Defending the DTs

[Chuck 54]

I keep seeing people saying these guys are bad, like they are supposed to eat blocks, shed them, and make the tackles. I’ve watched enough tape provided online by content creators talking about the run defense to see that the problem defending the run is not the DTs. They don’t win every snap, but they are not the big problem.

On long breakaway runs like we saw from Irving when it appeared we had him bottled up at the line, it’s everyone, bad tackling and maybe slowing down thinking he was trapped.

But most of the time, the run game problem is the LBs and the edges. Barham is the only LB making any plays, and honestly he is over his head at this point as a rookie with no other LB help. The edges seldom set the edge. Vonn Miller is the absolute worst as he runs up the field and out of position on almost every snap. Gary and Eze are best at setting the edge, but Eze cannot get off the blocks and may be the weakest tackler on the team. Way too often we have CBs trying to set a late edge, along with safeties who are shell shocked by the passing game.

I really don’t see how the run defense can improve with perhaps the worst LB corps in the NFL and the edges who can’t rush the QB, contain the QB in the pocket, nor set the edge, get off blocks and make tackles.

It will take someone more knowledgeable than I to determine if coaching or scheme plays a significant role. The one thing my eyes see is the edges as a group can’t play the run, and if the rookie LB gets confused, tired, or takes a wrong step, no one else is going to make a play on the RB.

The DC and front office grossly overestimated what they have at LB and at edge.

 

[RS12]

Quinnen has shown flashes but leads the team and all league interior linemen with 9 missed tackles, Ogbonnia had been decent but not the other night. Garcia the practice squad elevation I only noticed when he was getting blown out of position. Clarke clearly on the down side. This position not in great shape at the moment.

 

[xwalker]

I keep seeing people saying these guys are bad, like they are supposed to eat blocks, shed them, and make the tackles. I’ve watched enough tape provided online by content creators talking about the run defense to see that the problem defending the run is not the DTs. They don’t win every snap, but they are not the big problem.

On long breakaway runs like we saw from Irving when it appeared we had him bottled up at the line, it’s everyone, bad tackling and maybe slowing down thinking he was trapped.

But most of the time, the run game problem is the LBs and the edges. Barham is the only LB making any plays, and honestly he is over his head at this point as a rookie with no other LB help. The edges seldom set the edge. Vonn Miller is the absolute worst as he runs up the field and out of position on almost every snap. Gary and Eze are best at setting the edge, but Eze cannot get off the blocks and may be the weakest tackler on the team. Way too often we have CBs trying to set a late edge, along with safeties who are shell shocked by the passing game.

I really don’t see how the run defense can improve with perhaps the worst LB corps in the NFL and the edges who can’t rush the QB, contain the QB in the pocket, nor set the edge, get off blocks and make tackles.

It will take someone more knowledgeable than I to determine if coaching or scheme plays a significant role. The one thing my eyes see is the edges as a group can’t play the run, and if the rookie LB gets confused, tired, or takes a wrong step, no one else is going to make a play on the RB.

The DC and front office grossly overestimated what they have at LB and at edge.

They lost vs the Bucs because of turnovers and a large number of dropped passes.

Offense is same players and scheme as last season.
- They have to carry the defense that has a new scheme with many new and inexperienced players.

 

[gimmesix]

I keep seeing people saying these guys are bad, like they are supposed to eat blocks, shed them, and make the tackles. I’ve watched enough tape provided online by content creators talking about the run defense to see that the problem defending the run is not the DTs. They don’t win every snap, but they are not the big problem.

On long breakaway runs like we saw from Irving when it appeared we had him bottled up at the line, it’s everyone, bad tackling and maybe slowing down thinking he was trapped.

But most of the time, the run game problem is the LBs and the edges. Barham is the only LB making any plays, and honestly he is over his head at this point as a rookie with no other LB help. The edges seldom set the edge. Vonn Miller is the absolute worst as he runs up the field and out of position on almost every snap. Gary and Eze are best at setting the edge, but Eze cannot get off the blocks and may be the weakest tackler on the team. Way too often we have CBs trying to set a late edge, along with safeties who are shell shocked by the passing game.

I really don’t see how the run defense can improve with perhaps the worst LB corps in the NFL and the edges who can’t rush the QB, contain the QB in the pocket, nor set the edge, get off blocks and make tackles.

It will take someone more knowledgeable than I to determine if coaching or scheme plays a significant role. The one thing my eyes see is the edges as a group can’t play the run, and if the rookie LB gets confused, tired, or takes a wrong step, no one else is going to make a play on the RB.

The DC and front office grossly overestimated what they have at LB and at edge.

Dee Winters is what we should expect when we trade a late-round pick for a player. A lot of fans were acting like because he started in San Francisco, he was going to be fine here. But teams don't trade stars for fifth-round picks, they trade players they want to get some value out of. Hopefully when (if) Overshown returns, he'll absorb most of Winters' snaps. I said before the season that Winters is a nickel linebacker.

