Notes from OTAs Today

[NorthwestDallas40]

And fall on their face while the Eagles rack up over 200 yards rushing.

I don't think I "misunderstand" the issues at all.

You may disagree with the system. Thats fine. But you do misunderstand how it’s played it if you ever expect us to have a 330lb run stuffer at 1T.

 

[Stash]

You may disagree with the system. Thats fine. But you do misunderstand how it’s played it if you ever expect us to have a 330lb run stuffer at 1T.

I find a fundamental flaw in the system being played. And examples like giving up over 200 yards rushing en route to getting destroyed by the Super Bowl champs illustrate that flaw.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

I find a fundamental flaw in the system being played. And examples like giving up over 200 yards rushing en route to getting destroyed by the Super Bowl champs illustrate that flaw.

And despite that one bad game, our rush defense was 8th overall last year, giving up only 104 yards per game. Just sayin’

 

[Stash]

And despite that one bad game, our rush defense was 8th overall last year, giving up only 104 yards per game. Just sayin’

I'll "just say" that the numbers were clearly padded by going up against the league's very worst offensive lines in the Giants, Cardinals, Commanders (decimated by injury), and Seahawks. Along with Eagles backups in week 17.

When they faced good teams, and even some not so good ones, they got run over, with the lone anomaly being the Chiefs game, where the defense overall played a much better game than anyone expected.

 

[Bullflop]

Connor seems to be physically more ready to play OT rather than guard. Getting the most out of these players may mean flipping Collins and Connor. Doubt they do it, but maybe they should.

I doubt they will, too. He'll have a couple more months to work out and perhaps get a bit stronger and more comfortable with his technique. He's just a green rookie now, so that's not surprising. He's mostly considered better suited for guard rather than tackle.

By the time the end of the year rolls around he should be physically more prepared and his technique should have improved. He's working against some 1st string veteran competition, so there's that as well. I'm betting he'll take his lumps for a while but should do much better in the long run.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

I'll "just say" that the numbers were clearly padded by going up against the league's very worst offensive lines in the Giants, Cardinals, Commanders (decimated by injury), and Seahawks. Along with Eagles backups in week 17.

When they faced good teams, and even some not so good ones, they got run over, with the lone anomaly being the Chiefs game, where the defense overall played a much better game than anyone expected.

In 2016, we were #1 overall in rush defense at 83 yards per game. Maybe you can chalk that up to another scheduling anomaly too.

Fact is, our rush defense is excellent. Our pass defense is where the problems have lied.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'll "just say" that the numbers were clearly padded by going up against the league's very worst offensive lines in the Giants, Cardinals, Commanders (decimated by injury), and Seahawks. Along with Eagles backups in week 17.

When they faced good teams, and even some not so good ones, they got run over, with the lone anomaly being the Chiefs game, where the defense overall played a much better game than anyone expected.

I agree when facing very good offense the defense in general did not play well and at times struggled against the run. For me one of the biggest sticking points with this defense has been the inability to come up with the big stops late in the game against quality teams. If this defense is to take the next step they will have to be able to make the big stand to end games.

 

[jterrell]

Connor seems to be physically more ready to play OT rather than guard. Getting the most out of these players may mean flipping Collins and Connor. Doubt they do it, but maybe they should.

No.
CWill needs to add strength and he may not start week 1 but he is not an OT.
He is not not going to be a top 3 option at either OT spot.
They'll keep him at OG and get him in the weight room.
IF Dallas moved La'el back to OG they'd start Fleming.
BUT I doubt they even consider it.
Likely CWill battles Marcus Martin for the LG job and is given every chance to win it then he has help all year from Frederick.
Frederick was also in the same boat. He needed to add strength but had all the other qualities so he will be a great resource for CWill.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

I agree when facing very good offense the defense in general did not play well and at times struggled against the run. For me one of the biggest sticking points with this defense has been the inability to come up with the big stops late in the game against quality teams. If this defense is to take the next step they will have to be able to make the big stand to end games.

Our problem has been getting stops on 3rd down against the pass, not on 1st or 2nd down against the run, IMO. Consecutive years of #1 and #8 overall rush yards allowed back this up.

 

[Doomsday101]

Our problem has been getting stops on 3rd down against the pass, not on 1st or 2nd down against the run, IMO. Consecutive years of #1 and #8 overall rush yards allowed back this up.

