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COVERING UP
The Cowboys' secondary has helped limit big plays and points.
by Ken Sins
There's a tendency in the NFL to isolate a specific statistic and place it under a microscope, examining each atom in search of a flaw.
Take, for instance, the Cowboys' pass defense. On the surface, it's quite easy to view the 232 yards-per-game average they were yielding with two contests left in the regular season and conclude that the guys on the back end of the defense couldn't cover a three-toed sloth.
That ranked Dallas 21st in the league, certainly nothing to boast about.
But the Cowboys' deep thinkers haven't been sounding any alarms. Overall, the coaches actually have been quite satisfied with the effort of the secondary for two simple reasons: big plays against Dallas have been minimal, and opponents haven't been parading into the end zone.
After 14 games, the Cowboys had allowed only five pass plays of 40 or more yards, placing them among the stingiest defensive backfields in the league. Even more important: Dallas was giving up a little under 18 points per game, the best showing in the NFC.
One reason the Cowboys' passing yards allowed has been on the high side is that their defense is geared to stop the run. And they're quite good at stuffing the ground game, ranking among the statistical elite by allowing an average of a shade under 98 yards per game, sixth in the league.
"Statistics are misleading many times," secondary coach Dave Campo says. "On our goal board, one of the most important goals is rush yardage per game. We have been very good in that area this year. If a team can't run on you, then you are going to get more passes thrown, thus more yardage."
So there's been no panic when the defensive coaches gather. Campo's secondary has been revamped this season, sometimes going with three different starters from a year ago, and the transition has been mostly a smooth one.
Second-year right cornerback Mike Jenkins is the youngest starter, and his play has been a revelation in his first full season as a regular. Anthony Henry, last year's first-stringer, was traded in the offseason, and Jenkins alternated with Orlando Scandrick in the first three games until Jenkins was named the full-time starter.
Strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh is another new face among the starters, having been signed as a free over the offseason following four years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Campo was defensive coordinator for three of those seasons.
Former Pro Bowler Terence Newman patrols the left corner, healthy again following two injury-riddled seasons. And Ken Hamlin is back at free safety, although Hamlin had to sit out four games with an ankle injury. Alan Ball, normally a cornerback, filled in well, and has been a contributor in the sub-packages.
So has Scandrick, who covers slot receivers, and Patrick Watkins, a situational safety. Rookie safety Michael Hamlin and cornerback Cletis Gordon are also with the group.
The Cowboys' corners have been asked to handle some single coverage, no small assignment in a sport with rules heavily skewed in favor of the passing game.
Jenkins has become a force, though, leading the team with five interceptions as the season wound down. Like Newman, Jenkins is a first-round pick with excellent athletic skills. There are those who believe that his coverage has been every bit as good as Newman's.
"He's a playmaker," Newman says. "He's athletic. He's done everything they've asked him to do. And he's got his hands on some balls. He's doing his job, which is to go out, get interceptions and get his hands on some balls. I'm not surprised. If you're a starter, you've got to perform. I don't think anybody is surprised on our team. He's out there for a reason. He's done what we all knew he could do."
Says Campo: "Mike Jenkins has improved immensely in one year. He is very coachable and has bought into the idea that if he practices the little things, then they will be easy for him in the game. Mike has been able to take his game from the practice field to the ballgame. He is very competitive and is playing with confidence. His interceptions have really helped us, but his overall coverage has been even more impressive."
Good health has been the key for Newman. In a span of 32 games in 2007-08, the seven-year veteran was sidelined nine times by groin and foot injuries. This season, Newman's been able to stay on the field, and that makes a huge difference for the overall defensive scheme.
"It's definitely better than last year," says Newman, who signed a six-year contract extension in May of 2008. "Not missing any games, that's definitely a good thing. It's different than what it was last year as far as what I did on the field."
In 2007, Newman had to contend with a right heel injury at the start of training camp that knocked him out of the preseason and three regular-season games. When he got back on the field, he played well enough to earn his only Pro Bowl selection as the Cowboys went 13-3.
Last season, he sustained a slight groin tear during training camp that caused him to miss all of the preseason. The condition never got better, and Newman underwent surgery on Oct. 10, 2008 to repair a sports hernia. In total, he missed six games.
"My body wouldn't let me do what I wanted to do," says Newman, who at 31 is the veteran of the secondary. "Some things you can push through. But when certain things are wrong with your body, there are things you just can't do."
Newman struggled at times in the season's early stages, but in the biggest game of the year, he helped the Cowboys hand the Saints their first loss by holding up well against New Orleans' dangerous passing game. The Saints were limited to 17 points and were 1-for-7 on third downs.
"He has Pro Bowl ability and is capable of making a big play at any time," Campo says of Newman. "He has worked hard on his consistency and is beginning to look like a complete player. Being healthy this year has really helped. Having him, Jenkins and Scandrick has allowed us to play more man coverage this year."
