Effect of holding on Cowboys DLinemen in Kiffin's defense

[xwalker]

I was thinking about how often and blatant opposing OLinemen hold the Cowboys DLinemen.

It's debatable on whether there is a bias with the Refs or if this is common across the league with all teams. Either way, the Cowboys DLinemen get held frequently.

It occurred to me that this could be a bigger problem for a Kiffin style defense than for some other defenses. His defense is based on having quick, penetrating DLinemen; however, due to the extreme amount of holding by the opponents OLinemen, penetration by the Cowboys DLinemen is almost impossible in some games.

It seems that a partial remedy to this situation would be to consider getting some DTs that can win with a Bullrush because holding is not as effective against the Bullrush as it is against the quick penetration moves. I don't know how they can find one, but a Dontari Poe type DT would be a great addition to this defense. Maybe they should consider a guy like Linval Joseph in free agency and/or look for some size when drafting DLinemen.

 

[Wheeltax]

Maybe it's time to just start flopping when the jersey is being held onto to see if that'll get the ref's attention.

Of course, that creates bigger problems if the refs keep ignoring it.

 

[Idgit]

Ware, in particular, gets held a ridiculous amount. Especially in past seasons where he's been a league sack leader or in the sack-lead hunt. Right or not, you expect to see players like that get the benefit of accurate calls when it comes to things like simple holds.

I'm not sure I like the solution of changing the body style we're looking for in order to offset the effects of non-calls. I think it's probably just better to get the best one-gap players we can get and generate as many non-calls as we can, trying to turn them into actual calls by asking pointed questions about how the calls will be enforced before the games, lobbying aggressively (but respectfully), and calling as much attention to it as possible when it happens.

On a side note, man, I would have like to have seen Spencer and Crawford play some this year in this defense to get a sense what it would look like with NFL starters along the DL. The difference in what it should mean to this defense would have been huge.

 

[Kaiser]

On a side note, man, I would have like to have seen Spencer and Crawford play some this year

I would add Ben Bass to that list, he really showed something in preseason.

 

[cowboys1981]

I'd rather have lineman that have strength as a key attribute vs speed. We can wear down opposing lines this way.

IMO Ware gets held often. I see that more than anyone else on the Dline being held.

 

[unionjack8]

can anyone say Rashede Hageman?

 

[Future]

I would add Ben Bass to that list, he really showed something in preseason.

I woudln't mind having Josh Brent either, especially considering how poor our run defense is.

 

[OhSnap]

I was thinking about how often and blatant opposing OLinemen hold the Cowboys DLinemen.

It's debatable on whether there is a bias with the Refs or if this is common across the league with all teams. Either way, the Cowboys DLinemen get held frequently.

It occurred to me that this could be a bigger problem for a Kiffin style defense than for some other defenses. His defense is based on having quick, penetrating DLinemen; however, due to the extreme amount of holding by the opponents OLinemen, penetration by the Cowboys DLinemen is almost impossible in some games.

It seems that a partial remedy to this situation would be to consider getting some DTs that can win with a Bullrush because holding is not as effective against the Bullrush as it is against the quick penetration moves. I don't know how they can find one, but a Dontari Poe type DT would be a great addition to this defense. Maybe they should consider a guy like Linval Joseph in free agency and/or look for some size when drafting DLinemen.

I don't really think theres a bias against the Cowboys all the time but the league as a has some bad calls going on every weekend. I wonder sometimes if theres point shaving going on with some of these refs at times or if theres an effort to keep TV games close. A holding call at the right time can turn a TD drive into a field goal and all the sudden the Cowboys aren't covering the 9.5 point spread and the loosing teams fans are staying tuned in till the end.

As for getting that pressure up the middle we gotta replace Ratliff and Brent. Hopefully through the draft or FA or something similar to George Selvie.

 

[cowboyschmps3]

can anyone say Rashede Hageman?

6'6" 311 pounds, didn't know who he was but now I do and damn would he be a good pick for us or anybody that gets him.

 

[cowboyschmps3]

I'd rather have lineman that have strength as a key attribute vs speed. We can wear down opposing lines this way.

IMO Ware gets held often. I see that more than anyone else on the Dline being held.

Yeah he gets held every play

 

[Sarge]

can anyone say Rashede Hageman?

