Rams... Cowboys offense wasn't enough and guess what...they were healthy.

#1 Defense won the SB this season. Cowboys won 3 SB with a Top 5 every year.

Well said. If your defense cannot stop the run, especially in the playoffs, you are not going anywhere in the post season. And it puts enormous pressure on the offense to control the clock on long possessions and score in loads.

You don’t have to have a dominant defense to win, but you can’t win any games that matter with a bad defense.

 

[Future]

This argument doesn't fly when Tampa Bay has the #1 run defense in the entire league. Nobody had success running against them in the postseason, in which they made teams one dimensional where they had extra men in coverage. You cannot win, if you cannot get off the field. No matter if it's a big passing play or if a team drives the entire field.

Getting off the field is a product of your passing defense.

They didn't play any offenses who run the ball in the playoffs.

 

[Future]

A team has to make the playoffs to win the SB, no?

A much higher % of teams who stop the run makes the playoffs, facts.

Cowboys have been trash for the last 2 years vs the run, and the offense couldn't make up the difference...also no playoff appearances. In addition, the last time they made the playoffs they got ran right off the field by the Rams... Cowboys offense wasn't enough and guess what...they were healthy.

#1 Defense won the SB this season. Cowboys won 3 SB with a Top 5 every year.

It's ridiculous to put teams like Washington on the same plane as KC and Tampa lol

And again, I'm not saying the run defense doesn't need to improve. I'm saying that the greatest improvements will come from improved offense.

They were top-10 against the run in 2019, fyi.

 

[cnuball21]

In my workup researching Quinn's scheme, he employs two anchor type of down lineman in his base defense (early downs). It's more of a traditional NT, with more of a 5 Tech playing LE. Stick a McNeil at the Nose and a player like Basham at LE. Tank could play the 3 or even the Leo against the run.

I know you and I like Basham and think he’d be a great fit.

If we don’t land him or someone like him, you likely just see him role with Lawrence in that capacity and kick Gregory to the other side. TC if healthy could give you some depth there.

Basham in the 2nd and McNeil in the 3rd would be fun if they were available.

 

[Future]

Defense vs the run:
Top 16 teams - 11 made playoffs
Bottom 16 teams - 3 made playoffs

I get the theory, but it's not applicable to the Cowboys because they're so bad vs the run.

This is also not true. I assume you're going by total yards...which is maybe the worst metric for run defense. y/a is a much better measurement:

Titans (16), Packers (18), Chiefs (19), Bills (24), Ravens (26) were all playoff teams

 

[Mr_437]

This is also not true. I assume you're going by total yards...which is maybe the worst metric for run defense. y/a is a much better measurement:

Titans (16), Packers (18), Chiefs (19), Bills (24), Ravens (26) were all playoff teams

All of them lost.

Also, Cowboys may have been ranked high in 2019, but they were soft then too. You like soft teams and it's cute until they get hit in the mouth by a physical team.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Run D has to be fixed...if it's bad it can look like the Rams playoff game where the opposing QB doesn't even have to do anything.

I agree it starts at DT. For years we've targeting the "quick twitch" 3 T type but have ignored the ability to anchor and impact the run game which has killed us.

I think LVE is fine if he can stay healthy but Jaylon is a lost cause.

If we can fix the DT position and add a quality LBr I think it will be much better. A progressing S like WIlson that can actually makes plays helps too.

Goff was outright awful in that game

 

[darthseinfeld]

In my workup researching Quinn's scheme, he employs two anchor type of down lineman in his base defense (early downs). It's more of a traditional NT, with more of a 5 Tech playing LE. Stick a McNeil at the Nose and a player like Basham at LE. Tank could play the 3 or even the Leo against the run.

Tank has had alot of success rushing from the 9 gap on the left side in the past. His breakout year in 2015, I think he got all 8 sacks from the 9