CFZ Improving the run defense

[quickccc]

Also, the Eagles have not drafted a RB in the first round since 1986.

Maybe it depends upon the value of the player instead of history trend ?

Plus those damn Eagles seem like they're always eyeballing us and seeking leaked whispers of players they think the Cowboys coveted and targeting:

- They thought we were interested in TE Dallas Godert instead of OG Conner Williams.

- Eagles thought we were interested in RB Donnell Pumphrey (San Diego St.) as they were one pick ahead of us in the 4th rd. (we eventually took WR Ryan Switzer)

- Rumors had it, the Eagles tried to move- trade ahead of us for ATL Falcons' 1st rd pick to select WR CeeDee Lamb, as they feared we'd pick him if he
somehow felled to our 16th overall first round pick ...ATL said no and chose the CB they coveted, and thus we selected Lamb, while Eagles made a mess
selecting WR Jaylon Reagor (instead of Justin Jefferson)

 

[quickccc]

The reality is you rather give up the run then the pass in today’s NFL. Flag football is here to stay. The Ravens and Tennessee are changing their offenses. That should tell us something.

How can they change their offenses when their own starting QBs are in question ?
The most important position on the entire team and they still have not resolved it yet.

 

[Starforever]

Why is everyone so worried about the Eagles drafting Robinson. The Giants drafted arguably a much better RB in Barkley. I would actually be shocked if the Eagles draft a RB at #10. I think they will go offensive or defensive line. More likely a DE.

I don't understand the constant fear.

 

[quickccc]

we need a big 1-tech DT, that can hold the LOS, move along the line and not hit the wrong gaps and be able to push the pocket at times. we don't need pass rushing DT, as we have a few 3-tech that can do that. too often our DTs got pushed out of the way, into the wrong holes and provided lanes for RBs, given lack of MLB play, it allowed the RBs to get into secondary easily. we also failed often to maintain and contain outside runs, as DEs crashed inside, the run went outside. we looked undisciplined. not smart. not good.

Disagreed that " we don't need pass rushing DTs. " The Chris Jones types flat our change the complexion of the game and what offenses have to deal with.

- How many times have we heard opposing QBs and coaches say that they worry more about pressure coming up the middle gut in the pocket, than the edge rushing pressure ?
They have a chance to step up and outta the way of the outside corner rush,.but its awfully more difficult to step up in pocket, when it's being pushed back into your face, en route
to sacks and interior pressure.

The bigger problem and difficulty is those special Chris Jones type 3 techs just don't fall off trees for the taking.
It's extremely hard and rare to find that kind of high impact, difference makers in the NFL.
Even in the first round.

 

[LatinMind]

Adding CB Stevon Gilmore was a huge addition to our defense. Opposing team should no longer be able to have a field day feast opposite Diggs as they
did vs Anthony Brown.

- I still worry about teams be able to " Out-physical " us ..it was our obvious weakness last year- We're tops as pass rushers
And what if Philly drafts RB Bijah Robinson with their first of two 1st rd picks
to add to their already potent run attack ?

Here's a look what and whom i thinks plays factor in our run struggles and who/what can be done to improve in this area.

DT
DE
LB

* DT-
- Opposing teams could impose their will against us -though trade for vet Jon Hankins addition certainly helped, but we need depth in event of a Hankins injury.
and he needs more able bodies to help him.
- We need improvement from young interior guys such as Osa, Gallimore and Gholston ... there has to be someone to replace rotation vet guy Watkins,
this will come per draft or post-draft per vet help, imo.
BTW, Quinton Bohanna was not happenin, imo. at season's end i thought he was JAG. Need upgrade here.

* DE - Armstrong, Fowler, Williams have to be better vs run. better fending the edges, outside. RBs took us in that area. DLaw is older but
he still be productive in that area.

* LB- LVE struggled mightily early, vs head on,.. mis-directions,. mis-guessing lanes and gaps, late-arrivals and poor tackling .. but had an improving rebound 2nd half.
He seems much better in coverage, space than vs run. Vet LB Anthony Barr was slooooow and only had a couple of plus games. Will not return.
Clark flashed but struggled his rookie year which he missed early season games. Not- we have zero key depth at LB. Cox is useless.

