...them. This doesn't mean that the Cowboys have the individual assignments down the same way.
CB. Think pass first, watch for run.
Zone coverage. Get to your zone first, keep body angle as such to view both WR and the QB. Know your depth and drop.
Man to man, get your bump if defence calls for it. Play your man with inside leverage at corner, outside leverage in slot.
Play the tackle first go for the ball if you have a chance second.
If run get outside leverage keep outside arm free, drive to make the tackle outside in or force runner back inside to pursuing LBs.
Safeties.
Depends on the defensive coordinator, but you may be required to call the defence along with the MLB. At the very least you set the safeties and call the coverage. Most coordinators pick either the FS or SS based on ability and experience. I can be either.
Think pass first. Run second. Unless its zone defence or called blitz and you are switching roles with a LB dropping in coverage.
On sweeps you fill in the gap inside out behind the pursuing LBs. On dives you fill outside in or head on.
On pass you read the QB or the WRs, but don't let any man get past you.
You coordinate with the LBs to make sure your depth is set right in zone coverage. You also communicate the coverage to the CBs so they know when to drop off in zone or pass off a WR to you.
When pass is in the air if you are the lone man in coverage you play the tackle first, ball second.
If you are the second man in coverage you play the ball first if you can track it. If you have lost the ball then play the tackle along with the CB.
As a general rule you like Safeties who can track a ball in the air fairly quickly. A big hitter is nice, but a ball hawk is way more effective with the scoreboard.
Rarely do big hits win games, but interceptions have been shown to greatly affect the outcome of games.