At time is has been the run as well CJ Anderson put 121 on the Cowboys in that butt whipping, Gurly 121, GB Arron Jones 125, Coleman at Alt gashed us pretty good in that game. Looking at overall numbers on the season yeah we were #8 but what I saw was a defense that still has to improve overall and especially late in games.

 

[Stash]

In 2016, we were #1 overall in rush defense at 83 yards per game. Maybe you can chalk that up to another scheduling anomaly too.

And did you take notice of the fact that the team just tried and failed to re-sign Terrell McClain? A key factor in that #1 ranking?

Fact is, our rush defense is excellent. Our pass defense is where the problems have lied.

Sorry, but it's far from "excellent".

"Excellent" doesn't get mauled for over 200 yards while getting blown out 37-9 at home by the Eagles.

"Excellent" doesn't give up 178 yards to mediocre running backs while getting demolished in Denver.

"Excellent" doesn't let Todd Gurley run all over you for 121 yards.

"Excellent" doesn't allow a Green Bay rookie to gash them for 121 yards and over 6 yards a carry.

"Excellent" doesn't give up 132 yards to the Falcons when they demolish you.

And "excellent" doesn't allow a washed-up Marshawn Lynch to average nearly 5 yards a carry.

 

[Stash]

I agree when facing very good offense the defense in general did not play well and at times struggled against the run. For me one of the biggest sticking points with this defense has been the inability to come up with the big stops late in the game against quality teams. If this defense is to take the next step they will have to be able to make the big stand to end games.

Exactly. And while the pass defense has certainly been culpable at times, the run defense in 2017 was significantly worse than the pleasant surprise of 2016.

And the thing is, that if the secondary and pass rush come together as we all think and hope, where do you think opposing offense will then try to attack?

I'd say the same place that the Super Bowl Champions showed that they could. By using this team's own tendencies against them and running all over this defense for over 200 yards.

 

[Doomsday101]

If you got by stats alone then passing defense was ranked 11th in yards and over all defense was 8th ranked. While the defense did some good things they also were not good about getting turnovers, they were not getting the sacks and 3rd down stops and again vs quality teams we are not making the big stops in crunch time.

 

[phildadon86]

Cant be. He is a wasted draft pick and will never play football again. I heard it here.

 

[phildadon86]

Bahahaha..not gonna happen, especially after two weeks of Otas!

And also considering everything thats been said of Collins at RT this offseason has been praise for his development.

 

[Stash]

At time is has been the run as well CJ Anderson put 121 on the Cowboys in that butt whipping, Gurly 121, GB Arron Jones 125, Coleman at Alt gashed us pretty good in that game. Looking at overall numbers on the season yeah we were #8 but what I saw was a defense that still has to improve overall and especially late in games.

Exactly. That #8 ranking is a mirage. Like several other 2017 defensive stats. None moreso than that big week 17 victory against Philly's second and third stringers. What a shutout!

 

[phildadon86]

I'll "just say" that the numbers were clearly padded by going up against the league's very worst offensive lines in the Giants, Cardinals, Commanders (decimated by injury), and Seahawks. Along with Eagles backups in week 17.

When they faced good teams, and even some not so good ones, they got run over, with the lone anomaly being the Chiefs game, where the defense overall played a much better game than anyone expected.

I think the biggest takeaway from what you are saying right now is Sean Lee was missing in all of those games we got gashed by the run. Gurley wasnt doing very well until he went out in the second half and then he went to town on us.

 

[xwalker]

I find a fundamental flaw in the system being played. And examples like giving up over 200 yards rushing en route to getting destroyed by the Super Bowl champs illustrate that flaw.

In many instances last season, when they got gashed by the run it was not due as much to being blown of the line as it was technique. David Irving would continue to get trapped when he would blow l through the gap. They were not blowing him off the ball, they just let him take himself out of the game.

Irving could have been much stronger against the run without gaining a pound. He needed to recognize the situations better.

 

[DCBoysfan]

Good stuff, thanks for posting.

 

[Doomsday101]

Exactly. That #8 ranking is a mirage. Like several other 2017 defensive stats. None moreso than that big week 17 victory against Philly's second and third stringers. What a shutout!

I don't get caught up in pass defense or run defense for me it is Defense!!!! A defensive unit works as a whole not DL vs Secondary they work in unison. 11 guys working as 1 unit.