You're not describing anything interesting though. So you've noticed some 4-3 teams switch to nickel when he comes in. Ok. Why should I be surprised that another receiving option induces a switch to nickel? Any receiving option could cause that if the defense trusts a nickelback more than their 3rd LB.
Noah Brown had 5 catches last year and 4 the year before that. It's kind of unimaginative to find a 5 catch guy with above average blocking skills to be an interesting option.
I also highly doubt that every 4-3 team switches to nickel every time Brown plays, and then you havent addressed 3-4 teams.
Nickel is the standard defense against 11 personnel (3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 RB).
Base is the standard against 21 personnel (2 WRs, 2 TEs, 1 RB).
In 2018 when Brown was in the game, defenses stayed in the expected formation against 11 personnel which is Nickel.
In 2018 when the Cowboys had TEs Jarwin and Schultz in the game defenses primarily stayed in base.
Brown is a straight up better blocker than Jarwin.
As long as defenses stay in Nickel against Brown, it's a match-up win for the Cowboys.
Brown will have to show something as a receiver or at some point defenses will start treating him as a 2nd TE on the field and play base but up to this point defenses have stayed in Nickel.
The Rams took blocking by their WRs to another level. They made it an integral part of their blocking scheme instead of the common just get in the way type of blocking by WRs that is almost an after-thought for most offenses.
I think Kellen Moore wants to implements some similar concepts. It actually appears that Boise St. going back to Moore's time as the QB were doing some things that.we didn't see in the NFL until the Rams started using similar concepts.
Moore reportedly really wanted Tony Pollard in the draft. Pollard did a lot of open field blocking as either a 2nd RB or as WR. Memphis had RB Darrell Henderson as the lead RB (3rd round pick by the Rams).
It's an interesting connection with Henderson to the Rams and Pollard to the Cowboys. Henderson said the Rams showed by far the most interest in him prior to the draft. Pollard said the same with regards to the Cowboys.
Summary:
Noah Brown is an interesting match-up type player and finding match-up advantages appears to be a bigger and bigger focus for teams the past few years.
The ability of Pollard to be on the field with another RB with the option for him to block could decrease the Cowboys desire to keep Brown; although the actual blocking styles of Pollard & Brown are significantly different. Pollard does not overwhelm DBs as a blocker but he obviously offers much more of a threat while on the field in regards to receiving or being used in a "offensive weapon" role (reverses, jet sweeps, etc.).
Cedrick Wilson is also being used as a blocker and multi-usage type player in camp practices. Again he is not on the level of Brown as a blocker but is a better option as a receiver and to run reverses, etc..
As I said earlier in this thread, I don't know if Noah Brown should make the 53 but for anybody that studies extensive game footage it's obvious why the Cowboys value Brown more than most fans can understand.
