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Cowboys should pinch their DEs
by: Matt Williamson
posted: Friday, January 11, 2008 | Print Entry
filed under: Dallas Cowboys
As it did in San Diego when he was the defensive coordinator, Dallas head coach Wade Phillips' attacking 3-4 defense has had exceptional results this season. IN Sunday's game against the Giants, expect Phillips to have his big, athletic defensive ends pinch inside on many occasions. This will serve several purposes and should be very effective.
Spears
Canty
First of all, the Giants should be without starting C Shaun O'Hara, which makes them vulnerable up the middle. If the Cowboys pinch DEs Chris Canty and Marcus Spears inside, it should eliminate New York's interior run threat and force the massive Brandon Jacobs to turn his shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage and bounce his runs laterally, which is not his strength. Jacobs is a downhill runner and forcing him laterally is the recipe for success because the Cowboys definitely don't want to allow Jacobs to get his shoulders squared with a head of steam.
This strategy should also allow OLBs DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis to stuff the outside runs, while allowing the Cowboys inside linebackers to stay clean on lead plays and other interior runs. Plus, run-plugging SS Roy Williams will often line up in the box on the exterior to clean-up runs wide to the strong side.
Also, if Phillips decides to rush Canty, Spears and even NT Jeremiah Ratliff, it will put a tremendous amount of pressure on Giants QB Eli Manning. He is not a mobile quarterback, is easy to locate and generally is in the same spot on every throw. Manning's pocket awareness and ability to elude the rush is also suspect. If Dallas' front three rush through three of the four interior gaps, Manning will have little room to step up or move front-to-back in the pocket and will have three large defenders to throw over.
Most importantly, if the Cowboys pinch their DEs it could flush Manning to the outside, where Ware, Ellis or Anthony Spencer will be waiting. Giants offensive tackles David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie are responsible for protecting Manning. However, they are better blocking for run plays than pass plays and do not have the lateral agility or quickness to deal with the Cowboys fantastic outside linebackers. As a result, the Giants will have to employ a RB or TE to double Ware and Ellis in order to protect Manning.
Keep an eye out for what the Cowboys' defensive ends are doing at the snap because they could determine the outcome of this game.
by: Matt Williamson
posted: Friday, January 11, 2008 | Print Entry
filed under: Dallas Cowboys
As it did in San Diego when he was the defensive coordinator, Dallas head coach Wade Phillips' attacking 3-4 defense has had exceptional results this season. IN Sunday's game against the Giants, expect Phillips to have his big, athletic defensive ends pinch inside on many occasions. This will serve several purposes and should be very effective.
Spears
Canty
First of all, the Giants should be without starting C Shaun O'Hara, which makes them vulnerable up the middle. If the Cowboys pinch DEs Chris Canty and Marcus Spears inside, it should eliminate New York's interior run threat and force the massive Brandon Jacobs to turn his shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage and bounce his runs laterally, which is not his strength. Jacobs is a downhill runner and forcing him laterally is the recipe for success because the Cowboys definitely don't want to allow Jacobs to get his shoulders squared with a head of steam.
This strategy should also allow OLBs DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis to stuff the outside runs, while allowing the Cowboys inside linebackers to stay clean on lead plays and other interior runs. Plus, run-plugging SS Roy Williams will often line up in the box on the exterior to clean-up runs wide to the strong side.
Also, if Phillips decides to rush Canty, Spears and even NT Jeremiah Ratliff, it will put a tremendous amount of pressure on Giants QB Eli Manning. He is not a mobile quarterback, is easy to locate and generally is in the same spot on every throw. Manning's pocket awareness and ability to elude the rush is also suspect. If Dallas' front three rush through three of the four interior gaps, Manning will have little room to step up or move front-to-back in the pocket and will have three large defenders to throw over.
Most importantly, if the Cowboys pinch their DEs it could flush Manning to the outside, where Ware, Ellis or Anthony Spencer will be waiting. Giants offensive tackles David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie are responsible for protecting Manning. However, they are better blocking for run plays than pass plays and do not have the lateral agility or quickness to deal with the Cowboys fantastic outside linebackers. As a result, the Giants will have to employ a RB or TE to double Ware and Ellis in order to protect Manning.
Keep an eye out for what the Cowboys' defensive ends are doing at the snap because they could determine the outcome of this game.
