Defensive Question: Can they stop the run with the "light box"?

[gimmesix]

CP is going to be all about disguising his intentions. By doing so, he is going to try to keep the same personnel grouping on the field, but shift them all over the field post snap.

I guess we'll see on that. If he has the three bigs in there, I don't know if he's disguising that much. The main disguise looks to be whether we bring a linebacker up the middle (like we did with Barham a couple of times) and drop an OLB into coverage or the many things we can do with the slot safety. Downs can play coverage or he can come up against the run or he can blitz. I'd say those are our chess pieces.

 

[Cowboyny]

I guess we'll see on that. If he has the three bigs in there, I don't know if he's disguising that much. The main disguise looks to be whether we bring a linebacker up the middle (like we did with Barham a couple of times) and drop an OLB into coverage or the many things we can do with the slot safety. Downs can play coverage or he can come up against the run or he can blitz. I'd say those are our chess pieces.

We are going to see a lot of shifting post snap. They are going to hide their coverages in hopes of confusing the qb

 

[Cowboyny]

This is gonna be a fun season to watch. I could see us anywhere from 11-6 high end to 7-10 low end. All eyes on the defense. That is the key……

I’m actually more worried about the offense which is crazy since the d was so bad last ye

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

When Williams got here last year, the run defense improved. Along with Clark, when he was healthy. He played through some nagging minor injuries.

Now they have Ogbonnia and Bullard as FA's, and Overton in the draft.
Gary can slide up and past on the DL and help in the run, or rush the QB.

Should be very much improved. And could be a straight of the defense.

The new personnel against the run should be very strong.

I do worry a bit about where the rush is going to come from against the pass though. It’s going to take a bunch of guys getting 4-8 sacks to get the job done.

 

[Whyjerry]

The LB group looks solid. Clark and Williams in the middle. A young blood S on the back end. Why won’t they stop the run?

 

[Whyjerry]

I’m actually more worried about the offense which is crazy since the d was so bad last ye

The tackles stink. You are wise to worry about the offense.

 

[baltcowboy]

I’m actually more worried about the offense which is crazy since the d was so bad last ye

I hear you. The offensive tackles are scary. Guyton has issues playing hurt and Steele looks washed. I have got to see the defense play before I give them flowers.

 

[RonWashington]

Also on the Edge at corner support Durant Bland and Revel are willing participants to run support . And although I’ve been critical of Carson’s coverage skills he seems more then willing to hold up as tackler not looking for the exits . At Philly CP’s last home , corners were expected to show up.

 

[Verdict]

I think the interior DL play will make or break this defense. If they control the line of scrimmage and swallow up the inside runs it’s really going to limit offenses.

Barham may be the next biggest x-factor on defense. If he can be “Purple Drank II” we are on to something special.

 

[exciter]

Ever since Christian Parker was hired as the team's new DC, acquiring that "big nickel" was their #1 priority. CP mentioned the importance of this position in his opening press conference. This position wasn't going to be like a traditional nickel corner, but more like a safety who can play the run at a high level, but also hold up in underneath coverage. So happens that Cowboys were fortunate to land Caleb Downs-the ideal fit for what CP wants at this important position.

It's not coincidence that they rebuilt their DL with massive size/strength. They also acquired Gary who is considered one of the best run defending DE's who will now play OLB close to 280.

Add in they hired the former Arizona Defensive Back coach who comes from a system that employed a ton of 3 safety formations. They went long at the safety position have 5 on their active roster, but just 4 linebackers. This suggests we are going to see a ton of defensive backs on the field at the same time.

Biggest defensive question to me is, can they hold up playing the so called "light box" to stop the run? In my opinion, success or failure in this area will determine this year's fate on defense.

What's unusual about 4 ILB in a 34 base, it's what Parcels carried?
When they're in that 34 base 20% one of the OLB will basically be functioning as a SAM and they'll be more susceptible to the pass.
When they're in nickel they'll be in zone and at least one of the Safeties will be functioning as a hybrid!

 

[Cowboyny]

What's unusual about 4 ILB in a 34 base, it's what Parcels carried?
When they're in that 34 base 20% one of the OLB will basically be functioning as a SAM and they'll be more susceptible to the pass.
When they're in nickel they'll be in zone and at least one of the Safeties will be functioning as a hybrid!

I think they want to play in their nickel as their base defense, even on run downs. We might see just 1 inside backer on the field, with Downs playing in the box with two deep safeties.

 

[Cowboyny]

I hear you. The offensive tackles are scary. Guyton has issues playing hurt and Steele looks washed. I have got to see the defense play before I give them flowers.

Fair enough. I think if they win the early downs, there is a chance for success.

 

[baltcowboy]

Fair enough. I think if they win the early downs, there is a chance for success.

Are you going to give a scouting report on the Giants. I know you used to live in the area. I will say after watching Harbaugh in Baltimore for over 15 years the Giants upgraded their head coach. The good news is Harbaugh is a rigid no nonsense coach. I don’t think that works in today’s football. The Giants do have talent on their roster so they won’t be push over like they have been over the years.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I’m actually more worried about the offense which is crazy

Beyond.

 

[exciter]

I think they want to play in their nickel as their base defense, even on run downs. We might see just 1 inside backer on the field, with Downs playing in the box with two deep safeties.

And yet they didn't play Ogbonia a single snap during the preseason games which would indicate he's considered a starter and that they would be playing a 34 as their base similar to what Philly and Denver did last season!