Shawshank Redemption and our Cornerbacks

[T-RO]

It's a bigger and more mysterious disappearance than Andy Dufresne from his jail cell in Shawshank Redemption.

Warden: "went out and vanished like a fart in the wind..." ..."maybe fuzzy britches (Raquel Welch) knows"

Only unlike the movie, in this case the vanishing achieves no glorious escape, no triumphant vindication. I'm talking of course about our secondary, with some very fine talent: gone.

Take a moment and look at this y'all....a visualization of our defense's interceptions and passes-defended. This blew me away when I ran the report/visual. Only one of our DBs has an interception through game six. That's surprising enough. But the stunner: only one of our primary DBs has even broken up a single pass.

I'll add some context in my next post to convey just how stunning this is. First...I need a drink.

 

[T-RO]

-341 different NFL players have registered a Pass Defense this season. League-wide defenders have batted down or broken up 777 opposing passes.
-185 corners and safeties have accounted for the lion's share, 511 of those

Interceptions of course aren't as abundant, but the league has witnessed 123.

Meanwhile in 2025 Diggs, Elam, Hooker and Bland have combined for... Zero INT, Zero PD.

-In his first thee seasons Trevon not only tallied 17 interceptions, but he broke up 49 passes. Even last year in 11 games Diggs posted 11 PD. This year the dude is shut out zero INT, zero PD.

In 2023 Daron Bland started 15 games. He stole 9 picks, broke up 15 passes. Dude knows how. This year, nada.

In the words of Joe Lombardi: "What the hell's going on out there!?"

 

[T-RO]

As a team Cowboys have 10 PD this season. The Jags? 40. A certain DB on their team has seven. His name? Jourdan Lewis.

I suppose I made a big mistake in putting "Shawshank Redemption" in this title of this thread.

 

[T-RO]

OK...I'm OCD but I just can't let this go, even if no one comments.

Nearly 90% of defensive backs who have started four or more games this year have posted at least one pass defense. Just 16 DBs have not.

Four of those 16? Cowboy players. And these guys have previously earned accolades.

Yes...our secondary has vanished like a fart in the wind

 

[Praxit]

..you forgot to mention Eberfluke is the Warden. >

 

[nobody]

OK...I'm OCD but I just can't let this go, even if no one comments.

Nearly 90% of defensive backs who have started four or more games this year have posted at least one pass defense. Just 16 DBs have not.

Four of those 16? Cowboy players. And these guys have previously earned accolades.

Yes...our secondary has vanished like a fart in the wind

When it's most of our DB's doing that, you have to look at coaching and the scheme.

 

[Bagman]

-341 different NFL players have registered a Pass Defense this season. League-wide defenders have batted down or broken up 777 opposing passes.
-185 corners and safeties have accounted for the lion's share, 511 of those

Interceptions of course aren't as abundant, but the league has witnessed 123.

Meanwhile in 2025 Diggs, Elam, Hooker and Bland have combined for... Zero INT, Zero PD.

-In his first thee seasons Trevon not only tallied 17 interceptions, but he broke up 49 passes. Even last year in 11 games Diggs posted 11 PD. This year the dude is shut out zero INT, zero PD.

In 2023 Daron Bland started 15 games. He stole 9 picks, broke up 15 passes. Dude knows how. This year, nada.

In the words of Joe Lombardi: "What the hell's going on out there!?"

You can't break up a pass if you're 12 yds away from the intended receiver. We're playing 95% zone. Our DBs were drafted primarily for their man on man coverage abilities. When will this staff stop being so scared and let the guys play ?

 

[T-RO]

You can't break up a pass if you're 12 yds away from the intended receiver. We're playing 95% zone. Our DBs were drafted primarily for their man on man coverage abilities. When will this staff stop being so scared and let the guys play ?

When it's most of our DB's doing that, you have to look at coaching and the scheme.

Most teams play zone most of the time, yet other teams DBs are breaking up lots of passes.

I do, however, agree that Eberflus' zone schemes and possible personnel mis-match is likely a huge factor.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

As a team Cowboys have 10 PD this season. The Jags? 40. A certain DB on their team has seven. His name? Jourdan Lewis.

I suppose I made a big mistake in putting "Shawshank Redemption" in this title of this thread.

Yes, lad, but we get to keep the wall poster.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

It's a bigger and more mysterious disappearance than Andy Dufresne from his jail cell in Shawshank Redemption.

Warden: "went out and vanished like a fart in the wind..." ..."maybe fuzzy britches (Raquel Welch) knows"

Only unlike the movie, in this case the vanishing achieves no glorious escape, no triumphant vindication. I'm talking of course about our secondary, with some very fine talent: gone.

Take a moment and look at this y'all....a visualization of our defense's interceptions and passes-defended. This blew me away when I ran the report/visual. Only one of our DBs has an interception through game six. That's surprising enough. But the stunner: only one of our primary DBs has even broken up a single pass.

