I was hoping
@xwalker would come up with a another fairytale thread about how the DTs aren’t the issue with the run defense and they aren’t totally getting manhandled.
THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE WITH RUN DEFENSE IS NOT HAVING A NT THAT CAN TAKE ON COMBO BLOCK/DOWN BLOCK .
Jenkins just exposed the whole DL and took them to the wood shed. If Jerry wants to win meaningful games in the post-season or even make it to the playoffs he will need to make a trade for a true NT like Star Louteleli.
4-3 D does not have a NT. The biggest DT Jimmy Johnson had was 285-290 pounds (Leon Lett and Chad Hennings). It is technique, positioning, and what the defensive philosophy is by the coordinator.
Tom Landry invented the 4-3 Defense. Landry actually made Randy White line up like a frog to stop him for penetrating so quickly in the backfield exposing his Linebackers. His philosophy was to get OL off the linebackers allowing them the flow and tackle (MLB). Read and React.
Johnson used penetration and speed at linebacker to clean up the mess with tackles. React and Read on your way to the QB.
Tony Dungy's Tampa 2 given to Lovie Smith is about position technique to shoot gaps and have the LBs fill in and make plays (see Derrick Brooks). Shoot the gap, fill in and get the ball.
There are no NT in the 4-3 Defense. Read and react, react and read, position angle to shoot gaps, and rush the passer. The 4-3 defense from conception was actually made to stop the run. So either it is not coach correctly by the Cowboys coaches or they do not have the players good enough to execute shooting the gap, fill in, and get the ball.