Run Defense: Possible Solution

[CowboyRoy]

Covington could easily get and stay in the gap between the OC and LG.

The Cowboys 1tech DTs shoot gaps unless the play-call specifically requires them to play straight up on a blocker.

This play shows how the 1tech takes a step play-side when the 3tech will be squeezing down the backside A gap.

If you are saying that in the other play that Covington does not have the physical ability to take a step to the play side, then that would be absurd. The OLinemen in the other play did nothing to force Covington to play straight-up vs taking a step play-side.

The different is that this play was 1st and 10. The Cowboys were playing run on this play instead of focusing to stunting if it was as pass like they were on the other play.

Covington is one of the worst DT's in the history of the game. Collins is garbage.

 

[Alexander]

Couldn't you accomplish a similar result (gap responsibilities) with an Over front and playing Jaylon as more of SAM than WILL?

I also think Marinelli is too locked into the success he had 20 years ago to be flexible enough to make this type of in-season adjustment.

That last sentence says it all.

 

[LatinMind]

I've seen many suggestions on improving the run defense such as the DL playing 2-gap.

There are many reasons that probably would not work.

A better change might be to use a 3-4 look on 1st downs.

• A 3-4 look can be done just by moving an OLB to the outside of DLaw.
• DLaw would move towards the inside, to head up on the RT.
• Since LVE is out injured, I'll reference Lee as his replacement.
• 
  
• For the following explanation to make sense, "pretend" that the normal 4-3 alignment is:
  • Jaylon: WLB
  • Lee: MLB
  • Thomas: SLB
• For the 3-4 look, the WLB moves outside and up on or near the line.
• Using the concept that Jaylon is the 4-3 WLB, then he becomes one of the 3-4 OLBs.
• RDE Quinn shifts outside and becomes the other 3-4 OLB.
  • Jaylon-DLaw-1tech-3tech-Quinn
  • .............Lee..........Thomas..........
• The basic gaps:
  • Cgap-Bgap-Agap-Agap-Bgap-Cgap
• 4-3 assignments (with 1tech left):
  • LDE-LB-1tech-LB-3tech-RDE
• 3-4 Look using 4-3 position names:
  • LB-LDE-1tech-LB-3tech-RDE
• Against the run DLaw now has the Bgap, which was assigned to a LB.
• The LB that had the Bgap now has the Cgap that DLaw had in the 4-3 alignment.
• The Cowboys biggest issues in run defense have been against the outside zone run.
  • The RB has the option to cut back inside.
  • Some defenders are split trying to defend both the outside run and the inside cut back.
  • The LBs are getting boxed out from from moving side to side by blockers.
  • Against outside zone, 1tech is trying to defend both outside and inside.
    • On outside runs to the 1tech's side, the Bgap is "open".
    • On outside runs to the 3tech's side, it is the Agap that is "open".
  • The 1tech needs to move quickly to the outside against the outside run.
  • The 1tech taking himself out of the inside, makes it easy to block for the inside cut back.
• 
  
• With the 3-4 look:
  • Jaylon's assignments against the run would be outside regardless.
    • His need to move side to side is reduced. Blockers can not box him out laterally.
  • Lee's assignments against the run would be inside regardless.
    • His need to move side to side is reduced. Blockers can not box him out laterally.
  • The 1tech's need to move outside is minimized.
    • There is not an "open" gap between him and the outside.
    • A DE now fills that gap instead of it being assigned to a LB.
• 
  