Says Sensabaugh: "He's everything you want in a corner. He's fast, quick, knows the game well, he does a good job of reading routes, and he's a big-play guy. It's great playing next to him. He's just one of the best corners out there."
Sensabaugh's been an upgrade over departed strong safety Roy Williams, whose jarring hits could not compensate for his coverage shortcomings. Sensabaugh is younger, and his teammates say he has the coverage ability of a cornerback.
"One of Gerald's best attributes is his ability to run and cover, as well as being physical," Campo says. "If a safety is great against the run, but can't cover, teams can create mismatches in the passing game by getting fast receivers on him. That has not happened with Gerald on the field, giving us a great advantage."
Sensabaugh missed a game and a half with a broken thumb, and sat out the second half of the opener with a rib injury, but otherwise he's been pleased with his season.
"I've settled in great," Sensabaugh says. "I like the organization. I'm enjoying everything about it. I had a few injuries, and there were some games we lost that we should have won. But it's a great organization. I like how it's run. There's a lot of tradition. The fans are great. I have no complaints."
Hamlin is the quarterback of the group. He's an organizer who also has playmaking ability. The 28-year-old Arkansas product signed a six-year contract extension prior to the 2008 season, providing stability at a position that had been a revolving door.
"Ken Hamlin is a solid NFL safety," Campo says. "Although Alan Ball did an excellent job with Ken out, having him back has a calming effect on the group. His leadership is very important to the guys."
Overall, Campo has been pleased with the performance of his situational substitutes.
"Our sub-package has been pretty good and Scandrick has been a big part of it," Campo says. "It's not easy to play in the slot because the receivers have the entire field to work with. Orlando is still learning, but he is very instinctive and has outstanding quickness and speed, which allows him to succeed in that role. Our goal is to hold teams under 36 percent on third-down conversions and we have been right around there all year."
Of course, the secondary isn't a separate entity; it's part of the overall defense. How well the unit performs against the run, how much pressure it generates on the quarterback, these are factors that affect the defensive backfield. When the quarterback has time to stand in the pocket and wait for receivers to break open, defensive backs operate under a considerable handicap.
Bottom line: holding down the big pass plays and keeping foes out of the end zone make for a happy secondary coach.
"I feel that our guys have played very well," Campo says. "One of the keys to having a very good defense is not giving up big plays. Considering that we play a ton of man coverage, the percentage of deep balls on us is very low, a credit to our group. Remember that the only stat that is really important in pro football is the score, and it is very difficult to score a lot of points without big plays in drives."
The Cowboys' secondary has helped limit big plays and points.
by Ken Sins
There's a tendency in the NFL to isolate a specific statistic and place it under a microscope, examining each atom in search of a flaw.
Take, for instance, the Cowboys' pass defense. On the surface, it's quite easy to view the 232 yards-per-game average they were yielding with two contests left in the regular season and conclude that the guys on the back end of the defense couldn't cover a three-toed sloth.
That ranked Dallas 21st in the league, certainly nothing to boast about.
But the Cowboys' deep thinkers haven't been sounding any alarms. Overall, the coaches actually have been quite satisfied with the effort of the secondary for two simple reasons: big plays against Dallas have been minimal, and opponents haven't been parading into the end zone.
After 14 games, the Cowboys had allowed only five pass plays of 40 or more yards, placing them among the stingiest defensive backfields in the league. Even more important: Dallas was giving up a little under 18 points per game, the best showing in the NFC.
One reason the Cowboys' passing yards allowed has been on the high side is that their defense is geared to stop the run. And they're quite good at stuffing the ground game, ranking among the statistical elite by allowing an average of a shade under 98 yards per game, sixth in the league.
"Statistics are misleading many times," secondary coach Dave Campo says. "On our goal board, one of the most important goals is rush yardage per game. We have been very good in that area this year. If a team can't run on you, then you are going to get more passes thrown, thus more yardage."
So there's been no panic when the defensive coaches gather. Campo's secondary has been revamped this season, sometimes going with three different starters from a year ago, and the transition has been mostly a smooth one.
Second-year right cornerback Mike Jenkins is the youngest starter, and his play has been a revelation in his first full season as a regular. Anthony Henry, last year's first-stringer, was traded in the offseason, and Jenkins alternated with Orlando Scandrick in the first three games until Jenkins was named the full-time starter.
Strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh is another new face among the starters, having been signed as a free over the offseason following four years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Campo was defensive coordinator for three of those seasons.
Former Pro Bowler Terence Newman patrols the left corner, healthy again following two injury-riddled seasons. And Ken Hamlin is back at free safety, although Hamlin had to sit out four games with an ankle injury. Alan Ball, normally a cornerback, filled in well, and has been a contributor in the sub-packages.
So has Scandrick, who covers slot receivers, and Patrick Watkins, a situational safety. Rookie safety Michael Hamlin and cornerback Cletis Gordon are also with the group.
The Cowboys' corners have been asked to handle some single coverage, no small assignment in a sport with rules heavily skewed in favor of the passing game.
