Run defense is a liability

[noshame]

Cowboys are 23rd worst in run defense. This is my only worry going forward towards the playoffs. The offense is doing their job scoring plenty of points to win an NFL game. The problem has been on the defensive side of the ball. Cowboys are just allowing too many yards rushing the ball. They’ve got to focus on fixing this. The hell with trying to get #11 the DPOY. He’s got plenty of sacks already. Probably a Jerry thing trying to get #11 more sacks. Quinn needs to prove his worth and lay down the law. The hell with the sacks first mentality, those will come, how about stopping the dam run! When a team can run the ball against you, it changes to entire game. It opens up play action pass so a guy like Mills can complete passes. It takes time off the clock. This has been a Quinn weakness with his inability to control the run offense. It’s got to change.

How about if we just get a quarterback that doesn't leave a mess on the field.
If it wasn't for this defense we'd be struggling to get a 500 record you can take that to the bank

 

[Acceptablename]

Cowboys are 23rd worst in run defense. This is my only worry going forward towards the playoffs. The offense is doing their job scoring plenty of points to win an NFL game. The problem has been on the defensive side of the ball. Cowboys are just allowing too many yards rushing the ball. They’ve got to focus on fixing this. The hell with trying to get #11 the DPOY. He’s got plenty of sacks already. Probably a Jerry thing trying to get #11 more sacks. Quinn needs to prove his worth and lay down the law. The hell with the sacks first mentality, those will come, how about stopping the dam run! When a team can run the ball against you, it changes to entire game. It opens up play action pass so a guy like Mills can complete passes. It takes time off the clock. This has been a Quinn weakness with his inability to control the run offense. It’s got to change.

My thoughts are we’re 10 and 3.Hankins

How about if we just get a quarterback that doesn't leave a mess on the field.
If it wasn't for this defense we'd be struggling to get a 500 record you can take that to the bank

Hankins is out with a pectoral strain. How long is he out. If we haven’t captured our division we’re close. Just get in the playoffs maybe Hankins will be there..

 

[big dog cowboy]

Run defense is a liability

Has been all year. This isn't new news.

 

[thunderpimp91]

So for the run defense is a liability crowd what do the Cowboys need to do differently than they have over the last four games?

 

[XXLMike]

This is on the overrated Will McClay for turning a blind eye to beef in the draft and flopping on Hill, Odiggy, and John ridgeway

 

[kskboys]

So for the run defense is a liability crowd what do the Cowboys need to do differently than they have over the last four games?

Draft some players that aren't 3 techs. Oh, and before the 5th round.

 

[thunderpimp91]

This is on the overrated Will McClay for turning a blind eye to beef in the draft and flopping on Hill, Odiggy, and John ridgeway

I can't say I would put Hill on McClay, he was a Rod Marinelli pick all the way. Odiggy I see as a damn good player, and Ridgeway was a 5th round developmental pick that I think most here was sad to see leave.

 

[CWR]

Cowboys are 23rd worst in run defense. This is my only worry going forward towards the playoffs. The offense is doing their job scoring plenty of points to win an NFL game. The problem has been on the defensive side of the ball. Cowboys are just allowing too many yards rushing the ball. They’ve got to focus on fixing this. The hell with trying to get #11 the DPOY. He’s got plenty of sacks already. Probably a Jerry thing trying to get #11 more sacks. Quinn needs to prove his worth and lay down the law. The hell with the sacks first mentality, those will come, how about stopping the dam run! When a team can run the ball against you, it changes to entire game. It opens up play action pass so a guy like Mills can complete passes. It takes time off the clock. This has been a Quinn weakness with his inability to control the run offense. It’s got to change.

They've gotten better, but have a ways to go still.

The good news is I believe it's more about scheme and discipline than talent. Of course I'd love more talented run defenders, but for now we need guys to execute their assignments.

Like they've been saying, earn the privilege to
rush the passer.

 

[cnuball21]

Was looking better with Hanks but now he’s hurt.

Hopefully. moreover play it LVE and emergence of Clark will help down the stretch. We’re gonna need it.

 

[Mr_437]

You just gonna skip over interceptions every game taking points off the board or putting the defense in tough positions. Why did they need a gaolline stance in the first place? Defense is doing the job.

 

[foofighters]

Cowboys are 23rd worst in run defense. This is my only worry going forward towards the playoffs. The offense is doing their job scoring plenty of points to win an NFL game. The problem has been on the defensive side of the ball. Cowboys are just allowing too many yards rushing the ball. They’ve got to focus on fixing this. The hell with trying to get #11 the DPOY. He’s got plenty of sacks already. Probably a Jerry thing trying to get #11 more sacks. Quinn needs to prove his worth and lay down the law. The hell with the sacks first mentality, those will come, how about stopping the dam run! When a team can run the ball against you, it changes to entire game. It opens up play action pass so a guy like Mills can complete passes. It takes time off the clock. This has been a Quinn weakness with his inability to control the run offense. It’s got to change.

Jerry disagrees with you. More sacks = Jersey's sales = more money in Jerry's pocket.

