Pursuit of Sacks

[Blitzen]

I’ve watched some tape of the past few games and it seems to me that the desire to sack the QB is blinding to the players at times. I can even understand the players at times. The bears basically refused to change their offense even when it was apparent they were going to need to speed up their drives and score way more points. If I was a defensive end, I would anticipate more throwing too but Chicago all but forfeited towards the end of the game by not even entertaining the thought of dropping back and passing.

That is part of it, but on top of that the ends seem to decide to rush the passer in some situations or crashing the inside way too early. Like the play has not developed at all and they get caught doing one or the other and an athletic move results in a big gain to the outside where there is no one to stop it until 7-8 yards minimum are already given. Sacks equal stacks as they say. Lawrence should alter his final 6 yard sack approach for really fast and elusive running QB’s. Coming in way too vertical and fast and makes the side step too easy.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

They need to learn to break down before attempting to make the sack. It's not like the QB is just going to stand there and let you knock the crap out of him. As they say haste makes waste. You just blew a chance at a sack because you were being too aggressive. Moving too fast to switch directions easily.

But I still blame the coaches. They should have those guys practicing on breaking down, to get the sack, instead of just blindly running full steam ahead.

 

[Jipper]

Lawrence has been notorious for over pursuit and getting pushed outside while the qb steps up his whole career.

I don't see it changing now unfortunately

 

[Doomsday101]

They need to learn to break down before attempting to make the sack. It's not like the QB is just going to stand there and let you knock the crap out of him. As they say haste makes waste. You just blew a chance at a sack because you were being too aggressive. Moving too fast to switch directions easily.

But I still blame the coaches. They should have those guys practicing on breaking down, to get the sack, instead of just blindly running full steam ahead.

True but we will not face to many QB like Fields who is more of a runner than a passer. Outside of Hurts and to an extent Daniel Jones, these rest of the QB are not that mobile

 

[Denim Chicken]

Lawrence has been notorious for over pursuit and getting pushed outside while the qb steps up his whole career.

I don't see it changing now unfortunately

That's funny. I thought he was notorious for not getting sacks?

 

[Jipper]

That's funny. I thought he was notorious for not getting sacks?

It's the same isn't it? He over pursues and blows past the qb or gets pushed out as the qb steps up and misses the sacks

 

[visionary]

Discipline and accountability and gap control have been issues with this team for a long time. We now have more talent and better coaching but we will never become an elite defense unless we drum those into our players (which we won’t).

 

[Streifenkarl]

True but we will not face to many QB like Fields who is more of a runner than a passer. Outside of Hurts and to an extent Daniel Jones, these rest of the QB are not that mobile

This. They need to evaluate, what QBs could we face in the playoffs and will this be a problem with them. Fields is awesome in that regard, luckily for us the Bears have a one dimensional offense.

 

[snapper]

If given the choice between stopping the run and QB sacks/hits, I take the sacks/hits.

The playoffs will be mainly about the QBs.

 

[Texas_Pete]

Good thread. I like it that the Cowboys front 7 are like sack seeking missiles gunning for the QB. This is a passing league.

Cowboys gave up 200+ yards rushing. In 1995, that's a sure loss. But in a passing league, you can run up 200 yards on the ground and still lose by 20.

 

[Praxit]

....luckily, there's only Fields and Hurts to worry about in NFC.

But I get your point, they lack discipline by the dream of getting the SACK.

Thats kinda seflish, you ask me. Team effort wins the game.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think main thing know who you are playing Cowboys should have done a better job of containing Fields. he is not a great passer. However we got some QB who you better get after them with pressure and sacks because you allow them to stand in there they will hurt you big time with the pass and very good WR's. Next game off the bye I want ears pinned back and go get Rodgers

 

[Jake]

If given the choice between stopping the run and QB sacks/hits, I take the sacks/hits.

The playoffs will be mainly about the QBs.

Really? The last two QBs who beat the Cowboys in the playoffs were Jared Goff and Jimmy G.

The Cowboys allowed a total of 442 yards rushing, and over 5 yards per carry, in those games.

 

[Macnalty]

Really? The last two QBs who beat the Cowboys in the playoffs were Jared Goff and Jimmy G.

The Cowboys allowed a total of 442 yards rushing, and over 5 yards per carry, in those games.

Not relevant to this defense IMO. This is a defense you win playoff games with and I pray the offense holds up its end of the bargain. Those noted QBs and losses were tragic but not relatable to what defense appears on the field in 2022. This is something to cinch your saddle up tight on we are observing.

 

[Jake]

Not relevant to this defense IMO. This is a defense you win playoff games with and I pray the offense holds up its end of the bargain. Those noted QBs and losses were tragic but not relatable to what defense appears on the field in 2022. This is something to cinch your saddle up tight on we are observing.

I didn't say anything about the 2022 defense. I addressed the notion that run defense doesn't matter in the playoffs. The Cowboys last 2 playoff losses say otherwise.

 

[Jarv]

....luckily, there's only Fields and Hurts to worry about in NFC.

But I get your point, they lack discipline by the dream of getting the SACK.

Thats kinda seflish, you ask me. Team effort wins the game.

Murray in Arizona too

 

[Doomsday101]

I didn't say anything about the 2022 defense. I addressed the notion that run defense doesn't matter in the playoffs. The Cowboys last 2 playoff losses say otherwise.

I agree and it they need to do a better job.

 

[America's Cowboy]

It's Dan Quinn's responsibility to have the players understanding how to play on the field during different situations and against different offenses and QBs.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

I’ve watched some tape of the past few games and it seems to me that the desire to sack the QB is blinding to the players at times. I can even understand the players at times. The bears basically refused to change their offense even when it was apparent they were going to need to speed up their drives and score way more points. If I was a defensive end, I would anticipate more throwing too but Chicago all but forfeited towards the end of the game by not even entertaining the thought of dropping back and passing.

That is part of it, but on top of that the ends seem to decide to rush the passer in some situations or crashing the inside way too early. Like the play has not developed at all and they get caught doing one or the other and an athletic move results in a big gain to the outside where there is no one to stop it until 7-8 yards minimum are already given. Sacks equal stacks as they say. Lawrence should alter his final 6 yard sack approach for really fast and elusive running QB’s. Coming in way too vertical and fast and makes the side step too easy.

For all of the consternation that I have seen on here about how Fields tore the Cowboys up, let's not forget that the defense pretty much contained Philly's attack. Hurts carried 9 times for 27 yards. I take that all day. I chalk up the ridiculous amount of rushing yards (200+) in this game to game flow and an opponent that seemed content to essentially accept defeat by continuing to run while down multiple scores.

The Cowboys are not an elite run stopping unit however I believe that in close games where they are not content to allow the opponent to bleed the clock this will not be nearly the issue we think it is.

 

[aikemirv]

Really? The last two QBs who beat the Cowboys in the playoffs were Jared Goff and Jimmy G.

The Cowboys allowed a total of 442 yards rushing, and over 5 yards per carry, in those games.

Yep - allowing over 200 yards rushing only works when you score TD's on the first 4 possessions and then get a defensive score on the 2nd half as well. Usually not a winning formula against a good defensive team!