Our blitz is anything but

[erod]

The common fan complaint about this team is its anemic pass rush. The common fan solution is that Marinelli should blitz more to compensate.

I tend to say that, too, but that is exactly the opposite of what Dallas should do.

Notice how blitzing is only really effective for teams that already have a good pass rush. When you can get pressure with four, it makes blitzers basically free runners, and the time in the pocket is almost nil. It looks overwhelming when teams like Seattle or Denver send extras.

Conversely, if the front four gets little push or edge rush, the lanes often don't open up for blitzers, and you get this big hair-drain plug of bodies that don't quite get there. That spells doom.

The Cowboys often send a linebacker or nickel back on the blitz, but they are getting picked up easily if a defensive lineman isn't getting pressure from that spot as well. It only seems to work about 25 percent of the time.

Marinelli is frustrated. Often, he's only rushing three lineman because that extra body is more useful to seal off inside receiver routes than they are banging their head against the wall rushing the passer. Mayowa is proving worthless, and Lawrence is average. He needs a counterpart. The best pass rusher on the team is, gulp, Orlando Scandrick on the blitz here and there.

This has got to be fixed in the offseason. Free agency and the draft needs to be solely focused on building that front four, first and foremost.

The good news is that there are guys here that I believe will be better pass rushers if a key player or two is added. Tyrone Crawford and David Irving are good, but there's nobody to take the double teams off of them. They need a hell-raiser.

If this is addressed by next season, holy moly, look out. This team could be a monster for half a decade or more.

 

[xwalker]

The common fan complaint about this team is its anemic pass rush. The common fan solution is that Marinelli should blitz more to compensate.

I tend to say that, too, but that is exactly the opposite of what Dallas should do.

Notice how blitzing is only really effective for teams that already have a good pass rush. When you can get pressure with four, it makes blitzers basically free runners, and the time in the pocket is almost nil. It looks overwhelming when teams like Seattle or Denver send extras.

Conversely, if the front four gets little push or edge rush, the lanes often don't open up for blitzers, and you get this big hair-drain plug of bodies that don't quite get there. That spells doom.

The Cowboys often send a linebacker or nickel back on the blitz, but they are getting picked up easily if a defensive lineman isn't getting pressure from that spot as well. It only seems to work about 25 percent of the time.

Marinelli is frustrated. Often, he's only rushing three lineman because that extra body is more useful to seal off inside receiver routes than they are banging their head against the wall rushing the passer. Mayowa is proving worthless, and Lawrence is average. He needs a counterpart. The best pass rusher on the team is, gulp, Orlando Scandrick on the blitz here and there.

This has got to be fixed in the offseason. Free agency and the draft needs to be solely focused on building that front four, first and foremost.

The good news is that there are guys here that I believe will be better pass rushers if a key player or two is added. Tyrone Crawford and David Irving are good, but there's nobody to take the double teams off of them. They need a hell-raiser.

If this is addressed by next season, holy moly, look out. This team could be a monster for half a decade or more.

They've been blitzing a decent amount recently but nobody notices because it is never effective.

 

[MileyDancer]

Fixing it this offseason also means actually getting a free agent. It won't be fixed by a first round draft pick, hoping he can make in immediate impact. There isn't a Khalil Mack every draft. Imo, of course.

 

[Verdict]

The common fan complaint about this team is its anemic pass rush. The common fan solution is that Marinelli should blitz more to compensate.

I tend to say that, too, but that is exactly the opposite of what Dallas should do.

Notice how blitzing is only really effective for teams that already have a good pass rush. When you can get pressure with four, it makes blitzers basically free runners, and the time in the pocket is almost nil. It looks overwhelming when teams like Seattle or Denver send extras.

Conversely, if the front four gets little push or edge rush, the lanes often don't open up for blitzers, and you get this big hair-drain plug of bodies that don't quite get there. That spells doom.

The Cowboys often send a linebacker or nickel back on the blitz, but they are getting picked up easily if a defensive lineman isn't getting pressure from that spot as well. It only seems to work about 25 percent of the time.

