Q for X&O guys about our D against Philly

[yimyammer]

I may be crazy but two things that concern me about our D going against Philly are how they'll deal with screens and whether the pass rush gets pushed past McNabb allowing him to step into an open pocket or take off running.

I thought I noticed in recent games that our pass rush was getting to the QB pretty quick, but the QB's were often stepping up into an open pocket with no one left in the middle. I may be wrong and having selective memory, but I remember wondering in a couple of games why the QB didn't just sprint up the middle of the field because it was wide open. Seems like Philly could force our D downfield by sending wide receivers deep, the tight end accross the deep middle and then allow the pass rush to run past the QB as he steps up and then McNabb can either take off running, dump it off for a screen pass or throw it to a receiver down field if they're open.

It also seems like we've been hurt the most on the screen this year. Philly is good at the screen pass and will have Westbrook back and their rookie runnning back should be a lot more familiar with their system and therefore be playing better than he did in the first game against us (he made a few mistakes in the first game that helped us).

So am I crazy, are these legitimate concerns? If so, how will our defense deal with these issues while also covering Macklin, Avant, Celek and DeSean?

As always, I expect a tough game against a Philly team that seems to peak at the end of each season.

 

[kramskoi]

I may be crazy but two things that concern me about our D going against Philly are how they'll deal with screens and whether the pass rush gets pushed past McNabb allowing him to step into an open pocket or take off running.

I thought I noticed in recent games that our pass rush was getting to the QB pretty quick, but the QB's were often stepping up into an open pocket with no one left in the middle. I may be wrong and having selective memory, but I remember wondering in a couple of games why the QB didn't just sprint up the middle of the field because it was wide open. Seems like Philly could force our D downfield by sending wide receivers deep, the tight end accross the deep middle and then allow the pass rush to run past the QB as he steps up and then McNabb can either take off running, dump it off for a screen pass or throw it to a receiver down field if they're open.

It also seems like we've been hurt the most on the screen this year. Philly is good at the screen pass and will have Westbrook back and their rookie runnning back should be a lot more familiar with their system and therefore be playing better than he did in the first game against us (he made a few mistakes in the first game that helped us).

So am I crazy, are these legitimate concerns? If so, how will our defense deal with these issues while also covering Macklin, Avant, Celek and DeSean?

As always, I expect a tough game against a Philly team that seems to peak at the end of each season.

the thing that will likely be different this time is the emergence of Spencer...he may not get the sacks but he's consistent with pressure off the edge...the key for Dallas is to get good pressure rushing only four...the less they have to blitz the better...you can combat the screen pass because you are'nt telegraphing blitz rushing only four...

...McNabb could step up but if the line is stunting he can't always pick a gap that will allow him to step up and run free...sometimes one will exist, but other times it won't or it'll close too quickly...his conversion on 3rd and 25 against Denver undoubtedly has you worried...his hammy will be tight because of that run though and it may well hamper his escapability on sunday...

...the x factor for the game is probably Westbrook...he's caused the Cowboys more pain than perhaps any Eagles offensive player over the years...he's limited right now but he's looking for an increased role as the playoffs approach...

...Ratliff is the money man this weekend...he had two sacks in the last game and if he can force some havoc on the Eagles reshuffled line it could open things up for Ware and Spencer, not to mention Scandrick and Brookings on delayed/corner blitzes [ala Jason Campbell]...Cowboys fans really need to bring the noise for this one...

...this game really boils down to protecting McNabb...if his line can't then they won't win because the deep routes are taken off the shelf and then it becomes a dink and dunk affair...McNabb has one of the worst passer ratings when harrassed...if Dallas can score 20 points at the Linc then you like their chances to score at least that many at home in a game of this magnitude...they just have to convert on third downs and not let promising drives stall just outside the redzone...they are good between the twenties but to advance they need to get it done on third down...especially third and short running situations...

...the Dallas defense is number one in Bendability...no team makes opposing teams work harder for points than the Cowboys currently...if they can keep their scoring average on defense then they should be able to escape with a win...

 

[gimmesix]

I may be crazy but two things that concern me about our D going against Philly are how they'll deal with screens and whether the pass rush gets pushed past McNabb allowing him to step into an open pocket or take off running.

I thought I noticed in recent games that our pass rush was getting to the QB pretty quick, but the QB's were often stepping up into an open pocket with no one left in the middle. I may be wrong and having selective memory, but I remember wondering in a couple of games why the QB didn't just sprint up the middle of the field because it was wide open. Seems like Philly could force our D downfield by sending wide receivers deep, the tight end accross the deep middle and then allow the pass rush to run past the QB as he steps up and then McNabb can either take off running, dump it off for a screen pass or throw it to a receiver down field if they're open.

It also seems like we've been hurt the most on the screen this year. Philly is good at the screen pass and will have Westbrook back and their rookie runnning back should be a lot more familiar with their system and therefore be playing better than he did in the first game against us (he made a few mistakes in the first game that helped us).

So am I crazy, are these legitimate concerns? If so, how will our defense deal with these issues while also covering Macklin, Avant, Celek and DeSean?

As always, I expect a tough game against a Philly team that seems to peak at the end of each season.

I don't think we'll see as much blitzing by Brooking, which will allow him to control the middle of the field and sniff out screens.

 

[dmq]

McNabb has a bad hammy. I doubt he will risk his health for the playoffs even thought this game is important for them.

 

[gimmesix]

So am I crazy, are these legitimate concerns? If so, how will our defense deal with these issues while also covering Macklin, Avant, Celek and DeSean?

