Scout's Notebook: Coping With Losses On The D-Line, Other Final Thoughts

[RS12]

• Ronald Leary is listed as questionable on the injury report, meaning he will be a gametime decision on Sunday. If Leary is unable to go, La’el Collins will get his first NFL start at left guard. Collins has worked all week ahead ofMackenzy Bernadeau, who was the starter against the Eagles last week. In talking to some coaches and front office members, what Collins might lack ingame experience as compared to Bernadeau, he is developing a better understanding of what he needs to do in order to handle his assignments.
  
  
  
  
  
• As simple as this might sound, Dallas missed James Hanna last week in the running game. With Hanna back in the lineup, expect to see improvement -- especially on those runs where he is at the point of attack. Hanna might not be the most physically impressive blocker, but he has a keen understanding of how to capture the edge. When he’s paired with Jason Witten, he finds ways to get movement.
  
  
  
• Expect Scott Linehan to continue to find ways for Lance Dunbar to be more involved in the game plan. The Falcons’ best cover linebacker is Justin Durant, but this week he has been dealing with a little bit of a foot problem and could be limited in how far he can go. Dunbar has proven to be valuable on the outside, but where can be most effective is on those inside routes – remember what he did against that Dan Quinn’s defense in Seattle last year.
  
  
  
• Byron Jones has done a nice job the first two games of the season in his role as the nickel/dime safety. Jones drew a difficult assignment last week against Zach Ertz and was outstanding in coverage the entire game. This week Jones will face Jacob Tamme, who doesn’t

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...final-thoughts?campaign=sf13519699+sf13519699

 

[Corso]

I already love what Byron Jones has done and I look forward to him learning some lessons against Gronk and maybe, just maybe- surprising him with some good play of his own.

Go Jones!!!

 

[RS12]

• 
  

  [*]Look for the Falcons to move rookie defensive end Vic Beasley around in order to find the best possible matchups for him to rush. Tyron Smith’s athletic ability and power will give Beasley problems, and when Dallas runs the ball to that side, they will have an advantage. Where Beasley has the best chance to have success is when he is across from Doug Free -- who is athletic, but still not completely right with his foot injury. The coaches will likely try and help Free by putting Charles Brown or James Hanna to that side to make him have to rush a little wider.
  
  
  
  [*]Keep an eye on the matchup inside with these Dallas defensive tackles and Falcons center Mike Person. What I have noticed in studying these games is that Person tends to struggle sustaining his blocks – especially when a defender is physical with him. There were plenty of snaps where Person would snap the ball, have an initial surge, and then go to the ground. Person should be tested early and often in this game to see if he can hold up.

• 
  Two mismatches to watch. One on O, one on D. Did Peter Konz wash out already? Lotta people here loved him.

 

[waving monkey]

Thanks for posting
good news Hanna, bad news Mincey

 

[Aven8]

I already love what Byron Jones has done and I look forward to him learning some lessons against Gronk and maybe, just maybe- surprising him with some good play of his own.

Go Jones!!!

I like him as well on the TE! Not god enough yet to cover a good WR, but good on the TE! Now Gronk? Thats a different animal!

 

[Corso]

I like him as well on the TE! Not god enough yet to cover a good WR, but good on the TE! Now Gronk? Thats a different animal!

Yeah. I'm not going to lie to myself on that matchup.
That's why I said I hope he learns the lessons Gronk will teach him.

It's unfair to say BJ will do a whole lot on that freak, but I will maintain the slightest of hopes.

 

[Aven8]

Yeah. I'm not going to lie to myself on that matchup.
That's why I said I hope he learns the lessons Gronk will teach him.

It's unfair to say BJ will do a whole lot on that freak, but I will maintain the slightest of hopes.

You watch will lose the next 2 and then beat the undefeated Pats!

 

[Corso]

You watch will lose the next 2 and then beat the undefeated Pats!

Lord... I hate you.
JK.
You're awesome.

 

[conner01]

I know everyone is worried about the offense with tony out
But this week at least I'm more concerned about the defense
JM is a big lose when coupled with Gregory and hardy both unavailable
Hopefully the guys in the middle and Lawrence can take up the slack but the depth is thin and I'm concerned about them wearing down

 

[darthseinfeld]

• 
  Two mismatches to watch. One on O, one on D. Did Peter Konz wash out already? Lotta people here loved him.

They cut him I believe

 

[jazzcat22]

Mincey being out concerns me with our ability to get and keep pressure on Ryan. Now Atlanta, as Philly, has issues up the middle, supposedly. So T. Crawford and others will need to do to the OL as they did against the Eagles, and allow the LB's to get through to stop the run. And hopefully someone has a big game, like DLaw and gets some sacks. Time for him to step up this week.
Ryan can't be given any time to sit back and throw.

Not even the best of the best DB's can keep up with WR's if the QB has time in the pocket.

 

[dallasdave]

I already love what Byron Jones has done and I look forward to him learning some lessons against Gronk and maybe, just maybe- surprising him with some good play of his own.

Go Jones!!!

Have to keep up with the Jones !!

 

[guag]

Jack Crawford is going to be our starting pass rushing DE? I think our line is currently in worse shape now than it was last season. Hardy, Gregory, now Mincey... So our DEs are Crawford, Lawrence, and Russell? Oh, and Wilber too I guess.

At least the next several weeks should see the three missing guys returning within a week or 2 of each other.

 

[big dog cowboy]

A lot of good insights in that article. That is the inside scoop I'm looking for like the news on Hanna and The Bease.

 

[CF74]

Jack Crawford is going to be our starting pass rushing DE? I think our line is currently in worse shape now than it was last season. Hardy, Gregory, now Mincey... So our DEs are Crawford, Lawrence, and Russell? Oh, and Wilber too I guess.

At least the next several weeks should see the three missing guys returning within a week or 2 of each other.

Yeah I'm kinda floored that Russell is out but we will be aight...