News: Bob Sturm’s 2014 Cowboys pass rush analysis (Weeks 9-12)

[CCBoy]

Bob Sturm’s 2014 Cowboys pass rush analysis (Weeks 9-12): Examining the many sacks of Jax
http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/286352bc9856fe9417829a62da61e5b9?s=52&d=http%3A%2F%2Fres.***BANNED-URL***%2Fresources%2Fimages%2FSD-logo-50.jpg%3Fs%3D52&r=G
Bob Sturm
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2015/07/bob-sturms-pass-rush-analysis-part-3-weeks-9-12.html/





The Dallas Cowboys (at least as currently coached) do not believe in blitzing. They don’t like doing it. They don’t want to do it. They don’t ever want to rely on it. They don’t believe in it.

Once upon a time, that was different. But, since I have been carefully tracking their blitzes, you can tell that with Rod Marinelli in charge, they have tried to make it less and less a part of their attack.

In fact, here is a handy graphic to demonstrate this point:

SeasonBlitzesBlitz RateQBRate v BlitzNFL Blitz Rate
2012134 – 55124%106.5 – 29th31%
2013140 – 67320%117.4 – 32nd28%
2014109 – 52720%101.6 – 26th32%

Some defenses thrive on it, and it works for them. We should not assume it doesn’t work because it wins divisions and Super Bowls. But, the Cowboys are part of a growing list of teams that would rather leave the rolling of the dice to the Ryan family, and stay in the inviting waters of rushing 4 and dropping 7 into zones. In fact, in 2014 the Cowboys were an amazing 12% the league average, which means that they would have had to blitz 60 more times to simply become a league average blitz team based on the 527 passes against. If the opponent would have thrown as many times as they did in 2013, they would have needed 106 more blitzes! So, by NFL standards, they don’t blitz.

But, as you can see above, it is best that way. Over the last 3 seasons, they have been one of the worst defensive teams in football when they do blitz. What is the best way to keep teams from bringing pressure? Burn their hands. And in the last 3 years, the Cowboys have never held the opposition under a 100 passer ranking and have never finished in the Top 25 teams for a season. Yuck...

 

[CCBoy]

With Dez back in the fold for a five year block, the major problem still on the board, is not running back, but the defensive line...

 

[xwalker]

Bob Sturm’s 2014 Cowboys pass rush analysis (Weeks 9-12): Examining the many sacks of Jax
http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/286352bc9856fe9417829a62da61e5b9?s=52&d=http%3A%2F%2Fres.***BANNED-URL***%2Fresources%2Fimages%2FSD-logo-50.jpg%3Fs%3D52&r=G
Bob Sturm
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2015/07/bob-sturms-pass-rush-analysis-part-3-weeks-9-12.html/





The Dallas Cowboys (at least as currently coached) do not believe in blitzing. They don’t like doing it. They don’t want to do it. They don’t ever want to rely on it. They don’t believe in it.

Once upon a time, that was different. But, since I have been carefully tracking their blitzes, you can tell that with Rod Marinelli in charge, they have tried to make it less and less a part of their attack.

In fact, here is a handy graphic to demonstrate this point:

SeasonBlitzesBlitz RateQBRate v BlitzNFL Blitz Rate
2012134 – 55124%106.5 – 29th31%
2013140 – 67320%117.4 – 32nd28%
2014109 – 52720%101.6 – 26th32%

Some defenses thrive on it, and it works for them. We should not assume it doesn’t work because it wins divisions and Super Bowls. But, the Cowboys are part of a growing list of teams that would rather leave the rolling of the dice to the Ryan family, and stay in the inviting waters of rushing 4 and dropping 7 into zones. In fact, in 2014 the Cowboys were an amazing 12% the league average, which means that they would have had to blitz 60 more times to simply become a league average blitz team based on the 527 passes against. If the opponent would have thrown as many times as they did in 2013, they would have needed 106 more blitzes! So, by NFL standards, they don’t blitz.

But, as you can see above, it is best that way. Over the last 3 seasons, they have been one of the worst defensive teams in football when they do blitz. What is the best way to keep teams from bringing pressure? Burn their hands. And in the last 3 years, the Cowboys have never held the opposition under a 100 passer ranking and have never finished in the Top 25 teams for a season. Yuck...

Notice how the DTs are both playing as 3techs and there is no 1tech in the middle of the line. I've mentioned this before, but these Gifs are a good way to show it.

 

[CCBoy]

Notice how the DTs are both playing as 3techs and there is no 1tech in the middle of the line. I've mentioned this before, but these Gifs are a good way to show it.

Nice, X!

 

[Galian Beast]

With Dez back in the fold for a five year block, the major problem still on the board, is not running back, but the defensive line...

I disagree. I think the defensive line is going to be a real strength for the team this year.

 

[Galian Beast]

Bob Sturm’s 2014 Cowboys pass rush analysis (Weeks 9-12): Examining the many sacks of Jax
http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/286352bc9856fe9417829a62da61e5b9?s=52&d=http%3A%2F%2Fres.***BANNED-URL***%2Fresources%2Fimages%2FSD-logo-50.jpg%3Fs%3D52&r=G
Bob Sturm
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2015/07/bob-sturms-pass-rush-analysis-part-3-weeks-9-12.html/





The Dallas Cowboys (at least as currently coached) do not believe in blitzing. They don’t like doing it. They don’t want to do it. They don’t ever want to rely on it. They don’t believe in it.

Once upon a time, that was different. But, since I have been carefully tracking their blitzes, you can tell that with Rod Marinelli in charge, they have tried to make it less and less a part of their attack.

In fact, here is a handy graphic to demonstrate this point:

SeasonBlitzesBlitz RateQBRate v BlitzNFL Blitz Rate
2012134 – 55124%106.5 – 29th31%
2013140 – 67320%117.4 – 32nd28%
2014109 – 52720%101.6 – 26th32%

Some defenses thrive on it, and it works for them. We should not assume it doesn’t work because it wins divisions and Super Bowls. But, the Cowboys are part of a growing list of teams that would rather leave the rolling of the dice to the Ryan family, and stay in the inviting waters of rushing 4 and dropping 7 into zones. In fact, in 2014 the Cowboys were an amazing 12% the league average, which means that they would have had to blitz 60 more times to simply become a league average blitz team based on the 527 passes against. If the opponent would have thrown as many times as they did in 2013, they would have needed 106 more blitzes! So, by NFL standards, they don’t blitz.

But, as you can see above, it is best that way. Over the last 3 seasons, they have been one of the worst defensive teams in football when they do blitz. What is the best way to keep teams from bringing pressure? Burn their hands. And in the last 3 years, the Cowboys have never held the opposition under a 100 passer ranking and have never finished in the Top 25 teams for a season. Yuck...

I don't think we had the talent on defense to blitz, so it is impossible to say whether or not Marinelli will blitz going forward if we have the talent to get after the qb quicker by doing so. That 5th man can be a difference maker when you have 3-4 guys on the line that are already consistently getting pressure on the qb. Blitzing will make that ball come out even quicker , and increase the percentage of turnovers.

Whereas when you can't get pressure with 4 at all and bringing 5 doesn't do the trick, you've now left your defense exposed.

I think we'll see a lot more blitzing this year when you can bring guys like

Hardy
Lawrence
Crawford
Gregory
and Mincey


Bringing all 5 of these guys after the quarterback at once will result in pressure. Period, point, blank.