Run Defense: Possible Solution

[xwalker]

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.

 

[Ranching]

Or maybe we can just tackle them.

 

[MysteryIceGuro]

Another possible solution: Fire Marinelli and Richard

 

[Haimerej]

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

Lol. So the guys who can't hold their one gap should now be given a 2 gap assignment. That should work...

 

[KingintheNorth]

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.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Lol. So the guys who can't hold their one gap should now be given a 2 gap assignment. That should work...

Yeah, our refusal to go with bigger, more traditional type 1Techs makes me feel we'd get murdered trying to 2-gap.

X is saying that 2-gap would likely not work with us.

Wade Phillips runs a 1-gap 3-4. It's becoming more common.

 

[phildadon86]

Another possible solution: Fire Marinelli and Richard

Best solution

 

[Fontaine]

I remember when we switched from the 3-4 to 4-3 because we couldn’t stop the run.

We’ve finally come full circle.

 

[Haimerej]

Yeah, our refusal to go with bigger, more traditional type 1Techs makes me feel we'd get murdered trying to 2-gap.

X is saying that 2-gap would likely not work with us.

Wade Phillips runs a 1-gap 3-4. It's becoming more common.

I wasn't laughing at x, just the idea that this team could improve by switching to that concept.

 

[xwalker]

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.

Similar concepts.

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

Most people can recognize a 4-3 vs a 3-4 but many people won't recognize the difference in an over vs under front.

I've described a similar concept in the past without referencing the 3-4 defense.

I really like to look at the concept as adapted to the Nickel defense.

In the Cowboys standard Nickel defense and assuming the 2 LBs are Jaylon and LVE, the most straight forward change would be moving LVE to the outside of the DE on the side the 1tech is aligned. LVE would have the Cgap and the DE would take the Bgap.

The goal is to limit how much the LBs and the 1tech DT are required to move laterally against zone blocking, and specifically the outside zone run that often ends up being a cut back to the inside.

The Rams gashed the Cowboys primarily with outside zone runs that cut back inside.

The Vikings gashed the Cowboys primarily with outside zone runs that stayed outside.

The Rams basically always ran to the side of the 1tech against the Cowboys.

I have not spent as much time reviewing the Vikings game as I have the Rams game; however, I do know that many of the big run plays by the Vikings were to the side where the 1tech was aligned.

 

[Haimerej]

I don't see an issue with the scheme. The problems I'm seeing are the DTs getting beaten to their gaps (e.g. Covington being responsible for the playside A gap but the center gets him turned with a reach block to the weakside A) and poor recognition and reaction from the backside LBs.

The scheme is designed for the Will to be the cleanup guy in the run game. Sean Lee made his name in that position. Not seeing that kind of recognition and decisiveness from these younger guys this year.

 

[ShiningStar]

wow, lets just change assignments, positions and say "well it works in Madden" again, people are missing the big picture, Dallas is having problems because of coaches or dumb players, which is it, because either way, there is not an easy fix on game day.

 

[charron]

I don't care what you call it or why just don't leave the center unblocked with 1 LB in the middle of the darn field. Stop with 2 DT lined up at 3T, it's not working against the run and good teams expose this.

 

[Ranched]

Another possible solution: Fire Marinelli and Richard

Not sure about Richard, but the dinosaur needed to be let go a few years ago.

 

[xwalker]

I don't see an issue with the scheme. The problems I'm seeing are the DTs getting beaten to their gaps (e.g. Covington being responsible for the playside A gap but the center gets him turned with a reach block to the weakside A) and poor recognition and reaction from the backside LBs.

The scheme is designed for the Will to be the cleanup guy in the run game. Sean Lee made his name in that position. Not seeing that kind of recognition and decisiveness from these younger guys this year.

That is how it appears but the scheme is the root cause.

In the Vikings game people have pointed to LVE being late to the outside.

In reality, there is a scheme reason that he was "late".

The Cowboys have been getting gashed by the outsize zone runs where the RB ends up cutting back inside but the Cowboys defenders have moved too far outside. They've been trying to resolve that issue which means that LVE needs to "wait" on the inside before he moves to quickly to the outside. The scheme requires perfect timing against outside zone because of the RBs cut back option.