- Parsons is solid vs run - especially in both traffic and in pursuit, but we cannot keep pairing him vs 340 OTs in a down by down basis.
I'd like to see him in more of a Von Miller/ Hasson Riddick role to better preserve long term.

Safeties- Kearse/Donovan - i could mention them but i believe the best run defense work most effective with their front seven first off, the safety support
is your 8th man up.

People seem to have this misconception that the same run Def that started week 1, was the same run defat the end. Dallas shut down the sf running game that was destroying every team they faced.

Hankins was a big help, but he only played in 5 games for dallas.

The real problem was these DEs started to get sack happy. Or did everybody just forget? They were just crashing the edge and reams would just run behind the rush on a delay. This is where Quinn shows his value because he switched up his scheme and had his DTs holding up better for whatever reason. It wasnt just hankins. Osa and Bohanna really stepped-up at the end of the yr as did Watkins and Gholston. Vander showed his value. He got hurt vs the jags and that was basically dallas only bad run def game the 2nd half of the yr. Def was alot better all around when he came back from injury.

Lawrence really got the brunt of the criticism because he was one of the best run Def DE in the nfl. And he really hit the 2nd half of the yr. He didnT get he sacks but he was getting crazy pressures and was back to shutting down his side vsthe run.

Yeah they can improve, but I'm willing to bet they go into the yr with basically what they got right now. That SF game I'm sure gave them alot of confidence in what they were doing at the end of the yr. I'm guessing that's why they brought back their own guys.

 

[baltcowboy]

How can they change their offenses when their own starting QBs are in question ?
The most important position on the entire team and they still have not resolved it yet.

Both teams hired new offensive coordinators. Do you think the Cowboys are gonna still run the run Zeke into a wall on 1st down and short yardage situations.

 

[Bobhaze]

The problem is the NFL is slowly becoming flag football. What team really runs the football that we have not stopped? We stuffed the Eagles and San Francisco with Hankins. The best teams in the NFL throw the football. You have to be able to rush the passer and cover on the back end. Teams are not patient enough to run the ball for a three yard average.

Where I disagree with you is yes throwing the football is critical in today’s game, but being able to run the ball is too because it can take pressure off the passing game, and if you get a lead, you can milk it by running the ball.

And while I think Hankins was a good addition, I think he has been way over-valued by most fans because we didnt have anyone like him before that. I‘m very glad Hankins is back but he’s going to need some help if we are truly going to get more than adequate against the run.

Yes, the Cowboys did ok against the eagles in the second meeting last year, holding them to 87 yards rushing. But a lot of that was because the e-girls had to throw the ball to stay in the game. It was a track meet kind of game- 40-34. In the first game against the birds in Filly, we gave up 136 yards rushing, almost all of it in the first 3 qtrs.

This team did get a little better against the run as the season went on, but I don’t think our defense should be looked at as “good vs the run” by any stretch yet. LVE had a decent year but he’s not exactly a run stuffer. Hopefully we address IDL and LB in the draft.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Disagreed that " we don't need pass rushing DTs. " The Chris Jones types flat our change the complexion of the game and what offenses have to deal with.

- How many times have we heard opposing QBs and coaches say that they worry more about pressure coming up the middle gut in the pocket, than the edge rushing pressure ?
They have a chance to step up and outta the way of the outside corner rush,.but its awfully more difficult to step up in pocket, when it's being pushed back into your face, en route
to sacks and interior pressure.

The bigger problem and difficulty is those special Chris Jones type 3 techs just don't fall off trees for the taking.
It's extremely hard and rare to find that kind of high impact, difference makers in the NFL.
Even in the first round.

well, perhaps I need to be more clear. everyone needs more pass rushing regardless. but if we can't stop the run, then its all moot. we have to first effectively stop the run. if we are mostly in a 2nd and short, 3rd and short situation when the opposing offense can pass or run, we are in deep trouble and makes pass rush less effective. a 2nd and 7 would go a long way towards improving pass rush. just because I know its most probably a pass.

and chris Jones type players are hard to find, ala its hard to find a mahomes. usually a top 10 pick is necessary.

 

[plasticman]

The Cowboys championship teams always had at least one elite DT in the middle of their defense and, yes, they were always a top 5 pick.