• Key Benefits:
• "Squeezes" 3 DL inside the area between the outside shoulders of the OTs.
  • In the 4-3 there are just the 2 DTs in that space.
• WLB is outside and up on the line.
  • His run assignments are outside instead of split between inside and outside.
  • Blockers can not box him out from moving outside since he is already there.
• MLB continues to line up inside.
  • His run assignments are inside instead of split between inside and outside.
  • Blockers can not box him out moving laterally if his assignments are inside.
• Minimizes 1tech DT's need to quickly move to the outside against outside zone runs.
  • This keeps the 1tech DT in place when the RB cuts back inside.
• Trade-Offs:
  • Pass defense on 1st downs against 3 WR sets.
  • The defense can still use this "look" when the Nickel CB replaces a LB vs 3 WR sets.
  • Jaylon-DLaw-1tech-3tech-Quinn
  • ..................Lee...........................Nickel-CB.
  • The run assignments are all set based on the side where the OLB is aligned.
  • The OLB and Nickel CB will be on opposite sides.
  • When offensive players motion to the opposite side (slot CB or TE), the defense needs to stay in place.
  • This results in situations where the OLB is lined up on the side with the slot WR.
  • The LB and a Safety would play hi/low zone on the slot WR.
  • The LB can bump or impede the path of the slot WR, with a Safety picking up coverage behind him.

How about just nix the DTs rushing upfield wide, basically washing themselves out of the play.

Maybe stop trying to be cute with whole DL rotations that 95% of the time result in a TD when Kerry and Covington are in together.

Maybe cut the rotations, so your starters can actually get going and keep momentum.

Maybe start benching your DEs who cant seem to stay home on a obvious screen.

Maybe disguise blitzes instead of telegraphing them. All you have to do is view the success the slot blitz is for the Cowboys. Use that same approach when ur blitzing Lbers.

The thought of changing the defense is ridiculous, especially since the problems arent physical but are a problem with the scheme being run. This scheme is designed to get up field, the good running teams are patient and simply run behind them.

Youre always saying the DL is too light but you got a idea of a 3-4 switch with these same undersized guys? Didnt think this one through IMO.

 

[xwalker]

How about just nix the DTs rushing upfield wide, basically washing themselves out of the play.

Maybe stop trying to be cute with whole DL rotations that 95% of the time result in a TD when Kerry and Covington are in together.

Maybe cut the rotations, so your starters can actually get going and keep momentum.

Maybe start benching your DEs who cant seem to stay home on a obvious screen.

Maybe disguise blitzes instead of telegraphing them. All you have to do is view the success the slot blitz is for the Cowboys. Use that same approach when ur blitzing Lbers.

The thought of changing the defense is ridiculous, especially since the problems arent physical but are a problem with the scheme being run. This scheme is designed to get up field, the good running teams are patient and simply run behind them.

Youre always saying the DL is too light but you got a idea of a 3-4 switch with these same undersized guys? Didnt think this one through IMO.

You don't have enough of a clue to even remotely understand anything that I said.

 

[xwalker]

Covington is one of the worst DT's in the history of the game. Collins is garbage.

Covington was a solid backup in Houston.

Either something happened to him in less than 1 year OR the Cowboys scheme is a problem...

 

[buybuydandavis]

Similar concepts.

I like to describe things in a way that I think people can relate to the significance of the change.

My suggestion.

Lots of txt with jargon representing a spatial configuration. Just use spacing. Don't talk, just draw it out.

Line em up visually with code markup for uniform spacing. 3 letters each for uniform width. Put center of defender on shoulder of offensive lineman for shading. Using underscores instead of spaces is giving me a little closer to WYSIWYG while editing.

3 letters per player if you want to get them in there.

TND__TKL__GRD__CNT__GRD__TKL

OLB__LDE__LDT__RDT__RDE
______LB1____LB2

 

[Hadenough]

The issue I see when the Cowboys are getting gashed by the run is the defensive line and LBs are trying to read and then react. The have to be in more of an aggressive attack mode. Once they get on their heels they are getting pushed around.

 

[quickccc]

What difference does it make if I reference the Pats vs Rams or Saints vs Rams?

Both the Pats and Saints were playing a 4-3 defense last season.

