How to improve the pass rush

[NorthwestDallas40]

if you've noticed, our DEs play head up on the OT, even on passing downs. This alignment helps with our run defense, as the DE is essentially playing 2 gap. However, on passing downs, it is a liability for the pass rush for a DE because it is hard for the DE to get to the OTs outside shoulder without the OT getting his hands on him. To improve the rush, we need to implement more "wide 9" principles. This allows the DE to approach the OT from more of a 45 degree angle. And forces the OT to kick out wider. This gets the OT on a bigger island by himself and could free our DEs to rush around the edge or counter inside without running into the "trash" of the G. While there is downside of creating some rushing lanes, it's worth a shot. Just a thought.

 

[jblaze2004]

Yup the wide 9 on passing downs should be used atleast 75% the time.
We need to do something. Teams know we will rush 4 almost every down. They keep 6 in. Hard to win with those numbers.

 

[AbeBeta]

I love how people think they know better than Marinelli.

 

[pugilist]

It won't matter. The talent at DE is so severely lacking and Rod knows it. But they're still winning so he won't change anything until it actually and directly causes an L to go into the W/L column

 

[_sturt_]

I thought when I clicked on this thread, I'd find the words, "get Tapper off the injured list."

 

[reddyuta]

We can't cover even with 8 guys back there, might as well rush more than 4.

 

[Daillest88]

Crawford has to be let go after this season, that money better spent elsewhere

 

[nalam]

This is what disturbing in the washington game , Reed and Jackson had some pretty open receptions and some real good effort ones , but when we are rushing 3 and 4 , still cant cover with 8 or 7 guys is a matter of concern. Need Church and Mo back soon and also inject some fresh blood at LB? (Neocha )

Church helps since he is almost a LB as far as run game is concerned and as DB can cover somewhat. Hitchens couldnt cover reed on few occassions i saw.

 

[Cowboys22]

I'm holding out hope that some bottom dweller will cut a veteran DE at some point in a salary cap move and he can come in and give us 4-5 sacks down the stretch and in the playoffs.

 

[haleyrules]

It won't matter. The talent at DE is so severely lacking and Rod knows it. But they're still winning so he won't change anything until it actually and directly causes an L to go into the W/L column

Yep. The FO needs to focus on the passrush in the off season and over all defensive toughness. The club needs some bloodthirsty defensive playrs. Garrett is no good for that. He club must listen to the defensive people and draft accordingly. Defense wins.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm holding out hope that some bottom dweller will cut a veteran DE at some point in a salary cap move and he can come in and give us 4-5 sacks down the stretch and in the playoffs.

Teams are already under the salary cap.

No reason for any team to cut a player at this juncture unless they're a truly awful player.

Veterans are guaranteed their salaries for the full season so no gain in cutting them.

 

[CATCH17]

We just don't need to give up big plays.

We've done a great job all year not giving up homerun plays and Anthony Brown did that this past weekend.

Our best bet is to keep doing what we're doing. Make the offense play in front of the defense and earn their points off of putting long drives together.


Dallas does a good job at keeping our opponents total points LOW. That's all that matters when you have an offense like ours.

 

[BAT]

If you go back to first few games, Marinelli had Mayowa rush as 9 tech but he was getting destroyed in run game AND not getting to QB. Cowboys don't have the personnel to pressure the edges so they are maximizing their ability to stop at least one facet of opposing offenses, the running game.

Wide 9 is great if you have the horses to get there quick. Cowboys need new horses on the outside.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

I love how people think they know better than Marinelli.

Not saying I know better than him, but I did play college football and do have a trained eye. It's obvious to all of us that our front 4 is not generating pressure straight up, and these DE-DT stunts are not working either. Look at what DC Jim Schwartz (my college teammate) has done as PHI defensive coordinator with his wide 9 principles. They are generating a pass rush with no better talent at DE than we have IMO.

 

[CATCH17]

Not saying I know better than him, but I did play college football and do have a trained eye. It's obvious to all of us that our front 4 is not generating pressure straight up, and these DE-DT stunts are not working either. Look at what DC Jim Schwartz (my college teammate) has done as PHI defensive coordinator with his wide 9 principles. They are generating a pass rush with no better talent at DE than we have IMO.

I agree that we just don't have the guys that can get around the edge but look at how quick opposing QBs get rid of the ball against us.


It's not like the QB is just sitting back surveying the field. It's alot of 3 step drops and throw it to the checkdown over and over and over.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Not saying I know better than him, but I did play college football and do have a trained eye. It's obvious to all of us that our front 4 is not generating pressure straight up, and these DE-DT stunts are not working either. Look at what DC Jim Schwartz (my college teammate) has done as PHI defensive coordinator with his wide 9 principles. They are generating a pass rush with no better talent at DE than we have IMO.

Ummm what? Philly has far better talent on there dline including four or five guys drafted in the first or second RD.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Ummm what? Philly has far better talent on there dline including four or five guys drafted in the first or second RD.

At DE, I think DLaw, Ty Crawford compare favorably to Brandon Graham and Connor Barwin. Not really concerned with where they were drafted.

 

[gmoney112]

At DE, I think DLaw, Ty Crawford compare favorably to Brandon Graham and Connor Barwin. Not really concerned with where they were drafted.

Graham is a legitimate stud this year. One of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL. We have two Barwins, basically.

And neither of them are playing next to Cox.

 

[_sturt_]

Like I intended to suggest... our only sliver of hope to improve the pass rush would seem to be premised on Tapper's health.

 

[cowboys1981]

Has the NFL officially suspended Gregory for a yr?