Reading this Spagnola article it sounds like it was Brookings responsibility to pick up Jacobs on that play. Spencer's responsibilities was run first and slowing up Boss second before passing him off to Bradie James.
None was bigger than the 74-yarder to Jacobs. The Cowboys had clawed their way back into a 17-14 lead with 3:52 left in the third quarter. The Giants were at their own 26.
"Big plays hurt us," Phillips said.
This one left them gasping, but they've been playing with fire with this defensive alignment for some time. The Giants lined up two wide receivers to the right, tight end Kevin Boss on the line of scrimmage to the left and second tight end Darcy Johnson wide to the left. One running back, Jacobs.
So here is what happens: The Cowboys allow a tight end who has only caught five passes all season to draw strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh out of deep coverage, moving outside to take on Johnson. That left both corners to the other side of the field with free safety Alan Ball shaded over there in a single-safety high alignment.
Cowboys outside linebacker to the Giants' left, Anthony Spencer, was responsible for run first then Boss in front of him next. He took one step in chucked Boss at the line of scrimmage. Dropping a few yards before releasing him to Bradie James and realizing what was going down, trying like the devil to get outside to chase down the uncovered Jacobs. Reminded of how New Orleans took advantage of the Cowboys 3-4 defense in 2006 with those little dumps outside to the fullback Mike Karney.
"They called a good play and capitalized on our mistake - that's how they won the game, big plays," said Spencer, who finally caught up to Jacobs as he was leaping for the pylon.
Turned out to be a good play because the Cowboys were supposed to be in zone, but Sensabaugh got too aggressive on his side of the field and too close to Johnson. Had he been playing backed off, he would have been able to see the swing pass coming his way and aggressively move up for the tackle. But because he was bumping Johnson at the line of scrimmage, Johnson was able to tie him up easily as Jacobs motored by.
Also, Brooking needed to slide across the formation to run with Jacobs on the play, but he was late and had too much ground to cover to cut him off. And when he didn't, there was nobody left on that side of the field until Sensabaugh, who finally broke away from Johnson's jersey hold under his armpit, bumped this 264-pound boulder rolling downhill known as Jacobs, but not out, allowing him to go the remaining yards for the go-ahead touchdown in one fell swoop.
Coverage mistake or Giants defensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride just getting the Cowboys on the call? Probably depends on who you ask.
http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170776
