Sturm Cowboys Draft Weekly Notebook Personnel Issues On Defense

[RS12]

This week, I wanted to spend some time on how we see the current roster for the Cowboys so that when we look at their job on the weekend of May 8-10, we are clear on the direction for the potential targets. This requires us to do a little self-evalutation, part of which should be accomplished in a longer project, but let's at least establish a starting point.

Today, we will tackle the defense for the Cowboys, which of course is coming off a season of amazing and historic lows in the history of the franchise. There is no question that a lot of this was caused by injury, but in my estimation (based on our looks in the summer) much of this was caused by being undermanned at many positions even when fully healthy. That is a speculative opinion, but I don't think it is too absurd to look at the names and the positions and argue that whatever caused the Cowboys to consider a major scheme change without major personnel adjustments (ala, the Parcells 3-4 transition that was supplemented in the 2005 draft by taking front 7 fitting players with their first 3 picks) was a rather silly idea.

The result of trying to do something like that - changing your scheme, but not changing your personnel - was a defense that looked to be stretched too thin in September, beyond its limits in October, and utterly hopeless in November and December. If you want to call it just "bad luck" in the injury department, then you are taking away any culpability and responsibility from the front office and forgetting that many of us projected the defense would have an impossible time learning and executing what Monte Kiffin and Rod Marinelli had planned for them from the time this plan was announced.

http://msn.foxsports.com/southwest/...-episode-3-personnel-issues-on-defense-020614

 

[burmafrd]

that to me is what separates this scheme change from the last one. It seems patently obvious that going from a 3-4 to a 4-3 means some of the personnel you have will not fit the new scheme. jerruh acted like that was not true.

 

[CyberB0b]

The result of trying to do something like that - changing your scheme, but not changing your personnel - was a defense that looked to be stretched too thin in September, beyond its limits in October, and utterly hopeless in November and December. If you want to call it just "bad luck" in the injury department, then you are taking away any culpability and responsibility from the front office and forgetting that many of us projected the defense would have an impossible time learning and executing what Monte Kiffin and Rod Marinelli had planned for them from the time this plan was announced.

This.

Good graphic, as well, although I would put Carter as a red.

 

[Bullflop]

The 4-3 scheme change, coupled with an absurd number of defensive injuries might have been way too much for any team undergoing a defensive scheme and multiple coaching changes to deal with effectively. Another year under Marinelli coupled with reasonably good health could make great difference in 2014. Success in the upcoming draft, especially on the DL could also enhance our defensive prospects dramatically. Also, something apparently needs to change in terms of our offseason and training camp regimen to avoid yet another hamstring-riddled season.

 

[Idgit]

Good stuff. I agree with it all, except I'd have Carter in red, too. Ideally, we find a combination of three blue chippers, and about seven reds this offseason, though some of that could come from player development. It's a tall order.

 

[CyberB0b]

Good stuff. I agree with it all, except I'd have Carter in red, too. Ideally, we find a combination of three blue chippers, and about seven reds this offseason, though some of that could come from player development. It's a tall order.

Wilber probably won't be the backup DE, as listed. He played OK at OLB.

 

[Risen Star]

The 4-3 scheme change, coupled with an absurd number of defensive injuries might have been way too much for any team undergoing a defensive scheme and multiple coaching changes to deal with effectively. Another year under Marinelli coupled with reasonably good health could make great difference in 2014. Success in the upcoming draft, especially on the DL could also enhance our defensive prospects dramatically. Also, something apparently needs to change in terms of our offseason and training camp regimen to avoid yet another hamstring-riddled season.

The whole mentality behind the scheme change was idiotic. Why would you change your philosophy on defense to prepare for an unexpected and rare rash of injuries so that street free agents have less to learn?

That kind of illogical thinking has Jerry stank all over it.

 

[Idgit]

Wilber probably won't be the backup DE, as listed. He played OK at OLB.

Yeah. He's not the backup DE anymore. Sturm must have just wanted to fit him on his list.

 

[Fredd]

The whole mentality behind the scheme change was idiotic. Why would you change your philosophy on defense to prepare for an unexpected and rare rash of injuries so that street free agents have less to learn?

That kind of illogical thinking has Jerry stank all over it.

unfortunately, there is a lot about the cowboys that has that odor to it

 

[jobberone]

I'd just say that in a less dramatic way. The lack of depth and talent, unexpected losses, a ridiculous number of injuries, new coaches and scheme resulted in things mushrooming out of control at the end. Perhaps the scheme change caused some problems early on but that couldn't have lasted long as they went into survival mode.

It's a mess.

 

[Redball Express]

that to me is what separates this scheme change from the last one. It seems patently obvious that going from a 3-4 to a 4-3 means some of the personnel you have will not fit the new scheme. jerruh acted like that was not true.

Well..

I don't think any of us thought Ratliff was leaving..

not that Spencer was on his way out with injury..

or Crawford was going down 2nd day of TC..

or that Ware would have only 6 sacks all year.

All that is behind us..

I expect the draft and FA to make the defense competitive again.

Now Romo?

He is to me the biggest question to be answered.

 

[Gaede]

Good article.

Can't wait for the draft.

 

[burmafrd]

Well..

I don't think any of us thought Ratliff was leaving..

not that Spencer was on his way out with injury..

or Crawford was going down 2nd day of TC..

or that Ware would have only 6 sacks all year.

All that is behind us..

I expect the draft and FA to make the defense competitive again.

Now Romo?

He is to me the biggest question to be answered.

not talking about injuries. Clearly some of the personnel were NOT GOING TO FIT. It always happens that way going from a 3-4 to a 4-3. And that FACT was ignored.

 

[Redball Express]

not talking about injuries. Clearly some of the personnel were NOT GOING TO FIT. It always happens that way going from a 3-4 to a 4-3. And that FACT was ignored.

Understood.

I never thought they over looked it.

they just still were fixing the OL and WR/TE positions first.

Defense is next.

 

[waving monkey]

Understood.

I never thought they over looked it.

they just still were fixing the OL and WR/TE positions first.

Defense is next.

I agree RedBall and what does anyone expect Jones to say about personal ."they don't fit", then people would scream Jones threw the defense under the bus!
This is why I defend Jones because some are not fair