DC.COM/DMN Blog: Fixing Run Defense Is Goal No. 1/D absolutely has to play better

[Doomsday101]

so what is relevant, when a team.. this talented does not make the playoffs

I'll ask the pats since they did not make it either. :laugh2:

 

[Hostile]

so what is relevant, when a team.. this talented does not make the playoffs

No one makes the playoffs after one week.

 

[WoodysGirl]

per the DMN Chat

1:57
[Comment From Brandon]
David, what was the problem with the run defense yesterday? It looked like the tampa bay o'line was able to manhandle the line and get to the second tier and gobble up the linebackers as well. I would say a rough start to the season by ratliff, spears, and olshansky
2:01
David Moore: Here is Wade Phillips explanation: the Cowboys came with a lot of five-man blitzes early and the Bucs caught them out of position. That improved in the second half when they went to their base defense and used more zone coverage. Phillips also had this to say in his Monday press conference, which I thought was interesting. He didn't run his blitz package as much as he would have liked in training camp becasue it increases the risk of injury. Since his team worked the base defense most of camp, that is what they were more comfortable in for this game. In the words of Marcus Spears, the opener didn't raise a red flag about the Cowboys run defense. The performance bothers the players, but they don't see it as a reason for concern.

2:02
[Comment From BFavre]
What was the reason for not much pressure? It looked like the Cowboys were not very aggressive at all in the play calling. I would think that since we couldn't get pressure with the front 4, then why not bring the house a few times. Also, Demarcus Ware was in coverage way too much yesterday in my opinion. What do you think?
2:05
David Moore: The Cowboys were aggressive early and got burned in the run game. That's why Phillips was reluctant to bring too much pressure in the second half. Besides, after the Cowboys jumped to a 27-14 lead early in the fourth, Phillips was content to let the Bucs run because it eats up the clock.
Ware did seem to be in coverage more than usual Sunday. If he was, it was by choice. Phillips has made it clear that there is no way teams can force Ware into coverage unless the Cowboys allow it to happen.

 

[Wrangler87]

per the DMN Chat

1:57
[Comment From Brandon]
David, what was the problem with the run defense yesterday? It looked like the tampa bay o'line was able to manhandle the line and get to the second tier and gobble up the linebackers as well. I would say a rough start to the season by ratliff, spears, and olshansky
2:01
David Moore: Here is Wade Phillips explanation: the Cowboys came with a lot of five-man blitzes early and the Bucs caught them out of position. That improved in the second half when they went to their base defense and used more zone coverage. Phillips also had this to say in his Monday press conference, which I thought was interesting. He didn't run his blitz package as much as he would have liked in training camp becasue it increases the risk of injury. Since his team worked the base defense most of camp, that is what they were more comfortable in for this game. In the words of Marcus Spears, the opener didn't raise a red flag about the Cowboys run defense. The performance bothers the players, but they don't see it as a reason for concern.

2:02
[Comment From BFavre]
What was the reason for not much pressure? It looked like the Cowboys were not very aggressive at all in the play calling. I would think that since we couldn't get pressure with the front 4, then why not bring the house a few times. Also, Demarcus Ware was in coverage way too much yesterday in my opinion. What do you think?
2:05
David Moore: The Cowboys were aggressive early and got burned in the run game. That's why Phillips was reluctant to bring too much pressure in the second half. Besides, after the Cowboys jumped to a 27-14 lead early in the fourth, Phillips was content to let the Bucs run because it eats up the clock.
Ware did seem to be in coverage more than usual Sunday. If he was, it was by choice. Phillips has made it clear that there is no way teams can force Ware into coverage unless the Cowboys allow it to happen.

A little spin there.

Actually, we got lucky the Buccaneers got impatient and went away from the run in the second half. That's why our run defense didn't play quite as bad in the second half. They got down by 13, got impatient a bit, and started throwing the ball more, instead of sticking with what was working.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

How do we fix it?

Didn't you get the memo?

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2930089&postcount=27




We're waiting for you to tell us.

 

[WoodysGirl]

2:36
[Comment From Mike]
Do you find it a little worrisome that the coaches and players were too satisfied with the win, similar to the past, without really acknowledging that there is so much on the defense they have to work on? What happened to the attitude that they should always be getting better? Your thoughts?
2:41
David Moore: I don't think they were satisfied, especially on defensive. Linebacker Bradie James and safety Ken Hamlin talked about how they had trouble sleeping Sunday night because the defense did not perform up to expectations.
Defensive end Marcus Spears said he was bothered by the defense's performance against Tampa Bay but not concerned. He said it's too early to raise any red flags. I'd agree.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

They should just give up. Jay Ratliff is a small NT.

 

[BAT]

2:36
[Comment From Mike]
Do you find it a little worrisome that the coaches and players were too satisfied with the win, similar to the past, without really acknowledging that there is so much on the defense they have to work on? What happened to the attitude that they should always be getting better? Your thoughts?
2:41
David Moore: I don't think they were satisfied, especially on defensive. Linebacker Bradie James and safety Ken Hamlin talked about how they had trouble sleeping Sunday night because the defense did not perform up to expectations.
Defensive end Marcus Spears said he was bothered by the defense's performance against Tampa Bay but not concerned. He said it's too early to raise any red flags. I'd agree.

Ken Hamlin should be having sleepless nights, he's probably having nightmares of Jerry Jones figuring out just what kind of fraud he signed to the big bucks.

Ken Hamlin is almost as putrid in pass coverage as he is in stopping the run.