I'll add some context in my next post to convey just how stunning this is. First...I need a drink.

I see us more as a "Slaughterhouse House" outfit.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I see us more as a "Slaughterhouse House" outfit.

Or "Come Back Little Sheba."

 

[Buzzbait]

You can't break up a pass if you're 12 yds away from the intended receiver. We're playing 95% zone. Our DBs were drafted primarily for their man on man coverage abilities. When will this staff stop being so scared and let the guys play ?

Agreed, what are they scared of??? Our pass defense already stinks, how could it get worse?

 

[T-RO]

Agreed, what are they scared of??? Our pass defense already stinks, how could it get worse?

I mildly respected Eberflus prior to the season. And I view mid-season coaching changes with obscene contempt.

But at this point the needle could only turn brighter if we flipped to another option. This secondary is historically bad at epic and horrific proportions. This. Is. Pure. Darkness.

Even a tiny match igniting somewhere in this mess would mean progress.

 

[Kwyn]

Wait! Found one!

Reddy Steward leading the DB room as a backup with one PD!

Thanks for the data T-Ro

 

[LatinMind]

It's a bigger and more mysterious disappearance than Andy Dufresne from his jail cell in Shawshank Redemption.

Warden: "went out and vanished like a fart in the wind..." ..."maybe fuzzy britches (Raquel Welch) knows"

Only unlike the movie, in this case the vanishing achieves no glorious escape, no triumphant vindication. I'm talking of course about our secondary, with some very fine talent: gone.

Take a moment and look at this y'all....a visualization of our defense's interceptions and passes-defended. This blew me away when I ran the report/visual. Only one of our DBs has an interception through game six. That's surprising enough. But the stunner: only one of our primary DBs has even broken up a single pass.

I'll add some context in my next post to convey just how stunning this is. First...I need a drink.

This is what happens when you play strictly zone in a passing league with rules that want a passing league. You have to wonder is eberflus forced to run zone because these guys would get embarrassed more in man? Diggs has to go, he's not the same player, injuries took his feet. Reminds me of the fall of RG3, from one yr to the next he was half the player.

 

[pitt33]

In the words of Joe Lombardi: "What the hell's going on out there!?"

Vince Lombardi would not be happy with you.

 

[cowboyed]

'What's Up Tiger Lilly' and our defense.

 

[nate dizzle]

-341 different NFL players have registered a Pass Defense this season. League-wide defenders have batted down or broken up 777 opposing passes.
-185 corners and safeties have accounted for the lion's share, 511 of those

Interceptions of course aren't as abundant, but the league has witnessed 123.

Meanwhile in 2025 Diggs, Elam, Hooker and Bland have combined for... Zero INT, Zero PD.

-In his first thee seasons Trevon not only tallied 17 interceptions, but he broke up 49 passes. Even last year in 11 games Diggs posted 11 PD. This year the dude is shut out zero INT, zero PD.

In 2023 Daron Bland started 15 games. He stole 9 picks, broke up 15 passes. Dude knows how. This year, nada.

In the words of Joe Lombardi: "What the hell's going on out there!?"

Holy

OK...I'm OCD but I just can't let this go, even if no one comments.

Nearly 90% of defensive backs who have started four or more games this year have posted at least one pass defense. Just 16 DBs have not.

Four of those 16? Cowboy players. And these guys have previously earned accolades.

Yes...our secondary has vanished like a fart in the wind

Moly

I knew it was bad but...Jesus. Even operating under the general agreement that Diggs is/was overrated and coming back from a knee injury, he has never been the worst CB out there, more of a mid tier that had a couple really solid years. Somewhat the same with Bland. There's no way they all of a sudden forgot how to play and went from grade B to grade F.

This is on Eberflus and his scheme and the loss of Micah. Whether you agreed with the trade or not, you can't argue that his presence on the field covered a lot of warts by commanding double and triple teams and generating quick pressure on the QB.

 

[Pass2Run]

-341 different NFL players have registered a Pass Defense this season. League-wide defenders have batted down or broken up 777 opposing passes.
-185 corners and safeties have accounted for the lion's share, 511 of those

Interceptions of course aren't as abundant, but the league has witnessed 123.

Meanwhile in 2025 Diggs, Elam, Hooker and Bland have combined for... Zero INT, Zero PD.

-In his first thee seasons Trevon not only tallied 17 interceptions, but he broke up 49 passes. Even last year in 11 games Diggs posted 11 PD. This year the dude is shut out zero INT, zero PD.

In 2023 Daron Bland started 15 games. He stole 9 picks, broke up 15 passes. Dude knows how. This year, nada.

In the words of Joe Lombardi: "What the hell's going on out there!?"

UberPus..

I'm telling you. Our players aren't this bad..but the DC is this bad.

 

[Primetime42]

Crawling 500 yards through a river of **** as we speak