Jenkins and Newman will cover up Maclin and Jackson, with deep safety help from Hamlin. When they go three-wide, we'll have Scandrick on one of the wideouts. Sensabaugh will spend a lot of time on Celek, with Carpenter also chasing him.

I'm not that worried about Philly's weapons, even with Westbrook playing a role. We've got the ability to match up on defense.

What I'm worried about is our offense capitalizing on its opportunities. We haven't been as good of a scoring offense as we should be of late.

 

[big dog cowboy]

the thing that will likely be different this time is the emergence of Spencer

...Ratliff is the money man this weekend...

I don't think we'll see as much blitzing by Brooking, which will allow him to control the middle of the field and sniff out screens.

All three are great points.

 

[Fletch]

I may be crazy but two things that concern me about our D going against Philly are how they'll deal with screens and whether the pass rush gets pushed past McNabb allowing him to step into an open pocket or take off running.

I thought I noticed in recent games that our pass rush was getting to the QB pretty quick, but the QB's were often stepping up into an open pocket with no one left in the middle. I may be wrong and having selective memory, but I remember wondering in a couple of games why the QB didn't just sprint up the middle of the field because it was wide open. Seems like Philly could force our D downfield by sending wide receivers deep, the tight end accross the deep middle and then allow the pass rush to run past the QB as he steps up and then McNabb can either take off running, dump it off for a screen pass or throw it to a receiver down field if they're open.

It also seems like we've been hurt the most on the screen this year. Philly is good at the screen pass and will have Westbrook back and their rookie runnning back should be a lot more familiar with their system and therefore be playing better than he did in the first game against us (he made a few mistakes in the first game that helped us).

So am I crazy, are these legitimate concerns? If so, how will our defense deal with these issues while also covering Macklin, Avant, Celek and DeSean?

As always, I expect a tough game against a Philly team that seems to peak at the end of each season.

You just mentioned the entire Eagle's offense. Screen plays with the potential of McNabb taking off from the pocket. Add to that several bombs and you have Philly's offensive attack.

Being that the Cowboys play Philly twice a year, I believe they have a true sense of how they'll run their offense.

 

[coblue]

Concerns yes - and I would be shocked if our coaches didn't share them.

Which is why I expect we will change how Ware etc rush to add in much more inside and bull rushes towards the middle and not race around the edge as much.

In short, you contain a possibly more mobile QB than you might others. By not racing to the edge or outside you don't allow the runs and open lanes over the middle.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

Concerns yes - and I would be shocked if our coaches didn't share them.

Which is why I expect we will change how Ware etc rush to add in much more inside and bull rushes towards the middle and not race around the edge as much.

In short, you contain a possibly more mobile QB than you might others. By not racing to the edge or outside you don't allow the runs and open lanes over the middle.

I am expecting to see a lot of cover 2 this weekend. Lots of zone to force McNabb to stay patient and beat them with llittle chuncks which is not something they like to do. I do think that Brookings will play a major role and will blitz up the middle a lot this game to prevent McNabb from stepping up in the pocket and giving Ware and spencer more of an opportunity to get there with an outside rush.

If the coach's feel that Carp can cover their TE one on one, you might see some zone outside with man in the middle, with Brookings or James spying McNabb. I do not expect to see a lot of 0 coverage this game at all. The game plan has to be to make them drive the field in small chunks at a time, which would mean a lot of zone.

 

[Doomsday101]

Cowboys in the last meeting were able to get pressure using 4 without blitzing this allowed us to use a lot of different coverage’s that keep McNabb guessing. I would expect Dallas to come out using the same strategy. Much like the last game I would think Dallas will allow allot of underneath plays but do not allow the Eagles the quick strike. McNabb and the Eagles tend to get impatient and will not be able to stay with the short stuff and that is when we will force the mistakes by the eagles

 

[Big Country]

Jenkins and Newman will cover up Maclin and Jackson, with deep safety help from Hamlin. When they go three-wide, we'll have Scandrick on one of the wideouts. Sensabaugh will spend a lot of time on Celek, with Carpenter also chasing him.

I'm not that worried about Philly's weapons, even with Westbrook playing a role. We've got the ability to match up on defense.

What I'm worried about is our offense capitalizing on its opportunities. We haven't been as good of a scoring offense as we should be of late.

That's what I've noticed lately myself. We left points on the field playing the SD game and even some in the Commander game with the two straight 4 and outs. I hope the Eagles are in the giving mood because I'd sure like to see more turnovers for TD's and maybe a special team touchdown. That always lights up the scoreboard for me.

 

[yimyammer]

Originally Posted by gimmesix

What I'm worried about is our offense capitalizing on its opportunities. We haven't been as good of a scoring offense as we should be of late.

That's what I've noticed lately myself. We left points on the field playing the SD game and even some in the Commander game with the two straight 4 and outs. I hope the Eagles are in the giving mood because I'd sure like to see more turnovers for TD's and maybe a special team touchdown. That always lights up the scoreboard for me.

Me too, if our offense could just tighten up those few bad plays we seem to make every other drive or so, our offense would be smokin!

And if our offense could get leads early and keep scoring, I don't think they would lose another game (I'm gonna catch hell for how a phrased this, but hopefully you know what I meant)

 

[Big Country]

Me too, if our offense could just tighten up those few bad plays we seem to make every other drive or so, our offense would be smokin!

And if our offense could get leads early and keep scoring, I don't think they would lose another game (I'm gonna catch hell for how a phrased this, but hopefully you know what I meant)

Exactly. A few plays here and a few plays there and there could be a dramatic difference in momentum due to scoring difference. Dallas would be downright scary to everyone up and coming that had to face them.