Rashede Hageman.

 

[CyberB0b]

Ware nearly gets tackled every play.

 

[ringmaster]

I was thinking about how often and blatant opposing OLinemen hold the Cowboys DLinemen.

It's debatable on whether there is a bias with the Refs or if this is common across the league with all teams. Either way, the Cowboys DLinemen get held frequently.

It occurred to me that this could be a bigger problem for a Kiffin style defense than for some other defenses. His defense is based on having quick, penetrating DLinemen; however, due to the extreme amount of holding by the opponents OLinemen, penetration by the Cowboys DLinemen is almost impossible in some games.

It seems that a partial remedy to this situation would be to consider getting some DTs that can win with a Bullrush because holding is not as effective against the Bullrush as it is against the quick penetration moves. I don't know how they can find one, but a Dontari Poe type DT would be a great addition to this defense. Maybe they should consider a guy like Linval Joseph in free agency and/or look for some size when drafting DLinemen.

I agree they need that type of force at DT at the college level that are three players I would consider they would be: Louis Nix III, Stephon Tuitt, and Will Sutton.

 

[Nation]

It's a league thing not a Cowboys thing. The NFL has built its rulebook in favor of offense, at least as far as how regular season games are called.

 

[blindzebra]

What I loved is in the Giants game when the LT nearly gets him in a choke hold and the Umpire looks right at it and does nothing and the Referee throws the flag and he should not even be looking at that side of the line but it was waaaay too blatant to pass.

 

[Kaiser]

I woudln't mind having Josh Brent either, especially considering how poor our run defense is.

Its pretty amazing to think that 12 months ago our projected DT rotation for this point would be Jason Hatcher along with Jay Ratliff, Josh Brent, and Ben Bass. And what we have is pretty much Jason Hatcher along with the Selena Gomez backup singers.

I like Nick Hayden and think he is a keeper, but its really something that the 12 month swing was that dramatic.

 

[Redball Express]

I was thinking about how often and blatant opposing OLinemen hold the Cowboys DLinemen.

It's debatable on whether there is a bias with the Refs or if this is common across the league with all teams. Either way, the Cowboys DLinemen get held frequently.

It occurred to me that this could be a bigger problem for a Kiffin style defense than for some other defenses. His defense is based on having quick, penetrating DLinemen; however, due to the extreme amount of holding by the opponents OLinemen, penetration by the Cowboys DLinemen is almost impossible in some games.

It seems that a partial remedy to this situation would be to consider getting some DTs that can win with a Bullrush because holding is not as effective against the Bullrush as it is against the quick penetration moves. I don't know how they can find one, but a Dontari Poe type DT would be a great addition to this defense. Maybe they should consider a guy like Linval Joseph in free agency and/or look for some size when drafting DLinemen.

I don't see it.

We need better players on the DL..

..not rules changes and more officiating.

I think Kiffin will be back next year and with several top draft picks and FA signings to help him.

Never in a million years do I see Marrinelli and Kiffin coming here to fail.

They need a defensive draft like our last one that helped rebuild the offense with Williams, Frederick and Escobar.

 

[cowboys1981]

Adding the following would upgrade and provide our Dline with experience and youth.

DE Kony Ealy (draft)
DT Ra'Shede Hageman (draft)
DE Jared Allen (FA- is over 30 and won't be command a lot of $. He'd fit in and compliment Ware).

 

[percyhoward]

points for originality of the OP

 

[mahoneybill]

Ware, in particular, gets held a ridiculous amount. Especially in past seasons where he's been a league sack leader or in the sack-lead hunt. Right or not, you expect to see players like that get the benefit of accurate calls when it comes to things like simple holds.

I'm not sure I like the solution of changing the body style we're looking for in order to offset the effects of non-calls. I think it's probably just better to get the best one-gap players we can get and generate as many non-calls as we can, trying to turn them into actual calls by asking pointed questions about how the calls will be enforced before the games, lobbying aggressively (but respectfWully), and calling as much attention to it as possible when it happens.
On a side note, man, I would have like to have seen Spencer and Crawford play some this year in this defense to get a sense what it would look like with NFL starters along the DL. The difference in what it should mean to this defense would have been huge.

Ware needs his own version of the horse collar rule.... it would be called the neck choke hold....