Jenkins has become a force, though, leading the team with five interceptions as the season wound down. Like Newman, Jenkins is a first-round pick with excellent athletic skills. There are those who believe that his coverage has been every bit as good as Newman's.
"He's a playmaker," Newman says. "He's athletic. He's done everything they've asked him to do. And he's got his hands on some balls. He's doing his job, which is to go out, get interceptions and get his hands on some balls. I'm not surprised. If you're a starter, you've got to perform. I don't think anybody is surprised on our team. He's out there for a reason. He's done what we all knew he could do."
Says Campo: "Mike Jenkins has improved immensely in one year. He is very coachable and has bought into the idea that if he practices the little things, then they will be easy for him in the game. Mike has been able to take his game from the practice field to the ballgame. He is very competitive and is playing with confidence. His interceptions have really helped us, but his overall coverage has been even more impressive."
Good health has been the key for Newman. In a span of 32 games in 2007-08, the seven-year veteran was sidelined nine times by groin and foot injuries. This season, Newman's been able to stay on the field, and that makes a huge difference for the overall defensive scheme.
"It's definitely better than last year," says Newman, who signed a six-year contract extension in May of 2008. "Not missing any games, that's definitely a good thing. It's different than what it was last year as far as what I did on the field."
In 2007, Newman had to contend with a right heel injury at the start of training camp that knocked him out of the preseason and three regular-season games. When he got back on the field, he played well enough to earn his only Pro Bowl selection as the Cowboys went 13-3.
Last season, he sustained a slight groin tear during training camp that caused him to miss all of the preseason. The condition never got better, and Newman underwent surgery on Oct. 10, 2008 to repair a sports hernia. In total, he missed six games.
"My body wouldn't let me do what I wanted to do," says Newman, who at 31 is the veteran of the secondary. "Some things you can push through. But when certain things are wrong with your body, there are things you just can't do."
Newman struggled at times in the season's early stages, but in the biggest game of the year, he helped the Cowboys hand the Saints their first loss by holding up well against New Orleans' dangerous passing game. The Saints were limited to 17 points and were 1-for-7 on third downs.
"He has Pro Bowl ability and is capable of making a big play at any time," Campo says of Newman. "He has worked hard on his consistency and is beginning to look like a complete player. Being healthy this year has really helped. Having him, Jenkins and Scandrick has allowed us to play more man coverage this year."
Says Sensabaugh: "He's everything you want in a corner. He's fast, quick, knows the game well, he does a good job of reading routes, and he's a big-play guy. It's great playing next to him. He's just one of the best corners out there."
Sensabaugh's been an upgrade over departed strong safety Roy Williams, whose jarring hits could not compensate for his coverage shortcomings. Sensabaugh is younger, and his teammates say he has the coverage ability of a cornerback.
"One of Gerald's best attributes is his ability to run and cover, as well as being physical," Campo says. "If a safety is great against the run, but can't cover, teams can create mismatches in the passing game by getting fast receivers on him. That has not happened with Gerald on the field, giving us a great advantage."
Sensabaugh missed a game and a half with a broken thumb, and sat out the second half of the opener with a rib injury, but otherwise he's been pleased with his season.
"I've settled in great," Sensabaugh says. "I like the organization. I'm enjoying everything about it. I had a few injuries, and there were some games we lost that we should have won. But it's a great organization. I like how it's run. There's a lot of tradition. The fans are great. I have no complaints."
Hamlin is the quarterback of the group. He's an organizer who also has playmaking ability. The 28-year-old Arkansas product signed a six-year contract extension prior to the 2008 season, providing stability at a position that had been a revolving door.
"Ken Hamlin is a solid NFL safety," Campo says. "Although Alan Ball did an excellent job with Ken out, having him back has a calming effect on the group. His leadership is very important to the guys."
Overall, Campo has been pleased with the performance of his situational substitutes.
"Our sub-package has been pretty good and Scandrick has been a big part of it," Campo says. "It's not easy to play in the slot because the receivers have the entire field to work with. Orlando is still learning, but he is very instinctive and has outstanding quickness and speed, which allows him to succeed in that role. Our goal is to hold teams under 36 percent on third-down conversions and we have been right around there all year."
Of course, the secondary isn't a separate entity; it's part of the overall defense. How well the unit performs against the run, how much pressure it generates on the quarterback, these are factors that affect the defensive backfield. When the quarterback has time to stand in the pocket and wait for receivers to break open, defensive backs operate under a considerable handicap.
Bottom line: holding down the big pass plays and keeping foes out of the end zone make for a happy secondary coach.
"I feel that our guys have played very well," Campo says. "One of the keys to having a very good defense is not giving up big plays. Considering that we play a ton of man coverage, the percentage of deep balls on us is very low, a credit to our group. Remember that the only stat that is really important in pro football is the score, and it is very difficult to score a lot of points without big plays in drives."