So what has changed in the secondary since the Giant game?

[MichaelWinicki]

Wade came out after the Giant game, and the their receivers pretty much having their way against the Cowboy secondary, and said that there would be changes.

Obviously Jenkins being named the full-time starter was one. But what has anyone noticed tactically that the secondary is doing? Are they playing more man coverage? More zone? More man-under/2 deep? Anyone have any insight on the defensive play calls since game 2?

 

[JBell]

I don't think it has to do with anything play-calling wise.

I think they're just doing the fundamentals better. Starting with tackling.

D-line is also getting a ton more pressure.

And to Eli's credit, he made some great throws that day.

 

[goons]

The biggest single thing is that Mike Jenkins is playing with confidence and shutting down receivers. The second biggest thing is the pass rush is getting there and putting pressure on opposing QB's. The two things are closely related, and benefit each other. If the pass rush doesn't get there, receivers will eventually come open. If the coverage isn't there, the pass is thrown before the rush can create pressure.

It takes time for some corners before they start playing with confidence, and before the NFL game slows down for them so they see the field and know how to react. If they have to think about what to do, it's already too late to do it. Scandrick was playing with a little better instincts at first, and wasn't thinking about it, but he was getting burned when he moved wrong, and doesn't have Jenkins' blazing speed. Last season Jenkins stood around and watched the game fly by him. Now he's in it.

 

[Kangaroo]

Wade came out after the Giant game, and the their receivers pretty much having their way against the Cowboy secondary, and said that there would be changes.

Obviously Jenkins being named the full-time starter was one. But what has anyone noticed tactically that the secondary is doing? Are they playing more man coverage? More zone? More man-under/2 deep? Anyone have any insight on the defensive play calls since game 2?

Mike from what I seen the coverages are the same we mix man with zone and on 3rd and long we still do a lot of zone 2 coverage they used last year

I think settling on Jenkins helped; like the other person said tackling has gotten better and if i remember correctly Wade said something about Scandrick working on some fundamentals and tightening some things up.

I also think Hamlin has played better since the Giants game (other than that bad tackle attempt against the Broncos)

Also Allan Ball has steadily played better making the nickel and dime packages better

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Guys are just playing better. Newman, Jenkins, Sensabaugh, Scandrick, Ball and Hamlin are all playing good football. Scandrick looked lost in his 1st start. Hamlin looked lost. Sensabaugh while didn't look lost didn't make the plays he makes now. And most importantly the Cowboys pass rush has gotten better.

 

[adbutcher]

The pressure has increased. The coverages look similar.

 

[KingintheNorth]

It seemed to me that in the Atlanta game one of the CB's (Jenkins?) brought the wood on a hit and ever since then all of the DB's started bringing it as well.

That's the thing about game film. In the heat of the game a player doesn't want to hear that he isn't tackling correctly or that he is being soft. Then, you watch the film, see it for yourself, and have to be accountable. If I was a Cowboy defender watching some of those early games, I would have been embarrassed. They are playing some football now.

 

[superonyx]

I think it has a lot to do with the coverage being called. I think Wade was not confident enough in the coverage ability of his new safety and CB. I think it is a combination of confidence from the secondary and Wade having confidence in the secondaries ability to hold their men if the pressure doesnt get there.
Its a big gamble to send men to get the QB if your secondary are going to get exposed deep. However, i yell at the TV every weekend about some of the soft coverage i see. It has gotten better. But i still yell like an idiot whenever i see it. (even if the play works and it was the right call)

 

[MONT17]

ATL game it looked like they were playing a Bumb Zone... created Jenkins pick. Philly it looked like Hamlin was staying back and Sensabaugh/BoCarp did a nice job locking down!


Jenkins is a beast... why it took the coaches 4 games into the season to figure it out, making him a full time starter... is not encouraging.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think a lot is a sense of trust with the secondary guys knowing their assignments the proper calls and adjustments are bring made and guys are where they need to be. This seems to be a very confident group right now.