Scout’s Eye: Revisiting The Defensive Miscues

[waving monkey]

FRISCO, Texas – Like we always say, tape review isn’t fun after a game like that – but it’s necessary.

This was an ugly performance, and the replay bears that out. And whereas the Cowboys’ miscues this season have mostly been limited to offense, there were some problems Monday night in all three phases of the game.

Here’s what I took from my re-watch on Tuesday:

· I didn’t like the call of the fade to Amari Cooper on that opening offensive drive to start the game. That’s a tough throw for a player that Dak Prescott hasn’t had much time to work with. Cooper was getting a bail technique from Malcolm Butler turned to the inside. I would have liked to see them throw the back shoulder fade or the out route there to get the first down to keep the drive going. I thought Butler was in poor position to defend either one. Prescott’s throw should have been more to the back corner of the end zone instead of wide to the sideline, which gave Cooper no chance. Give him a chance to run under the ball or high-point it over Butler.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/scout-s-eye-revisiting-the-defensive-miscues

 

[big dog cowboy]

Xavier Woods has become a 50/50 player when it comes to making a tackle. His angle on the Dion Lewis 37-yard screen was poor, and as a result he wasn’t close to making the tackle. The path he took in order to get to Marcus Mariota on his touchdown run up the middle late in the fourth quarter was even worse. Instead of taking Mariota on head up, he went too far to the inside, which allowed Mariota to run right by him into the end zone -- basically untouched -- for the score. It’s hard to play good defense when you have a safety that struggles as a tackler and that has been the case for Xavier Woods at times during the year. He just hasn’t been consistent enough overall.

Earl Thomas PLEASE!