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Marinelli's scheme is pass rush first, run defense on the way to the QB. Necessarily trades off run defense to get that extra pass rush.
This is the problem with "we do what we do". Makes your scheme a stationary target. Every scheme involves trade offs. "We do what we do" let's the opponent attack the relative weakness of the scheme with impunity.
You have to randomize strategies. It's basic game theory. Oh yeah, "we don't need no steenkin numbers."
#ClownTeam
The basic problem in run defense has not been about pass rush first or about stunting; although those do contribute to the problem.
Even when they play run off the snap, their run defense scheme vs the outside zone run with optional cut back to the inside often puts defenders in no-win situations.
The biggest problem is when offenses show outside zone to the side where the 1tech DT is aligned. The b-gap is open on that side as compared to the other side where the 3tech is in the b-gap (i.e. An extra gap between the outside and the 1tech as compared to runs to the side with the 3tech).
The 1tech must hustle to the outside. If he moves too quickly to the outside, the RB will cut back inside. An OL just has to let him move outside then get in the way when the 1tech tries to reverse directions.
The same concept applies to the LBs, primarily the backside LB (It is easiest to describe in Nickel but the concept is similar in base).
If a LB flows too far or too quickly outside, then an OL will kick out on a delayed block to keep that LB from getting back inside. If the LB delays going outside then an OL will kick out on the delayed block to keep him for getting to the outside and the RB will continue outside instead of cutting back.
The Cowboys have been trying to adjust the timing of all 3 players (1tech, both LBs in Nickel) to flow just far enough outside but not too far.
The RB can read 1 of the 3 defenders and read the associated blocker such that the RB can always win 1 of the 3 decisions. Often the RB can read 2 of the 3.
It comes down to:
1tech right/wrong
Backside LB right/wrong
Frontside LB right/wrong
Offenses often use "tricks" to hold the backside LB. Motion and threats of mis-direction plays to the backside (jet sweep, reverse, etc.).
The key is that once the defender commits inside/outside there will be an OL there to enforce that commitment.
Because the zone is a slow developing play, especially when it is a cut back, an OL can initially double team a DL and then kick out to make these delayed blocks. They just have to get out there before the RB has committed in/out (i.e. Before the defenders know if they should commit in/out).
When the RB causes 2 of 3 defenders to make the wrong decision, it will be a big gain. If all 3 are wrong it's probably a TD unless a Safety can make a tackle in open space against an NFL RB when the RB has a two-way go (can cut to either side with no restrictions).
That is the basic problem.
The Cowboys make it worse by stunts and DL alignments. Offenses are managing to get their OT to the inside of the 3tech which completely frees up the OG on that side to kick out and block a LB. If the 3tech can stay to the inside he can delay the OG from getting to a LB.
Some defenses shade the 3tech inside to head up or almost head up on an OG based on down/distance and offensive alignment. That small distance can often be the difference in a block succeeding or failing because of the side to side (lateral) nature of defending the zone run.
The Cowboys rarely ever alter the positioning of the DTs and when they do it seems to tip off offenses on where that DT is going to move off the snap.
Summary: The lateral nature of zone blocking often causes an OL to win or lose just by being on the correct side of a defender.
Obviously defenders sometimes fight through even when the OL "wins" the leverage battle but the defender will generally lose the overall snap (about 9 times out of 10) if he makes the wrong decision in regards to committing in/out.
Kris Richard has tried band-aides of slowing down outside pursuit by LBs and slowing down the flow of DTs towards the outside but it just has not worked and often makes the issue worse. He has been putting coverage players like Awuzie in a bind because he has "help" defenders over-focus on the run leaving players like Awuzie isolated in coverage.
Sadly the Cowboys Offense can't scheme and execute this same strategy that offenses are using against the Cowboys defense. They could back when Bill Callahan was the OL coach but once Callahan's assistant (Pollack) was also gone (His last season was 2016) the zone scheme advantage was gone. They still run the ZBS but the blocking assignments are often wrong and not in sync with the RB.