Bob Lilly
Randy White
Tony Cassilas
Russel Maryland

All top 5 picks.

Bob Lilly and Randy White provided Hall of Fame performances for 25 of 27 years from 1961 to 1987.

Tony Cassilas, a former #2 overall pick and Russel Maryland, a former #1 overall pick was the interior muscle of the Cowboys D-line that was #1 against the run during their first Super bowl run in 1992 and propelled Ken Norton's All Pro season in 1993 when he led the team with 169 tackles as a MLB.

 

[Bobhaze]

The Cowboys championship teams always had at least one elite DT in the middle of their defense and, yes, they were always a top 5 pick.

Bob Lilly
Randy White
Tony Cassilas
Russel Maryland

All top 5 picks.

Bob Lilly and Randy White provided Hall of Fame performances for 25 of 27 years from 1961 to 1987.

Tony Cassilas, a former #2 overall pick and Russel Maryland, a former #1 overall pick was the interior muscle of the Cowboys D-line that was #1 against the run during their first Super bowl run in 1992 and propelled Ken Norton's All Pro season in 1993 when he led the team with 169 tackles as a MLB.

This is a VERY underrated point.

 

[kskboys]

The Cowboys championship teams always had at least one elite DT in the middle of their defense and, yes, they were always a top 5 pick.

Bob Lilly
Randy White
Tony Cassilas
Russel Maryland

All top 5 picks.

Bob Lilly and Randy White provided Hall of Fame performances for 25 of 27 years from 1961 to 1987.

Tony Cassilas, a former #2 overall pick and Russel Maryland, a former #1 overall pick was the interior muscle of the Cowboys D-line that was #1 against the run during their first Super bowl run in 1992 and propelled Ken Norton's All Pro season in 1993 when he led the team with 169 tackles as a MLB.

And that's not even mentioning the incredible depth at DT on those 90's super bowl teams. Jimmie Johnson would've started for most teams, Leon Lett was almost unblockable, and Henning was quality. No one got tired because the backups were almost as good as the starters.

 

[quickccc]

The Cowboys championship teams always had at least one elite DT in the middle of their defense and, yes, they were always a top 5 pick.

Bob Lilly
Randy White
Tony Cassilas
Russel Maryland

All top 5 picks.

Bob Lilly and Randy White provided Hall of Fame performances for 25 of 27 years from 1961 to 1987.

Tony Cassilas, a former #2 overall pick and Russel Maryland, a former #1 overall pick was the interior muscle of the Cowboys D-line that was #1 against the run during their first Super bowl run in 1992 and propelled Ken Norton's All Pro season in 1993 when he led the team with 169 tackles as a MLB.

Russell and Casillas were top of the first round picks, but they never became elite DTs.- More role players than dominant.- elite
Lett was eventually selected to one or two Pro Bowls but the guy that clearly set the stage on the front seven was Charles Haley.
He was the stepping stone for us advancing to the level of

 

[conner01]

Out run defenses struggles are exaggerated greatly here. We was middle of the pack in run defense
The best way to stop the run is the offense putting up TD’s not just having big fat guys in the middle

 

[buybuydandavis]

Dallas has an elite defense by todays standards and that’s all you can ask for.

We can ask for marginal improvement.

We don't have quality DTs. They are the low hanging fruit for improving the team.

 

[CATCH17]

We can ask for marginal improvement.

We don't have quality DTs. They are the low hanging fruit for improving the team.

The entire league doesn’t have quality DTs.

It’s impossible to find these guys and just because you draft one doesn’t mean you’ll see a big difference from what we already have.

 

[kskboys]

Russell and Casillas were top of the first round picks, but they never became elite DTs.- More role players than dominant.- elite
Lett was eventually selected to one or two Pro Bowls but the guy that clearly set the stage on the front seven was Charles Haley.
He was the stepping stone for us advancing to the level of

Casillas was elite.

 

[Bobhaze]

The entire league doesn’t have quality DTs.

It’s impossible to find these guys and just because you draft one doesn’t mean you’ll see a big difference from what we already have.

True. But you definitely won’t find one if you do t even try.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Casillas was elite.

The President of the Phil Costa Fan Club approves of this message.