GRIZZ: Zimmer discusses the December collapse

[DBoys]

Usually, I'm reluctant to post Randy Galloway articles because I think his constant negativity, his sensationalism for entertainment purpose only, and his sloppy writing are things I could do without. But he definitely has the most interesting article out there today, so go check it out. There are a lot of quotes from Mike Zimmer about what went wrong in December.

"At times, I asked myself what the hell am I doing?" Zimmer said. "But other times it was good. This was something Bill wanted, and really, a defense is a defense, no matter the alignment.

"I will say the 3-4 didn't have anything to do with how badly we played in those final four weeks. Then, in Seattle, we kind of got it going again, and I saw some reason for hope."

But in that playoff ouster, [Roy] Williams was beaten twice in coverage for touchdowns, and on one of those, [Bradie] James was also burned.

"Well, we couldn't cover anybody for four weeks," Zimmer added. "Teams were spreading it out on us, and we were attempting to stay in base coverage."

Why? After a long pause, Zimmer said, "I don't have an answer for that."

There it is, they had no answer for the adjustments that teams made against us. That was the most frustrating thing about the end of the season. The Cowboys just didn't seem interested in making any adjustments to counteract the beating they were taking.

We've heard plenty of conversation about how the Saints, specifically Sean Payton, knew how to beat us and exposed that to the rest of the league. For me, this is a little too simplistic. Teams play against their former coaches and players all the time, so it's not like playing Payton was a novel occurrence that was somehow special. Even if Payton did expose our defense - and offense to some extent - this happens all the time in the NFL. It's how you bounce back, it's how you recover and make adjustments so that it doesn't happen again that really matters. But the Cowboys never did that, and that's my greatest disappointment with Parcells and Zimmer down the stretch. They refused to make the required changes to get the team going again.

But the defensive bleeding became a gusher after the Saints. "That was the starting point, and our confidence went to hell," Zimmer said. "For some reason, I never could get back that confidence. I never saw a group go from one extreme to the other like that."

Asked what he would have changed, scheme-wise, for next season -- Big Bill permitting, of course -- Zimmer said, "create more problems for the offense and get more DBs in there for coverage."

A week ago Tim Cowlishaw declared Bill Parcells done in Dallas, now he's not so sure.

If you were harboring hope that Dom Capers might be our next defensive coordinator, you can stop, that idea is over.

The Miami Dolphins have reached an agreement with defensive coordinator Dom Capers on a deal that will make him the highest-paid assistant coach in the NFL.

Capers' new deal is for three years and an estimated $8.1 million, team sources confirmed. His salary in 2007 will be $2.6 million, equal to that of Washington Commanders assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams, but Capers will get raises of at least $100,000 per year in 2008 and 2009.

Capers' current deal was set to expire on Sunday; he would have been able to talk with other teams, but he would not have been able to sign with another team until Feb. 1.

 

[theogt]

"Well, we couldn't cover anybody for four weeks," Zimmer added. "Teams were spreading it out on us, and we were attempting to stay in base coverage."

Why? After a long pause, Zimmer said, "I don't have an answer for that."

*buries face in hands*

Asked what he would have changed, scheme-wise, for next season -- Big Bill permitting, of course -- Zimmer said, "create more problems for the offense and get more DBs in there for coverage."

Yes, more nickel packages. That's the ticket. Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya, Mike.

 

[iceberg]

*buries face in hands*

i have no answer for that...

 

[SDogo]

Disgusting.

What a clueless group.

 

[cowboyz]

"Roy has gone from being acceptable in coverage, to a joke," said one voice. "It's like he thinks he's an entertainer now, looking to make SportsCenter with his hits, while blowing off what he needs to be concentrating on."

Marcus Spears, a former No. 1 draft pick for the defensive line, failing to display "any fire in his butt," according to one observer. "I don't want to call him a bust just yet, but Spears is now at a crossroads in his career."

The failure to develop defensive lineman Chris Canty. "We limit him too much," said a voice. "Turn this kid loose. He's a player."

so who is this mysterious voice? i bet it's matt mosley

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yes, more nickel packages. That's the ticket. Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya, Mike.

Just curious, what is so objectionable about what Zimmer said? More confusion for offenses and more nickel packages when teams are picking on your LBs in coverage? That's outrageous?

