The defense failed because of its construction

[kskboys]

The defence failed because of its construction. While there were boneheaded moves by DQ, and I'm not necessarily advocating for his return as I'd like Vrabel as our DC/Assistant HC (that way, if we do lose McCarthy, we'd have the next HC on the roster). However, as I dissect the Cowboys defence, I think you'll see that the construction of the defence leads to our failures in that department. I think, with this, you will see that our defence was doomed to fail at some point this season. I will then attempt to propose solutions.

The first and biggest area of weakness that I'd like to point out is at linebacker. We don't have any, at least not when LVE goes out with his injuries. Parsons is used too much at DE, and we have safeties playing linebacker. Part of this is on DQ. He likes to have speedy pass rushers, which is great. However, you need physicality at the point of attack. Then again, another problem is due to the construction of the team with us playing a 4-3 nickel style of defence. This doesn't work. It relies way too much on speed, and no where near enough on physicality. It's why, when you see us play QBs who are statues in the pocket, they feast on them. If we play a mobile QB, we have a problem. Additionally, this is why we can't stop the run against physical teams like the Packers, 49ers, and Bills. As we have seen, if you can run the ball effectively, you can torch our defence. If your only really good at throwing the ball, this team will feast on you.

The second area of weakness is where we play Micah Parsons, in part because of how the linebackers are constructed. Micah is in the 250lb range. Most offensive linemen are around 300+. That's a significant weight difference. Yes, he's strong. However, using him as a 4-3 DE or sometimes even DT when he's rushing the A gap means he's having to take on the hardest of the blocks usually to get to the QB. He does well at this early in the season, but he's clearly gassed by the end of the season. Then, come playoff time, he's useless. Plus, he's in a spot where he can't really get to the RBs as effectively as I'm sure he'd want to, and shifting him takes him away from what he does best (which is rushing the QB). I think there is a better way to use him, which I will state when I discuss solutions.

Our other issue is depth on defence. Part of the reason that we have safeties playing linebacker is because we had about 3 linebackers on the roster, plus Parsons who doubles as a DE. Part of the problem is that Jerry doesn't really do much in FA. By relying on the draft and bargain brand Free Agency, it puts you behind the 8 ball when injuries happen.

Another problem stems from the offense. The running game problems is another reason the defence failed. Using Tony Pollard like he's Zeke was never going to work. Mike McCarthy made it crystal clear that he wanted to run the ball. The FO thought that Pollard could be used like Zeke. Surprise, he can't. When this happens, the defence will be on the field more.

As you can see, the way the defence is constructed leads them to failure later in the season. In football, you have injuries. As that happens, you must have depth to withstand the problem. So, here's my attempt at solving this problem.

Firstly, I'd focus this upcoming draft on 3 places. Linebacker, running back, and NT. I'd take at least two linebackers this draft. If Penix doesn't drop to us at 24, take the best linebacker available, and then take another in round 5 or 6. If Penix does (assuming we go QB round 1), then go LB in rounds 2 and 5 and/or 6. I'd then go running back. I'd like the back from Texas (Brooks) in round 3. He's an up the middle back. I'd then use him there rotating occasionally with Dowdle and allowing Vaughn to be the scatback option. This should help us to control the ball and the clock more. It will make us less dependent on playing with a lead considering that our defence won't be on the field nearly as long. I'd then try to shift our defence to more of a 3-4 base. I know 4-3 is a traditional Cowboys bass, but I think the most effective way to use Parsons is our of a 3-4 base. This gives him some better protection because the DEs and DTs in a 3-4 have to be more physical. It's more predicated on stuffing the middle and allowing the LOLBs and ROLBs to rush more freely. Plus, Parsons can then rotate to different spots at LB to rush, depending on the play. Parsons can rush from the outside, or can blitz from a MLB spot as the 3-4 would open up some spots for him to rush. Plus, with Overshown coming back next year, he should be able to rotate with him on the outside for max effect.

I'd focus the defence more on physicality and less on the speed that our DEs have. The DBs still should be ballhawks, but we can't just rely on getting takeaways. We do want takeaways, but we should be constructing the team to be more physical. If we can become more physical and effective at stopping the run, the takeaways will happen. But, the 3-4 and bringing in more physical linebackers would allow us to stop the run more effectively, and it should result in better pass rush options.

I'd also get another DT this year, but this one Must be a NT. Mazi and Hankins would be 3-4 DEs in my view, and we would need a proper NT to clog the middle. Finally, I'd use FA to try to provide more depth at linebacker and NT.


If we do this, I think our defence can be more effective. Parsons won't be exhausted later in the season, and the team can be more effective.

BTW, Rusty, I am proud of you. You came on the old site as a 19 year old and you have listened and studied and appear to have a complete understanding of NFL football. Major kudos.

 

[Bobhaze]

After the 2 Niner playoff losses and once Dak started the Pick Parade how many of our defensive players would you guess weren't thinking.....................HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO again.
Shame really as when you have a QB who can't contribute properly in big games sooner or later it becomes a locker room issue.
Just ask our player's relatives.............

