Scout’s Eye: Defense At Its Best on a Short Field, Hitchens’ Night, More

[RS12]

• continue to say that this Dallas defense is at its best when it can play on a short field. They tend to bring more pressure with their front, which affects the quarterback, and the secondary is able to use the smaller space in order to stay in coverage and clog those throwing windows. They were able to do it after the Dak Prescott fumble as well as on the two-point conversion where Bradford was high with his pass.
• 
  
• Heck of a night from Anthony Hitchens. He led the team with 10 tackles and had a sack. He also had an interception taken away from him after a questionable hands to the face call on Orlando Scandrick. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen linebackers coach Matt Eberflus run drills where his guys had to sprint across the field, extend their hands and make a snatch catch on the move. Even though it was called back, it was nice to see that type of work during practice pay off.
• 
  
• Nice to see Dez Bryant take advantage of Harrison Smith on the double-move. I have always felt like Smith is a much better player when he can play down around the line of scrimmage. When plays are in front of him, he always has a chance. With Xavier Rhodes playing off in zone coverage and Bryant working against Smith, there was no way that Smith was going to be able to stay with him, especially with a running start. Great job by Prescott to get the ball out in front so Bryant could track it down. I also liked the screen pass to Bryant down in the red zone. Had a gut feeling that they were going to go back to that play if he once again got free access in the route, which he did from Rhodes.
• 
  
• Had Benson Mayowa has an Inactive in my “Final Thoughts” on Wednesday. He finally was able to capture the corner on a rush and grab a sack. This is something he had not done in previous games, and I don’t blame the coaches for wanting to sit him down. He still has some work to do in the running game, where he has not played better than Ryan Davis. Maybe the time off got him going and we will continue to see better technique rushing the passer here down the stretch.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...short-field-hitchens’-night-more?sf44518989=1

 

[WoodysGirl]

Heck of a night from Anthony Hitchens. He led the team with 10 tackles and had a sack. He also had an interception taken away from him after a questionable hands to the face call on Orlando Scandrick. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen linebackers coach Matt Eberflus run drills where his guys had to sprint across the field, extend their hands and make a snatch catch on the move. Even though it was called back, it was nice to see that type of work during practice pay off.

He caught that ball so well, I thought he was the intended target.

 

[gmoney112]

He caught that ball so well, I thought he was the intended target.

That stuck out to me as well. That's a cool drill, i like Eberflus' emphasis on takeaways, even for LB's.

That Chris Jones stat is crazy. -5 return yards all night. With Bailey and Jones, our ST units are actually a strength. Win in two phases and you usually win the game. Now, if we can figure out how to get some returns, we'll be cooking with gas.

 

[xwalker]

He caught that ball so well, I thought he was the intended target.

Since everybody is mad at Escobar, let Hitchens play LB and TE.

 

[basstapp]

I like that Chris Jones is getting some recognition.