Marinelli is frustrated. Often, he's only rushing three lineman because that extra body is more useful to seal off inside receiver routes than they are banging their head against the wall rushing the passer. Mayowa is proving worthless, and Lawrence is average. He needs a counterpart. The best pass rusher on the team is, gulp, Orlando Scandrick on the blitz here and there.

This has got to be fixed in the offseason. Free agency and the draft needs to be solely focused on building that front four, first and foremost.

The good news is that there are guys here that I believe will be better pass rushers if a key player or two is added. Tyrone Crawford and David Irving are good, but there's nobody to take the double teams off of them. They need a hell-raiser.

If this is addressed by next season, holy moly, look out. This team could be a monster for half a decade or more.

I agree with most of what you are saying; however, saying the problem MUST be fixed in the draft and free agency is probably wrong. It NEEDS to be fixed in the draft and free agency, 1. IF THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSSELF AND 2. THERE AREN'T BETTER OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN THE DRAFT AND FREE AGENCY TO USE THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES.

Let's say, for example, you could draft a superior right tackle to replace Free in the first round, solidify the position for the next five years, and save Free's 7 million dollar salary cap hit, and ensure that this line remains dominant for another five years OR draft another just a guy at defensive end. If he were approximately the same as Moyowa, or even Lawrence it would be better to draft the RT. Everyone would be *****ing about it, but that would be the right play.

It may take drafting a superior player at a position we don't need and then trade for a player we do need. Dez Bryant comes to mind. He is a well respected wide receiver that probably has trade value and if we took a first, second or even third round wide receiver, he might become expendable. Receiver is turning into a position where you can find decent players in free agency as a replacement so trading them is less problematic (if you can find a buyer) and get a suitable replacement.

I would love for us to be able to find a Demarcus Ware in the draft with our first pick, as that would be ideal. The problem is that is easier said than done.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

They've been blitzing a decent amount recently but nobody notices because it is never effective.

Yea I've noticed more corner blitzes than anything. I notice it most when OS is in the lineup.

 

[DCBoysfan]

They've been blitzing a decent amount recently but nobody notices because it is never effective.

I noticed that also, we just don't get home consistently.

 

[xwalker]

Yea I've noticed more corner blitzes than anything. I notice it most when OS is in the lineup.

Lee has blitzed some including some occasions where both Lee and a DB have blitzed.

 

[Future]

The blitzes don't confuse anybody and end up just allowing 5 blockers - 6 if a back stays - to block 5 guys. You're never going to get consistent pressure that way.

 

[CATCH17]

I'm no longer worried about it really.


Dallas is accomplishing what they are trying to do.

1. Make teams play underneath and not give up big plays.

2. Keep point totals low. Allow Field Goals and not Touchdowns.



Dallas needs to focus on turnovers. I realize pass rush and turnovers go hand in hand but our #1 focus needs to be creating a turnover. QB pressure is a distant #2.

 

[slomoxn]

I agree with most of what you are saying; however, saying the problem MUST be fixed in the draft and free agency is probably wrong. It NEEDS to be fixed in the draft and free agency, 1. IF THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSSELF AND 2. THERE AREN'T BETTER OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN THE DRAFT AND FREE AGENCY TO USE THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES.

Let's say, for example, you could draft a superior right tackle to replace Free in the first round, solidify the position for the next five years, and save Free's 7 million dollar salary cap hit, and ensure that this line remains dominant for another five years OR draft another just a guy at defensive end. If he were approximately the same as Moyowa, or even Lawrence it would be better to draft the RT. Everyone would be *****ing about it, but that would be the right play.

It may take drafting a superior player at a position we don't need and then trade for a player we do need. Dez Bryant comes to mind. He is a well respected wide receiver that probably has trade value and if we took a first, second or even third round wide receiver, he might become expendable. Receiver is turning into a position where you can find decent players in free agency as a replacement so trading them is less problematic (if you can find a buyer) and get a suitable replacement.