Dak has failed here in the playoffs. No question about it. But making it 100% about him being the problem is only partially addressing this team’s problems. Maybe we need to move on from Dak. I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to that. But it is delusional to think that means we are suddenly better and ready for playoff success.

Pap…Are you willing to admit that Dak alone isn’t the only problem? Because thinking Dak the only problem we have is like thinking the only problem with the Titanic was the captain. There was an iceberg involved too and a lack of hull strength and not enough life boats. It seems to me your argument is always that the Titanic sank because of the captain.

 

[movaughn88]

If we are going to stay with Dak and the coaches, then Jerry the GM needs to push all his chips in.

• Extend Dak with reasonable cap hits next 2 years (something like $30-40M hits)
• Have a REASONABLE OUT after 2025 so he can be cut and move on
• Sign 2 top-tier interior front 7 on defense, prob 1 DL and 1 ILB
• Sign or draft 1-2 OL and 1 RB
• Resign some of our decent vets (Gilmore, Armstrong, Fowler) to fair short term contracts

Personally, I'd see what you can get for Parsons. If you can get a 1st round pick PLUS and a young, high quality young player under control at a position of need (OL,DL,LB) I'd pull the trigger and then draft an edge in the first 3 rounds.

Again, if this is how we are rolling, then you need to go all in and then blow it up proper if it fails.

 

[shabazz]

Dallas needs to re-fence the middle. RB QB C DT LB S

Agree and that's why this "running it back" is pure BS.

We are too many players away from competing for a Championship....and that's still not addressing the failures of the coaching staff.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Im almost STILL too sickened by what happened against the Packers to even comment but I will. I thought it was beyond crazy from the start to go into the season with basically no back up linebackers like we did. I always thought we would sign someone,....but we just never did. Then, when we finally did midway through the season it was a washed up bum who ended up getting cut anyway after being sited for MJ use. oh,...than we grabbed another washed player in wilson right before the playoffs who didnt play anyway. Crazy,.....

Exactly, I think we all knew that our thin depth at LB and RB was going to catch-up, which it did, to us, except the fo.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Good read, IMO the biggest obstacle facing this defense and the team has to deal with the Salary CAP hits from, DAK ($59mil), CD ($17Mil) Z. Martin ($28mil), DLAW ($20mil) Gallup ($13mil) how Jerry approaches the Salary Cap will determine everything....who gets the paid, who doesn't...can they or will they bring Free Agents in and who gets a new contract...Its gonna be a interesting offseason in Dallas.

Cowboys are currently setting $16mil over the cap....what will Jerry do

I think that Dak is either going to have to be a June 1 cut or receive an extension to free up cap space. But then, they need to also get more lb depth.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I’d also add one major weakness of the defense was that large cushion provided by defensive backs.
That cushion didn’t match up with what the linemen were doing. If you give a quarterback a 10 yard cushion on third and six…..well…….first down!!

Tbf, that will happen when your interior isn't good.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

One Dan Quinn is very culpable here. Why the heck is he getting a pass? He helped construct this mess. Then he doesn't adjust. I am praying he leaves.

I'm not giving him a pass. If you read the OP, I make it clear that I want Vrabel as DC/Assistant HC.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

People were mad all year about the linebackers and DTs and it was a huge problem

And RB. We all knew it'd bite us in the rump, and it did.

 

[VaqueroTD]

Defense failed because it banked on some tough odds - No Injuries, Mazi and Overshown would be Stars in Season One.

Let's be real... if Diggs, LVE, Overshown were all healthy. And Mazi came out like a first round pick, had a season more like Tyler Smith, we'd be balling on defense, even with our undersized, speed over size, win with the lead D.

There were other letdowns like Safety (arguably because of injuries) and Clark at LB, and Micah ain't winning Defensive Leader anytime soon with his crying on his podcasts, but we would have been closer to last year's D in how we finished.

 

[Gambit]

Good read, IMO the biggest obstacle facing this defense and the team has to deal with the Salary CAP hits from, DAK ($59mil), CD ($17Mil) Z. Martin ($28mil), DLAW ($20mil) Gallup ($13mil) how Jerry approaches the Salary Cap will determine everything....who gets the paid, who doesn't...can they or will they bring Free Agents in and who gets a new contract...Its gonna be a interesting offseason in Dallas.

Cowboys are currently setting $16mil over the cap....what will Jerry do

Restructure, extend the same every other team does

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

No they didn't. They were overwhelmed because they are undersized and undertalented. They actually kept playing very hard.

Exactly, and there's no where near enough size or depth in the middle to stop the run. When that happens against physical offenses like Green Bay, you've lost before kickoff.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

And not to be missed, Jerry is doing the exact same thing he did w/ Crawford. He found a rotational DT type in Osa who is fairly disruptive, and then quit looking. Jerry has no clue that Osa is not a starter.