Because it seems to be a reason why you like to ALWAYS keep wanting to refer and harping to the Pats ONLY,... but NEVER mention what the Saints did to those
same Rams run attack

It's not like the Pats did something uniquely special vs Rams run attack that the Saints couldn't .... but no.. " it's look at the Pats, ..what the Pats did vs Rams ... you need only look at Pats/Rams SB game , etc etc .. LOL .

what Both teams (Saints, Pats) ..what both playoff games showed us is Physicality ... they " out-physical " the Rams run game
- and too many opposing teams are continuing to out-physical us ..in turn for old schooler that is ever insisting on " quick twitch" and movement over power/
brawn..

that's why it seems like.we are ever left in the dust and pasture behind the league ..

 

[quickccc]

Covington was a solid backup in Houston.

Either something happened to him in less than 1 year OR the Cowboys scheme is a problem...

Sounds similar to ex-Cowboys Cedric Thorton who was a suitable run-stuffer starter in the Eagles 3-4 scheme (b4 Swartz's arrival changed to 4-3) but something totally collapsed in his game when he moved over to a 4-3 scheme team.

 

[kskboys]

Covington was a solid backup in Houston.

Either something happened to him in less than 1 year OR the Cowboys scheme is a problem...

b.

 

[Haimerej]

That play was not an example of missed assignments.

So you're saying Covington wasn't supposed to fill the A gap?

A player not quite making a play is not the same as a missed assignment.

Covington could easily have shot the gap between the OC and LG, but the RB would just cut back to the opposite side A gap with Collins outside the RT.

Exactly. That's where LVE comes in to clean up.

Collins didn't really have a missed assignment either. The scheme had him planning to stunt which is why he was moving outside and easy for the LT to get inside of him.

Planning to stunt on 2nd and 7 was just not a good idea, especially for defense that was struggling against the run.
- Maybe the Cowboys coaches under-estimated the RB Mattison on that play.

As I understand it from listening to interviews over the years, the players run their own games on stunts. However I'm not so sure it was a stunt more than getting beaten at the point of attack. If he's stunting to the outside you would expect the DE to crash inside, which isn't happening.

What method do you use to review games?

I don't review games like I used to, but the all 22 is the only way you can make a solid determination of what happened. Even then there are ambiguities, such as whether this play involved a stunt or not.

 

[Haimerej]

If you are saying that in the other play that Covington does not have the physical ability to take a step to the play side, then that would be absurd. The OLinemen in the other play did nothing to force Covington to play straight-up vs taking a step play-side.

I'm saying he was beaten at the point of attack. It's not that he doesn't have the ability, it's that he was beaten by a reach block. Had he got upfield and attacked that left shoulder instead of getting beat to the spot, that play would've turned out differently.

 

[Haimerej]

Covington was a solid backup in Houston.

Either something happened to him in less than 1 year OR the Cowboys scheme is a problem...

Why the extreme position though? You say yourself he is a backup. Backups get beat on occasion. We're discussing one play, too. I'm sure there are occasions from last season where you could find him losing his assignment just as easily as finding him carrying it out this year.

Here's an idea- why not pull up a running play that the Cowboys stuff and see what's different? Are they playing different assignments, personnel, etc? This idea that it's a, "scheme issue," should show up with some consistency if there's any merit.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Maybe stop trying to be cute with whole DL rotations that 95% of the time result in a TD when Kerry and Covington are in together.

That's way too much nothing to put on the field as our DTs together. Only one at a time.

Why would we do that anyway? We go with 4 DTs, 4 DEs, with Hyder as a DT.

Why would we need to rest Woods, Collins, and Bennett all at the same time? They don't even play at the same time.

 

[Typhus]

Question for @xwalker … great thread and analysis as always,, just an honest question for you.
Would you Consider LVE and Zach Cunningham, Texans, as very similar players, skill set, athletically similar?

 

[CowboyRoy]

Covington was a solid backup in Houston.

Either something happened to him in less than 1 year OR the Cowboys scheme is a problem...

A solid backup? LOL

Somehow you think this is acceptable for a starter in Dallas?