Miller is strictly a pass down player at this point in his career, but we keep putting him out there in early-down situations. Can't blame teams for running at him. He's small and old.

 

[Chuck 54]

Quinnen has shown flashes but leads the team and all league interior linemen with 9 missed tackles, Ogbonnia had been decent but not the other night. Garcia the practice squad elevation I only noticed when he was getting blown out of position. Clarke clearly on the down side. This position not in great shape at the moment.

For context, they call those pass rushes where he dives at the QB as missed tackles. Crazy.

 

[Chuck 54]

They lost vs the Bucs because of turnovers and a large number of dropped passes.

Offense is same players and scheme as last season.
- They have to carry the defense that has a new scheme with many new and inexperienced players.

I don’t care if the offense is perfect. They cannot carry any defense that plays as badly as this one, especially vs the run. It’s not possible, and no offense has ever carried a historically bad defense in the NFL. If the defense doesn’t improve a lot from what they are not, Dallas will not beat a good team, will not make the playoffs, and would certainly never beat a playoff team.

The offense and a defense that can’t rush stop the run but is suspect in the secondary? Maybe. But there’s no carrying a defense that is statistically worse in every category than last year.

 

[buddahjoe445]

I keep seeing people saying these guys are bad, like they are supposed to eat blocks, shed them, and make the tackles. I’ve watched enough tape provided online by content creators talking about the run defense to see that the problem defending the run is not the DTs. They don’t win every snap, but they are not the big problem.

On long breakaway runs like we saw from Irving when it appeared we had him bottled up at the line, it’s everyone, bad tackling and maybe slowing down thinking he was trapped.

But most of the time, the run game problem is the LBs and the edges. Barham is the only LB making any plays, and honestly he is over his head at this point as a rookie with no other LB help. The edges seldom set the edge. Vonn Miller is the absolute worst as he runs up the field and out of position on almost every snap. Gary and Eze are best at setting the edge, but Eze cannot get off the blocks and may be the weakest tackler on the team. Way too often we have CBs trying to set a late edge, along with safeties who are shell shocked by the passing game.

I really don’t see how the run defense can improve with perhaps the worst LB corps in the NFL and the edges who can’t rush the QB, contain the QB in the pocket, nor set the edge, get off blocks and make tackles.

It will take someone more knowledgeable than I to determine if coaching or scheme plays a significant role. The one thing my eyes see is the edges as a group can’t play the run, and if the rookie LB gets confused, tired, or takes a wrong step, no one else is going to make a play on the RB.

The DC and front office grossly overestimated what they have at LB and at edge.

having only two LBs on the field on most downs is the problem. also, DEs have to either rush the QB or play the run, can't do both at the same time on a consistent basis, especially when the DEs are EZ and Gary. its CPs system thats the main problem. wrong type of players for the wrong type of defense.

 

[xwalker]

I don’t care if the offense is perfect. They cannot carry any defense that plays as badly as this one, especially vs the run. It’s not possible, and no offense has ever carried a historically bad defense in the NFL. If the defense doesn’t improve a lot from what they are not, Dallas will not beat a good team, will not make the playoffs, and would certainly never beat a playoff team.

The offense and a defense that can’t rush stop the run but is suspect in the secondary? Maybe. But there’s no carrying a defense that is statistically worse in every category than last year.

1 play better vs Ravens would have won that game. Both the offense and defense had chances to make that 1 play.

Technically a 1 score loss to the Bucs.
- One less turnover probably wins that game.

Rookies should improve.

Players should get more comfortable with the scheme.

Really need Porter to play.

Really need a Safety to return that does not have a broken arm.
- Hooker can only tackle using his body.

More offensive time of possession would help. Offensive run game needs to be more consistent.

 

[js66]

I've said it here many times and got a lot of flack for it.... I wouldn't sink huge money into DT's unless we're talking about perennial All Pros. Elite, generational guys. Get a couple top end space eating run stoppers. The guys that have 3 sacks a year, maybe provide the occasional pocket pressure and put your money on pass rush on the edges.

And don't tell me we tried that with Micah. We gave him numerous undersized 3 tech guys and that reach Mazi Smith.

Go get a Ted Washington or someone like a Vince Wilfork. A Casey Hampton....

I didn't think for a second this would work. Kenny Clark is old and paid a ton and Williams isn't what many people here thought he was.... He's been a shell of the one good year he had with the Jets years ago. Then they go and get Gary who's a mediocre pass rusher on a good day and pay him a ton.

Now we can't stop the run and have ZERO pass rush.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

I keep seeing people saying these guys are bad, like they are supposed to eat blocks, shed them, and make the tackles.

That's literally the job description of a football defense defensive tackle.

In other news, I keep hearing our coaches are bad, like they are supposed to coach or something.

 

[big dog cowboy]

On top of everything else, the #Cowboys have a tackling problem — 49 missed tackles, most in the league, per Sumer Sports.

I have identified the problem. Ok, it wasn't hard to figure out.

Just more embarrassing and pathetic news about our team.

It is further evidence how far we are from returning to the championship game.