Exactly, Osa requires rotation

 

[sbark]

No they didn't. They were overwhelmed because they are undersized and undertalented. They actually kept playing very hard.

Agree, actually were over- pusueing. Example M.Bell so overpusued, he let TE go across his face for big gain on crucial 3rd down.
Happened several other times on big 3rd downs where receiver ended up all alone.
Because of lack of size Quin preaches pusuit, and G.Bay used it against us

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

BTW, Rusty, I am proud of you. You came on the old site as a 19 year old and you have listened and studied and appear to have a complete understanding of NFL football. Major kudos.

Thank you, I have learned a lot from the boards and from studying the game.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

If we are going to stay with Dak and the coaches, then Jerry the GM needs to push all his chips in.

• Extend Dak with reasonable cap hits next 2 years (something like $30-40M hits)
• Have a REASONABLE OUT after 2025 so he can be cut and move on
• Sign 2 top-tier interior front 7 on defense, prob 1 DL and 1 ILB
• Sign or draft 1-2 OL and 1 RB
• Resign some of our decent vets (Gilmore, Armstrong, Fowler) to fair short term contracts

Personally, I'd see what you can get for Parsons. If you can get a 1st round pick PLUS and a young, high quality young player under control at a position of need (OL,DL,LB) I'd pull the trigger and then draft an edge in the first 3 rounds.

Again, if this is how we are rolling, then you need to go all in and then blow it up proper if it fails.

I agree with all of this except for Parsons. I think the player we should trade is Lamb. I think finding a WR is easier in the draft than a Parsons replacement. This is especially since we should be running a 3-4, and Parsons would be critical in a switch to the 3-4. I think Lamb would get a lot of picks, and we can then use one of the picks to take advantage of what should be a good receiver class. Meanwhile, we need most of the other moves to be about shifting to a 3-4 base.

 

[blueblood70]

Dak has failed here in the playoffs. No question about it. But making it 100% about him being the problem is only partially addressing this team’s problems. Maybe we need to move on from Dak. I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to that. But it is delusional to think that means we are suddenly better and ready for playoff success.

Pap…Are you willing to admit that Dak alone isn’t the only problem? Because thinking Dak the only problem we have is like thinking the only problem with the Titanic was the captain. There was an iceberg involved too and a lack of hull strength and not enough life boats. It seems to me your argument is always that the Titanic sank because of the captain.

that a good analogy. More like MM is captain, Dak co-caption, DQ is 1st mate but yes the designers and the iceberg had a lot to do with it, by the way you guys wanting to do all the purges mentioned around making the playoffs for five years. THats a real possibility. having to take a giant step back and hear the complaints about not going to the playoff's vs losing in the playoffs would be priceless.

winning 36 games over three years with 2 division titles and 3 playoff berths in a row turns into 7 win seasons and bottom dwellers for while..that turf is not always greener..

but be careful what you wish for comes into play..

 

[fivetwos]

BTW, Rusty, I am proud of you. You came on the old site as a 19 year old and you have listened and studied and appear to have a complete understanding of NFL football. Major kudos.

Big time respect for staying with this dysfunctional team that continues to find innovative ways to lose and set records in futility.

Choosing teams is a wild concept. It’s typically done at a very early age and something you’re stuck with forever. Imagine signing a contract to work somewhere forever when you’re seven years old.

Although I am indeed learning that it could definitely be a choice to make it mean a lot less within your life, yet it’s sad that has to be the case due to one mentally ill man’s ego and delusion.

 

[FanofJerry]

Can any coach or someone with football x and o knowledge sell me one why our Defensive Backs played 6 to 10 yards off the ball and allowed a few crucial first downs?

I am hoping to read that we just got caught a few times and that we werent playing like that all game.

I remember being frustrated at easy throws to the outside for first downs because the DB was playing too far off.

Im a casual. Why would a DB play that far off ball? Because he has deep contain? Wants to try and jump a slant/curl route? Afraid of receivers speed?

Seems like there was a possession by Green Bay where the converted multiple first downs by just tossing it to the outside receiver whos defender was like 8 yards off him. Seems like bad defense unless someone can educate me on why a defense would do this?

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

that a good analogy. More like MM is captain, Dak co-caption, DQ is 1st mate but yes the designers and the iceberg had a lot to do with it, by the way you guys wanting to do all the purges mentioned around making the playoffs for five years. THats a real possibility. having to take a giant step back and hear the complaints about not going to the playoff's vs losing in the playoffs would be priceless.

winning 36 games over three years with 2 division titles and 3 playoff berths in a row turns into 7 win seasons and bottom dwellers for while..that turf is not always greener..

but be careful what you wish for comes into play..

I'm always happy for lots of wins. The thing that I'm contending within this thread is that we have a problem with how this team is constructed on defence, which was an area of great concern for me entering the season (along with our run game situation). With the teams we are likely playing next season (SFO, Houston, and Detroit) as a result of our first place finish (along with our division rivals, the NFC South, and the fact we play the AFC North), we better fix those areas if we want to have a shot next year.