DMN Blog | Biggest problem on special teams: Sloppy tackling

[Bluefin]

Biggest problem on special teams: Sloppy tackling


12:00 PM Sun, Aug 23, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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The common theme for the Cowboys' special teams coverage units, which gave up 12 yards per punt return and a 51-yard kickoff return against the Titans, was poor tackling.

This could cause folks to complain about a training camp that banned tackling, but in fairness, the Cowboys do have two preseason games remaining to fix the problem.

The 51-yard kickoff return was a complete embarrassment. Three Cowboys missed tackles on Javon Ringer before he reached the 20, ruining a good corner kick by David Buehler.

"We had a chance to get him on the 12-yard line," Wade Phillips said. "Actually, the kickoff was 4.37 on the hang time, which was better than one of Mat's punts. He really kicked it high. Any time you've got a chance to get the guy on the 12-yard line and miss tackles there, that's pretty significant."

Phillips did find a silver lining, noting that Buehler was in position to make the tackle if Gerald Sensabaugh didn't get Ringer first (and ride him out of bounds to tack on 15 more yards). Phillips figures that Buehler's speed and strength significantly reduce the odds that the Cowboys give up a touchdown on a kickoff return.

Now, if the Cowboys could just find a few more guys who can tackle as well as their kickoff specialist ...

 

[speedkilz88]

I think it was Buehler that was the first one down who missed the tackle.

 

[punit328]

same story different year

 

[Bob Sacamano]

what I like though about this year's version is that there is less hesitation, guys are flying to the ball now

although some still stop and wait till the returner makes a move

 

[Bluefin]

what I like though about this year's version is that there is less hesitation, guys are flying to the ball now

although some still stop and wait till the returner makes a move

Rookie Stephen Hodge looked like he was shot out of a cannon on his special teams tackle.

I want to see more of him, we need a tone setter to emerge on specials.

 

[pugilist]

couldn't agree more

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'll be more worried if we look that bad vs. Tampa Bay.

It's still preseason.

 

[JustDezIt]

I think it was Buehler that was the first one down who missed the tackle.

Went back and looked at it and it was Miles who was the first to get to him at the 12 but overran him.

 

[28 Joker]

#53
#54
#19

All three guys messed up.

#53 and # 54 really messed up.

Austin did take a bad angle.

 

[Chief]

Phillips figures that Buehler's speed and strength significantly reduce the odds that the Cowboys give up a touchdown on a kickoff return.

That's probably a sore spot with Wade.

 

[sacase]

Time to bring Kieth Davis back again?

 

[Jon88]

Time to bring Kieth Davis back again?

No, just time to start tackling people.

 

[Bluefin]

Time to bring Kieth Davis back again?

I read somewhere that he might get a call following week one, when veteran salaries are no longer fully guaranteed.

But it was just speculation.

 

[Jarv]

That's probably a sore spot with Wade.

I'm still not convinced that wasn't a forward pass. Things that wake Wade up screaming at night

 

[AdamJT13]

Sensabaugh got blocked in the back, or he likely would have made the tackle inside the 30.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Sensabaugh got blocked in the back, or he likely would have made the tackle inside the 30.

Yup, he was in position and got blocked from behind.

Barbie was in position too, but somehow he couldn’t shed an arm block.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Seriously, why is Bobby Carpenter on special teams? He sucks at special teams.

 

[Derinyar]

Seriously, why is Bobby Carpenter on the team? He sucks.

There fixed it for you.