I would love for us to be able to find a Demarcus Ware in the draft with our first pick, as that would be ideal. The problem is that is easier said than done.

Getting rid of Dez would be a step backwards, we have no other receivers that command double teams or make opposing teams pay in single coverage. They aren't exactly easy to find either; our current receivers without Dez are serviceable for short term but without opposing defenses can stack the box in confidence.

 

[JBell]

Blaine Gabbert diced up this D when they tried to blitz.

Rod isn't going to outsmart anyone. It is what it is at this point. Just keep bending without breaking and hope the other team shoots themselves in the foot... or hope that D-Law, Crawford, or McClain make their one pressure per game at a critical time.

 

[Aven8]

I'm no longer worried about it really.


Dallas is accomplishing what they are trying to do.

1. Make teams play underneath and not give up big plays.

2. Keep point totals low. Allow Field Goals and not Touchdowns.



Dallas needs to focus on turnovers. I realize pass rush and turnovers go hand in hand but our #1 focus needs to be creating a turnover. QB pressure is a distant #2.

I agree about the TO's but I don't think this team has that type of players for that. In 2014 we had Carter and Ro who had like 10 between them. I think as the stakes go up teams will get riskier, but we must put the throttle down on O.

 

[erod]

Dallas needs to focus on turnovers. I realize pass rush and turnovers go hand in hand but our #1 focus needs to be creating a turnover. QB pressure is a distant #2.

Those two things tend to go hand in hand.

 

[big dog cowboy]

They've been blitzing a decent amount recently but nobody notices because it is never effective.

That only adds to the frustration. It's embarrassing.

 

[CATCH17]

I agree about the TO's but I don't think this team has that type of players for that. In 2014 we had Carter and Ro who had like 10 between them. I think as the stakes go up teams will get riskier, but we must put the throttle down on O.

Here is the thing.


Dallas plays pretty soft coverage and they want teams to check down.

Well when you do that you allow teams to get the ball out quick and complete high percentage throws that don't put them at risk for a turnover.


I don't think you can play our style of defense and also get a bunch of sacks and turnovers unless you tighten up the coverages some.


We just let the QB get the ball out too quick to cause the QB any problems. 3rd and long is really our only chance to make a play and our coverage is even softer on those downs.

 

[Doomsday]

My biggest issue is they telegraph their blitzes, Big Ben was pointing out the man blitzing and just making quick reads for 5 to 10 yards.

They have poor spacing and timing on their blitzes in my opinion, far too often I see them running into each other, allowing one lineman to slow down 2 people.

I would like to see a few delayed blitzes from the LBs or Church, teams know Scandrick is coming off the edge and they are ready for it.

 

[LandryFan]

They've been blitzing a decent amount recently but nobody notices because it is never effective.

I think Marinelli will start out the game tonight rushing four and seeing what success he can get. If he sees some pressure, then I think we might see an uptick in the blitzing numbers follow. Minny's OLine is a mess right now, so this will be our best opportunity in a while to wreak a little havoc on the enemy QB. It'll be interesting to see how it unfolds.

 

[CATCH17]

My biggest issue is they telegraph their blitzes, Big Ben was pointing out the man blitzing and just making quick reads for 5 to 10 yards.

They have poor spacing and timing on their blitzes in my opinion, far too often I see them running into each other, allowing one lineman to slow down 2 people.

I would like to see a few delayed blitzes from the LBs or Church, teams know Scandrick is coming off the edge and they are ready for it.

Same...

I would also like to see us show blitz and drop into coverage more.


I like what Zimmer does by showing blitz in the A gap and they drop off so often that you can't really predict when they come and when they don't.

I would like to see us consistently show blitz more.

 

[Doomsday]

Same...

I would also like to see us show blitz and drop into coverage more.


I like what Zimmer does by showing blitz in the A gap and they drop off so often that you can't really predict when they come and when they don't.

I would like to see us consistently show blitz more.

The problem is it is hard to show a blitz when every one is 10 yards down the field.

 

[DeaconMoss]

.....something for the other team to worry about.