Sturm: Marinelli Report - Arizona

[Sturm1310]

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...fense-is-not-forcing-enough-field-goals.html/

With each passing week, the numbers continue to accumulate to tell us a more complete story about the quality of the Dallas Cowboys defense. The bigger the sample size, the more we can learn about how improved the Cowboys are in 2014 defensively versus the record-breaking lows of 2013.

As we continue to preach each week, the statistics that matter the most for any defense will always be points allowed. That total from last season of 27 points a game was nearly insurmountable for the offense to out-perform often enough to make the playoffs. That had the Cowboys ranked near the bottom of the league and was ultimately seen as the biggest area to focus on improvement coming into this season. Of course, “allow fewer points” is a macro idea that is best addressed through a number of micro improvements all around the field.

So, 27 points in 2013 had been upgraded substantially to 21.7 per game (9th in NFL) through the first 9 games of the season. Now, we should caution any celebrations because there are multiple games upcoming against high-octane offenses, but the idea that they are in November and still ranking in the Top 10 in opposition scoring (nearly 2 points per game better than league average, 23.4) is worth noting.

 

[xwalker]

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...fense-is-not-forcing-enough-field-goals.html/

With each passing week, the numbers continue to accumulate to tell us a more complete story about the quality of the Dallas Cowboys defense. The bigger the sample size, the more we can learn about how improved the Cowboys are in 2014 defensively versus the record-breaking lows of 2013.

As we continue to preach each week, the statistics that matter the most for any defense will always be points allowed. That total from last season of 27 points a game was nearly insurmountable for the offense to out-perform often enough to make the playoffs. That had the Cowboys ranked near the bottom of the league and was ultimately seen as the biggest area to focus on improvement coming into this season. Of course, “allow fewer points” is a macro idea that is best addressed through a number of micro improvements all around the field.

So, 27 points in 2013 had been upgraded substantially to 21.7 per game (9th in NFL) through the first 9 games of the season. Now, we should caution any celebrations because there are multiple games upcoming against high-octane offenses, but the idea that they are in November and still ranking in the Top 10 in opposition scoring (nearly 2 points per game better than league average, 23.4) is worth noting.

Sturm,

Now that you're working for the newspaper you can get one of these:

Good article.

Points allowed is the primary stat that I care about for the defense.

Your splash plays show what we see in game footage, that despite no sacks, Crawford is playing really.

I do wonder if there could be a companion chart that is the opposite of splash plays. Carter might have several splash plays, but I'm guessing that he also has some negative plays that are causing him to lose snaps to Hitchens/Wilber.

Good review of Patmon. I had forgotten about the Wow Int/TD that he had the the preseason.

 

[DogFace]

Great read. Thanks a lot. I would love to see Patmon get some more snaps. Carr or Moore could sit some. Carr hasnt done much.

 

[AsthmaField]

Love Patmon. He's just got a little something to his game. He's so quick twitch and always around the ball. I think he'd be very good in the slot if asked to play there.

He does need some more experience but the guy has some gas to his play.

 

[Idgit]

Love Patmon. He's just got a little something to his game. He's so quick twitch and always around the ball. I think he'd be very good in the slot if asked to play there.

He does need some more experience but the guy has some gas to his play.

You can tell when a guy is just able to see a play develop. It's twice now where we've seen the guy can see the routes before they happen and get to the right spot on the field. He needs more snaps.

And, really, we haven't actually been tested downfield very much yet this year. I like the CB rotation we've got, but I have concerns about both Moore and Carr on the deep balls if the other guys have true speed receivers. At some point this year we're going to see that. Probably against the Eagles who like to throw it (even though Maclin's not a blazer). We did a fairly nice job against that last season, but I was surprised we did each time it happened.

 

[Crown Royal]

The only thing I can point to at the defense and say they needed to improve was redzone. This defense MUST force field goals if you allow them into the 20s.

 

[AsthmaField]

You can tell when a guy is just able to see a play develop. It's twice now where we've seen the guy can see the routes before they happen and get to the right spot on the field. He needs more snaps.

And, really, we haven't actually been tested downfield very much yet this year. I like the CB rotation we've got, but I have concerns about both Moore and Carr on the deep balls if the other guys have true speed receivers. At some point this year we're going to see that. Probably against the Eagles who like to throw it (even though Maclin's not a blazer). We did a fairly nice job against that last season, but I was surprised we did each time it happened.

I also like his speed and quickness added to the defense. Only Scandrick has a lot of quickness among the veteran DB's, and I have been wanting more quick twitch athleticism in the defensive backfield for a while now. It was a big reason I wanted Dallas to draft Janoris Jenkins and Tyrann Mathieu if they fell far enough (I didn't think Dallas would because they weren't RKG's). Having a guy like Patmon back there finally gives the DB's a little more quickness.

The great thing about him though is, like you mention, he makes plays on the ball. It really is a knack that guys either have or don't have. In his limited playing time, it is pretty easy to see that Patmon does have that knack. If he makes few enough mistakes to garner more and more playing time... he will make more and more plays on the ball and good things will happen for Dallas.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Strum is just a great read !
Defense doing the best it can, needs upgrade this off-season for sure. This defense is what we thought they were, and they need help ...

 

[CCBoy]

A never ending supply of great football discussion...I am so appreciative of a great source for perspectives. Thank you Mr. Sturm. This is as good as it gets, and on a weekly basis.

 

[jobberone]

I also like his speed and quickness added to the defense. Only Scandrick has a lot of quickness among the veteran DB's, and I have been wanting more quick twitch athleticism in the defensive backfield for a while now. It was a big reason I wanted Dallas to draft Janoris Jenkins and Tyrann Mathieu if they fell far enough (I didn't think Dallas would because they weren't RKG's). Having a guy like Patmon back there finally gives the DB's a little more quickness.

The great thing about him though is, like you mention, he makes plays on the ball. It really is a knack that guys either have or don't have. In his limited playing time, it is pretty easy to see that Patmon does have that knack. If he makes few enough mistakes to garner more and more playing time... he will make more and more plays on the ball and good things will happen for Dallas.

I agree but DBs have to be able to tackle including playing the run.

 

[waving monkey]

my head hurts but good article