Fixing the run defense is more that just upgrading Mazi Smith!

[blueblood70]

Kneeland & Payton Turner may need to be the early down starters.

Exactly that's why they're here matt will figure out how to get rotational groups that's where it starts in camp and preseason and they'll work it out then they'll have their nascar package, which looks like it could be crazy with Parsons , EZE, OSA , and Fowler up there on let's make something happen pass rush...

 

[CCBoy]

Kneeland & Payton Turner may need to be the early down starters.

I'm paying attention.

 

[CCBoy]

This is why I wanted to bring in more of a read/react 3-4 front. Eberflus wants his lineman to get up the field and play the run on their way to the QB. Teams will take advantage of this over aggressiveness. Let's see if Eberflus has a better plan then what we saw with Marinelli/Quinn in this type of scheme.

Heavy heat bends a lot of intended actions and so do trash cans full of dirt.

 

[CCBoy]

I agree, they aren't going to make mass personnel changes, rather adding some depth. We have to see how they perform in Eberflus scheme before making any major changes to fix this weakness. My biggest point I wanted to get across, the run defense struggles is just not about Mazi Smith, but there are several reasons why.

To this fan, I'm really rooting for Mazi Smith and hoping his strengths have been again nurtured for his play.

 

[Whirlwin]

Oh, they understand football now, alright.

I’m sure you can explain it more eloquently than I can. But according to the person’s response, seem to absorb it pretty well.

 

[CCBoy]

I’m sure you can explain it more eloquently than I can. But according to the person’s response, seem to absorb it pretty well.

My last picture was successful play, not a black hole instead.

 

[Whirlwin]

My last picture was successful play, not a black hole instead.

King Crimson, elephant talk

 

[Cowboyny]

People not in one offseason but that's why it this isn't a lame duck situation like Mike Zimmer or the one year in Mike Nolan is like our 4th staff so he'll get a chance to have this offseason to make the subtle changes he needs they brought in their guys solomon Thomas I guarantee those two linebackers that we brought in and Murray and Sanborn were to help his defense that might not seem like a lot but that's going to help the transition with the linebackers especially the green dot guy in Sanborn is going to help this defense transition guarantee something went on with that James pick I mean this dude's a very unknown for linebackers so I know it wasn't Jerry and I know for sure you don't trade up a couple of your other spots at your 5th and 6th round picks to get a guy I've never heard of unless he fits this defense this is a Eberflus move..

That's the number one thing in his defense starts with the linebackers and I believe he's done what he thinks he could do with limited resources to get that started this offseason and then I think those draft picks same thing I mean it wasn't just needing different defensive tackles but he's getting them to see if he can get them rolling in his defense. I feel the same thing too with Elam and Revel.... This might not be mass changes but there's quite a few changes there's more of them but those are the ones I can remember off hand but I realized you're talking more about the run defense but that's why we drafted Kneeland last year so maybe he can better figure out how to use him to me he's always been similar to tank as far as he's supposed to be better against the run...

So no ,no mass overhauls, that's hard to do on any team I think he's made them where he feels it counts in offseason number one....

Eberflus has a track record of strong LB play. We all hated the Hitchens pick, but he actually became a solid starter. We have to see what Eberflus can do before any significant changes are made. My biggest takeaway from the Bears defense last season was that were 2nd in red zone defense. I don't care about the yards, if the Cowboys can improve that one area, means winning more football games!

 

[CCBoy]

King Crimson, elephant talk

Oh, you prefer to collect gold like someone in charge...smart butt. I am a Veteran and long time fan. (from the start)

If you prefer smartbutt, find someone else. You imply you don't understand developing principals or the guts in play.

So what? I was describing elements to success. Whether you can see it or not.

I also played and never cowered because someone wants to act like a jerk. Want to talk football, step up!

Now step on up and let us know how Musa Smith does this season or stick to your crying.

 

[LonnieElam]

Nice write-up.

 

[atlantacowboy]

This is Dallas. We don't care about defense. We care about exciting plays like sacks and TDs.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I did a deep dive in our run defense after the Lions blowout loss last season. Not only did I look at the Cowboys but also around the league:

-I discovered that bigger personnel teams were more effective against the run. Also, the top run defenses employed a 3-4 front. Wanted a 3-4 defensive HC or DC and to re-shape the front with bigger players within the front 7. Cowboys management decided to not make the switch and would rather keep continuity playing a similar 4-3 scheme.

-When I researched the Cowboys specifically, they averaged 4.8 yards per rush (third worst), gave up 25 rushing TD's (worst) and were dead last in red zone defense. They actually were 9th in 3rd down defense, which tells us, they are getting killed on the run downs.

Outside runs gave this team fits: Early on both Parsons/DLaw struggled to set the edge, Golston was far better when he replaced DLaw as the starter. Parsons got better as the season progressed. Diggs who was the last line of the outside defense struggled filling his gap. Zimmer started to use more down lineman to force runs inside to was effective.

Especially early on, our defensive tackles were getting completely pushed down the field. Signing out of shape, late street fa's was apart of the problem. Phillips looked better with the Bills, Joseph played much better later in the season. Mazi had some real good stretches, but struggled with consistency. He played far better in year 2 under Zimmer. The interior was awful early on, but their play did improve.

Our linebackers really struggled to get off of blocks, Wilson was awful early on taking several bad angles and not maintaining his gap responsibilities. Maintaining gap responsibilities was a common theme, many were playing hero football and not maintaining their run fits, this opened up huge cut back lanes.

Lastly, Cowboys were a terrible tackling team early on in the season, but got much better under Zimmer as the season progressed, became the 2nd best after week 7.

Fixing the run defense, isn't just about upgrading Mazi Smith, he is the easy target but it is the whole front:

-Defensive Ends have to effectively set the edge and force all the runs inside where there are more players to make the tackle.
-Defensive Tackles have to hold their ground, cannot be 3 yards down the field, have to get some tackles for loss.
-Linebackers have to make quicker reads and do a better job getting off of blocks
-Cannot play hero ball and run out of their gap responsibilities
-Must continue to be a strong tackling team
-Consider using bigger fronts on the obvious run downs.

Fixing it starts with him they gave a first for him, they still feel like he owes us something before they go any further lol

 

[Coogiguy03]

This is Dallas. We don't care about defense. We care about exciting plays like sacks and TDs.

Right

 

[Coogiguy03]

Can't set the edge when you're running up the field thinking every play is a pass Micah

 

[morat1959]

I’d like to know the numbers when teams run at Parsons. I didn’t watch but parts of 4-5 games last season but he was awful at contain and setting the edge. He’s a one trick pony imo. Now he’s a stud at that trick.

 

[KJJ]

Fixing the defense starts up front and our DL has to get more physical. We get manhandled far too often. Our defense, especially our run D is a big concern and has been for a long time.

 

[CCBoy]

I’d like to know the numbers when teams run at Parsons. I didn’t watch but parts of 4-5 games last season but he was awful at contain and setting the edge. He’s a one trick pony imo. Now he’s a stud at that trick.

Look up statistics for play failures for Parsons.

 

[plymkr]

They just cannot be dead last. When Eberflus was here they gave up closer to league average

Good point, I keep forgetting Eberflus was here for a bit.

 

[fivetwos]

This is Dallas. We don't care about defense. We care about exciting plays like sacks and TDs.

Funny how those corners and rushers can’t do so much when down by two scores and the opponent doesn’t have to pass.

 

[fivetwos]

Can't set the edge when you're running up the field thinking every play is a pass Micah

Can’t beef up those sack numbers on a run play but he is damn sure gonna try.