But yes, if we want to do anything in the playoffs, we have stop the run and be able to run ourselves. We are more than likely visiting philly and it's going to be cold. We have to be able stop their running game while being able to run on them.

 

[817Gill]

They’ve been very good the last 4 weeks. We need to update our opinions.

 

[Creeper]

I more worry about the pass defense. Short fields and long passes are far more detrimental to a defense.

I agree. 2 backup CBs are going to entice QBs to throw the ball against Dallas looking for the inexperienced DBs to make mistakes or commit PI.
I am also concerned that the emphasis on stopping the run has reduced the pass rush. Two backup CBs AND no pass rush is a dangerous combination. They may have to go back to an aggressive pass rush to protect the CBs.

btw, the improved run defense lately has been the play of LVE. They seemed to have unleashed him to be more aggressive. Maybe that's why those short passes the Texans were throwing were always successful.

 

[Doomsday101]

They’ve been very good the last 4 weeks. We need to update our opinions.

I agree, Last 4 games run defense has done very good yet we hear the same BS. Dallas has improved even when Hankins was injured in the 2nd qrt Cowboys still were able to handle the run game. Some of these people are like a dog with a bone and will not let go.

 

[fivetwos]

Dallas’ inability to stop the run will keep the team from making a playoff run…I think this is due to the emphasis on rushing the passer and lack of interior lineman that command double-teams and plug gaps.
I don’t think that Dallas can stop the run game of the Eagles and Niners; I’m not even sure they can stop Etienne and Henry.
It seems to me that the FO consistently over-values our talent level on the DL (and other areas) and is not proactive in upgrading said talent. Case in point: why do we need another WR when we have one of the top offenses in the NFL?

I think most of the DL issue has been not wanting to spend first round currency on a position that’s subject to rotation.

Not as if they havent sort of tried (a 2 and two 3s recently), they have just failed for the most part.

I’m not even fully sold that the run defense problem is definitely a DT only thing. Part of it may be LBs being a tick slow, or a tick not talented enough. I’m not sure.

 

[Doomsday]

It felt like the run defense was bad because Houston put up 20 points in the first half, but let's not forget that half of those came on short fields because of turnovers. They only averaged 3.1 ypc, I will take that but you have to get off the field on 3rd down.

I wasn't a big fan of Quinn playing guys 8 yards off the ball on 3rd and 4 vs a team with QB issues. They have to be more aggressive and make him beat you with his arm, not throw quick little out routes to wide-open receivers to keep the chains moving.

 

[CouchCoach]

Why worry? What are the odds the Cowboys meet any teams that want to run the ball in the playoffs?

 

[Praxit]

..I think Quinn knows this, and is defense first priority. Losing Hanks, does not help. But will have him for playoffs, maybe sooner.

You have point maybe moving Parsons away from Dline and back to LB.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

Cowboys are 23rd worst in run defense. This is my only worry going forward towards the playoffs. The offense is doing their job scoring plenty of points to win an NFL game. The problem has been on the defensive side of the ball. Cowboys are just allowing too many yards rushing the ball. They’ve got to focus on fixing this. The hell with trying to get #11 the DPOY. He’s got plenty of sacks already. Probably a Jerry thing trying to get #11 more sacks. Quinn needs to prove his worth and lay down the law. The hell with the sacks first mentality, those will come, how about stopping the dam run! When a team can run the ball against you, it changes to entire game. It opens up play action pass so a guy like Mills can complete passes. It takes time off the clock. This has been a Quinn weakness with his inability to control the run offense. It’s got to change.

Here are the ypc for each of the Cowboys last 4 opponents.

Houston - 3.1/ypc
Indy - 3.5/ypc
NYG - 4.3/ypc
Minnestoa - 4.3/ypc

Those aren't exactly numbers that will blow your doors off. In fact, the league average right now is 4.5 yards per rush, so the last 4 weeks Dallas has held good rushing attacks to below the league average. Holding a team to sub-4/ypc is an excellent week. I think this notion that the run defense is not improved is a fallacy.

I think the rushing defense has actually been much better than early in the season. I would have to look at the numbers, but it seems that they are surrendering far fewer explosive runs. LVE, Barr, and Damone Clark are flying around a lot faster and our DEs are setting a much harder edge. The problem now lies in the war of attrition going on in the defensive backfield. Kelvin Joseph and Nashon Wright are going to end up being a big issue for us if they can't figure something out. The pass rush was negated in Houston by the quick passing game. Their wideouts had DBs beaten so quickly there was no way for the rush to get home. This is what worries me more with Tom Brady, one of the best quick passing QBs of all time, being the likely first round matchup.

 

[Doomsday101]

Why worry? What are the odds the Cowboys meet any teams that want to run the ball in the playoffs?

Cowboys must continue to play the run tough guys must maintain their gaps for run defense to continue to do their jobs. No doubt Philly can run and Tenn as well as Wash. Fact it they have improved in stopping the run since GB game and yes they must continue but pretending they have not improved really shows that people are not paying attention or else like always people need something to complain about.