 

[cowboyz]

Just curious, what is so objectionable about what Zimmer said? More confusion for offenses and more nickel packages when teams are picking on your LBs in coverage? That's outrageous?

didn't dallas do that last year with a lot of success going to the 4-2-5 a good bit of the time

 

[theogt]

Just curious, what is so objectionable about what Zimmer said? More confusion for offenses and more nickel packages when teams are picking on your LBs in coverage? That's outrageous?

The answer isn't playing more DBs. The answer is getting more pressure. It just seems that Zimmer doesn't understand the value of pressure. Without it, anyone can pick you apart do matter how many DBs you have in coverage.

 

[theogt]

didn't dallas do that last year with a lot of success going to the 4-2-5 a good bit of the time

That's a nickel package. We use it on 3rd downs (passing situations). No, we didn't do well in it. Towards the end it's when we gave up the biggest plays -- holding them to short gains on first and second downs only to give up a big play on 3rd down keeping the defense on the field.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Why? After a long pause, Zimmer said, "I don't have an answer for that."

And to think some wanted Zimmer to be our next head coach. Seriously, what were you people thinking?

Thank the good Lord he is finally gone. Now if JJ would only hold the door open for some more......

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The answer isn't playing more DBs. The answer is getting more pressure. It just seems that Zimmer doesn't understand the value of pressure. Without it, anyone can pick you apart do matter how many DBs you have in coverage.

You don't think Zimmer wanted more pressure? Every defensive coach in the world wants that.

So how do you propose we should have got more when we have exactly one passrusher on the team and Parcells hates to blitz?

 

[big dog cowboy]

A week ago Tim Cowlishaw declared Bill Parcells done in Dallas, now he's not so sure.

Anyone with access please post that article. Thanks!

 

[theogt]

You don't think Zimmer wanted more pressure? Every defensive coach in the world wants that.

So how do you propose we should have got more when we have exactly one passrusher on the team and Parcells hates to blitz?

I don't think Zimmer understands how to get pressure from the 3-4. I know he's limited somewhat by the parameters Bill sets and the Ellis injury, but Zimmer himself says he didn't know what to do. Well, let me tell ya, more DBs isn't the answer.

 

[The Fonz]

Mybe we need a fresh start with new head coach.This team still need to get rid of coaches and players who dont do their jobs.This one year deal for a coach is a waste of time.

 

[theogt]

Anyone with access please post that article. Thanks!

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1312600#post1312600

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't think Zimmer understands how to get pressure from the 3-4. I know he's limited somewhat by the parameters Bill sets and the Ellis injury, but Zimmer himself says he didn't know what to do. Well, let me tell ya, more DBs isn't the answer.

In other words, you can't explain how he should have done it, he just should have done it. Even with no passrushers other than Ware.

Okay.

 

[theogt]

In other words, you can't explain how he should have done it, he just should have done it. Even with no passrushers other than Ware.

Okay.

Well obviously I don't everything Zimmer was doing. I don't know all of the players' assignments and how much he was "allowed" to blitz or stunt or mix up the defense.

What I do know is that he couldn't design a blitz or stunt to save his life. Oh, and there's the simple fact that he admitted to what I'm accusing him of.

 

[SultanOfSix]

"Well, we couldn't cover anybody for four weeks," Zimmer added. "Teams were spreading it out on us, and we were attempting to stay in base coverage."

Why? After a long pause, Zimmer said, "I don't have an answer for that."

Living in the DC area, this sounds like when I used to watch a Steve Spurrier press conference.

"Well gosh, I'm not sure."

"Uh, we'll have to look at the tape on that one."

 

[DallasCowpoke]

You don't think Zimmer wanted more pressure? Every defensive coach in the world wants that.

So how do you propose we should have got more when we have exactly one passrusher on the team and Parcells hates to blitz?

Stop confusing theo with logic CL, he'd rather point and crucify than examine and deduce. It's the classic ploy of the masses, when things go badly, assume the coaching staff is coaching them to be so.

 

[theogt]

Stop confusing theo with logic CL, he'd rather point and crucify than examine and deduce. It's the classic ploy of the masses, when things go badly, assume the coaching staff is coaching them to be so.

Right, because I've never placed blame on players.

I guess you ignore those posts. Posting about something you're ignorant about...it's a classic ploy of the masses.