How to improve the pass rush

[waldoputty]

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.

That is interesting, and of course some would accuse you being trying to be smarter than the coaches.
Though it gives us something to talk about...

Here is an even more extreme defense.
These obviously cannot be the base defense, but use as a change of pace.

Lets say we are up by 12 points and the other team just receive the ball on their 25 yard line.
They line up with 3 WTs, TE, RB and we counter this formation 2 DT - 3LBs - 3S and 3CBs.
We then basically dare them to run the ball by line up:
1. 2 DTs - each between the OT and G.
2. Use 1OLB and 1CB to press each of their top 2 receivers, basically not allowing them to get off the line like in punting.
3. The remaining LB, 3S and 1CB will cover their WR, TE and RB - probably in a zone type coverage for both the rush and pass.

If they take the bait and run, they may get some yards but will burn clock.
If they try to pass, their top 2 options are nullified.


An even more extreme version may be possible if there is 2 minutes left and they are behind by 5.
1. 0 or 1 DL - if 1, then shift him along the lone.
2. This assumes the other team simply cannot rush.
3. rush 2 LBs - one on each edge but line them up very wide as you suggested.
4. Use 2 guys to press and take out their best receiver.
5. That leaves 6 guys to defend a max of 4 receivers. Probably play man each then 2 S deep.

 

[drawandstrike]

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.

Next year in FA though, Jerry & Stephen need to be active finding some talent to bring in on the DLine. I'm sure there are some DLine guys on teams who are perennial bottom dwellers like the Jags, the Jets and the Browns, teams that have stockpiled high draft picks for years, who rookie contracts are up after this season who would LOVE to come play for a team with that offense and is looking for DLine help.

 

[robbieruff]

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.

I don't disagree but I also don't think we'll see that adjustment. Rod likes running those stunts quite a bit, having the tackles loop around the outside which seems to be his main answer for creating some sort of rush...of course it hasn't worked with any kind of consistency. I, for one, would like to see him at least bring an extra LB once in a while. Wilson appears to have some ability in the blitz game given his athleticism. This 7-on-7 drills we've been running ain't gonna cut it though and will likely doom us at some point.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Next year in FA though, Jerry & Stephen need to be active finding some talent to bring in on the DLine. I'm sure there are some DLine guys on teams who are perennial bottom dwellers like the Jags, the Jets and the Browns, teams that have stockpiled high draft picks for years, who rookie contracts are up after this season who would LOVE to come play for a team with that offense and is looking for DLine help.

Agreed.

Another reason to move Romo... Gain more salary cap space so they can afford $10-$12 mil per season DE.

 

[xwalker]

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.

Cutting veterans does not help the cap. Their salaries are guaranteed when the season starts. They would save some if a team claims the player but would save nothing if a team signed the player after the 24 hour claim period.

The team would lose the comp pick for that player if they cut him instead of letting his contract come to an end.

After week 4, the claim order goes by record so the Cowboys are last. Every other team would have the opportunity to claim that player.

Note: Veterans are subject to waiver claims after the trade deadline.

 

[LocimusPrime]

 

[reddyuta]

It will work as long as our offense keeps running the ball effectively.

Again... They have to stop us too and we play keep away and not many teams are built to stop what we do.


You can't compare how the Cowboys play defense to a team that throws the all over the place with their offense.


We are different. Ball control offense makes us different.

It's more though.you are putting immense pressure on rookies to play mistake free football.one turnover and it's probably curtAins.

 

[CATCH17]

It's more though.you are putting immense pressure on rookies to play mistake free football.one turnover and it's probably curtAins.

Immense pressure has been put on these rookies for 11 weeks and they have won 10 times in a row.


We are a ball control team.. Unless that approach changes then don't worry about this current defense unless they are on the field with the game on the line.

 

[xwalker]

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.

They do vary it to some extent (passing downs) but it is part of the reason they don't get more sacks from the DEs.

Notice they often struggle against the run early and then tighten up their run defense. Part of that is due to technique/alignment adjustments.

 

[xwalker]

I love how people think they know better than Marinelli.

Other D-Coordinators do it differently than Marinelli. I guess all 31 of them are wrong and Marinelli is always right.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

The pass rush is this team's Achilles heel. There is the option of blitzing, but the defense doesn't seem to do that all that well. If the D were better at that, at least the threat of a blitz could keep other teams off balance.

Every time I see our pass rush struggling, I curse Greg Hardy. I wish he had said to himself, "Okay, I've been a major scumbag, but here's my second chance to clean up my life. Let me get in great shape, play well, keep my mouth shut, and be a great team mate." Of course, that would be the rational thing to do and guys like him aren't rational. It's frustrating because he looked like he was really coming alive in the New England game last year.

 

[AbeBeta]

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.

We are considerably better than Philly in run D. They are better against the pass.

Gee, why is that? Ya think they might have better players on D? Graham, Darwin, Cox, and Logan are considerably better than our starting DL.

 

[_sturt_]

I agree with the conclusion that this is as "is what it is" as it ever is... we've just got a flaw, and evidence says there is no magic dust that we can dream-up that will change that. Tapper is the only unknown quantity on the sidelines who could make a difference, but I think Karma's already given us our one big surprise draft pick who will exceed expectations.

Our only saving grace is that what we've done has worked 9 out of 9 times that Zeke has been the starter, and that there is no other team in the league that doesn't also have some serious flaw. Those are two strong arguments that bode well for us. And ironically, in my opinion, the fact that we have a major flaw is part of our strength; this is not a team that will enter a stadium this season thinking it can't be beat. That sobriety often is the difference between the team that blows it and the team that keeps focused... thus, a third strong argument that bodes well.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

You can't get the ball out in 2 seconds and make all those intermediate throws nor wait for people to come open in the back of the EZ etc. He passed quickly some and hung onto the ball long enough to make plays. So no he did not get rid of the ball quickly most of the time. He had too much time to throw and when we got some pressure finally he scrambled and made a pass or ran the ball.

This. Long pass to D Jax, TD to Reed, long crossing route to Crowder and D Jax, etc. all took lots of time to develop. Cousins had a clean pocket all day.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

We are considerably better than Philly in run D. They are better against the pass.

Gee, why is that? Ya think they might have better players on D? Graham, DARWIN, Cox, and Logan are considerably better than our starting DL.

Their D line must have been "naturally selected"

 

[Trouty]

Their D line must have been "naturally selected"

 

[jobberone]

Does it seem like opponents are starting to throw more and more long?
It seemed like that started with Pittsburgh.
If true, Pittsburgh provided the proof of concept how to play us and others are simply copying.

I don't know. Teams are going to probe and use what works until you stop it. We've had CB injuries off and on all year. We were playing the bottom of the depth chart towards the end.

 

[Clove]

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.

Quick, let's get you on the coaching staff.

 

[AsthmaField]

The only way I can think of to improve it after the trade deadline is to let Ro McClain come back, put him at DE and tell him he gets a gallon of purple drank for each sack. Two for a strip sack.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The only way I can think of to improve it after the trade deadline is to let Ro McClain come back, put him at DE and tell him he gets a gallon of purple drank for each sack. Two for a strip sack.

Genius.