RBs on outside zone key off of the backside LB and the front side DT, especially when the run is to the side of the 1tech DT.

If the backside LB moves quickly outside, the RB likely cuts back inside. If the RB has good timing to show outside run before cutting back, then an OL can get to LB level and box out the LB from moving side to side.

On outside zone to the side of the 1tech DT, the RB will look at the 1tech. If the 1tech moves quickly to the outside, then his momentum is outside and he has no leverage against blockers to get back inside against the cut back. If he 1tech waits to move outside, he will be too late against the tight outside run.

Note: The B gap is "open" on the 1tech side, but on runs to the 3tech side the 3tech is in the B gap.

The individual players "appear" to be failing but it is the scheme that is making their jobs almost impossible.

OLinemen have a big leverage advantage on the 1tech DT when he is moving sideways for a significant distance. When OLinemen time it just right and slam into a DT moving sideways, the DT will look silly because he has no leverage.

As mentioned previously, the LBs are often in a situation where their timing has to be perfect to avoid getting boxed out from moving sideways. Once an OLineman gets between them and the RB, they're toast. Even if they can defeat the block, it takes too long.

Envision movies where there is a car chase and the bad guy gets across the railroad tracks just before the train arrives and the cops are stuck on the backside. The bad guy does not need the cops to get run over by the train, he just needs them to get stuck on the other side.

The Cowboys LBs are the cops, the RB is the bad guy and the OLineman coming to block the LB is the train.

The OL does not need to run over the LB, he just needs to get between the LB and the RB. The RB has the option to cut back inside at anytime. The LB has to avoid committing to one side of the blocker until the RB has past the point that he is committed to either the outside or the inside.

 

[Rockport]

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.

Or get a new Defensive coordinator.

 

[xwalker]

I don't care what you call it or why just don't leave the center unblocked with 1 LB in the middle of the darn field. Stop with 2 DT lined up at 3T, it's not working against the run and good teams expose this.

The Cowboys rarely have both DTs lined up as 3techs. That is a common 3rd and long type alignment for teams, but the Cowboys are most often using a different alignment on 3rd and medium/long this year.

Defenses will definitely move the both DTs wide (both as 3techs) when offenses go empty backfield.

A couple of times this year the Cowboy have had the 1tech and 3tech on the same side of the Center. You might be referring to that alignment.

 

[xwalker]

Or get a new Defensive coordinator.

Yes, the Cowboys could hire Belichick and CZ would just shutdown because fans would be out in the streets or in the break room at work bragging about all the wins.

CZ would not be needed for discussing team issues because they would just win all the time.

 

[charron]

The Cowboys rarely have both DTs lined up as 3techs. That is a common 3rd and long type alignment for teams, but the Cowboys are most often using a different alignment on 3rd and medium/long this year.

Defenses will definitely move the both DTs wide (both as 3techs) when offenses go empty backfield.

A couple of times this year the Cowboy have had the 1tech and 3tech on the same side of the Center. You might be referring to that alignment.

What was the alignment when bo ran for 30 yards up the gut? On that play the center stayed in for a split second but didn't need to block anyone so he went an stonewalled the LB. Might have been covington at the 1 but he was rushing outside leaving the center open, with bennett rushing inside but couldn't get to the RB.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I'm not in favor of any change that moves Quinn to a 34 OLB. That was done with him in Miami, I believe, and his production kinda fell off a cliff. Right now, he might be the best thing about this defense.

I honestly think it's more a matter of committing to gap integrity and stopping with all of this penetration off the snap. Creates to many gaps and our LBs are not at a point where they can diagnose the play and recover. Tell them where to run and limit a little bit and I think they could be fine but the real problem is the talent onboard. We don't have the proper personnel to run either style of Defense at this point and you are very limited in the changes you can make mid season.

This, to me, is an off season fix but that's the thing right? You gotta admit you have a problem and actually commit to fixing it. Not just go with, we like our guys when you are consistently getting your collective arses whipped and then you have the kind of talent we have at LB? That doesn't work at all and the fans are proving that out.